Midnight's Debt Mountain

Midnight_Sky_2

Weather is terrible today and it's cold, so I'm glad I looked out the winter woolies. I've done a load of batch cooking so we're pretty set for the rest of the week and problably the rest of the month.

I'm working tomorrow so just trying to catch up on some housework, then I'm off the brave the elements and take the puppies for a walk. Luckily they're not too fond of cold wet weather either, so it will be a short walk hopefully.

Will phone the solicitor tomorrow to get an update.

All in all, I'm feeling quite down with it all, but I'm still feeling a bit fluey and I suffer from SAD so I'm blaming that just now. Was going to get a SAD lamp off ebay this year, but they seem to be quite expensive so I'll have to wait until some of the stuff I've got on ebay sells - so far nothing exciting happening in this department. Will keep you updated, and I'll update my signature at the end of the month - still on target with the debts but this will all change if we have to start running up more solicitors bills...just have to wait and see what hand fate deals us...

Midnight_Sky_2

Didn't manage to speak to the solicitor today because he was in court, but he'll phone me tomorrow. Have a day off tomorrow so I'm going to use the time to look for another full time job - I can't afford to have my money messed about with, especially with the cost of food, fuel, electricity and gas going through the roof just now. We are looking at all money saving methods but I can't say we're really enthusiastic about it...probably just feeling a bit down just now. I'll just have to give myself another shake and get on with it...

*zippy*

Midnight sorry you are feeling a bit down ((hugs)) hope you enjoy your day off and feel a bit better.

Lula-Hula

Hi midnight,

your thread has been whizzing along since I last popped in. I too have been hunting for one of those SAD lamps that's not too expensive, will pm you if I find one that seems reasonable.

It's bright & sunny here & I should really be up at the allotment but have to do something about the state of this place .

You're doing well but dont forget to take care of yourself too

lula x

chevalier

Hi well done on plodding on with it, sometimes you just seem to be dragged back.

Very quickly as I am rushing out, does your DD pay anything towards the bills? If not do you think she should as you are in such dire straights? Even if she pays her share of the council tax that would save you a fair bit, and if she is the one who is always leaving lights on then a contribution to the electric sounds on the cards too.

ref the council tax, you can ask to have it spread over 12 months rather than 10 so as to spread the cost more. Also if you look on the main site here, check out the are you in the right band for council tax. LOTS of people have found when they checked that they were in the wrong band, and got their banding changed. You can claim back any overpayment for all of the years you have lived in the house, not just this financial year.

Do you have any credit card charges, you or OH can claim back? They are NOT on hold (like bank charges are) so you can ask for a refund of them now.

Do you do any surveys on line? You all could do them, and whilst they are not big money earners, over time they do add up. Also check on cashback sites for offers where the cash back is more than the outlay.

good luck
chev

Midnight_Sky_2

Ohhh, busy, busy, busy this week - I've taken a couple of weeks holiday from my main job and I've been helping DS and his partner to decorate their new house. Blimey, it's hard work! Either that or I'm getting too old for this decorating lark .

Well, I had a letter from the solicitor - thankfully, the company that our secured debt is with has agreed not to take the case back to court. On the provisio that we keep making the payments every month and, come January, start to pay extra each month towards the arrears, they will back off and give us time to, hopefully, sell the house, which will allow us to pay off all the debt in one fell swoop. It will mean downshifting, but I'm not at all bothered about this as we would be quite comfortably off each month if we didn't have the debt hanging round our necks. So, on the one hand that's quite good news - the bad news is that it's cost us another £380 in solicitors fees :eek:

Of course, we don't qualify for Legal Aid, but keeping hold of the house was too important not to get proper legal representation - but OMG the cost!!! So far it's cost us almost £1000 :mad: :mad: . And to be honest I'm not sure where we're going to find the extra £380 from - I'm going to have to start ebaying like crazy.

Zippy - thanks hon! Feeling much better now. Hope you're well!

Lula - thanks, I'll keep and eye out for cheap SAD lamps as well. I've read a post on the OS board about daylight bulbs, but I think they are quite expensive. But I'll PM you if I find DFW SAD lamps

Chevalier - Hi, thanks for all your helpful suggestions. DD does pay towards the bills (she's in a really low paid job anyway), but she does contribute - she's virtually veggie so she buys all her own special foods, and she gives me money each month which I save towards Christmas and birthdays etc. After Christmas we'll sit down and discuss the best way forward. We are in the correct council tax band (unfortunately) and we've claimed on the credit cards. But I'll certainly look into the surveys online and the cashback sites. Thanks for that :T .


Hope everyone has a good Saturday night. I'm just settling down to watch Saturday night telly (never get to watch this as I normally work Saturday night shift, so really looking forward to a Saturday in front of the telly...how sad is that?):rotfl:

Midnight_Sky_2

Morning all,

Well, I'm making the best of the extra hour by catching up on Hollyoaks and catching up on everyone's diaries - everyone seems to be doing so well at plodding away at the debt - well done all!

The weather is pretty good here so I'm going to finish watching Hollyoaks then take the puppies for a good long walk! Then I'm going to have a go at cleaning the house. (Live on the edge at chez Midnight!)

Hope everyone has a good day!

lunar

Where are you living to have good weather today? if i tried to go for a walk i think i would have been washed away, it never stpped raining. Ive been listening to it on the conservatory roof all day.

Cant beat a saturday night in front of the telly, hope you enjoyed it. its better than going out and spending a fortune at any rate.

taxi73

Just read your thread and re: your solicitors bills do you have legal cover on your house insurance obviously it wo n't pay for the solicitor you've used but may come in handy for future problems.

MrsPorridge

Hi Midnight,

Just catching up with your diary. Hope you are feeling a bit better and more positive now.

Know what you mean about SAD, think it affects me to some degree I am now at the stage where I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. When I get home just want to go to bed! today the weather is dreadful torrential rain and the sky is black.

Hope you enjoyed your Saturday night telly. I love watching all the old cop shows on ITV3 (now that's really sad).