Woman on a mission to tackle depression & debt!

PRINCESSX87

I recently tried my hand at a debt free diary & if I’m brutally honest it didn’t work. I felt a failure. I tried many means of getting myself on track whilst I was dealing with depression.

I know I’m going to have off days, But I need to make this for myself. I need other people in the same situation around me if I’m ever going to make a difference to our bank balance.

So, Our profile is:

Me, Unemployed due to medical reasons. OH works full time. We have no children but we have many fur babies. X2 Dogs & X2 Cats + fish.

We are privately renting a property which is currently the cheapest on the market for the area. We cant move away as OH needed it for work purposes. Until one of us is driving. Which currently would mean more expense.

Current Debts are:

Lloyds TSB:£3.095.25
Sofa £617.22 to go
Catalogue £350
DWP £300
Electric £500
Water £450
TV licence £39

I don’t like making excuses, But this started when I was in the pit of depression. OH is dyslexic therefore relies on me to do the paper work side of things. Although he knows now it doesn’t excuse the fact I caused this, Therefore I’m hell bent on making it right.

I’m also working closely to my personal action plan which was given to from for a very understandable debt charity.
So, If you want to join me in a rough journey please feel free…..If not, well I’m sorry to keep bumping my thread up as I’m on women on a mission!

MrsGSR

Hi PrincessX87,
Depression and debt are a dreadful combination aren't they?
I'm new to this but already I have picked up titbits of advice such as making a payment a day however tiny, havimg no spend days to name a few.
The important thing is you are facing it and workimg out how to tackle it which I can appreciate may be difficult in your current situation.
I too suffer from depression on and off and had a huge meltdown in front of my friends this morning!
I'm a woman on a misson too so will be subscribing to this!

PRINCESSX87

Hi, Thanks for joining. :beer:

Its currently the bain of my life. I want so much to make things right for me & OH but there is just days we're i even struggle with the most simple chores.

Just had a read of your diary. Will be following along if that's okay? I'm always on the look out for fellow members who face the double DD's together

collegegirl57

I have been struggling with depression for over a year now and to add to it I am now recovering from a total knee replacement. I'm unemployed owing to redundancy and depression and consequently we are struggling to pay our debts, OH is working but it is not enough to cover everything. I'm on ESA at the mo but it finishes in November so I need to get back to work, I don't know how I will manage it as some days I can't leave the house. Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Thanks for starting this thread. It's nice to know I'm not the only one.xx

Eyes_wide_open

I can totally empathise with your situation. In the past year or so I went through a bad time and ended up very depressed. Between the depression and then the medication for it ( which made me not care ) I got myself into a serious hole.

It's very difficult and to be tackling the situation whilst you are still battling depression takes some doing.

What I have found is that getting on top of the debts, knowing exactly where I am and having a plan of how I am going to become debt free has given me some clarity, in some way empowering and I generally feel lighter for it.

I find PADing has really helped as I feel as though I am doing something everyday, rather than having to wait for payday.

Good luck with your mission, we can all do it together xx

MrsGSR

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

Hi, Thanks for joining. :beer:

Its currently the bain of my life. I want so much to make things right for me & OH but there is just days we're i even struggle with the most simple chores.

Just had a read of your diary. Will be following along if that's okay? I'm always on the look out for fellow members who face the double DD's together

Of course! Mine hasn't been so bad recently I seem to plod on then have a huge meltdown and cry my eyes out for days. Money affects mood therefore when you have issues with it, it makes the depression worse, rock and a hard place.
A day at a time, and making PAD really helps, however small, it makes you feel you have achieved something.

PRINCESSX87

Thank you everyone & welcome to anyone who's willing to join.

I think for me, The depression made me careless therefore I racked up debts to hide what was really affecting me.

I'm still a long way off, However if we all have a support when can make a huge difference to our lifestyle's inc our bank balance.

xxx

PRINCESSX87

So today is going to be a NSD.

I was thinking last night, Over the past few months, What advice or information I have been given that’s made a difference to us. As there is new users every day, Maybe some facing a similar issue to myself I decided to make a list of things I’m trying that are proving positive.

I also will give me something to re-fresh my memory if I happen to have a down day.

Coupons & Vouchers:

Currently cutting at least 15% off my shopping. I must try harder at this. Although I’m able to start creating a stock pile. I can also use towards normal shops.

O/S board:

The users there are amazing. They have some true useful ms tips for just about everything.

NSD:

Need more of them. Currently I’m having around 12 a month. Want to aim for at least 16 for next month.

Debt charity:

I was advised by a user on here to get in touch with one. So far this has been the best move I’ve made as of yet. They understand so many legal terms so can advise you on the best moves & the quickest way of getting rid of those dreaded debts.

So, That’s my morning list. I aim to check this every day in the hope I can stick to it.

PRINCESSX87

NSD day 4!

Suddenly I’m starting to feel easier not spending money. I assumed it would be harder than this. I’m seeing things that we would normally buy on a whim and trying hard to resist giving in.

I think what’s helping us not spending is the fact OH doesn’t get paid this week. Normally, He’s paid weekly but he’s employer has just come back from holiday which means OH has to work a week in advance before he gets his wages.

Saturday will be a spend day. We have a few bills to pay and have to get some top up items in. But I’m budgeting for that. I also have coupons ready for shopping so hopefully we should stay within our budget of £40.

Today I am having at look at where we can cut back further. And if we’re able too which bill should be paid off first. I understand the council tax & TV licence should be priority but their getting paid weekly now. I do have a HP item which is very high in interest - Therefore I’m thinking of throwing extra at that?

HOK3Y

Some people like to pay off things with smaller balances for the psychological boost but, money wise, it is better to pay the high APR items first. Good luck with whatever you decide. x

PRINCESSX87

Thank you.

I think I’m going to pay the higher rate items off first. Everything else is on a easy manageable pay weekly agreement.

So. I need to get to my first post to update my totals. Some companies haven’t got back to me, since I wrote / emailed them asking of a statement / notice of outstanding balance. So I’m running off my own figures.

Not many bills have been paid this week like I hoped because OH has only just gone back to work, therefore he’s yet to be paid.

I’m at a NSD 6! It should be 7, however, like I predicated food & some bills was needed to be paid, therefore, I haven’t counted the 7th day as sadly it was a SD!!


So, The items that need amending are:

£48 off TV. :T:T:T
£20 C/T :T
£3.10 off electric.:rotfl: