please please give some advice

zippygeorgeandben

But you have completed one of the most important steps. Facing and tackling your debts instead of ignoring them. No one likes to confront their 'worries' but worries hate to see the cold light of day! Much more better in the open.

EmmaMicawber

Hi Jo, I think we're just a bit further along this path than you are and I think it's completely normal to feel awful and panicky when the full reality of the situation hits you. Don't despair- there will be a way out of this and you will feel so much better once you start to have a plan of action.
Rather than spend too much emotional energy now imagining the worst I'd pluck up the courage to do the debt remedy thing on the Stepchange debt charity website and then give them a call for advice.
It's all completely anonymous, they don't judge or ask you how you got into this situation.
It really helped us- you don't have to take their advice but at least you're not sitting alone with the worry.
If you can manage your payments it won't suggest a DMP. Even if it does recommend a DMP you don't have to start one- that's where we are at the moment- trying to up our income to manage it ourselves.

Once I'd plucked up courage I felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Make yourself a coffee, sit down and go through the process. You can then try and calm your OH down and come up with a plan for the future together.

And if you want some proof it can be done, try looking at some of the debt free screams on the Dave Ramsey show on youtube- It's very Southern American but quite inspiring when you're feeling you're the only one in this situation.

EmmaMicawber

Oh, and I have found YNAB has completely revolutionised our thinking