Determined to be debt free by 35

Determinedmanc

Hi

I have got myself into a mess over the years...just by overspending, always temping, and by getting loans to pay off cards.

I am finally in a position where I have started to pay off little bits, and I start a new permanent job soon which is going to help.

Debts are:

Loan: just under £7,000 (the repayments go out monthly so I hope to one day increase these to pay it off faster)

I also owe about £4,000 on credit cards and overdrafts. Luckily, one credit card is completely cleared and I don't intend to use it.

I have managed to get my finances in order, I have a natwest account with no overdraft, so all my salary and bills go out of here. I also have a savings account which I put money in each week for the bills and rent. The natwest app has been great too, as when I can, I can just transfer payments into my overdrafts and credit card on a regular basis.

I'm still worried that the temptation to spend will start again once I am getting paid monthly, but I will try and be careful. It is also tempting to buy new clothes for my new job with my spare credit card, luckily I don't have a physical card or pin!

I will post a proper account of what I owe soon, I just need to work it all out.

Hopefully sharing my journey will motivate me, I want to move up in my career and be able to do proper things again without always being skint!

Determinedmanc

Okay so I just worked out in total I owe £11,686.64 which is slightly scary but doable. I would like to clear HSBC in 12 months, so that is my current priority. The coop never bothers to contact me or haven't offered help like HSBC so I will pay off the minimum for that.

shinner

Good luck on your journey.