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Have I had my LBM?

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After struggling every single month probably for more than a year now, lending off Peter to pay Paul, getting into the vicious circle of payday lenders and sticking my head in the sand, after a couple of posts on here and lurking for a while, gathering as much information as possible, for which I thank you all, I have today, gone through a debt remedy with Step Change and requested my DMP pack. I have also opened a new basic bank account.
Feel like I have started to take control now, but I won't start to feel better until the DMP is in place.

Is this my lightbulb moment?! :)
First DMP payment 10/06/13
Debt Free approx Jan 2018
Starting debt: £50,013 :eek::eek:
Current debt £39,128.41

:eek:

Comments

  • heartbreak_star
    heartbreak_star Posts: 8,286 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Rampant Recycler
    Ooooo it certainly sounds like it!

    Good luck :)

    HBS x
    "I believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another."

    "It's easy to know what you're against, quite another to know what you're for."

    #Bremainer
  • Find_The_Real
    Find_The_Real Posts: 493 Forumite
    Hopefully it is, so I just wanted to wish you luck with it all.

    Do join in with the DMP & mutual support thread should you need any further advice

    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4437925

    Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom.
  • alyxzandra
    alyxzandra Posts: 92 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    *Foolish* wrote: »
    After struggling every single month probably for more than a year now, lending off Peter to pay Paul, getting into the vicious circle of payday lenders and sticking my head in the sand, after a couple of posts on here and lurking for a while, gathering as much information as possible, for which I thank you all, I have today, gone through a debt remedy with Step Change and requested my DMP pack. I have also opened a new basic bank account.
    Feel like I have started to take control now, but I won't start to feel better until the DMP is in place.

    Is this my lightbulb moment?! :)

    I had mine last year, but it took my husband until last September to finally come around. We started our DMP in January and it has been so much easier and a relief. And you are taking control. Good luck and stick with it! You will get there.
    Husband's LBM: 26 September 2012
    [STRIKE]Started Stepchange Jan 2013 - DFD 2024[/STRIKE]
    Now on self-managed DMP
    Debt to creditors: [STRIKE]£48216[/STRIKE]
    Original debt was £67,000
    On DMP - now £30k and slowly been paying off creditors with F+F settlements
  • I'd say this is definitely your lightbulb moment. After robbing Peter to pay Paul (haven't we all been there?!), getting your debts in order will be a relief.

    Taking control is the best thing - you will not look back, I promise you. And your debt-free date will not be as distant as you think because you'll start to feel differently about money.

    Good luck!
  • *Foolish*
    *Foolish* Posts: 165 Forumite
    And your debt-free date will not be as distant as you think because you'll start to feel differently about money.

    Good luck!

    Funny you should say that, as I'm starting to feel differently already, I'm looking into doing a real budget (done them in the past and never stuck to them) and where to really cut costs and stop things that aren't a necessity. It's going to be hard, because I'm trying to still do things that lift my mood (big downer recently) but adapting so they're free or very little cost!

    Thank you everyone for your replies. :money:
    First DMP payment 10/06/13
    Debt Free approx Jan 2018
    Starting debt: £50,013 :eek::eek:
    Current debt £39,128.41

    :eek:
  • sugarplum10
    sugarplum10 Posts: 236 Forumite
    hope this is your LBM it certainly sounds like it is.
    blessings
    sugarplum x
    yes i have 6 kids by two different fathers, but Im the parent that is there for them ALWAYS!! :A
  • *Foolish* wrote: »
    Funny you should say that, as I'm starting to feel differently already, I'm looking into doing a real budget (done them in the past and never stuck to them) and where to really cut costs and stop things that aren't a necessity. It's going to be hard, because I'm trying to still do things that lift my mood (big downer recently) but adapting so they're free or very little cost!

    Thank you everyone for your replies. :money:

    You don't have to go whole hog and deny yourself everything during your debt-free journey. It's about prioritising and formulating a plan.

    And it sounds like you've made a great start. It's that moment when you see the value of things - how much does that "high" cost you/ Could you have enjoyed yourself for less expense?

    My advice is not to cut the cloth too tightly. You'll still need those "treats" to enjoy life and it's easier to stick to a budget that's not too tight. I was way too mean with myself in first year of debt busting - I couldn't sustain it. Give yourself some space to learn a new way of living. :D:)
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