The long haul supporters thread...

bailey59

Triggles, I find that the more people I can be around that are positive and upbeat has a roll on effect on me and that I then feel better in myself. If we all gave someone everyday a kind word, a smile or a bit of positive advice the world would be a beter place.

Ms_Sparkle

Ooh can I join in please. I've been following these threads for so long but never done anything about my debt... so last night after laying awake worrying about money, I thought enough is enough and today is the day when I start to think about clearing these debts rather than spending and making them worse. Wish me luck everyone, and its amazing to see how much people achieve in such a small amount of time I'm in awe of you all!!:T

Northstar68

Warm Welcome to you Ms Sparkle, there are a few of us newbies here, all in the same boat, well done for taking that first baby step, that's all that's needed to get going, but hold on tight, the rollercoaster ride begins here!

bailey59

Morning everyone,

Just been stopping direct debits and phoning everyone up to switch over to my new account so feel like I am getting somewhere, need to sort this asap as when I send the CCCS letter to them I can image all hell breaking loose.

Did I mention that according to my own SOA calculated budget I had £134 spare for my creditors, CCCS then calculated this at £322!!!!

Just goes to show how much I was trying to allow for luxuries, like food, clothing, Xmas etc. I think when they told me that last Friday thats when I had my LBM (light bulb moment for the newbies) and I realised whoa, I am in serious debt and now for the next 10 years I need to knuckle down and pay it off.

Northstar68

bailey59 wrote: »

Morning everyone,

Just been stopping direct debits and phoning everyone up to switch over to my new account so feel like I am getting somewhere, need to sort this asap as when I send the CCCS letter to them I can image all hell breaking loose.

Did I mention that according to my own SOA calculated budget I had £134 spare for my creditors, CCCS then calculated this at £322!!!!

Just goes to show how much I was trying to allow for luxuries, like food, clothing, Xmas etc. I think when they told me that last Friday thats when I had my LBM (light bulb moment for the newbies) and I realised whoa, I am in serious debt and now for the next 10 years I need to knuckle down and pay it off.

Exactly the same with us bailey59, it's a steep learning curve and something quite difficult to get your head around at first I have had to knock so many things on the head, I feel for my girls because all those little extras they have to do without for now.
I doubt I can send off my notification letters today, which means the earliest will be Saturday due to the strike. I asked in my local PO and they said it would be ok to post them Saturday. I have a bit of time anyway for the 1st Dec start and Im thinking of posting the CCCS stuff by Special Delivery anyway. Cant do that for our 12 creditors of course but at least if they get their bits then the ball will roll a bit faster hopefully.
I keep remembering things to do and add anyway. Need to be sure it is all present and correct.
I also finally found out our new joint account details today so can move money over and the direct debits. Getting somewhere......slowly, very slowly, but every little step has to be a step in the right direction.
Hugs all round to you all today.........I also expect all hell to break loose in the coming weeks, hold on tight!

bailey59

Hi Northstar,

Have you decided to sign the CCCS template letter, it does state on there to sign it???

Its a good idea to send it special delivery (£4.95 I think) then at least you know its gone and will arrive the next day, thats what I'm going to do. I also need someone with a cheque book to send my token payments. Think I will ask my mum.

I bet its hard when you've got young children, there is just no way to explain this to them. I really fell for you on that one. As for Xmas, I bet your eldest has had loads of games, pressies over the past years that she has forgot about or never used. Cant you wrap them up again. I'm not being sarcastic by the way, I know from the past years what we have bought the kids and we have bought them so much its untrue. If they were a bit younger thats what I would be doing this year.

But you know what, all this stress and faffing about what we have to do now, is nothing compared to the stress I had when I did nothing. I know its a long way to go and we have got that bumpy rollercoaster ride ahead of us, but I feel for the 1st time in ages that I can face and and that it will be ok.

Northstar68

bailey59 wrote: »

Hi Northstar,

Have you decided to sign the CCCS template letter, it does state on there to sign it???

Its a good idea to send it special delivery (£4.95 I think) then at least you know its gone and will arrive the next day, thats what I'm going to do. I also need someone with a cheque book to send my token payments. Think I will ask my mum.

I bet its hard when you've got young children, there is just no way to explain this to them. I really fell for you on that one. As for Xmas, I bet your eldest has had loads of games, pressies over the past years that she has forgot about or never used. Cant you wrap them up again. I'm not being sarcastic by the way, I know from the past years what we have bought the kids and we have bought them so much its untrue. If they were a bit younger thats what I would be doing this year.

But you know what, all this stress and faffing about what we have to do now, is nothing compared to the stress I had when I did nothing. I know its a long way to go and we have got that bumpy rollercoaster ride ahead of us, but I feel for the 1st time in ages that I can face and and that it will be ok.

Hi ya,
The signing issue I will decide (hopefully withe the OH's help if he can get his head out the sand) when I finally lick the envelope down!
I noticed that it said sign.............I may post again on the CCCS board but am still waiting on a reply to my question yesterday so thought it best to hang on. I think though that maybe I wont sign it for the creditors to whom I am going to claim back cc charges perhaps, and that is only 2 out of 12, then sign the others.........:think: still thinking through that one.

As for pressies, oh god yes, absolutely. My older one has had faaaar more than my younger daughter did and what I would do is hide some of them away because I felt she had too much. So there are a few things I can get out of the closet LOL. Only thing is that with a 6 1/2 year age gap it doesnt always work. Thankfully my little one jjust likes opening things and isnt really too bothered with whats inside. The older one who is 10 going on 16 sadly is not the same and her wish list grows longer by the day! Even though we have explained the situation to her it obviously went in one ear and out the other because she is going on about how her friends have a mobile and she doesnt (tough I replied to that one, she doesnt need it ), she's also after a webcam.....mmmm right, 'but mum they are only around £20' !!!!!!!!! Sigh........dreading Christmas.
Will hunt around for those Christmas boards and what was it.....gifts for 50p? Love it, show me the way!!
)

Have a good day. The path to our future is not behind us.

Keeping_Positive

Have you guys been advised about www.95pence.com yet? Literally everything for 95p so a good chance to bulk the pressies up on the cheap.

Still doing an ostrich act regarding xmas will poke my head out mid November when I have a week off. DS told me he wont do a list until 3 days before xmas :eek:. He says thats all Father Xmas will need!

mumto2monkeys_2

Thank you for my number! :j

Keeping Positive - LOL at your son! I'm definitely going to have a look at the site that you've suggested.

Today has been a day where I have to keep telling myself that It's taken 12 years to rack it up; taking several to pay it off is only natural. It's hard knowing that we face a long time of being really careful. But I think the reason that it is so hard is because we're so used to being entirely careless and spending with no thought of consequences.

It dawned on me this evening that my entire working life has been built around needing to earn enough to cover the outgoings; I have never earned the money first. It's really scary stuff. Maybe I can pay it all off, drop the responsibility, drop to part time and spend hours growing my own veg, baking with the kids and making my own chutney. My inner old-styler is fighting to get out.

Keeping_Positive

My inner old-styler is fighting to get out.

Wouldnt it be lovely to have time to do things like that. I do technically have the time now but running a house, working full time etc takes it out of me. I feel so bad that I serve too much processed because its easier and for me seems to be cheper when you go for cheaper or on offer brands.

I got my first cc at 18 and was a mum at 20 its been a battle since every time I earn more its to pay of what we have spent. I swear it was easier on benefits and at college!