Xmas "round robin!" A catchup & intro for all!

taplady

Hi! we're in an IVA which we started in August 2005. At the moment we're paying about £545 a month (was £450 but we had to miss a payment due to ill health and are trying to catch up plus our income went up a bit)
Its a struggle but we're determined to succeed!

rog2

Hi Lynz and everyone - I'm not much good at 'round robins' but here goes:

I was never a lurker - one morning, in June, I was sitting in my office, holding a letter, from a DCA. Business had been pretty lousy, and I had been 'robbing Peter to pay Paul', my car had been repossessed by the finance company and yet I was STILL refusing to accept the situation - hoping for that 'elusive' order that would put everything right. In fact classic 'head in sand' syndrome. I was, as usual, listening to radio 2, but my mind was not focused. For some reason, I started to listen to some guy called Martin LEWIS, who was talking about debt on the Jeremey Vine show - and I wrote down the website that he was promoting at every opportunity. I logged on at about 2 pm and the forum made me realise that I was not the only person in the world with debts, and also that 'debt' was not the heinious crime that my creditors were leading me to believe. I started to see that there were solutions to debt and that the 'debt-free-wannabe' life style was not that bad. Having totalled up my debts, followed advice and spoken with CCCS, I really had no option other than bankruptcy as I had no regular income. The situation was somewhat hastened when HMRC served me with statutory demand, but this, as I learnt here, was a blessing in disguise.
I am, now bankrupt, I have given up my business and am actively seeking paid employment. Registered for JSA, but refused.
I received superb advice and support from this forum (and also from my family of course). I have embraced whole-heartedly the DFW philosophy and threads like moozie's spending thread have helped me not only to keep track of my spending, but to resist the 'luxuries'.
In fact I am broke, but still have money in my pocket - if that makes sense.
I know that hindsight is a wonderful gift, but I honestly wish I'd found this forum 12 months earlier - I would still be here, but my signature would be different.
Thank you DFW's and a Very Happy Christmas to you all. :xmassign:

earwig

hi if i am honest it has been a mixed time for me oh is now out of bankrupcty but we are slowly slipping back into old ways still spending 100 plus a week on food have been keeping up to date with dmp but if im honest we could pay more now but cant seem to get into the scrimping mood to do it will sit down in the new year and do a new soa and try again to crack it hope your all well earwig xx

Snich

Hi,
Found this site 18months ago when I was graduating. The boyf and I have managed to live more frugally than we did as students in order to tackle our 60grand combined debt. Mostly lurk.
We received the final statement this month on bf's Professional Loan - £13000 paid off in full! Credit cards will be gone by end January 07. (Was 7000)
Overdraft's more than halved and at 0% (£5000 ->2000). Only student loans will be left so we are following Martin's advice and building a savings pot instead. We are each overpaying £150 a month to try and get these out the way.
I hadn't listed this before so I'm now feeling super proud of what we've achieved.
Matched betting has paid for a skiing holiday in February! Debt free date was 2017, now 2008!
Thanks to all MSErs and Martin, the worshipped one.
Snich

tesuhoha

Well we moved to our new house in July, or should I say old house. Very much an old house. Since the move I have been whittling away at our debt and have got it down to just under £15,000. We have vowed not to do any work on the house until it is all paid off and we have saved up the money as we do not wish to borrow any more.

Christmas is going to set us back, as it always does and I think its going to be a long time before the house can be renovated. It is very dark and dim with old carpets which we are not used to, having had wooden floors at our other house. We have a bright blue bathroom suite, circa 1960 and a makeshift kitchen. The dining room is too small for our table and my DDs bedroom is tiny. My DH is allergic to the carpets and spends every weekend sneezing. However, the area is very nice. We have come from the best house in a bad area to the worst house in a good area so I suppose we are making progress!

I am not going to mention my DS as it depresses me the way his life is going and until he sees for himself the way of the world then nothing will change. He has joined a band and that is the only positive thing. My daughter has got herself a part-time job and is still at uni, so is very busy. I am so looking forward to her coming home for Christmas, havent seen her since September and she is coming home on Sunday. I have got a new job working in the school office and I am really enjoying it.

Anyway I would like to wish all DFWs a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :beer: :xmastree:

Lara44

Hellooo

I joined here in the summertime as I found myself paying off £2000 o/d for the THIRD time, lol! The big news in my life was a pay rise another pund an hour yay, which means that working part time and studying for my MA is much more comfortable than before. Things have been going really well in work which I am thrilled about. I started working doing admin in a design company and now I am doing some designs so I am just so pleased as finally getting to use my degree for something. Will be finished my MA in August 2007 and then see what happens!

Debt-busting has stalled a bit as I am paying £336 per month to pay off my fees at the moment. But parents are insisting on giving me the money for that in Jan, and won't be moved, so when I have that money in Jan I will be semi-DF - just the £14,000 student loan to go!!

Have a great Christmas and a lovely new year everyone, I read this site everyday to keep on budget and it's lovely to be part of all your lives. Best wishes to Lynz also.

Lara

~evanesco~

My Go!!!

My situation is basically as it says in my sig. I've spent a bit more, it being Xmas and all!! I'm not updating until Jan 1 though. I'm also starting a weight loss plan after Xmas with my OH. We're going to make 2007 a debt free and fat free year!!!

Evans. xox

malvena_2

Hallo all.

I have only been on here since october but have made quite a few changes. I have started a spending diary ( one of the best things ever), begun the process of claiming back my charges from Barclays, and rediscovered my long lost cooking skills ( will need a diet after christmas I think!):eek:

Without this site I don't think I would even thought about any of the above, so I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL DFW'S. You have all made a massive difference and impact on my life. Cheers.:A

Wishing you all a merry christmas and a fantastic 2007.

Malvena x

:xmassign:

In_Search_Of_Me

Hi all,
Good to read through & see some of the old faces. Havent been on much recently as been busy with work, allotment & slipping off the wagon...feel quite hacked off with myself really as def spent too much recently & that old anxious feeling has returned so the spending diary (my strongest tool) is back on 20th Dec & CC to be left at home..My main aim is to pay the CC's off & then will have money to "save" at the end of the month & things will become manageable. Debating reclaiming bank charges but have avoided it so far because too stressful! Despite not paying off as much as I should have I have made huge changes since LBM earlier in the year & approach 2007 feeling less stressed, healthier & feeling optimistic about 2007! As others have said this site has been a lifesaver for me so thank you all for your support & encouragement. Big hugs for a fantastic, meaningful Christmas & DFW new year!

Kevicho

Hello all, tis kev, MSE extremist, its true ive not been on much, well since august mainly due to busy-ness and business
Had my LB last october time, well more than just a financial one really, but that was a big part of my problems.
My aimed DFD was November, however I have gained a love for business and making money (which hasnt happened yet lol) so fell short, i now owe around 3K which will be paid off by november, hopefully before, have kinda pushed myself into a risky/adventurous new sector, which so far am enjoying, and ill get the hang of it.
For all the newbies here's my preachings (also things i have done)!
1. Stop using credit (Cut up/freeze cards)
2. Cancel the sky
3. give up drinking! (Or moderate)
4. Take sarnies to work
5. Use cash back sites
6. Get any useful freebie you can
7. Reclaim any punitive charges
8. Dont settle for being shortchanged or overcharged! say something!

And most of all, LEARN whenever you can, one useful thing or fact a day, will keep you motivated and help you in so many ways

Kev