From Debt to Wealth

Well today I had to make a phone call I was dreading to one of the credit card companies. I couldn't meet the payment arrangement I'd made with them. I was sick with worry and put it off all day!

When I rang and told them they were fine!! Just asked me when I thought I could make it, I said next week and they said, "No problem, just keep letting us know"
I feel so relieved!! I so am tired of feeling sick with worry, losing sleep and scraping by each day. The stress is playing a big part in me constantly being sick and unable to work.

I am trying to just do the right thing and tell creditors the truth about why I'm behind and in so much debt instead of avoiding them like I was before. So far it seems to be working out OK.

I should know by the end of this week if I have a new job or not. At least once I know, then I can make plans instead of feeling like I am just 'stuck' in debt.

Yesterday was a big day of driving for me. I took DS back to college which is a nine hour round trip. Because he does not qualify for any aid (almost impossible downunder) we pay for his expenses.

The good thing is we only have another two months of this and he will then get Austudy, so that will be a big saving for us. He is very frugal thank goodness.

This morning I claimed $40 in shopping vouchers from a survey site which I will use for groceries.

I've decided to record my daily spending here as well.

Food: $40.60
Petrol: $48.44

Many years ago when I was struggling with unemployment after a long illness (a bit like now!) an old man I know gave me some good advice after listening to all that had happened. He just looked at me and said

"Just start where you are and do the very best with what you've got"

Looking back is not going to help. Getting started is. I plan to list each little things I do to become more frugal and debt free each day here.

Yesterday:
- I stewed a huge amount of fruit that I got on special which usually would have gone bad if not eaten
- I did not renew 6 domains that were about to expire which saved $60
- I gave DS a haircut, saved $28
- canceled all automatic payments that were going on to credit cards

I also spoke to DH about how stressed out I am about our finances. I will hear this week about the job and once we know that we will sit down and review the budget in detail.

First thank you for the welcome, I really appreciate it a lot

Well I took a big breath yesterday and added up our debt totals. We have almost $60,000 in unsecured debt to pay off. I've had a few tears and now it's time to get on with the job at hand! part of me wants to explain it all, but suffice to say most of it is a result of job loss and a sickness crisis. A year ago we had less than $10,000 debt.

Anyway I want to look forward, not backward from now on.

Yesterday I rang the tax department to tell them I can't pay $500 a month and they agreed I can pay $100 a month for a couple of months till I get work again. I am waiting to hear back about a job at the moment.

I was given a beautiful little moleskin notebook by my daughter (she knows I would never buy anything that extravagant!) and I am going to use it to keep in my purse and track my daily spending.

I've been reading lots of blogs and feel quiet motivated that we can do this!

The time has come for me to get my act together, stop lurking and worrying about finances and start holding myself accountable. I have a truckload of debt that needs to be paid off, a mortgage and a retirement to plan for.

I could live very frugally if it were just up to me. I'd be happy to live on 'beans & rice" by candlelight to do this quicker, but DH is not at all that way inclined so it's going to mean compromise.

The first thing I need to do is find out exactly where I stand, what is overdue and how much I owe specifically. So I'll track down that information today and get it posted here.

I can't wait to get started and see those debts dissappear!