Today's the start of my DFW journey.....here goes!!!!!

loxxee

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soontobemrsg

Good luck, you've made the first and hardest step, just be sure that your plan is achievable.

loxxee

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CurlyTop

Good for you. You have the support of your husband and family and that will make the road ahead easier to manage.

I've become debt free after owing £48,487. Its taken me 11.5 years to pay off (ill health meaning reduction in hours, husband lost his business, didn't qualify for help, wouldn't take help from husband when he did have the business as this was debt I incurred prior to getting together with him, husband got a job and although I could have increased payments to dmp, didn't do so just incase...). Only my husband and 2 friends knew about my predicament. I couldn't bring myself to tell my dad or other members of the family (even though a large chunk of the debt was helping support a sibling, who now doesn't speak to me anyway!).

What I will say, is that I felt positive when I started the road ahead, Stepchange were fabulous and I would recommend having a look at their site for some help/ guidance as to the approach to take. You'll feel like a weight has been lifted (a problem being shared etc) but there will be days when you'll get frustrated and annoyed with yourself for having let this happen, you'll feel as though there is no light at the end of the tunnel, you'll feel as though you'll be stuck on this road forever. You won't but what I am saying is, don't let the down days cloud the many good days you will have. I was determined to reclaim my life back and to have some sense of control. You too can do it.

DFW is a great board. I also found Old Style Money Saving a great help too. Look at ways you can cutback any of your bills. Meal plan (I do this monthly now - bar fresh food, I have everything else in the freezer/ cupboards and if I don't fancy what's planned for that evening's meal, can always swap it for another day), take advantage of special offers, shop out of season (christmas sales for next years cards and paper or even pressies). Also, can't recommend https://www.frugalqueen.co.uk website enough. Her recipes are simple, delicious and reasonably priced. She also posts tons of inspirational messages.

Most importantly, I have a spreadsheet that tallies up with money in and out. I carry a small notebook for daily spends so that I can see where any other money goes and I can cut back again if needed (but usually no need to do so).

You've taken the first step, you've shared with those you love, hold your head up, keep coming on here for support.

Best of luck. xx

loxxee

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good_advice

Hello Loxxee, you are not alone, we are all friends on here. Feel free to chat on here or pm me for a chat.Dept is easy to get but admitting it is even harder.

loxxee

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thedogsmum

You have such a bubbly personality - and your determination to succeed must surely bring its reward for you. Good luck! I'll be supporting you from the side lines.

loxxee

Thank you!!

hummingbird

I'm looking forward to reading how your plan unfolds! Well done so far and it's great you already owe £1000 less than you thought!
Hummingbird x

fozmcfc

You've definitely made the right step in telling everybody, I don't agree with many phrases, but a problem shared most definitely is a problem halved.

Forums like this gives people the knowledge they are not alone and many are in a similar position.

My debt which was about 18k, was also mainly due to gambling and shopping, in my case buying electronics I didn't really need.

I stopped the gambling in 2009, by just deciding to and then posting on forums, with people who were also wanting to stop gambling. Also told people who I went out with, I was staying off the fruit machines.

As for the shopping, well, once I realised how much I saved over a couple of months, not gambling or shopping, I realised how much I was wasting and I pretty much became extremely tight with money.