I'm almost debt-free ... and feeling guilty

slug2000

Hi there,

This is a bit of a ramble to say something fairly simple but still, I like to talk!

I used to be a bit of a regular to this site, about 18 months ago, under a different username. I was doing really well - taking on board the hints and tips, had cleared my credit cards and just had a personal loan to pay back - was living within my means, etc. Then last year was the year from hell - I split with the boyfriend I was living with, had to find a flat to rent, I got bad depression, was drinking heavily, and even attempted suicide at one point. At the same time, my spending got totally out of control - I was suddenly having to pay for everything myself, and was trying to make myself happy with shopping and holidays. Soon enough my credit cards were worse than they ever were before. My debts now come to £26,000.
So, a few weeks ago I finally got the courage to admit to my new boyfriend and my parents the extent of my debt - the fact I had no money left to buy food and was a month behind in my rent. They were all amazing - let me have a cry and a panic then started to think of sensible solutions. So, I started to get a grip again. I'm currently looking for a cheaper flat, I've cut up all credit cards again and I've not been shopping since before Christmas.

Then, totally out of the blue, I got a call from my father saying that a distant relative had left me £30k in her will - enough to clear my debts AND have some savings for the first time in my (OK relatively short!) life. Obviously this is a massive relief and I'm still in shock really. The money should arrive by the end of this week and by the end of next week I'll be able to pay off all my credit cards and my personal loan. Which feels amazing, but at the same time I feel almost guilty about it - when I come on here and read the amazing stories of people cutting back on everything and working so hard to pay all their debts back, it all seems to have come far too easy to me.

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to get at is to say a big thank you to you all - it's down to all you posters that I first started to work on my debts, and why I always wanted to get out of debt. I know now how I can live within my means and save money every month, the difference between a "want" and a "need" and how great it feels when you save for something instead of just whacking it on a credit card!!

You're all doing amazingly well, and I'll keep coming on here to remind myself why I need to keep on saving and keep on living within my means and not slip back into my old ways!

x

Hell1

What brilliant luck! Don't feel guilty! I bet everyone on this forum will be wshing you luck, and wishing it would happen to them. Maybe just think of it as a lesson, someones looked after you, but don't let yourself get in the same position again. Really wish you luck!

Mozette

Blimey, don't feel guilty! When I'm really fed up I have a line on the lotto, and trust me, if I did win I'd feel bl00dy brilliant about it.
Get yourself sorted, and stick with this site to make sure you make the most of it.
All the best
Moz

KellsBells

It's fantastic news, you are very lucky and should be extremely grateful to your relative. The trick is to learn from your mistakes, stay debt free and enjoy the rest of life. Good luck, and enjoy.xxxxx

bringmeshoes

thats brilliant news (not about the relative dying tho!) don't feel guilty about it, i would say after the year you've had it hasn't all come to easy for you, sounds like you deserve a break and nobody on here would want you to feel guilty about it

Amberamber80

That it great Karma at it's finest! Don't feel guilty though sorry to hear about your relative! Someone is looking out for you! You have had a bad run of it and this is the start of the new you! Now just coz I can pay off your debt, don't be a stranger and give the rest of us advice as you have been there x

KiwiEssexGirl

The one bit of advice is try not to let it happen again. I managed to be debt free after an inheritance a few years ago and now my debts are skyhigh and I feel really guilty because it feels like I wasted my godmother's money. I wish I could have looked after it better...

Lizzieanne

Hello,

Don't feel guilty - although, having said that, I understand how you feel. Mr L and I had quite large debts and we were working hard to get rid of them. Just as we were almost debt free, a close friend passed away. It was a real shock - he was still very young - but even more of a shock was the amount of money he left to us. It was a life changing amount, arriving just as we'd got ourselves sorted out. Using 'his' money, we were able to afford things that we never thought we'd have. Even now it seems somehow wicked to have spent 'his' money on enjoyable things.

I think how you are feeling is quite normal. Enjoy your inheritance, use it to clear your debts and remember with affection the relative who enabled you to get yourself back on track.

RainbowChild_2

Yes, it certainly sounds like Karma to me too! Don't feel guilty, everything happens for a reason. All MSE'rs will be happy for you.

slug2000

Thank you all so much for your kind messages. I'll definitely be keeping in touch via this forum and will try give advice if I can! As I said, it's other people's stories that have really inspired me and, believe me, I've got so many people behind me that it would be really hard for me to go back to my wicked ways - my boyf is an absolute genius at being thrifty/looking for bargains/not wasting a single penny!
Thanks again, it means a lot to know I've still got the support and guidance of other DFWs to keep me on the right track!

mummum2

I just wanted to add to all the other posts. Well done and wishing you all success on your DF life!