Buggirl

I am really worried about my finances at the moment and despite being over 3 months sober, just don't appear to be seeing any benefit at the moment and it's making me ill! It's not making me want to drink (yet!), but I am worrying that it is going to negatively going to affect my health!

How did you get through if you have been/going through the same?

Dee74

It took me well over a year to sort my finances out.

If you have creditors approach them with a payment plan. Do this well before payment is due - they more time you give them the more amenable they are usually.

There are also usually free budget consultants around - there are a few websites like these (I just did a quick Google - other Brits may n=know more)

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.u...budget-planner
Budget planner: Analyse your finances - Money Saving Expert

- but they are not the same as the guys who want to offer you consolidation loans, or guys who want to charge you any kind of fee.

Avoid. You want to save money not spend it
D

Soberwolf

(((Buggirl)))

D pdrovide exellent links i think one of them is martin lewis's website (budget finance king)

I really agree with D's advice and its what i done myself

heartcore

When they say in the AA promises that we will lose our fear of economic insecurity, that's what it means - we lose the fear, not the economic insecurity!

Most of us have a lot to repair. Many have to slowly pay things down, take extra work, etc. What's important is that if you just keep plugging away & stay sober, you have nothing to be afraid of - you'll be ok.

You don't need much to be happy...

pumpkinny

Now you know where you stand. Things were heading down the same road all along and would probably be worse if you still were drinking. It will improve, just takes time.

IOAA2

" I am worrying that it is going to negatively going to affect my health!"

Some good suggestions above.

I practically guarantee drinking over it won’t fix it and will do more damage than already done mentally and emotionally.

BE WELL

mfanch

I am 5.5 years sober and by 2016, I will finally be out of debt and financially on the right road. My sponsor told me in the beginning that I would get my marbles back at 5 years and get to play with them at 10....she said that included my finances!

When I was ready to be sober, NOTHING was going to stop me. Not finances, not other people, not having a place to live. I owed over $100,000 and had NOTHING. Getting sober and doing the next right thing brought me to where I am today. Free from chemicals and soon...free from debt. YOU can do it, too!!!! Drinking just pushes the pause button on the misery, so it doesn't really go anywhere...it's just waiting for you when you dry out. Sobriety, though, allows us to process so that the misery becomes a distant memory. I remember thinking I would pay money for that!!

As for worrying, just "worry" about today. Until you go to bed tonight.

Glad you are here.

GroundhogDay

I am currently working on this year's budget. Basically, I input my monthly income and expenses (using last year's bills for mortgage, electricity, etc.) into an Excel spreadsheet. I've already managed to cut some costs by either eliminating expenses that are not absolutely necessary or finding cheaper ways to acquire things like paper towels (buy online).

I am also looking for a job. Even with cutting back, my husband would need to work overtime to balance our budget.

Sometimes, we have to do what we have to do. I think the anxiety over not knowing is worse than the doing something about it.

JT0626

I use www.mint.com as a budgeting tool. They have a phone app that works very similarly to the website, so you can always see where you are as far as money goes. It helps me visually see where my money is going & I make changes from there. User friendly too!

Anna

Buggirl, you've gotten lots of good advice here. I think if you actively do something to help your financial situation, you will feel better. So, any step you take towards reorganizing your finances is going to benefit you.

Nonsensical

Personal finance can be very complex and difficult to manage. It leads to stress for many people. In the US there are lots of free (and under-used) services to assist people with understanding and fixing their personal finances. I suspect the UK has at least as many services available. Check them out - they are quite good.

I am a personal finacial planner, so if you have a specific question you want to ask, you can PM me.

Be well!

Thepatman

I am experiencing the same thing. Sober but my finances are a mess, and it stresses me.

I made myself an action plan. Met with my bank, am refinancing my mortgage to kill my higher interest rates credit cards etc. I also made a monthly budget, I intend to follow it, not matter what.

Some say money doesn't make happiness, I disagree, because lack of it can bring total misery.

Stay strong Buggirl, try to consolidate with your bank. Just having one payment can make a big difference on the stress.

Eddiebuckle

Buggirl,

A very good friend of mine who has 30+ years of sobriety is fond of saying "If you got yourself ten miles into the woods, it's a ten mile walk back."

It took way longer than three months to become alcoholic or damage your finances. Trust that so long as you keep working to improve both, they will in fact improve - just not on our timetable. Slow and steady wins the race.

mns1

Financial holes can take a while to pull yourself out of. But you've gotten some awesome advice above!

Stay focused on sobriety and keep your head up, and be patient. Your time and effort will pay off!

ReadyAtLast

As you are in the UK Iwould recommend you speak with Stepchange. they used to be CCCS and are excellent. You tell them everything and they advise you. They also write to creditors on your behalf suggesting manageable repayment plans and getting interest frozen. It is a charity so totally free service. Please be aware of many debt advise services out there who will charge you. Avoid at all costs as that charge can go towards your debts.

StepChange (CCCS) | Free debt advice | Debt management help

WritingFromLife

Dave Ramsey's books have always been a huge help for me. It is a step by step plan, including working with creditors. Check it out--it brought me PEACE.

mecanix

You will find good help at the C.A.B they have free specialist financial councillors :- Citizens Advice Â*- the charity for your community

Working out your budget is a good start .
Organising your paperwork so you know what you owe to whom and at which interest rate.
Googling websites on frugality or simple living can help, i've found a lot of useful hints and tips .

Stick with it

m

PurpleKnight

Plans with creditors in the UK can be arranged through citizens advice:

Citizens Advice - the charity for your community

Took me a while to get my finances together, soo much spent on alcohol, Sobriety will continue cut that outgoing out!!

Frostyfrost

Get in touch with step change, they are fab. I was paying out £500 a month but they helped reduce it to £200 a month with frozen charges.