Where to even start? Oh--hey; maybe when I was young and uninformed about financial responsibility and the repurcussions of being financially irresponsible. Sounds good to me. Oh, and if you're here to judge..don't. This is my story, and though it may be dark and entirely self-inflicted, it's still mine and it's what has shaped me into who I am today. -_-
When I was 18 years old (in 2004) I came into some money, more than someone my age should have ever had access to without first experiencing financial independence. I was flying high, put 8K down on a brand new 2005 Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged (I loved that car!), had a Capital One card (my first cc!) and a Lane Bryant card (I love clothes!) and was blessed with a great paying job at the school I was attending. I lived life in the fast lane and maxed out both my cards within days. When the money ran out, I knew there would be more the following year, I decided that maybe I should simmer down and go to a "real-4year-dorm-living-sorority-rushing-future-marine-biologist-career-school" so I applied to the college in my hometown and quit my job. I moved my entire life into a small, concrete cell that I forced myself to enjoy for about a year-and-a-half before I had a complete mental breakdown. I hadn't been paying my bills, my vehicle was up for reposession so I traded it in for a new one, and people were literally beating down my door for me to pay them. I started working at Arby's, about 15 hours a week, hoping to subdue the collecters if only for the day before I packed my belongings and dropped out of school and moved back in with my Mom for a few more years.
Fast forward four years, I floated from crappy job to crappy job just trying to hold my head above the water. Fast forward a few more years and in 2011, I was fired from my job as a cook in a bar (I had developed a drinking problem, imagine that. -_-) and really hit rock bottom when my second job (and the apartment I lived in above it!) burnt to the ground in an electrical fire. I didn't have renter's insurance and I lost everything but a handful of clothes and my purse. But to me, I had lost far worse than material posessions, I had lost my will to live. I continued to drink myself silly and let the bills stack up. I changed my cell number every month to outrun the creditors if only for a few precious weeks. In 2013, during a drunken binge at a bar I regularly visited, I met this wonderful guy (who is now my husband and number 1 supporter!) who eventually brought the light back into my life. When he made me realize that I was important too, I knew it was time to face the mayhem I had caused and take care of my obligations.
I started working in a factory as a part inspector for $8 an hour and in less than 2 years I have climbed my way to a production supervisor's assistant position at $12. I am currently in the process of rehabbing my defaulted student loans (Month 7!) and have paid off multiple debts. I am slowly trying to build my credit with a few tradelines that I monitor religiously (it's almost a sickness) while taking care of negative accounts that have obliterated my credit. Together we have 1 personal loan in our name with a 1k balance remaining (for repairs to our vehicle), and our vehicle is in both our names' as well (only 3k left to pay on it!). My credit has slowly been climbing as I've been tackling one problem after the next, the majority of these things have been confronted because of the advice I've read on these forums, and I recently was approved for a Victoria Secret (250CL) and Lane Bryant card (250CL), of which I only care about the latter (lol).
I have always had a negative relationship with money, but I'm finally getting back on track. I have learned the importance of putting your needs before your wants and the financially responsible way of living. Everyday is a struggle and I spend a lot of time analyzing, highlighting, and logging all the letters and emails I send out in an attempt to better my credit. We want to buy a house in the next 5 years and we would eventually like a new vehicle..but I'm taking everything a day at a time. I have seen how hard work pays off (so far!) and I can only imagine what this will all look like next year! 
Yay!
great story! congrats on your success so far, and welcome to the forums! 
Thank you, aiyse.
Thank you Norman!
Welcome to the forum
Thank you so much for sharing your life story. After what you have experienced so far it looks you have the most important to achieve your goal. Willpower and patience. All the success and may your wish for a nice home come true in 5 years. With the help of the knowledgeable people here I am sure you can reach your goal
Thank you Ig!
Wow, congrats to getting your life in order
