Martin's DFW Book - Lightbulb Moments Please!

I_was_a_fool

What did it feel like when you had yours?

It felt like a kick in the stomach! Couldnt eat, couldnt sleep for several days. Thought we would lose everything. Thought I had failed the kids. Thought about suicide.

Where were you?

I had been ill, with depression for around a year. I had just come off my medication, took a big breath, & downloaded our bank statement & added it up. Just the monthly payments. Then I added up all the debt, about double what I thought it was. Told my OH, felt so terrible, but he was great..

How Did It Happen?

Had no idea we were in such trouble, had consolidated in the past (such bad deals!) & thought we could again.

I went on-line & looked for all the help I could, & found this site, which literally saved my life.

Triker

What did it feel like when you had yours?

Awful, burst into tears when I had ran out of money two weeks into getting paid, was maxed out on all credit cards and overdraft and felt stupid, ashamed and very, very panicky. Couldn't stop bawling my eyes out all the way home and still carried on for some time afterwards. Was furiously thinking of ways to get money fast, what could I sell, should I ask my Dad for a loan, was there anyway to extend my credit?

I knew something had to be done, these incidences of running out of money were coming thick and fast and I didn't know how to stop them.

Found this site, and posted, the support and suggestions were phenomenal. Just knowing that others 'had a plan of action' and gently put me in the right direction was brilliant. I wish those who helped are aware of my gratitude for this non judgemental support and guidance.

Where were you?

In town having just had my debit card declined in a shop, think I needed to buy my DD some shoes. Then at home amazed at the number of people on this site who had been through similar experiences.

How did it happen?

How long have you got?:rotfl:

Been poor most of my life, just didn't want to admit it as I hit my mid thirties. I suppose an accumulation of childcare fees whilst I got myself educated at University. I felt angry that so many obstacles where put in my way for firstly being poor and secondly by having a child. So I thought just plunge in and someway, somehow I will find the money.

So I have through 6 years of education, 7 years of working and various loans, overdrafts and my ever present little gifts of money that I give to Natwest each month (just for being there for me). They all added up.
Admittedly had 2 holidays paid for by Mr. C. Card because I wanted my children to have a bit of fun but bad money management, impulse shopping and no planned response to any of my debt is what got me here today.

Please understand I'm still on my journey to lightbulb mountain, some weeks I conquer the peak, some weeks I've slid all the way back to the bottom but I keep getting back up and trudging on.:D




Suggestion, maybe we could ask Carol Vorderman to advertise DFW book, just a thought.:rolleyes:

MSE_Martin

Promotion will be done by the publisher - I of course will do a massive batch of interviews on the book - and send it in the weekly email (which is getting very close to the magic 1 million figure). Then like any other book the aim is to get it in the front of the bookshops and on amazon and hope people see it.

Much of that is yet to be decided, did you know most books are in 3 for 2s as the publishers pay the shops a "marketing" fee to get it there. There's a lot of politics in this.

Yet DFW is in many ways my second book.

As you know there's been

The Money Diet
The Money Diet Updated
Thrifty Ways

Well the MD is my book, thrifty is a site book, and DFW is a half way between book. Yet the publishers consider Thrifty to be a 'hints and tips' book, where as DFW is the next 'big one' so it will have a much greater push behind it

Martin

gettingitsorted

you could always rope SS into doing the publicity for the book Martin ,could be quite interesting to see how he would do it .:rotfl: :rotfl:


come on SS give us your ideas

Imelda

What did it feel like when you had yours?

Absolute panic, fear, just that sinking feeling in your gut when you know you are in trouble.

Where were you?

I was at work, I had a quiet moment so I decided to make a list of bills I had to pay when I received my bonus.

How did it happen?

I had gone through the same cycle for years, running up debt on credit cards (always thinking I was so savvy because they were 0% ones) and then using my annual bonus to pay them off. I should have been overjoyed at getting a £10K bonus but when I worked it out it wouldn't even cover half of what I owed. I found this site as I was looking for budgeting tips, met the guys on the DFW board and the rest they say is history! I became technically debt free on 25th January and this year my bonus is going to be mine, all mine.....

loopyloulou_3

What did it feel like when you had yours? I felt relieved, a bit sick and shocked about how bad the situation was and at how rubbish I had been with dealing with my finances, but overall pleased I was dealing with it at long last (and before it got too out of control). Also I felt a bit stupid at how I had been paying so much interest on CCs for so long!

Where were you? At home doing my Statement of Affairs after discovering MSE

How did it happen? After discovering MSE I honestly didn’t realise how bad things were and thought “everyone has a bit of debt” – I’ll have a look at this site to see where I can save some money. After reading some DFW threads I realised that we don’t HAVE to be in debt. I think we have been made to think it is acceptable to be in debt. I realised that I don’t want to live my life with credit cards and loans hanging over my head and want to get on and enjoy life! My DFW journey started there! It isn’t over yet, but I am on my way to being debt free!

WISHIWASRICH_2

One day I just thought enough is enough; time to stop kidding myself that one day I'm gonna get rich...this needs sorting out....Felt enpowered once I got going ...after feeling like somebody who was out of control and never knowing if I cld afford something or not, it was just great to be able to say ...yes I can afford that or no I can't...

....lost lots of weight too ( 2 dress sizes)

...sometimes now I feel sad an angry :rolleyes: about all the money I've wasted and wish I'd known at 21 what I know now at 44:o

themaccas

Martin, for what it's worth I think you should definately take some profit for the book.

Oh and I'm loving this thread.:T

WISHIWASRICH_2

Yeah Martin should defo take the profit....where wld we be without him?:money: ..all us DFWers wld be alone...only Martin cared about us...he's a saint....a latter day Robin Hood......Hail Martin champion of the debt ridden:money:

PigginSkint

I had been called in to see my account manager at my bank for an ‘account review’ on a Saturday morning (where they are basically just trying to sell you some of their products!). She was very patronising and really upset me with some of the comments she made about my financial situation. I hated her at the time but it struck me as I was sat in her office in tears that I really had to deal with this properly. I spent the weekend in tears and feeling very sick. I also spent most of that weekend reading the forums on MSE. My lightbulb moment was horrible at the time but once I had had it I was able to move forward and start to deal with my debts. Life is still difficult (the debt got bigger before it started to get smaller!) but I am feeling much more positive now whereas I was utterly miserable before my lightbulb moment. This website is a lifesaver!