STOPPING robbing Peter to pay Paul...my journey...

The story so far..

I am 43 years old; I have a son of 23 who is currently working abroad. For much of my son’s life I was stuck in the benefit trap living in poverty, struggling to survive and making poor lifestyle choices. I knew at some point my life had to change in order for me to move forward. At that time I felt that nicotine was holding me back and that I had to eliminate it from my life to move forward. At 30 I stopped smoking and I could not believe the transformation in my life within that year, I felt that I had made a massive step forward..

Within that year I saved up £2,000 and took my son to Thailand and was accepted onto an Access course for 2 years at a local college. I graduated from Uni 4 years later at 38, embarked on a new career and bought my first home... I have to give myself a pat on the back here, I felt proud, that I had turned my life around

The truth is that I cannot honestly say that I have been debt free since my 20’s, I may fool myself into thinking that I have managed my money...but is shifting your debt around really managing your money? Yesterday I cut up credit card number 1 and phoned to close the account it :T... 4 more cards...

Thank you so much Thriftylass!

Recent past...

Over the previous 18 months I found myself out of work for a year due to a bullying and harassment situation; as a result suffering from anxiety and depression. Fortunately I was being paid but then dropped to half pay and could barely manage to pay all my bills.

Stupidly, I borrowed more money with the intention of setting up my own business, retrained bought all the kit but then felt unable to fully commit without some regular level of income (I have no OH to depend on). I had no intention of returning to my role and made the assumption that I would be compensated!! I was forced to take my grievance to appeal and it was finally found in my favour! I should be happy you would think but oh how things change when you find yourself on zero pay!

I was managing to survive on the borrowed money...but had to act fast. I eventually swallowed my pride and approached my employer with a proposition of being redeployed into another position which was mutually agreeable....

Fast forward 4 months and I have now returned to an alternative position within the organisation of 30 hours per week over 4 days. I’m not sure if that was a particularly smart idea to drop a day and must admit I did not think the implications through fully; as I have now calculated that I am earning £5,000 (gross) per year less..

The plan was/is to continue with my business plan, i'd say I am averaging approx £150 per month so really do need to build this up!

I am currently working on a budget, so hope to post more later!

Well, here I am.. day off...attempting to progress with my multiple spreadsheets which will tell me my sad state of affairs...I must say my computer skills are pretty rusty. I can add up my totals but then resort to my calculator for anything with a symbol other than + hah

I have hashed together some sort of expenditure for the month although this is not final! I have kept all of my receipts so have been quite shocked to see where I have wasted money so far, and we aren’t even at the end of the month...! My vino bill is approx a third of my grocery bill... I mean, it could actually overtake my grocery bill...we shall have to see?

I know this month has been unhealthy for me...which is evident by the list of junk food on my spreadsheet...£25 worth already! It really isn’t me, I’m normally such a healthy eater so I will partly blame this on the BF...those movie afternoons eating popcorn and chocolate, what I can’t blame on him is my disorganisation with lunch and the odd few quid spent on a sarnie...such a bloomin' waste!

I'm off to the naughty stair...

kindofagilr wrote: »

Hi Bluebella

You are doing awesome, and have done so many good things already

I love my spreadsheet, I am a complete spreadsheet saddo and I am on it every day!

I am looking forward to your journey xx

Thank you so much kindofagilr!!

You have already inspired me with the way you are managing your finances!

I will try to improve with the spreadsheet...I think I can get by with the basics until I learn the formulaes!

Ha..I even recorded my meter readings today!! :rotfl: