A hole in the sand

liveandchi · #1 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 10:20 AM

Do you ever feel like you are in a hole in the sand. No matter how hard you try and climb up the side, the sand keeps falling under you feet so you get sucked farther down. And the harder you try and struggle, the deeper you go?

miclason · #2 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 01:07 PM

I do, sometimes, and it is very discouraging...but, one lifelong lesson that I learned from one of my former bosses was this: "focus on what you have accomplished, not on what you have left undone"...so, I apply it to finances this way: If I manage to make a larger payment on a cc, even if just by $1 or $2, and even if the payment does not cover the minimum that I had to pay, I consider that progress! (it sounds pathetic, but, once you try it, you'll relieve a lot of the stress you're putting on yourself!)...and, little by little, this has gotten me to the point where, on a cc I used to have minimum payments of $300, and now it is $200....I finally caught up!! (don't ask about all the others!...I would have had to pay $358 today and I only managed to pay $100!!...still, I focus on the $100 and not on the $258!!)...

PrincessPerky · #3 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 07:25 PM

I so understand the sinking feeling, and I sometimes manage to be positive, sometimes. Then other times I want to throw in the towel and just go back to not noticing how bad it is. but I usually look at my kids and remember they will benifit from a no debt life. or anyway when they are 25 years old they will watch me struggle to get rid of the last of my debt and cheer with me, from there debt free lives.

terry1156 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-19-2005, 08:36 AM

I think miclason has a good point. Focus on the good. Yes, things are bad, but they could always be a whole lot worse. It also helps to take it one day at a time. Don't focus on the overall debt, but on doing one small thing each day that moves you closer to not being in debt. The little things are much easier to accomplish and will help you see you are moving in the right direction.

liveandchi · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 08:56 AM

I think I should have said quicksand. It seems the more we struggle each and every day, the more entrenched we become and the farther we sink down. When is the point where it's time to give up and file for bankruptcy?

PrincessPerky · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 11:38 AM

well since bancrupcy might make you lose your house, you should prolly wait for that, and for the loss of the car. then you might want to consider it, but then if you havn't a house you don't have a phone for the creditors to pester you with, so I wouldn't tarnish my credit with it

(that is said with overexageration and a smile, trying to cheer you up)

BTW have you cut the phone and others down to essentials? and have you considered a cheaper place to live? A move would be my last resort, but it can help.

miclason · #7 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 05:03 PM

liveandchi, consider this: I am making $920/month (pre tax) and have ~$16K in debt....just last week I got calls from 2 different cc companies requesting payments...making the minimum payments would require about $1,000....obviously not an option!...((sigh))...I am dodging calls now...but, I know I can survive and bring my accounts back to good standing...so can you!! Hold on!!

PrincessPerky · #8 (**permalink**) 02-01-2005, 01:59 PM

no phone no calls

, I actually considered this, I know my neighbors would let me use theirs in an emergency, but some of my family isn't online yet, so I would have to go back to HANDWRITTEN letters! How archaic!

asrai · #9 (**permalink**) 02-05-2005, 06:57 PM

extra jobs. and make sure you learn your lesson!!