First Steps to Solvency

alt80

@warby68 Thanks. Yeah if I’ve worked anything out I know I need the professional help. Hoping to avoid the pills if I can. Would definitely be nice to just numb it all but can’t see it being too good for me business wise - thrive on driving forwards and just about getting some enthusiasm for that back. 

Welcome to Nottingham. Corona and Range Rovers a plenty. Maybe you did see me but I won’t be giving my plate details so who knows?

FootyFanDan

Well done on clearing that first card, the progress you are making might not be clear for you to see in amongst all the other thoughts whirling around at the moment but this is a good step. I would agree the card closing might be a good idea, I echo what others have said too re the family time I know you still beat yourself up a fair bit about the past - ultimately you can not change that (the good or the bad) all you can do is try focus on what you do moving forward. Good luck on the next month of your journey. 

JCS1

Pills do not make you numb, and i have tried most of them over the past 20 years. Don't dismiss them, think of it more as a short term help.

And well done with clearing one card in full!

PassElephant

@alt80
You are doing fine. Take a great deal of pride in what you have done and what you are doing. 

stymied

Even if you don’t close the card in the interests of affordability, maybe now it’s time to cut it up? Or at a minimum freeze it in a block of ice.

mothsinmywallet_2

@mothsinmywallet_2 my wife would tell you she’s got a 40 year old child with big !!!!!! behavioural difficulties ha. Yeah agreed it’s been a massive eye opener for me just seeing other people’s viewpoints. No BS because I’m trying to maintain an image

Not gonna lie, there are definitely some similarities... 😁

Main difference is that you're getting a lot better at admitting when you're wrong. 

strawb_shortcake

If you look at other boards on here lots of people have had their credit card limits reduced, not saying it will happen to you but if it did how would you feel? 
There may be some merit to closing or reducing some of your lines if credit so that if it's done it's by your control rather than the banks.
And who needs £80k credit available?

alt80

@FootyFanDan Thanks mate. 

There is a sense of relief certainly as the 0% was running out. I no longer have easy access to the cards apart from the Amex I use for everyday spends and actually cleared that in full this month ... first time for everything ha. Can obviously get hold of the cards if need be so closing is something for me to have a think about over the next few weeks. Will leave until after further advance through I think - gives me a timeframe to work to and set a reminder. Hopefully mindset will be in a better place too then.

@JCS1 Tbf I’ve no personal experience. Had massive downers before though at least right now I’m not literally working and going to bed - been there before literally months of it. 100 should have saw someone but got through the other side so I do know things can improve. 

@mothsinmywallet_2 😆 f**k off lol! !!!!!! just actually confirmed there are similarities with that reaction. 😉

@annabanana82 I do know they can reduce limits but hadn’t really thought about it. Judging by where the last binges got me evidently me lol. Seriously I don’t necessarily think reducing is a bad thing over the longer term. Always took the attitude if it’s there then I’ve got it if I need it down side to that my idea of ‘need’ probably differs to yours ha.

alt80

Figures update - November:

BC1 - £0
BC2 - £6670
M&S - £4840
Sainsburys - £7000
MBNA - £12040

Overdraft - £200 (by month end) (0%) - made a bit of a mistake. 

Total cards etc = £30,750

Emergency fund: £340. £170 budgeted + £170 holidays (can’t even leave the city right now ha so not going anywhere will start on holiday budget actually being a holiday budget in January but this will boost EF to £1k by year end). Actually feel quite positive about this. 

Range Rover insurance paid for in full - not by putting on a credit card either lol.

ryanm8655

alt80 said:

Figures update - November:

BC1 - £0
BC2 - £6670
M&S - £4840
Sainsburys - £7000
MBNA - £12040

Overdraft - £200 (by month end) (0%) - made a bit of a mistake. 

Total cards etc = £30,750

Emergency fund: £340. £170 budgeted + £170 holidays (can’t even leave the city right now ha so not going anywhere will start on holiday budget actually being a holiday budget in January but this will boost EF to £1k by year end). Actually feel quite positive about this. 

Range Rover insurance paid for in full - not by putting on a credit card either lol.

Brilliant work. What a start!