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Saturday, September 12, 2009 meggy 85 NYC asks

Q: dealing with debt, any advice.

i ran up some major credit debt when i was manic, this debt has been hanging over my head for years and im not getting anywhere with it, any advice or anyone in a similar situation?

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Answers (3)
9/14/09 9:56am

I'm going through about the same thing, I'm better (a little) at finances now and have shredded all but one credit card, which I keep only for emergencies.

 

I managed by borrowing some from my Dad and am slowly paying him back, which is much better - no interest rates. The rest I payed off by cutting out most extra's and such. I lived on mostly beans, ramen, oatmeal (the stuff you have to cook yourself, much cheaper) and hamburger helper (mostly beans though). With the occasion splurge for salads, gotta have those greens. Instead of going out for coffee, buy a good creamer and make it at home, in the long run it is cheaper. Buy a good water bottle and make tea or koolaid at home to take with you, or get a filter for your home and don't buy bottled water.

 

Get a small notebook that you can take with you everywhere, write down EVERYTHING you spend money on, and how much. This will help you to see where you are spending your money, and what you can cut out. If you'd like some more advice, or on something specific, just send me a message. Hope that helps!

 

Take what is helpful and leave the rest, God Bless!

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10/ 1/09 10:26pm
Meggy, don't feel alone i've did the same thing i'll buy things and never use them i gave my wife my credit cards but i'm lucky i'm only about $ 3,000 in debt but still having a hard time. Try to have someone else handle your finances i got all my debt paid off once now i'm in the same shape it's just part of being bipolar. Reply
10/18/09 5:39am

Hiya,

Your not alone with running updebts. I wasnt aware i was Bipolar at the time but once diagnosed i found out that mad spending sprees were part of the many "things" we do during one of our episodes. In a period of 6months or so I've managed to get not only me put also my poor Husband about £40,000 in debt through credit cards, loans,store cards and such like. I am terrified as to what will happen but for 3 months i never opened any post and there was a pile of at least 100 letters from all these debt collection agencies that we owe.
Last week i sat and opened every single one, sorted them all into the relevant debt and put them in plastic wallets in a file. I phoned the National Debt helpline and got some paperwork from them explaining the various options to deal with debt. Our only option is Bankruptcy and now I've gotta fill in lots of forms and attend court so for the past few days i've hid the file out of sight while i build up the courage to begin tackling the problems. It isnt going to go away and no one is going to come and sort everything out for me and it is my own fault so my responsibility. Hopefully once its wheels are in motion and the process gone through i will be able to feel that at leasti have dealt with it.

You can do exactly the same, its hard but better to face the problem head on instead of pretending its not real. There is people who help with debt problems so just start ringing a few up to see where you stand and take it from there.

Good luck

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