DFW Book - Recognising The Signs Before It Happens Again

Former_MSE_Sue

Hello all - can I get your thoughts on this one for the final chapter of the book on life after becoming debt free.....

If you've been in this position how do you recognise any 'early warning signs' before your risk getting into debt again are there 'danger points' when you've though uh oh gotta be careful here before it all starts again....

just a couple of lines on your thoughts/advice would be great thanks Sue

"What is the DFW Book? A Quick Note From Martin. This forum is a massive wealth of positive information that helps so many people, its crying out to have a book written about it. As such Sue is helping me compile DFW the book. The aim is for it to be split 50/50 with half written by me, which will explain the techniques for managing and dealing with debt; and half coming from this forum with 'living with debt' real stories to help, inspire and educate.

Sue Hayward (MSE Sue) is a consumer finance journalist who is compiling the Forum stuff for me for the book. In case you're wondering where the money will go, to be honest I havent decided yet. Thrifty Ways was written totally off the Old Style forum, so I donated all my proceeds to the MSE Charitable fund; as this book is half/half I haven't decided whether I will donate half or all of the proceeds - but it will definitely be at least half. Please do help if you can - this book should reach many people who can't get to the site, and your one quote could just be their lightbulb moment."

Snaggles

For me, it's if I find myself lying awake in bed thinking about my credit card bill - then I know it's time to take action before I'm back on the slippery slope again.

Skint_Catt

Early signs? That you can't pay any borrowing off within a month or two. very slippery slope!

Catt xx

Gemmzie

I think knowing that you still have a budget to stick too - just because you have no debt doesn't mean that money is limitless.

Saying you're going to spend £200 a month on food, £50 on clothes and save £100 when you're really spending £250 on food and £60 on clothes isn't wise.

Don't limit yourself to far or you're more likely to go back off the rails

Rain_is_Insane

When letters start going unopened and you think to yourself "i know what they want but i'll just pay double next month"

in_debt_again_but_dealing_with_it

When instead of throwing the junkmail card/loan applications away you actually starting reading them again - temptation is the devils friend!!

lauren_1

When your emergency card muscles its way back in to your wallet and has a £400 balance two months down the line but it's all essential stuff and a complete bargain of course.

immoral_angeluk

Don't get caught in the consolidation cycle!

themaccas

Being too scared to look at your bank statement and playing russian roulette with the ATM! - do I have any money in the account?

mrsspendalot

When you tell yourself that you will put it on the card and pay it back next month in full 'just this once' ........ and then next month comes and you pay the minimum payment instead

Emma's_Mum

When you stop writing in your spending diary and you pretend (to yourself) that you didn't spend it!