Feel so alone

sharoe1

My debt was larger too. Follow the good advise and speak to the National DebtLine or Step Change. These are a charity organisation.

You are not alone :T:T:T

Popstess

Thanks Sharoe! I feel a lot less alone after speaking to all the lovely people on here

Popstess

I have now put aside money for my car tax (a year is due in January) and my MOT due July (although just the actual MOT not any work that might need done :-/ ) that will be coming out of my Emergency fund when I get one set up. Im happy with myself for putting the money aside and have set up a standing order monthly so that by the time I have to pay it the money will just be sitting there rather than me having to put it on cc or go into my overdraft to pay it which is what usually happens!
Anyway small steps but thought I'd share

12_month_challenge

Morning popstess

I was and still get angry sometimes about our level if debt. However. It seems to spur me on to do this.

But. It is what it is and needs to be dealt with.
My new saying to myself is.

DEBT.
Don't
Even
Buy
That
:rotfl:

12_month_challenge

Keep going you are already heading in the right direction.
Slow and steady wins the race

Teacher2

"I also spoke to my brother about Xmas and he said he'd be happy to give me money rather than presents and thinks my dad would too. So hopefully Xmas will help me chip away a bit too. "

Hi Popstess. I have just been reading your thread and you seem very determined to get on top of things. The advice and encouragement given by others is supportive and useful. I see that your family are willing to give you cash for Christmas which is great as it's a really expensive time and often a budget breaker.

However, I'd also advise doing 'no present' arrangements with others or Secret Santas where you only have to buy one present amongst a group.

Another tip, if you really can't face telling people you are skint is to ask for John Lewis vouchers. They can then be spent on essential groceries and products in Waitrose. Of course, Waitrose is pricey but if you get their Waitrose card you are offered your own selection of 20% off a range of products. I use this and also only buy when essentials are on offer. They also give you free tea and coffee in store which is a feel-good treat and a free newspaper if you spend a fiver in the week or a tenner at the weekend. They also have amazing knock-down yellow sticker products if you go at the right time and catch them before the hyenas descend.

Other Christmas ideas are 'give time, not money', i.e. some babysitting or dog walking and making pressies like home made preserves or cakes. My daughter made lovely cushions for her friends last year out of old dress material and embroidered initials on them, gifts which which were extremely well received.

You could try just doing kids' presents and missing out the adults and you should definitely set a present price limit. Try a tenner or even a fiver. It's surprising how many others are just plain relieved if you set a limit as they are feeling the pinch too.

Good luck with your retrenching and don't give up! Paying back debt is like going on a diet. Don't blow the whole thing just because you ate an extra doughnut. If you have a slip (and life is damned expensive) go back to the saving as if nothing had happened.

Popstess

Hi everyone! :j
I just wanted to tell you I've set up an emergency fund!!! :rotfl: me?! An emergency fund!!! I had completely went against "savings" because always thought savings should always be used to pay off debt and while you've got debt you shouldn't be trying to save. But after talking to all you lovely people I now realise I need an emergency fund to prevent me getting further into debt while paying my current debts off. Or else they'll be an emergency and to lay for it I'll end up going into my overdraft or using a cc.
Anyway there's only £15 in it but it's £15 from selling something so it's £15 I wouldn't have had so I decided to use it to start my EF I have also set up a standing order of £5.60 a month (some one on here sorry I've forgotten who) said about 20p a day and I thought that was a great idea. How can you miss 20p a day. :T

12_month_challenge

Weheeeey :j
Welcome to the EF gang. :dance:

Well done pops its so good to see you are positive and making progress. I add very little amounts of money into my EF but it soon mounts up.

From little acorns big oak trees grow. I think that's the right saying :rotfl:

Keep up with the small steps and you will get there.

Popstess

Wooohooo! Thanks 12 month feeling proud of my self getting organised :A

12_month_challenge

The difference in your posts now compared to when you first posted is amazing.

You sound so positive now and focused on the debt busting. It feels good doesnt it.