Submitted by im_goingcrazy t3_123lwdc in personalfinance
Hi all,
I'm (31, F) determined to start my journey to becoming debt free, I have zero savings and feeling very overwhelmed and hopeless about the current situation. Every month I'm left with nothing after paying off the debt I have and with the income I have, it just shouldn't be this way.
I'm keenly aware I've been really stupid with money over the past few years and feel ashamed but I'm determined to turn this around.
My total income each month is £3470 and I have the following outgoings:
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Rent: £1,300 - is paid monthly
Council Tax: £130 -is paid monthly
Very: £3,500 -altogether - minimum payment £190 a month
Next: £1,300 - min payment £65 a month
La Redoute: £650 - minimum payment £50 a month
Barclays card: £250 - minimum payment 20 a month
Capital one: £1,500 - minimum payment 90 a month
Pulse card: £1,600 - minimum payment £65 a month
Newday AO account: £950 - minimum payment £55 a month
Personal loan £1,000 (£250 left of this) £61 a month
Loan for new bed: £1,100 - pay £51 a month
Internet/Tv: £58 a month
phone bill: £51 a month
Gas bill is quarterly: £270
Electric bill: £25 a month
Water bill: £77 a month
Argos card - £, 1200 - £45 a month
Childs sports/activities: £70 a month
Klarna: Anywhere from £200-£300 a month (paid off in full monthly)
(The above is without food shopping, travel)
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On top of all of this I've had a SERIOUS problem with compulsive spending using Klarna (I'm ashamed and close to tears typing this out).
Around £200-300 pounds a month has been going to purchases made during the month. I have taken action on my spending problem with Klarna and downloaded the Self Control app on my Mac and have blocked multiple websites to stop me from browsing. It's been 3 days and so far it's working very well.
I plan to pay off the outstanding Klarna balances and close the account down completely.
For years now I've been unable to move forward in any meaningful way in my life due to this persistent debt which is all my doing.
If I were debt free I could finally take driving lessons and get a car, move out of London to rent in a safer/better area for the schools and even start saving. But all of this seems like a lifetime away. I would appreciate it if anyone had any tips or words of advice.
It's very daunting posting this as I feel very ashamed but I know I've opened myself up to judgment so I'll take it but please don't be too hard on me, I'm already in a really bad place.
Thanks all.
EDIT - Wow I just want to thank each and every person who commented on this post with a message of support and advice. You've all been so helpful you'll never know. There's so many comments I've tried responding to as many as possible but just thank you. This is why I love Reddit.
For people like me who don't have a support network or friends to confide in, platforms like this are a godsend to me. Thank you, and I will post an update once I get this sorted. Let's do this!