Frequently made mistakes in purchasing - Wrong buying habits

Welcome to the forums :D Congrats on wanting to get a handle on your debt and not running from it anymore. When you signed up,if you signed up for the free credit counseling,someone will contact you soon. You might benefit from consolidation,if you have ignored it for 2 years,they can combine your debts,reduce interest and you make one monthly payment,so this may be something to consider. If you browse the other posts and topics,you will find others who have been whre you are,are the same age,and are now working on becoming debt free.Good luck!...Karen

I second everything Karen says!

That's excellent that you want to get things under control right now. I wish I had been as mature as you are when I was your age 12 years ago!!

I'm glad you found us here..Keep us posted on your progress.

welcome cassi_neal!!!! I second everything the others said here. Its great that you've decided to do something about it now, while you're young. Important advice, learn from this experience!! Make sure that once you get out from under everything, you don't go back and make the same mistakes again. Its very easy to do that, I'm speaking from experience here. Its easy to rack up charges on a credit card when you don't have the money for something...but theres no feeling out there, that you can get from buying something, that even compairs to the feeling of not being in debt! Once you get out of debt, you will learn to ask yourself if that credit card purchase is 'really' worth it. NO!! cut up your cards if you don't trust yourself, if thats what you have to do,then do it. I have a couple in my drawer for emergency purposes only because I own a home and sometimes things come up that can't be helped. but I always pay them right back off. I have learned ALOT from this group. we're here for you, if you have any problems or just need to talk. and again, congradulations for moving in the right direction. you will feel alot better once you get started! I promise you! shirley

Hi Shirley, your advice actually made me imagine something that I would not have thought otherwise. It's very noble piece of advice by you because experience never goes wasted.

Cassi, perhaps, you might have realized your mistakes by now. I am sure you will be able to put things under control once you have paid off your past bills under some restricted budgeting. Experiences on day to day basis when we go through struggles teach a lot for the future.

Cassi, We have all been right where you are now, or maybe some of us are just getting out of that place. But take charge now (no pun intended) and take control of your situation, that rock in the bottom of your stomach goes away almost immediately just knowing that you are dealing with your problem in a responsible manner. Good Luck and come back often to chat. :) Pauli'sGirl