overwhelmed new member 16 February 2012 at 9:09PM in Debt free diaries 1.4K replies 196.6K views

Coco114

This is my first visit and somehow it feels like a big step !
I am a, relatively new, single parent. Massively in debt .... I reckon I should have it all paid off by 2099 .... 
Your stories , helpful members & tips look like they may help me to begin the long process of sorting this mess out. Emotionally , finally in a good place , financially - it's dire !
But , I just wanted to say , your stories are all encouraging & it's given me the push I needed to start sorting this out !
Thanks x

Aiming_High

Hello and welcome :wave:

It is daunting at first, I did nothing but read, read, plan, read and read a bit more with not a lot of doing to start with, but soon things fell into place. We're getting there and you will to.

JRsrule

Hello and welcome from me, too !

Money is rarely easy, and debt is always difficult. You have made a big decision to deal with your debt and you will find so many good ideas on MSE. One of the first things I learned is that no matter how bad it seems, there's someone out there who has been there too (and maybe even worse) and the next thing I learned is that there's alot of really great folk here who are helpful, kind and generous with their ideas and inspiration. Welcome aboard :T

Good luck to you
x

Hovel_lady

Hello and welcome to MSE :hello:

If you want any help with sorting out the debts etc post up a SOA (statement of affairs - link below) and we'll try to help.

http://makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Coco114

Thank you all so much - it's nice to know i am not on my own !
2 big steps already for me - for 3rd day in a row I have checked my bank balanc coming from someone who couldn't open a bank statement for 6 yrs that's a good feeling ! Also went out for milk but didn't have a penny on me - normal process ? Withdraw £20 and I would have just spent the rest & that thought made me cross ! So back to car & checked all nooks & crannies to find coins so I wouldn't have to take money out ..... I am now £3.00 up  2 weeks ago I would have been £20 down !!!
Babysteps ! Thanks again all if you - will look at PS at wknd x

abundant1972

Hi and welcome to the Forum... is great to have you here!!! Like you, I joined fairly recently and have got so much out of it!... Check in each day and try new challenges - it really helps... I get inspired by reading your posts also... I think if you can get (and stay) in an emotionally good place... the rest sort of follows on!... so well done for getting to that point... The foundations for a new life are in place... and every penny you save is like adding a brick to those foundations... building something new and solid just for you! Hugs x

mavvymoo

Hi Coco and firstly welcome and well done for your first post.

I am a newbie too and have had so much help and inspiration on these boards.

I found 21 unopened bank statements and dreaded going to the cash machine in case I was over the overdraft and couldn't get any money.

Those days have gone and I am on my way with major hiccups along the way but still trying and will get there.

So I wish you all the luck in the world and keep posting:)

deeleybopper

Hi coco, mavymoo
Also a newbie. Sounds silly but the other forum I was most often on was about holidays abroad that I joined a while back to plan a holiday. But they were always buying something...not good for a fresh mindset.

I'd been a member on here but not used forum for just reading and inspiration till a month ago...so I totally agree with reading people's back stories and seeing their successes.

I love your tale of hunting round the car...mine needs a good clean out (kids mobile) so I might be inspired to do that today to find some loose change for my jar!!

Anyway new year new start new mindset with a few newbies to keep you company too! Good to have you on
Board!

sickasachip13

Hi newbies,

Great to have you here. I'd say take some time, make a cuppa and sit down and start reading and learning. That's what I did at the start. As I read more I realised I wasn't alone as I had been feeling and not as useless as I'd feared. There is a an awful lot of knowledge and support to be had here and you will all contribute to that to - which is ACE!

Best of luck
SAAC

Coco114

Hi All - good to know I am not the only one who is new to all this. I have noticed little changes already, like being 10 mins late for work today - I got in my car with my precious £3.00 ....... thinking its Friday and I would treat myself - then I got back out - went back and made porridge (I never normally eat breakfast) and made myself sandwiches to take with me. I am bound and determined to hang on to that £3.00 as long as I can
Am going to do my budget this weekend and also work out what I owe - not going to pretty, I am guessing at about £25,000 but will see.
One thing - what should I be realisticly allowing for a family of three and 3 cats, for groceries for a month ? i was thinking £300.00 but is that too much ?
Many thanks all xx

deeleybopper

hey you inspired me too!
cleaned out the car and found £2.09! woohoo.
Gave £1 of it to DS as he helped with the hoovering - trying to encourage my two kids to be savers, they're doing really well with their own money boxes at the mo!