Fire Fox's Debt-Free in 2009 Diary

Shoe_Gal

I would definitely wait and see if they chase you

*Jellie*

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Have you still got the receipt? I used to roughly tot up how much I spent on different categories - meat and junk food came out top by a mile so that is where I focus my efforts.

Good idea- I've really let things slip since getting back to work

Fire_Fox

Thanks team :T not been charged before and I am not going to pay up!

More shopping ... been to IKEA and returned £27 worth of fleeces and curtain wire. Instead for my birthday my mum has bought me two sets of ex-Debenhams curtains from an outlet store for [STRIKE]£99[/STRIKE] £15 a pair :money: and a basic pole from Argos for £12. Still not exactly what I want but I need the insulation ...

Also in IKEA picked up
Four cereal bowls £5
Large serving bowl £6
Fleece throw £3
Posh throw £13
Ten bars of dark chocolate £5!

Ordered another £10 raw sample pack for Noah to be sent to my mum's address which is refundable against her next order.

Fire_Fox

Just checked and the second quarterly reward for the Nielsen software has finally tracked on my Valued Opinions account, but says "£2 upon completion and £3 after 6 months on panel"?? Tried to claim another £10 Amazon voucher but they are not available at present, grrrr.

Despite a very slow start with lots of prize draw entries and no actual cash, I am now at £18 with YouGov so might actually hit the £50 jackpot by the end of 2010! GlobalTestMarket leaped from nothing to almost halfway to the next £30 before getting stuck with .... lots of prize draw entries and no actual points!! :rolleyes:

*Jellie*

We went with extra curtains too for now! They weren't as much of a bargain!

Fire_Fox

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Mildly concerned I will be unemployed come January when my immediate manager returns from maternity leave. Technically I am still on a temporary contract - I refused to go permanent in the summer as work has been such a nightmare. My colleague has now been offered permanent full-time which may be because he has taken on some of the basic admin tasks after out useless admin assistant left OR he may have been offered my hours! :eek: Looked into benefits today (be prepared) and I wouldn't be much worse off.

First day back at work today after three months sick leave and I will indeed be unemployed come the end of January! The official line seems to be that I was covering maternity leave, which is rubbish as my boss was not even PG when I was interviewed.

Have finally managed to sign up for PlusNet landline and broadband at £17 a month, only slightly more than the £15 mobile broadband I have with Three. Hopefully will get £38 cashback for the signing up. :T

Over the weekend I need to find out whether the ex-Mr. Fire Fox has paid this month's council tax which is due by tomorrow. Once he has done this I can claim the 25% single occupancy discount and will then pay it off in full as this removes money from my savings.

ClootiesMum

Sorry to hear the news on the job front - I've never decided if it's worse to be told in advance (at least you can start to plan) or to be given very short notice (you don't have time to panic) but either way it must be dreadful to hear.

Good to hear from you again on-line though - and I have to say - that is one SERIOUSLY lucky kitty you have but keep on spoiling him

CM

Bowski_1011

Hi Fire Fox...really sorry to hear about your job. It must be so hard to get yourself there when you know you'll be finishing soon.
I hope something comes along for you soon. I know you've checked out benefits and you'll not but much worse off so that's a good thing. I don't know if you've been on benefits before but seriously it's a pain in the backside, they want to know EVERYTHING. Just be prepared because sometimes they drive me insane!

Fire_Fox

Thanks to you both! Yes I have been on benefits several times - once for a long period when I was ill and twice very briefly when I was between jobs (end of contract). The last time I had exhausted EVERY avenue and a job offer in writing before my first appointment, yet the Jobcentre still expected me to apply for two jobs a week. When I asked what they suggested I apply for they were stumped yet still said I couldn't sign on without applying! :rolleyes:

Looks like my savings will be an issue ... December is an expensive time, but no idea how much spending I can do without being accused of deprivation of capital. Half my savings are set aside for the disputed service charge arrears but don't suppose that will be taken into consideration.

Fire_Fox

The great spendathon has begun .... £555 on a Sony laptop to replace this heap of junk which has crashed twice this afternoon (clicked through to Amazon from Nectar). :j