Struggled for years...time to ask for help!

cobragirl

Hi!

I have struggled with my ugly debt for a number of years, but now I feel like I'm reaching breaking point. I have tried so hard, but my debt is growing rather than reducing!!! I have just applied for a Virgin 0% card but as it is run by MBNA they will only give me a small limit as I already have a card with them.

I have loads of stuff to sell and have thought about ebay but I have a very demanding job and would like to know if any of you have suggestions about where else I can flog DVDs, playstation games etc without the hassle.

I am hoping to switch to an A&L bank account next month so that I can lose the overdraft charges and get into the black at least on that!

I know that to a lot of you my debt might seem small, but to me it is huge and I cannot cope with it on top of my normal household bills.

I'm approaching 30 and don't want this to carry on until I'm approaching 50. Today is the first day of the rest of my life!!!!!!

x

James&Shell

Have you ried you local Cash Genorator or Cash Convertors

They normally will by and old CD's DVD's and some video's

If you havent got the time to ebay them its worth a go and you might get more for them as they uually gic=ve £1.50-£2.00 per item if in good condition
and some on ebay sell for just 0.99 an you have to pay the selling fees

Welshlassie

Welcome and well done for making this first step to getting debt free.
Everyone here will help you as best they can, but to aid this could you post a SOA (Statement of Affairs) see Southern Scousers first at the top of the form on how to do this. This will show the members where you are spending and guve us the opportunity to identify areas where you can cut back and therefore save some money to throw at your debt.

It is also worth looking at a snowball calculator to give you a debt free date, using the money that you save to throw at the debt. This will help to give you a date to work towards and see your det come down.

Welshlassie

Also Amazon might be worth a look, their fees can be a bit steep but you can list stuff and you just get an email when it is sold so you just have to post it, not quite as time comsuming as Ebay, and you can set your own price.

black-saturn

Ebay might be a hassle but it's the only place where you will get a good price for things. If your strapped for time you should agree to do ebay business only on certain days. I check my items every day but I only go and queue at the post office on mondays and fridays. If someone pays up on a monday afternoon I'm afraid they have to wait till friday.

domestic_goddess

Dont forget to use quidco to swap to a and l and you will get £50 quid cashback. Also when its open go on to the referrers board on here and you will get another £50 cashback if you allow someone to refer you.

quantumleap

First of all, you should post a full statement of affair in order to get some constructive feedback about how you can get out of debt. Regarding ebay, to be honest I have a very demanding job also and I still find time to conduct ebay business quite regularly. Unless you are operating you're own ebay store it only take 30 mins here and there.

And to be perfectly honest, and I don't mean to sound harsh but if you believe that it will help reduce you're debt then I'd suggest you find the time.
You're debt isn't going to resolve itself without hard work and dedication.

Mrs_Sparkle

Yes I find eBay a bit of a hassle too- although I'm forcing myself to give up the time needed as I'm desperate to clear this debt. I find Amazon less hassle to be honest as you don't have to take photos and write lengthy descriptions. Read the Amazon for Newbies thread on the eBay/Amazon/car boot sales board- it's full of helpful tips to get you started. And don't bother undercutting everyone on there- they will undercut you and you will both end up selling your item for 1p.

Good luck and remember to post your SOA to get the benefit of the collective wisdom on here.

C x x

Starry-eyed_surprise

Hi cobragirl :hello: Welcome to DFW
I take it you have read Martin's article on debt and the credit card shuffle on the main site? If not then this is the first place to start. There is always something that can be done to improve the debt situation so don't despair.
Also, read Southernscousers sticky on posting a statement of affairs at the top of these boards. This will give you more useful ideas. You don't say what the APRs are on the cards you list. Have a look at the snowball calculator to get an idea of your current debt-free day and which debts to prioritise although without knowing the full picture this is just a guide. Here is a link to the snowball calculator

http://www.whatsthecost.com/snowball.aspx

You are right, today is the first day on your way to a debt free life. Things will get better. All the best.

cobragirl

Thanks everyone for your comments so far!

Starry-eyed surprise - I've just "snowballed" and I feel sick. Estimated date July 2013 - £11k interest!!!:eek:
It won't take me that long and I won't be paying that interest!
I've read the shuffling article and am looking into shifting the debt around as I don't think my credit rating is very hot at the moment so I won't be applying for any more cards (apart from the virgin one, yesterday!)

Thanks to sickofhavingnomoney - I didn't know about the cashback.

I'm working out my SOA now....

lynzpower

big welcoem from me too! Well done on finding us