Joined 31.05.16

louby40

Verbatim I believe, is only trying to be helpful as we can all see what PSL is struggling with. Sometimes we all need a bit of tough love.

It's very frustrating watching from afar. Managing debt is hard but it means making sacrfices - and many people aren't always willing to make them!

KxMx

I've got zero experience of working in London so I'm not going to comment on that aspect.

You can still get things you need, just make it work within your budget.

For example this month my priority has been two social trips. To fund these I have moved a haircut to next month and my food spend has been cut.

Both months balance still (I budget on a monthly basis).

If I still could not afford both then I would have chosen which one I wanted to do more.

reality_check

GoingToDoIt wrote: »

Verbatim, I'm not sure you're posting in the supportive, non-judgemental spirit of the forum.

I def don't agree with this, people spend their own free time trying to help each other on this and some people don't sugar coat it like we all want to hear. I always notice that time after time the people who offer the 'tough love' approach are those with the signatures at the bottom who have battled with debt and are now debt free/nearly there.

It was someone who said something on my diary once that I thought 'wait a minute who do you think you are etc' and then when I really took on board the advice they gave me, it finally clicked and from then my debt slowly started to come down.

PSL your mindset has changed and that's a great thing, I think in time you will feel more in control to make cutbacks/make do/do it all within budget and this is from one high end beauty addict and expensive brand label clothing addict. However, I haven't worked in the environment you work in, when I worked on airlines it was very much judged on your appearance, the only good thing is we had to wear uniform or I'm sure I would have been battling a debt 5 times as high with my 'keeping up appearances'.

I hope you don't get offended by any comments, I'm sure everyone says everything with love and support. I also hope you're having a better weekend than me, loaded with the cold with 3 hyper kids who just won't sleep!! :eek: xx

GoingToDoIt

I was commenting on the one line post put on earlier today, It may not have had bad intent, but I couldn't find a way to read it that was useful or positive. It read to me as quite sneering.
In any case it has now been removed, so anyone reading who is scratching their heads, including PSL, this is why you're probably thinking "eh?"

Verbatim

Don't know how/who/ why my comment was removed. I was merely pointing out that psl's debt had increased not decreased. No sneering intended. Just factual. If what's been tried hasn't worked perhaps something different might?
As ever I wish psl the best of luck.

Poor_Single_lady

Thank you everybody.
I'm not entirely sure that the debt diary is helping me and I won't have any good news until at least April, I'm also studying but not enough so I think I am going to take a break from posting and return once I either-

Have the loan paid off and down to 5 credit cards
Or
Confirmed Didn't get a bonus and still clearing the loan

I will return next month armed with everything I have learnt and with a budget I can stick to and hopefully just 5 credit cards.

Massive thank you to everybody helping me with my journey. I will follow and post elsewhere but leaving this for the moment. xxx

GoingToDoIt

reality_check wrote: »

I def don't agree with this, people spend their own free time trying to help each other on this and some people don't sugar coat it like we all want to hear.

Just because someone gives up their free time to follow or comment, or even gets "invested" in the progress does not mean they can say whatever they think - There is a difference between suggestions, relating your story etc and just posting comments in "frustration". I think if you find yourself annoyed, short-changed, frustrated etc you should actually take a step back from posting for a bit. And there are plenty of other forums where you can "offer advice" on blogs and threads which are in the style of a robust debate if you fancy a more frank exchange of views.

This is not "just" a forum/thread, it's someone's life - someone who has a vulnerability- their debt. There's plenty of info on the MSE site about debt and mental health, we know it can be lonely and stressful from our own experiences! And there will be lurkers past and present having a read of the diaries, forming a plan on whether to tackle their debt, maybe set up an account...

If you're going down a "tough love" approach, keep it balanced.

PSL good luck...hope to see you on here again soon x

reality_check

Good with your studying PSL. Take care xxx

maddiemay

De-lurking to say that I hope the studying goes well and that the bonus is forthcoming and a healthy one too.

Debt busting can be tough and lonely, but hopefully soon you will be back with renewed vigour and a plan to slay it. I hope so, debt holds us back from enjoying our lives and takes away our freedom of choice.:(

StokieBecks

Hope you come back PSL and tell us the loan has gone as think you have focused so much on this being the goal and if this goes the rest can become goals one at a time.

One way or another come pay day whether the bonus comes or not report back to us if you still want help.