Gosh - where do I start???

donnadoo515

Like most people, i have been floating around the forum for sometime and not really posted too much, I've been reading alot of people's Diary's for some time now and they are very motivational, I then attempt to go off and work out my debts and my outgoings etc but to be totally honest, i haven't a clue where to start as i don't really know what i owe to who :wall:

It is driving me mad to say the least, I want to get this sorted but i think i am in such a mess, I have most of my every days bills in a lever arch folder but anything that i owe ot debt wise,well the paperwork is probably in a box somewhere,Talk about hiding away??

What shall i do, this is really annoying me, i know i can be debt free if i really put my head to it. heeeelllppppp :eek: :eek:

19/01/08 - SOA NOW ADDED!!

lunar

As you have been reading other diaries you will prob be familiar with doing a SOA so you know your incommings and outgoings. take a look at your statements and see what you pay out each month. It might be a good idea to have a look at your credit report if you are really unsure of what you owe.

Welcome to the site and well done for having your LBM. good luck on your road to becoming debt free.

Merlot

Firstly, welcome to the board. Take a deep breath, grab a glass of something, and post an SOA, its essential for us to help you.

If you don't know who you owe, contact the Credit reference agencies and get a report, I think they cost £2 each.

Look forward to seeing your SOA.

Merlot

headoutthesand

Merlot wrote: »

If you don't know who you owe, contact the Credit reference agencies and get a report, I think they cost £2 each.
Merlot

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southernscouser

headoutthesand wrote: »

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MrsB68

I know just how you feel sweet - I have been hiding my head in the sand and its only now having joined this forum that I have decided to face up to the problem and admit I am in debt.

My advice to you is to ensure you put every single item down. I made sure I included saving £10 a month for Birthday presents, £40.00 per month for Xmas, £20 a month for dining etc etc.

You never know you may find that you do have some money left over at the end of the month. I was pleasantly surprised what I had left - I dont feel quite so sick now.

Since we are both new to this game, I dont mind if you want to PM me for a chat or something. Anytime! x

donnadoo515

Hi all

Thankyou so much for all your speedy replies, it's very reassuring to know that there are such helpful and friendly people out there.

I will try and get my head down and work out these in's and out figures - i'm really not looking forward to this eeek!!

hypno06

Hello and welcome aboard! the guys above have given some good advice - mine is to grab a coffee, or glass of something, a pad of paper and get brainstorming - absolutely everything money related you can think of, even if it seems insignficant.

Then do as mentioned above and put together an SOA and lets see what we can do to help!

Bismarck

Hi, well done for posting. It's a big start and as the trumpet player in The Commitments said, "I believe in starts"

I've still got piles of the stuff lying in a box that I need to sort into order. But the easier way for me was to tackle the last months' worth to give me an idea of where I was and how I could make tomorrow less expensive. That's the problem...the longer this is left, the longer it gets to eat at you and the bites get deeper. My final lightbulb moment was when I couldn't sleep, got up and saw Martin on breakfast telly and he said there would be limits coming down and we should all get off our backsides and sort it out. I finally saw a way through a card shuffle that took 3 months to sort out but without applying for anything, I've slashed the interest on what I owe. If I'd done nothing, I'd have missed the chance. Some of the letters that you don't want to open may have good news or offers that could provide the solution.

Main thing is, I've been at the "feel sick" moment several times and still do feel that way sometimes but acting then has saved us money and will get us to a better life a lot sooner.

dancingfairy

Hi. At least when you've worked out the total - you can take stock. At least you'll know- it's got to be better than having a vague/gosh I don't know kinda feeling all the time. Whether it's 1 or a 100,000 I bet they'll be someone similar - some even have more than 100,00. You'll get there. I guess the first thing to do is to get all the papers out and put them into piles eg Abbey/Tesco/Halifax/whoever etc. Then work through each one one at a time. That's what happened to Moozie - she didn't know where to start and people helped her through it slowly and now she's a money saving expert. I'll see if I can dig the thread out someonewhere.

donnadoo515

brilliant thanks so much