Background story
I never thought that I will be in this situation. I used to have a good career, good salary and money was never a problem in my life. I used to buy designer branded items (clothes, furniture, gadgets, cosmetics etc) and go on various vacations to exotic resorts, enjoy popular dinings and lounges.
Easy Life, Abundant
Life was easy for me. Until I quit my office job and followed an ex client who establish a small firm doing projects. The projects were a success and I earned 10-20 times my regular salary. Wow. Those days were like paradise and my mistake was ..I thought they will last always. For 10 months I earned 20 times my usual salary and had a huge chunk of saving plus no debt at all.
I helped my mom who was in big debt and also helped my siblings (bailed them out of their bills and debts). I always thought that the income will always be that good, so I keep on helping because who else would help them? Until recession hits. The firm was collapsing in December 2008. The firm owner invested in bonds and stocks that were crashing down and he got a bad heart attack followed by a heavy stroke the following months.
I didn't feel the direct effect yet during 2009 because I still had lots of savings and was living very comfortably with no debt. Dining out almost every night, catching latest movies on cinema, weekend getaways, exotic vacations,shopping etc and establish my own cosmetic business. Clients were pouring in but compared to what I used to earn, profit is small. The cosmetic profit was just like "small extra" for me.
I didn't have any realistic money management skills. I figure out that I deserve the best because I worked hard all this time. I deserve the best clothes, vacations, places etc. I also like to impress people. I still had hopes that the firm will operate again, and there was some informations that the firm will operate again end 2009 but postponed to 2010. During 2009 I still live stable live.
2010 Spiralling Down
2010 I fell into credit card debt. I used the card to pay my bills and pay the card on minimum payment only.
BF found out about my situation and encouraged me to try frugal lifestyle.
My savings are getting less and less. I still manage to pay bills and end of 2010 begin to try frugal lifestyle to save money. I am still learning now.
Today ~ Rock Bottom~
I develop anxiety. I feel so unstable. I am looking for an office job again. I wanted to get back to my old office but there is no opening yet. I already inform the Human Resources Division about coming back.
I never eat out unless friends treat me.
Today I cry..my future MIL is having a birthday and I don't have extra money at all to buy a gift for her. I used to get her good branded gifts, this year na da.
I'm worrried about the bad weather, worried about paying my bills. My internet is due in 2 more days. I have to sell some items to make money fast.
Anyone reading this..please send positive energies to me, send prayers and wish me luck. I really need to turn this around.
I was crying all day and my anxiety almost developing to panic attack full blown. If you want to read more about my anxiety, please check my blog : http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/lyra/
My challenge in 2011 is to :
-pay my debt
-get job & stability again
-manage my anxiety
I never thought that I will be in this situation. I used to have a good career, good salary and money was never a problem in my life. I used to buy designer branded items (clothes, furniture, gadgets, cosmetics etc) and go on various vacations to exotic resorts, enjoy popular dinings and lounges.
Easy Life, Abundant
Life was easy for me. Until I quit my office job and followed an ex client who establish a small firm doing projects. The projects were a success and I earned 10-20 times my regular salary. Wow. Those days were like paradise and my mistake was ..I thought they will last always. For 10 months I earned 20 times my usual salary and had a huge chunk of saving plus no debt at all.
I helped my mom who was in big debt and also helped my siblings (bailed them out of their bills and debts). I always thought that the income will always be that good, so I keep on helping because who else would help them? Until recession hits. The firm was collapsing in December 2008. The firm owner invested in bonds and stocks that were crashing down and he got a bad heart attack followed by a heavy stroke the following months.
I didn't feel the direct effect yet during 2009 because I still had lots of savings and was living very comfortably with no debt. Dining out almost every night, catching latest movies on cinema, weekend getaways, exotic vacations,shopping etc and establish my own cosmetic business. Clients were pouring in but compared to what I used to earn, profit is small. The cosmetic profit was just like "small extra" for me.
I didn't have any realistic money management skills. I figure out that I deserve the best because I worked hard all this time. I deserve the best clothes, vacations, places etc. I also like to impress people. I still had hopes that the firm will operate again, and there was some informations that the firm will operate again end 2009 but postponed to 2010. During 2009 I still live stable live.
2010 Spiralling Down
2010 I fell into credit card debt. I used the card to pay my bills and pay the card on minimum payment only.
BF found out about my situation and encouraged me to try frugal lifestyle.
My savings are getting less and less. I still manage to pay bills and end of 2010 begin to try frugal lifestyle to save money. I am still learning now.
Today ~ Rock Bottom~
I develop anxiety. I feel so unstable. I am looking for an office job again. I wanted to get back to my old office but there is no opening yet. I already inform the Human Resources Division about coming back.
I never eat out unless friends treat me.
Today I cry..my future MIL is having a birthday and I don't have extra money at all to buy a gift for her. I used to get her good branded gifts, this year na da.
I'm worrried about the bad weather, worried about paying my bills. My internet is due in 2 more days. I have to sell some items to make money fast.
Anyone reading this..please send positive energies to me, send prayers and wish me luck. I really need to turn this around.
I was crying all day and my anxiety almost developing to panic attack full blown. If you want to read more about my anxiety, please check my blog : http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/lyra/
My challenge in 2011 is to :
-pay my debt
-get job & stability again
-manage my anxiety