Where do I start with it all?!

Dizzy_Imp

Morning SandeC - just caught up on this thread and wanted to say well done on the positive steps you've taken so far. You're not alone, even though sometimes it feels like it - keep posting and the lovely peeps on here will be with you each step of the way. I see you've joined the SPC challenge (me too ) I will only be able to pot shrapnel as I rarely have cash, but whatever goes in to the piggybank will be a nice surprise this time next year.

Good luck x

crazy_cat_lady

So pleased to read that you're feeling so much better now. You've made some brilliant and really positive progress over the past couple of days. Keep coming on here - it will keep your motivation up to be with other, like minded people.

SandeC

Thanks all

Saver-upper wrote: »

Hi SandeC,
I don't have any advice,but I just wanted to say that I can "feel" your change in mood just by reading this thread.You are just sounding so much more positive.If you don't mind,I will follow this thread,and look forward to you posting,on 12-11-16 "Tomorrow I turn 30 and things are looking up-in fact,they are fantastic :j:j:j." (Don't forget the jumpy smiley men ).

Oooh, look at me getting all technological :rotfl:

Funnily enough, my mum said exactly the same thing about my mood. I've had the best couple of nights sleep I think I've ever had, and it's all thanks to you amazing people! I'm looking forward to being able to post that on 12/11/16 too - and don't worry, I won't forget the little men haha!

lynnejk wrote: »

Hi Sandec


Just found your thread and wanted to wish you success in endeavours


I was in a very poor state in 2008 and know how frightening it is. You feel you are the only person in such a mess and wonder how you are ever going to get out of it. It seems an impossible hill ahead of you and want to just put it out of your mind, hoping that if you can't see it then it will vanish. However, you know that it won't.


It sounds like you have already made a good start. Now you have another account, and can set aside the monies for your necessary bills, you will be able to stop things getting worse. It's great that your mother is able to help you with getting things organised - she sounds super !


Once you have set up agreements for repaying your debts you will be able to see exactly how much you have left for spending on food etc. Don't try to repay too much too soon or will run yourself into problems again. Your creditors will be happy that you are repaying them something on a regular basis, even if it's only a small amount.


I think it's fantastic you have found this site, as you will get all the help and advice you want somewhere in the forums. Many people here have been 'there' in the past and understand. Please feel free to ask if you need to know anything.


I'll be following your progress, so let us know how you are getting on when you can.


All the very best to you and your sprog
Lx

Thanks lynnejk, I think the best thing I ever did was come on this forum My mum is amazing, she's so supportive all the time, no matter what horrendous situation I get myself into. I honestly don't know where I'd be without her. I think a lot of my problem is that I take her for granted far too much, and my automatic reaction to any situation has tended to be 'Oh, it'll be alright, mum will bail me out'. But I can't keep doing it, and the time has come to stand on my own two feet, finally!

Dizzy_Imp wrote: »

Morning SandeC - just caught up on this thread and wanted to say well done on the positive steps you've taken so far. You're not alone, even though sometimes it feels like it - keep posting and the lovely peeps on here will be with you each step of the way. I see you've joined the SPC challenge (me too ) I will only be able to pot shrapnel as I rarely have cash, but whatever goes in to the piggybank will be a nice surprise this time next year.

Good luck x

Thanks Dizzy Imp It does definitely feel that way sometimes. I think that's why it's helped so much being here - there's help and advice and support from people who have already been through it, and that's not something I've had before. I thought the SPC challenge was a great idea, I probably won't be able to pot much either, but anything is better than nothing, and as I've never been able to save before, I'm looking forward to the sense of accomplishment that will come when I open the pot - even if it is only a couple of £s!

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

So pleased to read that you're feeling so much better now. You've made some brilliant and really positive progress over the past couple of days. Keep coming on here - it will keep your motivation up to be with other, like minded people.

Thank you crazy_cat_lady. I am feeling that I've taken some good steps, even though they are small ones. It'll all add up in the end! This site really is an amazing place to be - I'm hooked!

I'm currently making up a file that I have called 'Debt Free By 39 ' - just in case I don't qualify for a DRO. It's always good to have a Plan B! In it I'm putting everything related to my finances - DCA letters, budget sheets, list of creditors etc - in there, along with articles that I've found on here that I'm finding are/will be helpful to me. Oh, and the DDs have been switched over to the new 'Bills Account' this morning!

Thank you all again so much, I really am so grateful for your help and support, and I'm looking forward to being able to offer the same to someone else on here one day xxx

Willowpop

Hello!
I'm a long time lurker of these boards and whilst I have nothing extra to add in the way of advice, I just wanted to say how inspiring your posts are SandeC.
You have shown how taking control of things can totally change your mindset, and whilst you're technically in the same debt as a couple of days ago, YOU are in control of it, not the other way round.
Well done, and I'm sure your posts,and any future ones will be an inspiration to others who are in the same 'lost' situation that you were in when you first posted.

:beer:

12_month_challenge

Hi sandec and welcome aboard

I am just starting out on my long journey and would never have even got out the starting block if it hadn't been for the honest,non judgemental advice and tips I have learned on this site.

Keep posting even if you are having a down day as I call it. Ive had a few since I started.

Just wanted to wish you luck on your journey and will be encouraging you and spurring you on.

12 month
x

SandeC

Hi Willowpop, thank you so much for your kind words. I don't really see myself as being inspiratonal, but it's great to think that others might see me that way. Quite a good way to keep the motivation going in the right direction I think! For the first time ever I've been completely honest with myself about how bad the situation is, but thanks to the support of everyone on here I'm also feeling for the first time ever that becoming debt free is an entirely realistic and achievable goal, even if I don't qualify for a DRO

SandeC

Thanks 12 month challenge

I think I will be posting very regularly, I'm finding that - especially now, when I'm just starting out - it's keeping me focused and determined. I've had false LBMs before, where I've woken up in the morning and thought to myself 'today's the day', only to look at not even a quarter of the figures, burst into tears and give up within the hour. Now though, I've been through probably 80% of the figures (still some I haven't managed to find yet), and I'm actually thinking to myself 'I CAN do this' - and I'm actually smiling!

Good luck on your journey - we've got this!!! Xx

12_month_challenge

SandeC wrote: »

Thanks 12 month challenge

I think I will be posting very regularly, I'm finding that - especially now, when I'm just starting out - it's keeping me focused and determined. I've had false LBMs before, where I've woken up in the morning and thought to myself 'today's the day', only to look at not even a quarter of the figures, burst into tears and give up within the hour. Now though, I've been through probably 80% of the figures (still some I haven't managed to find yet), and I'm actually thinking to myself 'I CAN do this' - and I'm actually smiling!

Good luck on your journey - we've got this!!! Xx

Good for you. I was told on here that no amount of debt is impossible to repay its how you tackle it that counts. However long it takes
x

fatbelly

SandeC wrote: »

Hi Willowpop, thank you so much for your kind words. I don't really see myself as being inspiratonal, but it's great to think that others might see me that way. Quite a good way to keep the motivation going in the right direction I think! For the first time ever I've been completely honest with myself about how bad the situation is, but thanks to the support of everyone on here I'm also feeling for the first time ever that becoming debt free is an entirely realistic and achievable goal, even if I don't qualify for a DRO

Why wouldn't you qualify for a DRO?

SandeC

I've been looking over my budget again, and there are a few areas that wouldn't qualify as 'essential living costs', or that could be cut back in some way. As I'm not sure what exactly qualifies as essential living costs (apart from rent, council tax, electricity, food), and how much you would be allowed to spend on them, I'm not really too sure where I stand without seeking professional advice. So I think I may technically have more than £50 a month left over, but without speaking to someone I'm not sure.