Thanks Debbie,
I think as parents we do sometimes get lost in what our children really want and need. Getting them the latest mobile phones 'cause all their friends have one, the latest must have games consoles, what was wrong with the one we paid hundreds of pounds for last year? There always seems to be something new, and expensive, on the market that our kids must have. How are people expected to pay for it all? well in my case and it seems many others it's clear how we pay for it. The worry of the debt lasts much longer than the momentry thrill of what we have just bought. Don't get me wrong my kids are lovely and they don't really ask for these things, but they obviously talk about them and go to their friends houses who have the latest gadgets etc, and it's hard when you hear them talking not to want those things for your own children. I think if I'm honest alot of this boils down to me, me wanting my children to have all these things, me wanting to be able to afford them, and not wanting my kids and others to know I can't afford them. I do know deep down that some of the best memories we have are of the times that cost nothing. We are lucky enough to live near the top of a mountain, for the moment anyway, with amazing views and walks just minutes from our front door. We have had some lovely times just going for a walk or taking a picnic onto the mountain and just talking. It's great in the winter when it snows, we go sledging, build snowmen, have snowball fights and make snow angels, although that's not always nice when you get up and realise you have been lying in sheep poop. But anyway we go home soaking wet and freezing cold and sit in the warm with some hot chocolate and play games, lovely and it costs nothing. I think parents must stop putting themselves under pressure to give their kids everything and keeping up with the Jones's, this isn't what our kids really want, maybe it's just us thinking they do. This on top of trying to run a business, having very little coming in most of the time and all the bills and everything else to pay for, it is all to easy to reach for those cards. I know that for such a long time now we have used them to pay for day to day living expenses, birthdays, christmases, and everything else in between. Now we are starting to make a few quid it all goes out on paying the minumum payments, or rather not being able to meet those minimum payments, especially this month. I just want this burden gone and start living again with a very different outlook on life, I so want to be able to pay for something out of money I have earned, and not breaking out in a cold sweat handing over that dreaded piece of plastic, I just want them cut up into tiny pieces and never see them again. I do so realise I have made some dreadful mistakes, I just hope it can be sorted out soon, I know one thing for sure those same mistakes will not be made again. Up until just a few weeks ago, I still beleived I didn't have a problem and that things would get better and I would be able to sort it out myself. I now know that I was only kidding myself, I am in a terrible mess and I cannot get myself out of it. Thank God I found this forum and you guys, you have made me realise so much to bring me to my senses. I just so hope it will be sorted out soon. Thanks for listening and for being there. Speak again soon.
Best wishes to all
Cheers
Mike
