was doing so well but screwed up

amorge

I haven't posted on here for ages. I was managed to reduce my debt really well but it's all gone wrong over the past few months.

I stupidly decided to do a soft credit card search and was told the Santander card would more than likely accept me so i applied, card arrived with limit of £2300. I then decided this meant there was NO need to save for summer holiday spending money, I'd simply put on there

I'm so disappointed in myself and things carried on getting worse with my spending, including racking up a big Next Directory account balance. I'm slowly getting back on track, sold 2 things on eBay and used the £300 to pay off some of my Natwest Card.

I really need to get back to saving properly, my eldest will be off to Uni in a year, so I will lose all my maintenance and child benefit etc for her. I have to have cleared the majority of my debt by then. Not gonna be easy with Christmas coming up.

Tixy

Hi

We all do things with money we regret at times, just try to look forwards and come up with a plan for how much you can clear each month.

You say you used the extra ebay money to pay off your natwest card - is that the debt that has the highest APR?

In terms of Christmas it sounds like your children are probably old enough to understand or be told that financially you can only afford very limited presents this year. How about sitting down and explaining that you aren't buying big presents this year - perhaps say its because you had a bigger summer holiday than usual (if thats the case, and assuming the kids went on holiday).

amorge

Hi tixy,
It was the highest APR, that was until I remembered the Next account is higher but I'd paid it by then
My kids are definitely old enough to know about the money side and presents, it's the social side that will be a financial pain but I'll have to be good and strong and maybe invite more people round to mine rather than going out. It was the first summer holiday as a single parent and we spent £1000 over 2 weeks on the card, inc all food.

Thanks