Towards the light

Breezyboo

Hello all, 
I have been reading the diaries here for many years. I am 35 years old but have been in some kind of debt since I went to Uni at 18 years old. I havent ever been paid and owned all of that money without it needing to be paid out in interests and overdrafts. That day is still a dream. I made the mistake of consolidating a few years ago which just led to more debt so in October last year I contacted Stepchange and set up a DMP. I've made 14 payments so far and it currently looks like 18 months to go. Debt started at nearly 20k, will put totals in my footer soon.  I really want to try and pull my socks up and do what I can to overpay next year so that I can clear it by this time next year. This is the part I'm not so good at... I'm hoping if I start this diary then it will help me to be more accountable to myself for what I am spending. 

Occasionally I feel very frustrated with myself about this situation but I have to just keep going one day at a time and I will get there. 

Light is at the end of the tunnel for us all x 

leannes_3

You will get there! The best thing I found was to not overpay too much believe it or not. I was overpaying loads and ended up being too skint for the month which meant I got into more debt. 

Believe it or not, only making the minimum payments has been better for us as we’ve had more money to spend each month, yet we’re regularly making decent payments on our debt.

Breezyboo

leannes_3 said:

You will get there! The best thing I found was to not overpay too much believe it or not. I was overpaying loads and ended up being too skint for the month which meant I got into more debt. 

Believe it or not, only making the minimum payments has been better for us as we’ve had more money to spend each month, yet we’re regularly making decent payments on our debt.

Yes I totally see what you mean about the overpaying, I think I'll try not to spend and then overpay at the end of the month with what I have left. I have had a look at the PAD challenge too. 

Breezyboo

Not much of an update currently. I am waiting to get paid in 10 days time so that I can start being good and get an action plan together for the new year.

I have started doing a few online survey apps and websites so that I can use those extra funds to pay extra off the balances. I really need to clear a store card balance ASAP as I've realised they are marking it as missed payment markers. Hoping to clear that in January. Very frustrating that some companies do everything they can not to default you. 

Breezyboo

Still waiting to get paid next week to get on a roll with all this.

I have found a survey app and been withdrawing about £3 a day on there so will continue to do this and add this onto the debt payments. Its easy to do in the evenings when watching TV. Another app I have to get vouchers as my PayPal doesn't work but that's fine as I can get Just Eat and when I order for family/work people send me cash so it'll convert. Have already got £15 voucher on its way and halfway to the next one. So in the last 6 days I'll have made an extra £40. Chuffed with that!! 

shell16

Breezyboo said:

Yes I totally see what you mean about the overpaying, I think I'll try not to spend and then overpay at the end of the month with what I have left. I have had a look at the PAD challenge too. 

@Breezyboo
I started the PAD challenge in October and its really building up.  The PAD payments in my signature are above my usual monthly payments.  These are a mixture of surveys, Bank account round downs and anything else I may get during the month that I wouldnt usually (for example refunds).  Im counter upper on PAD challenge this month, would be great to see you on there!

Strether2020

Just a note to say well done on the amazing progress so far, and thank you for sharing all this with us!! It feels like a long journey, but you're doing so so well. I'm like you, in that I started to get into debt at 18, and struggled for years and years to address it - I'm not out of the woods yet, but I've found that everyone on these boards is amazingly supportive. Keep on posting, we'll be cheering you on! 

Honeysucklelou2

That’s a great start, making the survey money - well done! Have you seen the Pay your debt off by Christmas 2022 challenge?

Breezyboo

Honeysucklelou2 said:

That’s a great start, making the survey money - well done! Have you seen the Pay your debt off by Christmas 2022 challenge?

Yes I have joined that as I'm hoping it will help to keep me motivated. Thanks for mentioning it though! 

Breezyboo

shell16 said:

Breezyboo said:

Yes I totally see what you mean about the overpaying, I think I'll try not to spend and then overpay at the end of the month with what I have left. I have had a look at the PAD challenge too. 

@Breezyboo
I started the PAD challenge in October and its really building up.  The PAD payments in my signature are above my usual monthly payments.  These are a mixture of surveys, Bank account round downs and anything else I may get during the month that I wouldnt usually (for example refunds).  Im counter upper on PAD challenge this month, would be great to see you on there!

Thanks so much for mentioning this, I'm going to have a look now and join!! Sounds a great idea. 

Breezyboo

Strether2020 said:

Just a note to say well done on the amazing progress so far, and thank you for sharing all this with us!! It feels like a long journey, but you're doing so so well. I'm like you, in that I started to get into debt at 18, and struggled for years and years to address it - I'm not out of the woods yet, but I've found that everyone on these boards is amazingly supportive. Keep on posting, we'll be cheering you on! 

Thanks so much for leaving that message Strether. You are so right, it's great on here and so reassuring to know that we aren't alone. Keep ploughing on, we will get there!