I'm finally gonna crack this!

maisieme

Finally I've had my LBM. I've be receiving Martins Emails for at least 18 months but obviouly still been in denial whilst my debt has been growing. Any money I've saved by getting a better mobile phone contract for example I've seen as money to spend elsewhere - I got my back charges back last month but couldn't tell you what I did with the money. Also whilst religously paying slightly more than the minimum payment on my credit cards each month i've been merrily spending on my 0% for purchases card as i've been running out of money before payday. What's that been all about? So today whilst being in a miserable mood anyway I thought i'd confront my money problems - as i guess it wouldn't make me feel much worse. But actually I now feel sick! I am single so have no one to blame but me!

Still today is the 1st day of the rest of my life - no more half hearted money saving. I'm going to rake out an old note book and write done how much I spend each day along with what I eat (this is another area in my life which urgently needs attention!).

So hello to you all - its lovely to be here!
(wish me luck!!)

Maisie xx

kat79

Good luck honey!

I'm in a similar position, had my LBM a few days ago after receiving the email for about 6 months am finally doing something about it!
Just in the process of getting all my paperwork together to see exactly how much of a pickle I'm in!!

We'll crack it together!

All the best

Kat xx

GirlRacer_2

Well done on having your LBM. Your debt free journey starts right now. Keep posting on here so all the good folks can advise you and more importantly offer you support when you need it x

maisieme

Thank you both - I suddenly feel a little more able to do this. Can't believe I've got in such a mess! Just in the process of cancelling the infamous never used gym membership!

Maisie x

spud30

maisieme wrote: »

Thank you both - I suddenly feel a little more able to do this. Can't believe I've got in such a mess! Just in the process of cancelling the infamous never used gym membership!

Maisie x

We all feel a bit like that when we first arrive hun :rolleyes:

Stick around, the support and advice round here is the best :beer:

Mrs_Dawn

Don't worry you're not alone, we're all here for the same reasons. I've only recently added together the debts me and my OH have accumulated and it was pretty scary, but I hope with all the advice on offer around here then I'm on the up and up. This is the best move any of us ever made.:beer:

blackangeluk

Hi there, Im celebrating my two week anniversary of my LBM and it is a fantastic feeling when you get it.

I too felt sick, upset etc but after checking out the snowball site, using Martin's budget planner and religiously fill in my spending diary. For the first time since I came into possession of money I only spent £1.80 in a whole week last week :j

The best advice is to keep posting here and that definately keeps the motivation going.

Good luck!:T

Queen.Bess

Hi and Welcome Maisieme - a fellow East Anglian! Congrats on have your LBM and knwoing that today will be a new start to the rest of your life and being debt free! You will find so much helpful information and support on here.

GOOD LUCK!

cazziebo

Welcome Maisie - it CAN be done!

It's amazing how many claims there are to your money - I'd save somewhere, but spend that "saving" twice over somewhere else! However, once you take control of your finances it is great how much better you feel, and how quickly things can improve.

As well as your spending diary, work out your SOA - listing all your incomings and outgoings. That really lets you see where the money goes. I'm ashamed to admit it but I found things I didn't know were there! I found a direct debit to an extortionately high interest store card I'd forgotten about , and a couple of insurances I really don't need. i started putting money I had to where it counted the most, and whereas I used to be in the red the day after payday, I'm now finishing the month with some cash left. That is a great place to be! And all this is thanks to the advice and encouragement of people on these boards. :money:

Same approach for food intake - take control and you'll win.:T

Wishing you the best of luck - and remember, we're all here for you!

maisieme

OK well my incoming monthly amount is roughly £1572 (this includes 2 days overtime which is the least I try to do each month else the figures don't work out!)

Out goings (not in order of important just in order of payments!):-
Broadband £9.99 (just reduced from £19.99)
Optition £35.00 (expensive contacts - i need the day and night ones due to my type of work)
Car Ins £19.00 (paid into savings acc ready for next renewal)
Land line £18.00 ish
Mort payment protection £12.59
TV licence £11.37
Gym [STRIKE]£30.00[/STRIKE] - cancelled yesterday!
mobile phone £20.00 (was much more but negotiated a deal!)
Gas heating servicing £23.45 (gas boiler getting old - don't think new company will take me on)
Mortgage £430.60 (fixed rate of 4.8 runs out next year - BIG WORRY!
Sky plus £10.00 (A luxury i admit but I use it ALL of the time due to shift work)
Gas + Elec £43.00 (My next project!)
House Ins £19.03 (Halifax - 0% interest on monthly DD)
House Ins £17.00 (paid into savings acc ready for next renewal)
Motor Bike ins £16.50 (paid into savings acc ready for next renewal)
Council Tax £80.00
Diesel £80.00 approx
Land Lady £60.00 ish (I work in different area and stay away the odd night to save travelling
Freezer £22.10 (bought buy now pay in 1 year (Feb 08)
Total = £897.63 plus £450 paying just over minimum payments on CCs. Total now = £1347.63 I also try to put £50 away for birthday's and christmas but as this only leaves £174.37 (which seems plenty in theory) for food, clothes etc and my spending habit i can see why I usually end up dibbing into it.
I am angry with myself as the figures are fine on paper but real life is much more messy - it's pathetic!

southernscouser

Well done maisieme. Glad to see you've got your nerd number in your sig!

You seem to have forgotten to include your vital statistics though! :think: