Feeling positive for the 1st time in a long time..

kittycat65

Hi everyone

I have been a long time lurker on this site and have finally felt inspired to post, particularly after reading Coco's posts..

I am up to my eyeballs in debt after burying my head in the sand for far too long. The crazy thing is, I am a (semi!) intelligent woman, have a good career and am used to balancing a lot of balls, home, career, family etc. but money wise I have totally cocked up. I am so ashamed.

It all started with the breakdown of my 1st marriage when my then husband walked out and didn't pay a coin towards anything, our daughter included. 6 years of single parenthood then ensued with several house moves in the process. I had a personal loan that I kept on "rescheduling". Then started to "tart" CC's, but continue to use the old ones. Sound familiar?

Anyway, met my wonderful 2nd husband and remarried 5 and a half years ago. He was aware I had "money troubles" but I refused to tell him how much. He offered to help me consolidate about 3 years ago, and again I refused. Silly female pride I guess. I think 6 years on my own made me hard in some respects. Anyway, I have finally hit that wall where the credit has run out and I am struggling to make my committments. It has been affecting me in all areas of my life and I was terrified to tell my husband . He guessed what was wrong though and on Friday night I finally confessed. I cannot tell you the relief. Although he is shocked at the level of debt, his 1st reaction was "what can I do to help". This has helped me no end, and in addition, you lovely people on here are so inspiring.

I have taken on board many of your suggestions and advice already and have snowballed too. I reckon I can be debt free by the end of 2016 if I keep at it and I hope you will all help me along the way. I started a spending diary on Saturday and today I have had a NSD!!

I don't think I am quite ready to post a SOA just yet, but I hope to do it soon.

Thanks for listening, and most importantly, for being so inspiring and motivating.

K xx

[Deleted User]

Well done and good luck,

D9

sistafromanothermista

Good luck to you :beer:

kittycat65

Thanks Domino9!
Should also have said, have also submitted some PPI claims. Printed off bank statement and discovered a £20 deduction from car insurance company that wasn't correct. Phoned up this afternoon and it's being refunded to my account:j

Have listed some books on Amazon and going to look out some stuff to sell on eBay.

Barbeduk

Just shows the value of a good man when you get that kind of response in a time of crisis!

Looks like you're on the right road, I found keeping a spending diary an eye opener, and I also did a SOA for my own eyes only (too ashamed to post) which to be quite honest totally shocked me. Have you used the demotivator, think there's a link on the debt free board somewhere? That is terrifying!!

Good luck, see you over at coco's!!:D

whitewing

Your first diary and first NSD too! The start of a more stable future....

Are you going to put your debt amount in your signature so we can help you keep track, or is that waaaaayyyy too fast at the moment?

kittycat65

Thanks everyone.

Will put the debt amount in my signature once I luck up the courage to post the SOA.

kittycat65

Well, not quite a NSD day today, but needed bread and milk on the way home from work. Went to the shop and bought......bread and milk :T

Normally on a night like this (where the sun is splitting the skies) I would have bought all sorts of other rubbish. Feeling very proud of myself.

I cannot wait for payday at the end of the month so I can really get started, using my envelopes etc.

Hope everyone else is doing ok.

K xx

whitewing

Morning! Hope it is another good day for you today.

kittycat65

Thanks Whitewing.

I have had another good day today. I am getting a wee bit worried though as I have another full week until payday and very little cash. Have enough food in the freezer and cupboards but will need petrol at some point. Can hopefully cadge a loft from hubby a couple of days tho.

Going to get some stuff on eBay at the weekend.

Barbeduk

Hi, I know you say you've got plent of food for the next week, but if you do ever need ideas on how to reduce the grocery bill or stretch what you've got, the grocery challenge on the old style board is fab.

Good luck with the petrol situation, and enjoy this lovely weather.