Starting the journey...the road is currently bumpy.

SpaceCadet12

4 months in to my Step Change and things feel a lot lighter - I am i a good routine, the money leaves my account and I am not worrying about which bill is coming next as the lump sum is gone and I know where I am with whats left over. 

One of my Barclays accounts has been sold on, the letter was reasonable and didn't scare the life our of me and the balance was £1000 lower than what I thought, so that was a little bonus I guess. 

Although I feel like there is always something going on which I need to pay for, and this next two months with Birthdays and Christmas but am feeling confident that this will be the first Christmas I have not relied on credit, I have been better at shopping around, looking for deals buying slowly and not over buying.  As I am guilty of wanting my son to have an abundance of presents - often crap that does not last. 

I also have always been the friend that will pay for others.....really thinking carefully about that now and not being that person.   

Anyways feeling a little less stressed and into a routine that works.....Can I keep it up? 

Scott_Weiland79

Stepchange are brilliant i would ring them and just get some figures together first ie a mini budget and just be honest with them.

Dont bury your head in the sand if you are struggling.

I was on a debt management plan for it started at 6 years from memory but with payrises/overtime/decluttering/surveys i got it cleared quicker.


I had 15-20 debts at one point which managing myself was a nightmare.

Being honest with yourself is important too, think where do you wanna be financially in a few years.

Posting here is a big step, step change step 2 😄

Scott_Weiland79

Blackcats said:

I wanted to pop by and say that you shouldn't feel ashamed - this is debt free diary land and none of us are here because we've always been good with money 🙃.  However, lots of people here are further on their journey than you and their advice, support, encouragement, hints & tips will really help you as you progress towards 2030.  My nuggets of advice for what they are worth are to be kind to yourself, keep focussed on all the little spends and update your diary regularly to keep yourself on track and to chart your progress.  

Totally agree with this I wasnt but i have learned from it and never again.

One little golden nugget, if you get the direct problem again. You mentioned something about a direct debit eating your disposable income.

If this happens again most banks can recall a direct on the day it goes through, or upto 24hours later they can do a late recall. 

Humdinger1

Please don't feel ashamed.   The Queen Mother was reportedly £4 million overdrawn when she died.  Why should any of us feel bad? You're tackling it and doing brilliantly!  Love Humdinger xx