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I need help.....

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I feel so ashamed of myself - I thought i would have learnt my lesson by now.

I'm a 27 year old female and i'm faar from financially responsible. Since i was 19, i've lived in over 15 different homes (i left through various reasons), ive built up £4k debt and i still can't manage my finances properly. I've got a real problem with spending money on clothes - i borrow money i can't afford to may back from these 'Cash till pay day' shops. I don't have any credit cards because no bank will give me on (blessing), but each month i get paid, i blow it into oblivion on either clothes or socialising. Ive just moved in with my boyfriend after living with my mum for 2 years (only £120 keep, that's all my outgoings were), and now, my bills are £450 a month. I bought some bedroom furniture for our home (it's his house legally), and then cancelled it because i needed the money for spends for my holiday (which i came back last week). I then had to own up why i'd cancelled it and i felt so ashamed. Ive gone overdrawn on my account with numerous cheques that are cheque guranteed and my bank charged me £200 in one month for charges which left me even more in debt each month. I have no savings, i dont even own a car (and i passed my test nearly 2 years ago), all i own are my clothes and a cd system - i feel so ashamed of myself....

I did save up £2500 back in March this year which was supposed to be for a car, but then temptation got the better of me and i blew it on clothes, socialising paying for my holiday, course fees (i work full time, but go to college of an eve). I cant believe i threw it away....

When i was 19, my mum gave me £5k after selling the family home - i also too spent that on furniture and a computer for my flat i lived in at the time. All that got sold 12 months later because i got into financially difficulty... I even cancelled my pension at work 2 years ago because i thought the extra £15 a month they took out my wages would feed my addiciton to spending...

Please help - where do i start? Ive been paying my debts off the last 4 years via Payplan at £50 per month (i can afford more, but i wont because all i think of is 'clothes' and 'socialising'), but then i miss the odd monthly payment to payplan because i end up overdrawn and can't pay my Direct Debit....

Where do i end all this heartache and addiction? I have problems trying to 'save' any money at all and i so want to. Im frightened i'll end up dipping into the savings account and then it's all gone.

Ive been in the same job for 6 years and want to change my career and go to uni in sept - 2009. Can this still be an option for me even in my financial position? How can i turn myself into someone who's addicted to spending on clothes and into someone who is financially responsible and never ends up in the red?

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  • hypno06
    hypno06 Posts: 32,296 Forumite
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    Hi there, first of all do not feel ashamed. what you have is an addiction - just as someone has an addiction to gambling or smoking, you have one to spending.

    So in the same way, the reasons behind this need to be addressed in order that you can move forward.

    I would suggest you see your GP, explain the problem and ask for a referral to a counsellor or CBT therapist. They will help you go through things in order that you can see them in a different perspective. This, coupled with your own willpower and desire to succeed financilly will work well, unfortunately going it alone has not worked for you so far, so outside help is needed.

    Go and see your GP. In the meantime, keep posting here - I find this a fab source of therapy!!
    Successful women can still have their feet on the ground. They just wear better shoes. (Maud Van de Venne)
    Life begins at the end of your comfort zone (Neale Donald Walsch)
  • dearbarbie
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    I'm sorry I can't really help except say that this place is great for ideas and support. Defo go see your doctor and try to get the shopping out of your head (I'm female, I love shoes, but since I found this website I'm trying to pay off my student debt and even set up a 'company' today!) If you do shop, do it through Quidco to get cashback - I've made about £30 doing that so far. Good luck x
    :A
  • Tustastic
    Tustastic Posts: 2,096 Forumite
    First Post Photogenic First Anniversary Combo Breaker
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    Well done for posting, GenuineGal. You've had good advice already. If you've got loads of clothes, I bet you're not even sure what you've got and some of it may never even have been worn. Why don't you have a mammoth wardrobe session to sort it all out? It's good to take care of your clothes anyway, but you may find stuff that you don't even want - and you could sell that via eBay or a carboot.
    Good luck and keep posting - the DFW board is a wonderful supportive community for people just like you.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MoneySavingExpert Forum Team
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