Reeling from the Reality Check

Historybuff

Hi time. Well, you could always contact your creditors yourself and explain that you are in financial difficulty and need to go on a payment plan, instead of going with one of the debt charities. I did that with all mine and they all agreed to stop interest and charges and put me on payment plans. Once I had got my new bank account organised and all the payments sorted out, I felt a lot better. The debt went up a bit at first, but now every penny I pay is going off the debt. Once you take decisive action you will feel an awful lot better.

Historybuff

I've still got an awful long way to go, but am feeling so much better now I have taken action and the debt total is on the way down.

sugarbaby125

Hi Historybuff, glad to hear you had such a lovely evening the other night. it was well deserved by all. I am glad that 6 months in, your OH knows you are in debt and that you are self managing the debts. I bet he is proud of your determination as we all are and how you have changed your spending habits and are dealing with having a drastically reduced disposable income. Well done Historybuff on raising £91 at the carboot

Historybuff

Carboot money has paid for four days camping at the seaside! Sun is out and feeling relaxed. No spend on food yet, still eating what we brought with us. Lots of walking and sitting admiring the view.
I've gone from spending willy nilly, to wanting to keep all my money in my purse! Happy days!

Knit_Witch

Historybuff wrote: »

Carboot money has paid for four days camping at the seaside! Sun is out and feeling relaxed. No spend on food yet, still eating what we brought with us. Lots of walking and sitting admiring the view.
I've gone from spending willy nilly, to wanting to keep all my money in my purse! Happy days!

Fantastic news! I hope the weather stays good for you

sugarbaby125

Historybuff I hope you and your OH are enjoying your camping tip to the max. You both deserve it

giblet1979

Hope you're having a great time x

Historybuff

Thanks all, it's been great and the weather has been brilliant. Long walks along the coastal path, dogs running free and I found a really inspiring cliff top seat with a wonderful view to sit, read and ponder. I think what I love most about camping is the minimalism of it. You can only take what you need because of the small space to stow everything and you can't help but de-clutter your mind with the luxury of all the free time.
On the finance side, I got a £30.50 refund on the site fee because I joined the caravanning club...only really cost £6 then and future discounts to come. Spend on food and drink per day has averaged £25.66. OH and I have spent less than £100 each, but don't feel we have scrimped at all.
Homeward bound tomorrow...I can feel some more decluttering coming on.

Historybuff

Got rid of the rest of the pots to the local jumble sale this morning, so now turning out as much other stuff as I can for tomorrow's carboot. Need to do another one because I have £97 to last till 22nd Aug. The rest of the money -£400 - in the bank is to pay the DDs. However, food cupboards and fridge are stocked up, so only essentials like milk and bread to buy. So it's cash all the way to the end of the month!
Music festival coming up towards the end of next week. Camping and tickets etc already paid for. OH paying for fuel to get there, so should last out. I'm aiming to spend nothing for the next five days and hoping to get by on £20 max per day at the festival.
If I can get through this month without borrowing any money from family members, I will be seriously impressed! But I think I can do it.
Fun can still be had on a budget! Thank goodness!

LosingMyDebt

Hi Historybuff - I've just spent about 45mins raeding your diary and I have to say you're an inspiration. So positive in a tough circumstance. Well done on the progress you are making!

I've just started the road to be debt free after sort of realising it for a year or so but doing sweet FA! So annoying now I realise how much money I've been wasting! Oh well, no point dwelling - just have to get on with paying it off!!

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