21/02/2023
My story
As soon as I turned 18, I signed up for my first store card, encouraged by older debt-ridden friends! I was a student and income was low, so it was a way to buy whatever I wanted regardless of the consequences. I lived every day with the attitude of, "I might die tomorrow!" Before I knew it, I had countless credit cards, store cards and loans, only ever paying the minimum monthly payments. My relationship with money was toxic. For many years, I buried my head in the sand when it came to debt and paying bills. Although bills were always paid on time and I was relatively "in control," I was always in my overdraft and my outgoings were regularly exceeding my income.
We re-mortgaged the family home several times to pay off and consolidate my uncontrollable spending habits. As a family we dreamed of moving house, but I knew that this was only ever going to be a dream if I didn't take action. So, I set my sights on ensuring that my outgoings were well below my income without entering any formal debt agreements. I shopped around, moved bills and debts around, cancelled subscriptions and unnecessary outgoings. I didn't just do this once, but on a regular basis.
I took control of the situation instead of the spending addiction controlling me.
Now, each month I know exactly what is leaving my bank and when. I am prepared for the unexpected and I'm never in my overdraft. We have a beautiful, much larger family home and can afford luxuries and family holidays without using a credit card. It is so much more rewarding than a quick spending buzz.
I'm now ready to share what I've learnt with others and to show you, no matter what your financial situation, you can take control of it...
