Debt !

There are so many things I want to do that I almost don't know where to start!

So I'll start by filling you in with a little background about us.



Himself works in the house building industry as a Senior Site Manager. He works away from home so we have to maintain a second residence - sounds much grander than it is, in fact it's a caravan which gets moved from site to site with him as he has relocated several times over the past couple of years, but however 2 homes does mean duplication of many household and food items, it means running two cars and the cost of me travelling up and down the country to visit him each week.



Now the obvious solution you would think would be 'get a job nearer home' and cut down on costs. Unfortunately thats not such an easy option since the house building industry hit the massive decline that the UK currently finds itself in - Himself's job is only secure until the end of this build phase which is in the middle of December, so we don't know what will happen then. Makes for very scary times and I know we are only two of many people in this frightening situation.......



We are in a frightening amount of debt. Statement of Fact

Now, it would be easy to blame the banks, credit card companies, Gordon Brown, George Bush etc etc. But, the only people here to blame are US - we have bought things that we don't need but wanted, we made two trips to Australia to see family and have over spent on meals out and other trivialities to compensate for all the time we don't spend with each other. Stupid, so bloody stupid. And now at the time when we really have come to our senses (about 6 months ago in truth) we and much of the world are about to experience some of the worse times financially this century.

So time to face the music and get our acts together but I am terrified that we will run out of time in which to get debt free..........



To get started on dealing with this mess I have already carried out a thorough analysis of our incomings (salaries) and our outgoings (monthly bills and debt payments). We are currently just meeting them - there is nothing left over to juggle with and the future prospect of the largest salary disappearing sure does make you focus on the here and now !



So first steps. where can we cut out expenses, where can we make reductions, where can we save money, how can we plan for the future in this very uncertain economy?



By the way I am not feeling sorry for myself, but am in good heart and fighting spirit-we made our mess, we have got to clear it up, simple as that. I have absolutely no intention of losing my home or going under!