Debt mutual support thread number 4 .... every journey starts with the hardest first step

[TalkinPeace]

This thread follows on from Nerf's incredibly useful
FIRST www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/1969188-Can-we-have-a-support-thread-for-people-who-are-massively-in-debt
and then SECOND
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/2011878-Debt-support-thread-2?
and my THIRD
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/a2062902-Debt-Number-3-For-those-who-feel-they-are-drowning-and-want-a-way-out?msgid=48505428#48505428
threads about realising you are in and supporting each other out of debt.

I am not in debt, any more.
Here is a link to some spreadsheets that might help
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/1987219-SPREADSHEETS-for-Debt-Control-Budgeting-Mortgages-etc

and lots of people use this
YouNeedABudget

The important thing to remember is

• yesterday is as past as the Crimean War

( we will not judge how you got into debt, but we will support you on the way out )

• this is an anonymous forum

( we will not tell your employer, family or friends of the reality of your numbers )

• this thread is about supporting people through the huge mindset changes needed to come out of debt

( feel free to offload all of the feelings that drive you to want to spend, that make it hard to save and that generally make life crap at times )

Join in, bare your soul and come out the other end.
Its worth it.
You are worth it.
The long term results for you, your marriage and your children are worth it.

Party bags - I went to morrisons and bought cheap kids DVDs to wrap up as a lucky dip to take home and stuck a 10p bag of sweets on the front.

We both have new jobs! I am convinced this thread is karmic in some way.
I'm so grateful to all of you for keeping on chatting away to each other, it keeps me same to feel like I'm not alone.
Summer holidays spend wise going okay, had a few garden days to unwind and luckily granny is local so have an extra pair of hands.
Cleaning - steam cleaner for upholstery!

That's a good idea nerf and many congrats on the jobs! X

Congrats on the jobs Nerf. I've had a nsd today: quite pleased with myself as it's been a rainy day and we would normally have gone out somewhere but we stayed at home and cooked instead.

Well done tea time - it feels so much better after a day of slo bing and rediscovering old toys. Even junk modelling yikes.

great news Nerf!

I'm back from week away and need to bring myself to look at the damage to the bank account...

Fantastic news Nerf...well done!!!xx

for cheap sofa covers, try looking for duvet covers or counterpanes in charity shops. I found a massive counterpane for £10 when I was searching for sheets/curtains to use for dressing up fabric this week.

iunderstand the spendiness. I spent a full £20 on dressing stuff. that's a good thing though cos I got outfits for my living museum withouthaving to make them all.
and craft stuff too.

That's so brilliant Precious, well done!

oops, another page

nerf - that's fab!

and precious, that sounds great too :)

Is there anyone crafty here who might help me to dress up on old 2 seater leather sofa ? Leather is all cracked & I just want to cover it up with some sort of fabric. There are no cushions to cover. I looked up online & only options seem to be to rip the leather off & recover the frame. I definitely do not have the skills for that. I cover it in throws but they last about 2 seconds with my kids plus the leather makes them slippy. I ordered upholstery pins from ebay thinking I could pin fabric into the corners but they're very shallow. The back I could probably staple but the front I can't see easy attachments.

Thanks in advance !

I have the same issue snowie!

Thanks all. Precious - well done, you've joined us already having made some changes!
Sofas - sigh. The cat has ruined ours so will be watching with interest. Been there, done that with throws - I could probably have upholstered the thing with the amount of bloody blankets!

On the sofa front - have a look at Mortgage Free in Three and the 10pnd sofa challenge...sorry can't do linkies,maybe someone could oblige xx

There is a Debt Manager all which I think uses the snowball method to calculate end dates etc you'll need your balances & interest rates. I keep all of this on a spreadsheet which I update about twice a month. I won't be debt free (apart from mortgage) for at least 5 years unless something changes in income levels which I don't see happening unfortunately !

Welcome Precious...so great to see you fired up and ready to tackle things! I'm an excel spreadsheet user...but do use a good (and free) app to monitor my 'envelopes'. It's called 'Envelopes' oddly enough lol most of my stuff is monthly so that gets updated in spreadsheet then my weekly shopping money and annual bills (car tax, insurance, etc) I do via the app...

Hmmm...thoughts?
I could spend my ikea voucher with my gift card.
Would it be a good idea so I can make clothes etc?....

Sorry!
Meant to say I could get a sewing machine with it...

Badderz, if you will definitely get your money's worth out of it, it's a good investment. Mine however has been sat in loft since I interlined all my curtains just prior to winter last year.