I confess, but am I alone?

sulkisu

Am I the only one who actually really enjoys reading other posters' SOA's? Not in an 'enjoying other people's misery' way, but in a nosey parker, curtain twitching, voyeuristic way.
I do offer advice where I can, and I convince myself that I am read them for the money saving tips, but really, I'm just nosey.

I love reading how much other people earn and how they spend their money. It's sad, I know and I guess I really should get out more but am I the only one?

I should add that I never had the guts to post my own SOA, I was way too embarassed, so hats off to all who do.

Squirrel29

In some ways I feel comforted that knowing my situation is nowhere near as bad as others but I get very anxious for people too.

whiteguineapig

me too, i read then i think about them for the rest of the day, i am still thinking of one from a week or so back and the poster seemed to be working himself to an early grave, i felt so sorry for him

pineapple

I tend to steer away from these threads as though many people land in trouble through no fault of their own, I'm sometimes tempted to shout WHAT POSSESSED YOU TO RACK UP £40,000 WORTH OF DEBT ON YOUR CREDIT CARD YOU NUMPTY!

YORKSHIRELASS

As someone who made some very bad financial decisions when I was younger I will never judge anyone else. I do like looking at other peoples SOAs and comparing peoples circumstances to my own though.

There are times when you just know people are still looking for a magic solution and dont want to take advice on board and thats frustrating. It took me a while to face up to it and I guess accepting the reality of it all is part of the process.

I have learned sooo much from this website and I would love to think I can help others sometimes.

And yes I do admire people who post their SOAs and like you OP I have never been brave enough to do it myself!

rising_from_the_ashes

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

There are times when you just know people are still looking for a magic solution and dont want to take advice on board and thats frustrating. It took me a while to face up to it and I guess accepting the reality of it all is part of the process.

I agree YL it can be really frustrating when someone is spending £silly / month on a non-essential and, despite advice from a dozen or so people that it can go / be reduced - they just refuse to budge on it ... however, they've probably not had the true LBM yet!

I never judge as I'd not even have been able to attempt to do one pre-debt busting days as I really had no idea what I spent on things

I have posted mine on here for advice & now update it regularly (if something major changes or every 3 months or so) on my DF diary. Always willing to take advice if I'm missing something - and it's often others that can see the obvious things!:)

LandyAndy

pineapple wrote: »

I tend to steer away from these threads as though many people land in trouble through no fault of their own, I'm sometimes tempted to shout WHAT POSSESSED YOU TO RACK UP £40,000 WORTH OF DEBT ON YOUR CREDIT CARD YOU NUMPTY!

Don't waste your time. They probably won't know. I ran up twice that and couldn't tell you how or why.

cottonhead

Yes I find it interesting to get different views and tips but also to remind myself that my situation could be worse and that there is hope for the future.
Might be totally not allowed but.......... once walking round a quite wealthy town when we were broke we decided for a laugh to collect the receipts left behind from cash points. These were from the ground or sticking out the machine by the way we didnt route through the bins. We collect about 8 and all bar 1 or 2 had massive overdrafts. Seeing the folks in that town you would assume they are all wealthy but actually it turned out most were in bad debt!

flippin36

whiteguineapig - I think I know which one you mean. I was thinking about that thread for days afterwards and everytime I was tempted to spend money I would think of that poor guy, trying to keep up with it all .

I like to read SOA's. It helps me to stay focused as well as maybe help someone if I can. I have cut things right back, but there is always room for a few more quid to be saved so if I can get a few ideas thats great. I don't think I'm a nosey person, but I quite like a challenge of 'how can I make this SOA in credit rather than in defecit'. For most SOA there is a way.

I do get very frustrated when people come along with their SOA and are given very good advice but they are not prepared to give anything up. They basically want to keep their lifestyle and be debt free, they then get very defensive and angry when we aren't giving them the 'right' answers. I think - why take the time to write a SOA and then refuse to change anything. So then I stop reading as there is no point in finding a solution and the challenge is lost.

snozberry

Yes. I am fascinated by how much people spend on their mortgage/rent, council tax and groceries.

Some of the advice that people give is really good and personally useful.

kev-1977

I love reading other people's posts too.
My favourite posts are when people complain/moan about their situation ..... then they update the thread saying their lives are changing for the better thanks to the replies/this site.