And so it begins...

Jes1980

I split with my sons father two years ago with a loan i took when i suddely found out i was expecting (4 months gone :eek:), two credit cards and still with my student overdraft leaving me 9.5k in debt. I work full time with my parents helping massively with childcare, i couldnt afford to do it without them.

Ive been getting by month by month on minimum payments that get wiped out by interest, unpaid item fees and overdraft charges crippling me.

A week ago i was hit with a CCJ which in a weird way has given me a huge wakeup call! After reading posts on here i put a budgeting spreadsheet together and the results are shocking. I actually have surplus income!!!! I'm just wasting it with nothing to show.

This morning i called PayPlan who i have to say are so nice, non judgemental and full of advice! My first appointment is set for Friday and i feel so proud of myself, ive had my head firmly planted in the sand for far too long.

Its so strange as i work full time and i'm so organised there, decisive and extrovert but when it comes to my debt i've been completely the opposite hiding away not talking to anyone.

So my journey to becoming debt free begins, very early days for me, im unsure of my DFD yet but sure all will become clear in the coming week (i hope), i just need to keep the momentum going.

Im still in shock though that i spent £30 at dominos pizza last month, my spending habbits are horrible!

Any advice is hugely appreciated its a scarey time and cannot wait for some of the wait to be lifted.

Ill update regularly and really hope this works for me.:o

starnac

welcome to MSE Jes1980. facing up to your debts is one of the hardest things to do so well done on taking the first step. you will find a lot of advice and encouragement (from gentle nagging to kicks up the bum - whichever is best for you )

mummytogirls

Hi Jess and welcome to diaryland! Well done on facing up to your debts now. £30 in Dominos is easily done btw!!! We only ever get them now as a special treat and when the bogof's pop through the letter box.

Have you started a spending diary to track where all your money goes? I was completely shock when I started mine and its the best thing ive ever done.

Mummytogirls x x

.NoMoney.

Welcome and well done for making that first post. I am relatively new here myself with my diary but can safely say that you are in safe hands.

As for Domino's, spending that amount is easily done - before I started tackling my debts we used to have Domino's once a fortnight and it was so bad that they knew what we were going to order whenever we called! Still do eat there though, only as a treat when we have something to celebrate or whenever we get the spend £30 and get 50% off vouchers through the door (we usually invite friends round to make us look less like pigs!)

Jes1980

aww thank you so much guys and starnac knowing me a kick up the bum is usually what i need. Im so used to feeling stressed, jumping whenever i hear the doorbell rings, im starting to feel relief that the cogs are now in motion to sort it out. I spent 20 mins on hold to Santander customer services on an 0845 number just to get my outstanding loan balance!! Then they gave me a lecture about how a DMP would batter my credit rating, little did they know the CCJ has written it off anyway so didnt let it bother me but urgh i dont like that bank!

It suddenly hit me today at work that im owed expenses so hunting for receipts at the moment currently up to £60, also joined two survey sites giving me tesco vouchers and money into paypal i guess every little helps.

Do people find it easier to control spending at the supermarkets via online shopping? And if so Asda or Tesco??? Ive decided to hit the credit crunch diet and try to lose a few pounds whilst trying to save them meaning my little boy (3yo) can get his usual treats.

In the new year ill have a clear out and hit ebay my son has so many clothes!! Especially Timberland that seem to sell well so should make something there.

Booze im cutting back on by digging out the homebrew kit!!!! A nine pound investment in cider bits = 40 pints of bliss and last me sorted for yonks being the daft lightweight i am. :beer: I turned thirty last month and always thought it wouldnt change me one bit, beginning to think its my age thats made me pull my head out of the sand

Jes1980

Mummytogirls no ive not done a spending diary, i have online banking via RBOS and it goes a pretty detailed breakdown, from this ive put together a spreadsheet of my monthly spend based on the last six months. The amount of money i waste on junk is painful, i seem to be obssesed with Tesco, hence why im thinking online shopping is my future.

crapwithcash82

Hi Jess, welcome to MSE! I am trying to clear around £8500 of debt so hopefully we can encourage each other! I've started three diaires on here already and always end up distracted or fall off the debt wagon but am determined this time to stick to it and get rid of the debts!! I'm on maternity leave soon and will get paid for the first few months, so hoping to chuck all my childcare money towards debts instead. Its easy to get disheartened by it sometimes but the support on here is great, and knowing there are other people in the same situation (and sometimes worse situation!) that you're in yourself helps not feel so swamped by it all!

Good luck with your journey and I'll check back to see how you're getting on!

Jes1980

Hi and thank you, yes definitely good to see someone in a similar position (number wise we are all in similar positions). Today i'm on a dinner dance at work so am going to go OTT on the old charm offensive generate the tips as i need to go get more nappies. Glad i left a couple of days before payplan call me as its giving me time to let it all sink in, have a long hard think about realistically what i can afford. I'm scared to commit to too much my sums reckon i could be deft free by Dec 2012, then i intend to save up for Lapland 2013!!! Now there's an incentive, just seems so long off and im such an impulsive/impatient personality. I guess a horrible credit rating means i wont be able to be in this mess again, im trying to look on the bright side. Hope you are all doing well! J x

Jes1980

Well all went well with PayPlan they have worked with all of those i owe money too and have sent the paperwork which hopefully should arrive in the morning. Meanwhile im waiting on a decision from Lloyds on a new bank account, i have to stay away from RBOS and Santander if i get declined ill try for a Barclays basic account. I've been told to cut my links with my current account asap so that's what i'm doing, these lot are so hopeful that feeling of drowning in debt with no way out is starting to lift a bit. I would have known about any of this if it wasn't for MSE. Fingers crossed for getting accepted for a new account

Jes1980

Ahhh as they promised the paperwork was with me first thing so very unlike me i popped it in my file signed the authorisation and posted it back straight away.
Had to hit the supermarket today in case it snows and i get stuck like earlier in the year, got only essentials and spent time looking for the best offers. Logged on tesco clubcard account and ive got £14.50 of outstanding clubcard vouchers
No snow yet but dreading the heating bill in the new year.

Jes1980

Started my spending diary today with a NSD
I was so tempted by the pastie van but managed to control myself and had staff lunch (free) instead. Had a very organised day today too, think this light bulb moment has caused me to think about other things as i've booked a docs appointment i've been putting off for three years. Also hitting the hairdressers tomorrow and going back brunette meaning it will cost me less in the long run to maintain, i've been blonde for ten years i'm terrified haha.
Also joined the sealed pot challenge too and setting myself the target of £300 by 22nd May and after that £300 for Xmas 2011.
Its so true that whenever you feel the urge to shop just to come on here for 30mins and read a few diaries, it takes the temptation agan and restores the motivation, i cant wait until i can feel like the low cost way of life is the norm. Big thankyou to all

My dominos spending since lightbulb moment = £0.00 :T

J x