The Diary of a reformed Ostrich! (no more head in the sand!)

petrafyde

Update. Dora and WW cancelled now. Have worked out that there are four more DDs to go out and approx £200 to find in the next ten days. Its the first time I've sat down with pen and paper to work out our finances in a long time and I'm strangely exhilirated!

The bank charges due this month are the one thing that's really worrying me. I know I have to contact them and it's terrifying me but I'll get the nerve up somehow. I just wish there was an email address I could send to instead!

I hope it's ok to record my thoughts like this!

[Deleted User]

petrafyde wrote: »

I've started listing my Wedgwood on eBay now, just the smaller pieces to start with. If it can keep our heads above water for this month to start with w/regards to bank charges (stop me going over the overdraft!) then I'll be elated. That would be a huge change.

If you are selling on ebay, take a detailed photo of each item and give a good description. Always package breakables really well - add that extra layer! Always post by recorded/special delivery (depending on value of item) and use Paypal.
Good luck with your debt-free journey, everyone is brilliant on here!
When you have a better idea of where your money is each day, join in a challenge or two, such as 'A Payment a Day'. It makes you spend your loose change on debt and not on a bar of chocolate!:o
x

petrafyde

Hi!

I used to sell a lot of Wedgwood on eBay, I'd buy for myself and if it wasn't what I wanted I flogged it back on so I've experience with listing (about the only thing!) I'll go and look at the other threads again to see if I can find something achievable - thanks

MrsTinks

petrafyde wrote: »

Update. Dora and WW cancelled now. Have worked out that there are four more DDs to go out and approx £200 to find in the next ten days. Its the first time I've sat down with pen and paper to work out our finances in a long time and I'm strangely exhilirated!

Before you know it you'll be cackling over your spreadsheets like the rest of us

I guess you can look at the current overdraft as a debt... but if you go down this route we're talking debt management plan really It's certainly an option! I think by going over your overdraft regularly your credit rating will already be quite poor... So a DMP isn't going to have as big an effect as it would on someone who never had missed a payment or gone over their limit.

I guess the question is really if one way or another you can avoid going over your limit this month INCLUDING when the charges from last month have been levied to your account? If you can find a way of doing that or think that with juggling you can do it next month then I think carrying on and gradually reducing your overdraft would be better

petrafyde

Well!

I'm feeling really positive now, and it's mainly down to all of your encouragement so I hope you feel good about what you've helped me achieve. I cancelled my breast cancer insurance, it's a peace of mind thing we can't afford and I reckon as long as I'm vigilant I can get looked at by the NHS if there's any problems. Can always start it again if things improve and the money is spare. PLUS I could probably get cheaper elsewhere anyway.

Today I walked into the bank for the first time in over six months (the last time was when the cashier practically begged me to make an appointment with an advisor about my account which I never attended!).

I was looking at the bank account this morning and working out which dd's were going to go out, and the fact there wasn't enough money to cover it when I remembered we still had a gift cheque of £200 which an uncle had given to us when we got married in July. The idea originally was to put it towards a new settee, and I'd pushed it to the back of my mind once I realised we couldn't afford it.

I had to do a bit of essentials shopping, so I coppered up by going through all the pockets, the money jar which wasn't very full and drove to the mini tesco express by us, and bought the bits I needed focussing mainly on cheapies. Our tea tonight is jacket potatoes - reduced to 20p for 2 (2 packets) with a bolognese topping which I'd made and frozen, rather than going and buying a pizza for the kids - so healthier too! Had a good laugh with the cashier over the amount of change I gave her too!

Then, I went to the bank. Walked in and the queue was massive, so walked back out again and depositted the cheque through the cashpoint haha. The point is though, I was prepared to go in and face the cashier as I depositted the money. It's laughable really isn't it!

Theoretically, once the WTFC and TC goes into the bank, I'll have enought to cover the dd's, charges and interest they apply to my account.

ANOTHER thing.
I have three accounts with my bank. One saving account, one step account and my main current advantage gold account.

The main account costs £12 a month but means free travel insurance, mobile insurance, a percentage off certain purchases online and various other goodies inc life insurance. I've decided to evaluate all of that and see if I can make the money back from it by using its facilities, if I can't, it's going. I'm giving myself 3 months to do it in.

I've decided to move all of my DD's to the step account which has no OD facility, have the wage cheques paid into the savings account and work from there.

Because this months charges are covered *fingers crossed* I will be able to separate money into the DD account and the OD account accordingly. I think I'm fortunate having the three accounts, so want to take advantage. The savings account has a card also, but I've cut it up and thrown it away so I don't go spending craftily, if I need money, I can go and withdraw the normal way. The idea is to not guarantee myself a certain amount to pay off the OD a month, but rather pay in what I can afford - so no pressure.

I feel a lot better. Had my car window open on the way home and as I was driving through a country lane I could smell manure.. normally I'd screw my nose up and shut the window, today I smiled properly and actually enjoyed it? (you can laugh now lol). I think the way I'm thinking about things is changing already and I feel uplifted. The main hurdle toward me paying my debts is potentially going to be lifted in the next two months (bank charges!) and that means the road ahead although a struggle will be that bit easier.

I've joined the sealed pot saving thread, and I'm going to post my progress with my overdraft on my profile.

Phew! End of ramble for now

petrafyde

MrsTine - any credit I had is completely wrecked so I'm not concerned about that, it can only get better from here-on in.

I want to manage my overdraft myself, and then when the bank is straightened out I will be claiming the charges back. Any money that makes will go straight into paying off debts. About the DMP, I've decided that when I've got my credit reports, I'll contact them myself to arrange repayment. If that doesn't work, I'll give it a go.

Just feel the need to do it myself. I've used other people, my cards and god knows what else as crutches for too long and its time I stood up and took responsibility myself. Thank you very much for your advice. This board is a better place for people like you.

ajaney

Hi!


Firstly, keep posting! We like to read about your journey & it can be your 'spending diary' of sorts.

>> The main account costs £12 a month but means free travel insurance, mobile insurance, a percentage off certain purchases online and various other goodies inc life insurance. I've decided to evaluate all of that and see if I can make the money back from it by using its facilities, if I can't, it's going. I'm giving myself 3 months to do it in.

How much is the life insurance for & what does it cover?

You can probably get the same/similar discounts by using a cashback site like quidco or greasy palm when you buy online

Travel Insurance - I would imagine you have put Holiday plans on hold for the time being?

This is £144 per year they are charging you. Personally, I would cancel it.


You're doing really well & these changes you make now will stand you & your family in good stead for the future.

lauzjp

eek - much as I applaud your efforts, I really don't want to poo-poo them, but I would be concerned at the prospect of the bank just helping themselves from one of your other accounts. I used to have a lloyds account and I do recall reading in the small print that they could do this - I have many a tale online of this happening to people, with different banks.

Perhaps you could come to an arrangement with your bank to pay it back bit by bit?

Naomim

petrafyde wrote: »

ANOTHER thing.
I have three accounts with my bank. One saving account, one step account and my main current advantage gold account.

The main account costs £12 a month but means free travel insurance, mobile insurance, a percentage off certain purchases online and various other goodies inc life insurance.

DH and I had this account.. as soon as I realised they were charging us for the pleasure I cancelled. They upgraded without our consent anyway :mad: To be honest we didn't use it. Does your DH work? If so does he get free medical ie; AXA PPP Healthcare? If so you get free travel insurance with them anyway. Mobile insurance? Is it really needed? If a mobile breaks you can always get a cheapy on ebay or somewhere.

I also have a 3 year old, last week I had a massive sort out of his clothes and found loads of old winter stuff which is now on Ebay. At the moment bids upto £6.69 but if I make an extra £15 I'll be happy. Root through the kids wardrobes you might be surprised!

Well done at going into the bank too. You really are doing fantastic :T:j

Naomi

petrafyde

Hiya

I appreciate what you're saying.

I'm trying to work out how much they're going to charge and will leave that in the account. They HAVE once taken money from another account, that was years ago. I just have to trust they won't do it again if the funds are there?