My SOA

Need_Help_Now

cat1978 wrote: »

Good morning,

Didn't want to read and run, but having suffered from depression and been on anti-depressants, felt I needed to respond about that.

The symptoms of crying more and shaking can actually be a side effect from the anti-depressants, and some of the tablets make you feel worse before they make you better. It took my doctor trying 3 different tablets before he found the right ones for me and even these ones caused me to be sick and nauseus in the first week. Give the tablets time to work, but if after a few weeks (hopefully you will have a review with doctor), things don't feel any better, make sure to let your doctor know so that they can change the tablets.


I found walking really helped, and overtime I started gardening. Anything that involves exercise and fresh air will help you so much.


Good luck with shifting your debt, you can do it. My husband ran up debts with his ex wife, and his current debt free date is April 2047!!! 3 years and 9 months will fly by

Hello cat1978,

Thank you for your post. I really appreciate it, I really do.

I hope you are better now yourself. Depression is an awful thing. The crying has now stopped with me and my mind is becoming a little bit more clear with every day. I have been prescribed the smallest dose (10mg) and was told when I revisit my GP for a checkup next week that the dosage will be increased if necessary. I haven't had any adverse reactions to the drug (so far) and I will keep going with the drug until my GP says otherwise.

I have started to enjoy walking myself - you are spot on, it is great exercise. I am trying to do more and more walking with each day. It definitely helps 100%.

I will be making my first DMP payment in the middle of September - I think it will be a huge lift for me to make that first payment. I am hoping to make overpayments to pay the debt off in less than 3 years and 9 months but I won't be overcommitting either - I have learnt that lesson in spades.

I am sorry to hear about your husband - I wish him well in his debt repayments too and hope you are in a better place with your depression also.

Thank you so much again for dropping by - I really appreciate it. Take care.

System

You have lots of money left over a month so it's not insurmountable. Tighten your belt, deep breath, prepare for some blues to descend and start paying it off - the biggest APR first.

Willing2Learn

Most people say do the highest APR first. I say that too. It is the MSE way as it saves the most money.

But there is a school of thought that you should pay the debts with smallest amount owing first.

It is all about the psychology. Pay of the smallest amount first and you can actually see the progress quicker, as the list of creditors reduce faster.

It is up to you which way to do it. Both methods work perfectly well.

Need_Help_Now

andydownes123 wrote: »

You have lots of money left over a month so it's not insurmountable. Tighten your belt, deep breath, prepare for some blues to descend and start paying it off - the biggest APR first.

Thank you for your post andydownes123, I appreciate it.

I emailed my plan off yesterday evening at 8:00 and amazingly StepChange responded at 16:00 this evening with it set up - now, that is hugely impressive in my eyes. I am really shocked on how quick they turned that around.

I am looking forward now to paying my debts off and watching the balances come down.

Thank you for your kind message and support. I really mean that.

Need_Help_Now

Willing2Learn wrote: »

Most people say do the highest APR first. I say that too. It is the MSE way as it saves the most money.

But there is a school of thought that you should pay the debts with smallest amount owing first.

It is all about the psychology. Pay of the smallest amount first and you can actually see the progress quicker, as the list of creditors reduce faster.

It is up to you which way to do it. Both methods work perfectly well.

Hi Willing2Learn,

Thanks for dropping by again.

I have a good mix in my debts - some small amounts (with big payments), some large amounts (with smaller payments), and some debts at a huge APR and some at a fairly low APR.

I think in the early stages I will attack the smaller amounts to see a little progress and then re-shift the money freed up by paying those off to attack the higher APR's.

I am happy to see the plan now in writing and looking forward to managing it online when I get my password etc. in the post.

Thank you for taking the time to post again. I will keep updating the thread to keep you all informed of my progress and hopefully to help others coming behind me too.

Chickenlips

If you've had the price increase letter you should be able to haggle down the cost.

Assuming you get overdraft charges that are eating away at your money. Maybe pay off the overdraft with savings? Guessing from the rent you rent from family so are kind of secure housing wise.

skint_chick

I would recommend Gamblers Anonymous, I'm in another 12 step programme and the first meeting I went to was really scary and challenging but the best thing I ever did. Hearing other people's stories and knowing I wasn't the only person in my situation took a massive burden off and made me realise however much it feels like it sometimes I'm not alone. It helps you explore the route of the issue and gives you strength. There might even be online meetings and WhatsApp groups the same as my programme.

Sounds like you're making a good start on tackling the debt as well, which always helps to feel better too, actually doing something towards it however small gives you control of the situation rather than the debts controlling you.

enthusiasticsaver

Well done on setting up the DMP and good luck. Take care of yourself as your mental health is important. Going out for walks is a good idea to ease depression.

lindez

Hi Need Help,
its great news sc have got back to you with a management plan. I hope the walking is still helping you to progress and feel better. x