Don’t know where to begin.

toffeecrisp1

So I’m in approx £30k of debt.  Credit cards.  The husband and I have both spent on them over the years though not just me.
I cut corners every month, try to avoid spending luxuries.  I’ve not bought any clothes since before Covid.  My only luxury is getting my hair done every 8 weeks.
I’ve tried paying more off the cards but the interest just swallows them up. 

I’ve looked a balance transfer but the most I can get is £1000 for 6 months.
we have over 100k equity in our house but it needs lots of repairs as everything has built up. 

I’ve contacted step change for advice as I don’t know whether to go down the Iva route but they were actually really unhelpful and wanted my husbands details first before they would provide me with any advice.  

I work full time and I even do overtime and use the overtime to pay off the debt but nothing is shifting. Every month, there is something that needs paying.  

I’m so tired.  

Amber1980

Hi there just wanted to say hello and when you say you’re so tired I understand! Debt is exhausting,I’m sure some of the experienced people on this board will have some great advice about how to make progress,snowball method etc,you have made the first step by posting here.Sorry to hear step change wasn’t helpful for you xx

LegoHead

I found this in another thread, hope they don't mind me quoting. I was in an out of control situation and have now full control again. Not debt free yet but thanks to the very helpful advice of the people on here I am moving in the right direction.

The only thing from my personal experience I can suggest is be completely honest and open. Detail absolutely every little spend and figure out what your budgets are for the essentials. I found it helpful to set myself little budget I pay myself each Friday. I have a separate account for food and a separate account for play money. I was trying to hard to clear every little penny and not giving myself some fun money. With the budget I can spend the fun money with no guilt as I limit it each week. Without this little budget I would spend recklessly.

Talk to people on here, it does help.

MrsTinks said:

Firstly fill in the SOA - it does help clarify tings

http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php

Then look at the snowball calculator

http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/snowball-calculator.php

That will tell you how to snowball most effectively

_Dolly_Rocker_

Just wanted to pop in to offer my support. 

I understand how tiring it can be when it feels like a never ending vicious circle but there is an end to it and you are in the right place. 

Lots of people on here will offer you lots of support, some of it will help and some of it won't but remember it all comes from a good place. 

I know you can only get £1k on a 0% but its better than nothing and the fee will likely be cheaper overall than the interest. 

Once you start paying that off it may be that you get more offers of a similar nature so can switch more? 

I hope step change are able to help you out. 

We're all here if you need to rant.

anjyeah

_Dolly_Rocker_ said:

I know you can only get £1k on a 0% but its better than nothing and the fee will likely be cheaper overall than the interest. Once you start paying that off it may be that you get more offers of a similar nature so can switch more? 

Dolly_Rocker is right on this one - £1K on 0% is still better if you compare it to your current debt that incurs interest. It seems like you have just gone through what the problem is so far, which is a good sign, once you've muddled through that part - think about what you can do next. 

Take the time to explore the forum, other diaries, etc, to give you some distraction and then some perspective. Posting a SOA here would help sometimes when you're ready along with your proposed budget. By lurking in those boards you'd be surprised how much passive advice you can get just by engaging and you may just find something for yourself too. 

Take it easy! Everyone here has your back and will support you once you're ready.