So here I go....

Cheekysoandso

Hello everyone
First time on here, long time in debt, long time worrying about what I'm going to do to pay it back. I got into this mess trying to do the best for my family, yes we can have this that and the other - don't worry - I'm going to win the lottery and pay it all back - how short sighted was I?- and I'm normally quite sensible. I am totally stressed all the time, snappy and tearful. My circumstances have changed in as much as I'm the only one bringing any money into the house now. There is just me and my 17 year old DD. I have contacted Stepchange this morning, done their remedy and it recommends a DMP. £15,500 to clear down - it's gonna take some time, but I'm ready for it.


To be honest with you, I don't think I've ever functioned within a budget before... it's going to be a whole new way of life... I've got to get myself together, so, here I go....

mirko

This forum is a gold-mine of information. I'm always learning new tricks and tips. Ultimately it'll be down to you!

Good luck!

UncannyScot

Hello and welcome to the forum

This isn't a system auto-response btw but an actual [STRIKE]eejit[/STRIKE] person in similar cicumstance to your guid self.

Well done on joining us all here, we're all quite, quite, mad but then again, most of the best people are

So, first steps n all that...

Do yourself an SOA (Statement of Affairs), you'll find one on stoozing.com. Just choose the version for MSE if you wanna post it up on here for [STRIKE]nosy burgers[/STRIKE] helpful forumites to help with advice on where you may possibly be able to make savings etc.

So join in, visit and read and comment on other folks diaries.
We are a great online community here and we help each other on our journeys to being debt free

Cheekysoandso

Hi mirko - yes all down to me and I'm ready for the challenge.
Uncanny - made me smile, thank you

I'm looking forward to hearing back from stepchange, I want to get going. I'm also trying to figure out how to make my money last from payday to payday (being today). Like I said I've never budgeted before. My first goal is to keep the food shop to less than £45 - absolutely doable but we'll find out tomorrow!
It's going to be a lovely long weekend and I'm feeling better already. Just chatting on here gets things off your chest.

Karonher

Good luck. If you are going to keep the shopping budget down have you made a list of everything you have in the cupboards fridge and freezer. You may find that for the first few weeks you can use up a lot of what you already have in.

beanielou

Happy shiny new diary

enthusiasticsaver

Well done on facing the debt and making a plan. Budgeting is the key to getting out of debt and staying out of it. An soa is a good start (link in the DFW sticky at the top of the forum) Suggestions for keeping grocery spends now are shop at the discounted supermarkets like Lidls or Aldis. Make a menu plan and use what you already have in your cupboard/freezer. Substitute if you don't have everything you need.

pidge04

So pleased you are here!
These diaries have changed my life and my spending habits! Good luck.

doingitanyway

Good luck and well done for facing your situation.

Cheekysoandso

Wow - hello all and thank you for dropping by. So many good tips! Shopping came in at £52 today but that is because I got the bigger pack of washing tablets and toilet rolls etc. Meal planning, would help in so many ways, recent behaviour has been not knowing what to have for tea so order in pizza or get fish and chips - what a waste of money. Honestly I could kick myself. Will sort out a meal plan next week and shop accordingly. Actually feels good to have money in the bank account, I only got paid yesterday but normally it's all gone bar a couple of quid by now.
Going to enjoy the Easter break and then prepare myself for the flurry of creditor letters over the coming weeks.
Hope you all have a great Easter and will pop by your dairies soon.

Cheekysoandso

What a gorgeous bank holiday we had - well the weather down south was fabulous - went out for a walk yesterday - really helped to clear my head and over the weekend I done a meal plan for next week and so know exactly what I need to get whilst shopping on Friday. I have checked what I've got in the cupboards, freezer etc and worked it out from there and to be honest, I don't need to get a lot which is good because I went over slightly on last weeks shopping allowance. Should get it down to two bags, rather than the four or five I usually struggle back with. I've also been thinking about getting the bus into work a couple of times a week - might save me a bit of petrol money and would certainly give me more exercise. I'm spending about £20 on petrol each week so I am sure it would work out cheaper - but I'm obviously not the best mathematician....
I should hear from Stepchange this week - fingers crossed.