We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Somebody switched a light on today...

The bank is starting to hound me again...

Hold on let me rewind a few years; I got myself into all sorts of financial trouble a few years ago (before I met my wife) after a very stressful and c*** (not the best) time I managed to somehow claw myself back into debt freeness by selling assets etc.

However I didn't learn my lessons (not something I'm proud of but ho hum - I'm here right now!). So here I am now; with a wonderful family (wife and 2 young beautiful kids). I've already spoken to my wife she knows the situations etc., I'm not losing her just because of the debt!

Basically the debt is as follows:-

13k HSBC Loan
1600 on HSBC Credit Card
1352 Overdraft (limit of 500: temporarily extended to 1200 but no further!)

I'm doing everything I can to get that Overdraft within it's limit in the first instance to avoid the hefty charges (I'm in the latter stages of reclaiming these hoping that the bank doesn't file a defence)

What sparked off this "lightbulb moment" is I can't buy the wife anything nice for her birthday...the bank are pestering me: At work...I don't reckon they should be allowed to have quite so much power over you (but in the interest of fairness although I don't think this excuses the bully boy tactics: I am over my limit they are just doing what any other business does on a daily basis trying to get it's "invoices" paid)

Ok, so I know this isn't everything you need but I wanted to introduce myself and say "Hi, I have a debt problem but I'm proud to be facing up to it here!" I thought I'd post now whilst I'm reasonably on top of it, some days I'm way down...luckily though never to the edge!!!

Full SOA to follow...

thanks for taking time out to read this post.

lmw.
DMP Mutual Support Thread Member No 201

DMP with Payplan DFD sometime in 2017:eek: !

BUT...I'm Proud to be dealing with my debt.

Comments

  • slowlyfading
    slowlyfading Posts: 13,429 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Just wanted to say :hello: Posting a SOA will help us help you further :)
    Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
    Personal Finance Blogger + YouTuber / In pursuit of FIRE
  • cunni884
    cunni884 Posts: 19 Forumite
    Just wanted to say :hello: Posting a SOA will help us help you further :)


    Just want to say gl and will bve watching with interest

    Paul
  • calleyw
    calleyw Posts: 9,896 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    lmw1977 wrote: »

    What sparked off this "lightbulb moment" is I can't buy the wife anything nice for her birthday...

    Nice does not mean expensive. As long as it is well thought out and something that you know she will like it does not matter if it cost 50p or £50K.

    All the best with everything.

    Take care


    Yours


    Calley
    Hope for everything and expect nothing!!!

    Good enough is almost always good enough -Prof Barry Schwartz

    If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try -Seth Godin
  • moonlightpjs
    moonlightpjs Posts: 1,583 Forumite
    Hi :wave: and welcome to the wonderful world of DFW's
    Well done on having your LBM :T look forward to seeing your further posts.

    As Calley says its not what you spend on your wifes birthday, its the thought that goes into it ;)
    Good luck xx
  • PigginSkint
    PigginSkint Posts: 2,706 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Hi and welcome! :hello:

    Well done on your LBM. :T This is the first day of a new way of life - enjoy the ride!
    PigginSkint's debt free diary
    DFW Nerd 1049 Amazon Sellers Club member 54
    Total mortgage debt: 30/4/17 £14090.77 (Last payment: September 2021)
    LTSB Loan 30/4/17 £6633.71 (reduction by 48%)
    Total credit cards: 30/4/17 £25971.91 :eek:
    Total non-mortgage debt: 30/4/17 £32876.49 :eek:
  • LJD1_2
    LJD1_2 Posts: 2,173 Forumite
    Well done on taking the first step. It will be worth it xx
    January budget
    Nothing left!
  • Kaz2904
    Kaz2904 Posts: 5,797 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    Why don't you make her a lovely cake, get the kids to take breakfast in bed with some flowers from the garden and have a free day out with a picnic? £less than 10, value, priceless!
    Debt: 16/04/2007:TOTAL DEBT [strike]£92727.75[/strike] £49395.47:eek: :eek: :eek: £43332.28 repaid 100.77% of £43000 target.
    MFiT T2: Debt [STRIKE]£52856.59[/STRIKE] £6316.14 £46540.45 repaid 101.17% of £46000 target.
    2013 Target: completely clear my [STRIKE]£6316.14[/STRIKE] £0 mortgage debt. £6316.14 100% repaid.
  • lmw1977
    lmw1977 Posts: 79 Forumite
    Thanks storm, I'll take a look at the main article and the boards.
    DMP Mutual Support Thread Member No 201

    DMP with Payplan DFD sometime in 2017:eek: !

    BUT...I'm Proud to be dealing with my debt.
  • Kaz2904
    Kaz2904 Posts: 5,797 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    I'm with tiscali and am quite happy but we're looking to go with sky as we will then get tv and calls for £11 a month more than we pay at present but quidco are doing £60 cashback atm.
    Debt: 16/04/2007:TOTAL DEBT [strike]£92727.75[/strike] £49395.47:eek: :eek: :eek: £43332.28 repaid 100.77% of £43000 target.
    MFiT T2: Debt [STRIKE]£52856.59[/STRIKE] £6316.14 £46540.45 repaid 101.17% of £46000 target.
    2013 Target: completely clear my [STRIKE]£6316.14[/STRIKE] £0 mortgage debt. £6316.14 100% repaid.
  • Lucie_2
    Lucie_2 Posts: 1,482 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Another "free" birthday idea - make her a jar of promises.
    Make up "promise vouchers" on the PC and put them into an old jam jar, shoe box, whatever really.......
    Things like: a foot massage, washing up, ironing, washing the car, babysitting, cooking dinner, breakfast in bed, lie in on a Sunday, watching coronation street all week without me moaning (;)) - basically anything that she normally does for you or would be a nice treat. If you can think of 12 things then she can use one a month for the next year.
    Much more valuable than an expensive prezzie in a big box.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.3K Life & Family
  • 261.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.