Can we have a support thread for people who are massively in debt?

[Nerfmother]

Because you can't talk about it in real life? We owe 44k, reduced from 60k in a year. Not including mortgage.
It's so depressing.
Dh is determined to pay it off and so bankruptcy or plans isn't an option. I do think its doable, just hard hard hard.

Talkin! It was you I referred to with your splendid spreadsheets. Blue dog, it's not a repayment plan in any formal way, it's just setting the payments to cover the interest and some capital rather than the minimum amount each month.
Badvoc. That is truly crap.
Kazza. What I said to badvoc.

Badvoc

Sorry my brain isn't working today I understand now

Badvoc
freecycle .... or try to blag an ex display
oven ... try for "graded stock"

Oh dear, I think we're all needing a bit of luck...tomorrow is a new day

Yes fingers crossed. ESP as I have been totally freaked out by a pregnancy scare (on another thread) but all seems well after I sent dh to the local tesco! Just the four dcs to cater for!

Jeezy peeps Nerf...that's gotta be the top trump lol

I know! Had to waste money on a test!

A bargain in comparison to what it might have been lol ok,quiet day planned today though need milk and crackers (DS current snack of choice!)-still have over half this weeks food budget left so not worried about that.Whatever is left tonight will go to CC1 so less to balance transfer in the week or so whenever new ac comes through...full budget review later tonight

True!
Well we have fended off requests to go to ikea - dcs love it there and I'm trying to stay strong. I really really want to go and get some new make up for a meeting, but am trying to stop myself.
Water damage to roof of crappy lean to needs sorting - we are waiting on a call back.

Oooh,I love Ikea too! I'm after something to store my herb/spice jars in...I seem to have amassed dozens of them since I started cooking from scratch...and the jar I need is invariably the one at the very back lol

Don't say that! It's too tempting.
It's also dhs 50th and I'm thinking of something practical and useful rather than a paperweight.

Budget balancing early today due to crap weather lol so, envelopes ac balanced and on track, £500 emergency fund untouched and £48.20 remaining from this weeks food budget has been transferred to CC1...happy days! Meal plan will see us through til Wed, will need bread and milk between now and then...

I'd like to join too please! Determined to get our debt under control and eventually get rid of it, and to learn how to be better with managing our finances. Been rubbish so far. Now able to acknowledge that fact after a very stressful and upsetting couple of months facing up to things.
Getting better at being frugal, NSD's, meal planning and not wasting food. Actually know now what we have coming in/ out and what's left. Learning how to budget and be more savvy and looking forward to getting lots of good ideas and support from everyone here.

Ooh mum let us know what you find for your spices. I too have lots and lots in the cupboard.

Hi Fox, welcome...and well done in acknowledging your financial challenges...we're all in the same boat

Expensive day as payment was due for the school trip. I decided to use real money to pay the entire balance rather than the instalment (this is a all year group trip that I moaned about as being too expensive, not a 10 kids jolly) so I have paid 125 out of my emergency fund. Decided that I'm not going to have little debts hanging over me.
And we went shopping for clothes but I stuck to sales and stuff I needed not wanted, and two Xmas presents and birthday presents - spent £80. Not too bad and I'm putting everything on my non maxed cc for security and then paying off immediately with real money.

Hello fox! I have got so much support just from reading about everyone and how well they are doing. None of our debts have increased since Xmas, and I've actually managed an emergency cash fund. £500.

Thank you mum nice to be among people in the same boat. I haven't told anyone in RL how it really is. Ashamed I guess. My DH hasn't been well and for a long time was hiding (mostly unopened) bills, court letters and all sorts. Long story but it all came out and now we're doing our best to put it right. We had no proper system. I've also got 3 stupidly high interest CC debts, store acc debt etc etc and despite a good regular wage, am always living in my OD.
It was all a big fooking horrible, screaming, tearful and anxiety provoking mess!! Feel like a shit wife/mum/person. Over the worst though now and made use of advice from Stepchange and CAP who were wonderful.
This thread is inspiring. You're all making me want to be better. Sorry for the v long post. It was good to get it off my chest!

Hi Nerf! That's great. Glad I've found you all.

It's fair to say I'm becoming a bit obsessed with finances...pouring over my online acs at every opportunity. Love looking at last months CC1 statement and all the wee extra payments I managed to make to it...might only have been a few pounds on some occasions, but it all adds up. Not so nice though are my pre epiphany statements...struggling to recall what half the transactions were for

What are your plans to start heading into it Fox? I'm making minimum to everything except card with highest interest rate which I put every penny I can too...

I'm making minimum(just above ) to everything and then the smallest one is being targeted at the end of the month.
Since this thread, my change in habits has achieved a 500 quid emergency fund.

Foureyedfox, sorry to hear that. I have been dealing with our debt and the anxiety that goes with it alone for a few years, as dh has a tendency to put his head in the sand. Things have come to a head now, as dh has been out of work since June and my salary (part time) isn't enough to pay the bills. I find it so difficult to cope with the anxiety when there is no end in sight. But I'm finding the suggestions and support here very helpful and can't wait til we are in a position where we can start paying off our debt.

That's fab Nerf...I have £500 emergency fund too...stops my wobbles when I put all my spare cash towards the debt...sure it's all psychological,but so long as it works I don't care lol...