Ostrich syndrome

coinchaser

Thanks for all your comments. Now I'm dealing with my debts I've changed my name to relfect my new positive attitude!!

I am talking to the cccs tomorrow and CAb next week about some lost benefits and then, when I have a plan will tell my OH. I know I have to and after hearing all your tales I am very grateful to realise I am not the only one to have got in this predicament.

I've gone off the idea of consolidation (another LBM) and after using the snowball calculator on whatsthecost and taking on a new extra job I've worked out by careful coin chasing I should be debt free in 2011, which is much much better than I ever imagined.

I've stopped cutting myself up for amassing the debt and now sorting it out. This forum really is a lifesaver and without all the advice and information I know I would have simply plumped for a £20,000 loan for 20 years, continued notching up the debt and struggled. Now I am throwing my energy into moneysaving and it's much, much much better.:T

coinchaser

I have just been re-reading this thread which I started under another name when I had my LBM.
I am so glad that I didn't panic consolidate and instead I sat down and worked through the problem instead of opting for a short-term non-fix.
I have changed the way I spend money and also I have gone back to work full-time - I was offered it or redundnacy so I took it for six months, which of course doubled my income.
And instead of doubling my spending as I would have previously without the advice on this site, I am now budgeting.
I now owe £18569.92 on credit cards (all 0%) and loans, but I am taking real pleasure in seeing it come down about £700 a month while at the same time budgeting (on spreadsheets to the exact penny) and living to a good standard.
:j :j
That means since February I have paid off £2922.08. I am hoping to be debt free in 35 months - and I was at the time thinking of taking out a 10 year loan - I am so glad I didn't!
Happy budgeting everyone
xx:D