How awful you feel like this. Don’t worry about what other people are doing around you, as others have said keeping up with the jones can have a terrible affect on your finances, also all is not what it seems and you’d probably be surprised about the real position of the people around you. For perspective I did not buy my home until I was 30 and many people don’t buy homes at all. Don’t feel like a failure because of that.This thread has been an eye opener for me. I’m in a terrible situation at the moment, I’m I’m about £8000 of debt at 23 years old. Was very stupid with money when I got my first “proper” job and took out payday loans, credit cards etc. It just spiralled and spiralled and got even worse when I had a bereavement In my family last year. I live in constant fear every single day, to the point where I can never relax because I’m so scared. I’m scared when somebody knocks on the door, when letters come through my door, when the phone rings. And the worst thing about it is in I work in finance and would lose my job if I got a CCJ or anything along those lines. I just don’t know what to do but I know I need to something before it gets a whole lot worse.
i feel like I’ve ruined my life before it’s even begun. my friends around me are buying their first house etc and I don’t feel like I’ll ever have that. It’s soul destroying to say the least
I also work in a finance position. You can’t be a ‘bankrupt’ and be registered with a professional body, but try not to stress about CCJs. Very few companies actually do credit checks on employees even within the financial sectors apart from very specific roles. My advice would be to address any debt that you can when you can that could turn into a CCJ if that is what plays on your mind. Write up and plan so you can see it there in front of you! In a few years time you can completely turn this around. Also a few years goes by in a blink!
Also look at what other posters have suggested i.e. Dave Ramsey as I’m very practical in my approach due to background and this might work for you better.