Wednesday 4 August 2010

Not giving up....

Normally I wouldn't write stuff like this, however, I feel like its probably a subject which affects alot of people and I guess sometimes when people have the courage to talk about their circumstances, its helpful because you know you are not the only one.......

I have for a long time been battling with alot of debt, probably I guess about 7 years, 4 years ago breaking up with Anth plunged me into unknown depths of it, and I spent about 3 years simply surviving not to go under, so many times I thought that it would be easier to give up everything, the business, my house, and simply go under, but I never did, I always made sure somehow that things got paid, I even remember a week when I didn't even have a tenner to buy monkey cat food, so we had cupboard feasts, she loved that, haha!!! Most of my stress during the business more than working very hard has been that, making sure that it survived, that I survived, in a way I just kept my head down and kept on going, I am not one to give up ever, I hate quitting!! I never ever want to go back to those nights of not being able to sleep because I couldn't see a way out, the sickness in your stomach is the most horrible thing ever.

I had help from my best-est friend in the world, who simply kept me smiling when I was crying cause I felt like I wasn't gonna get out of it, and always promised me it would be ok and not to give up, he also was amazingly strict with me, he took no crap, he would sit me down time after time we would go through personal finances and tell me how it was, that's really hard to admit you are in a mess and that you need to change things, and that you can't simply hope that everything will be ok if you ignore it.

Last year I had a tough decision to make, I wanted to expand my business premises and at the same time, I didn't have the money to do it, so I decided to come and live with my mum and dad and rent somewhere to work, they have been amazing in supporting me, they never once offered me money simply loved me and looked after me.  Initially I struggled so much with this choice, because I LOVE Cardiff and I love my house, and I am a proud person, but it was the best thing I ever did, I have lovely lodgers looking after my beloved house, and I have had an incredible time with my mum and dad, we have grown so close, and they are such wonderful people, I feel like I have made up for the 10 years I didn't see them that much.

Sometimes I get mad because I can't buy things, and every spare penny over pays loans and such things, and it has felt up until today as if I will never get there, but today is kind of special, I looked at all my loans, they are massively reduced and my determination is that by Christmas I will have my two large ones done and dusted......and that means I am nearly out of debt, not quite, but I will have overcome such a massive hurdle that I wanted to share the fact that I can actually see a huge light at the end of the tunnel, and that for anyone else that is out there who might have debts which sometimes make you feel as if there will be no end in sight, I just want to say, don't give up, you HAVE to be strict with yourself and remember that you don't actually need THINGS, sometimes its better to take that 20 quid and instead of buying a new lipstick, take it to the bank and over pay something, trust me it works, and by Christmas 2011 I am going to be completely debt free and I have vowed never ever to take out any loans or credit cards ever again, I shall always save up first.

Just sayin....;)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



11 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting this - we also struggle with debt and it's always oddly comforting to read about people going through the same things, and even better when they start coming out the other side. Congratulations on being so close!

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  2. Yeay!! You're absolutely right, some things need to be out there so that we know we're not alone, and things like this are pretty universal at the moment.
    Well done you on managing so much, and building the business at the same time; I'm just going to sit here and be just as pleased for you as you are :D

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  3. Well done for beating the debt and keeping going. Thank you for posting about debt, its such a difficult subject. Heres to Christmas 2011 XXXX

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  4. Wow. I'm in awe that you've not only managed to pull yourself out of debt, but that you did it while building up a fantastic business.

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  5. After reading your post, I felt like standing up and applauding you. Well done on not giving up and still dyeing stunning yarn when your heart probably wasn't in it as you were worried sick about your finances, but you kept on going anyway because that was your ticket out of debt. You have amazing talent and a big heart. Keep going, and have an incredible debt free 2012! I for one love knitting with your yarn and enjoy seeing what pattern I can come up with that will show it off best!

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  6. That's so wonderful. I blush to say it and you'll probably blush to hear it but you really inspire me. When I think of eveything you've achieved just by focussing on what you want and going after it makes me think that anything is possible. Well done and keep on doing what you're doing.

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  7. That is hugely inspiring and I am so happy for you.
    I have recently taken voluntary redundancy to build up my own business and yes sometimes it is very scary.
    You give truthful honest advice.

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  8. Bravo, bravo!! I learned this lesson the hard way years ago, and it's a lesson worth learning, even if it's hard at the time. Nowadays I get more of a kick out of paying off my credit card bill than I would if I went and had a spending spree! You WILL get there, and you should be very, very proud of yourself for coming so far.

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  9. Love and compassion for your honesty. It is an inspirational story and you should be proud of your achievements. Don't be hard on yourself none of us are perfect . I am sure I am not the only person who would admit to comfort spending when in pain

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  10. Thank you - that must have taken courage - but it was inspiring and heartening. It always seems (to me at least) that everyone else knows some secret to life that I have missed and that I am alone in struggling with debt (etc. etc.), but when people such as you are honest and open, a whole community opens up. Ta very much and good luck.

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  11. You are an amazing person! An inspiration...keep going, time flies and before you know it...2011 Christmas will be here!!! Well done :)
    ♥Heidi

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