Tips for post bankruptcy.

IF

Bump..........;)

newlifein2011

Hi,

Thanks for bumping this - there are some great tips on here!

I am newly bankrupt although having been living on the same budget since I stopped paying my creditors. So far I have no regrets it does feel like a new start and I am really enjoying learning about money and how to save it, although of course I have my darker moments of worrying if I'll still be OK living like this for another year or three, deep down I think not only will I survive but also learn a better way to live.

Even though I have very little money the novelty of everything I do have I can afford hasn't worn off. My tips aren't really tips to you experts but highlights for me so far have been:

1. After really worrying about Christmas and getting myself into a state about how we will manage to afford it (BR too late in the year to get a meaningful amount put aside from other allowances from holiday fund ect) - tackling the problem head on, not burying my head in the sand (as I did with my debt for far too long) being honest with my OH and after a bit of a brainstorm we ended up writing a long list of ideas of how we will manage it without any credit. I know some will say money isn't what makes Christmas but you can't tell a 4 year old Santa isn't coming this year, it's even a difficult conversation to have with a 12 year old who's mates are all comparing consoles and latest games, if only the big man in the red suit was real...:0)

2. Switched my main shop to Aldi -used to use it for bits but saved £27 last week on my big shop which still only cost £67 (big shop as needed allot as things got a bit tight at the end of last month and we ran out of allot ...as I said I am still learning) compared to Asda (compared using My Supermarket - it was almost half the price of Ocado ...I used to shop there once upon a time, seems criminal to waste like that now).

3. Went to my first car boot sale - picked up some great presents for the kids for next to nothing which will really help me to make their Christmas budgets go much further without them noticing much difference (if any)!

4. Kids AM - we take the kids to the pics regularly at the weekend for £1 each, we take our own drinks and snacks too so really cheap, OK not the latest films but not that old and really what does it matter?

5. Took the kids swimming lots, they enjoy it, it's very cheap and it's good for us all.

6. Study - I've started a degree with the OU as I am on low earnings it's completely free and I even get a study grant to help with study costs, I really enjoy it, I am bettering my career prospects and it's an ideal time to do it while I don't have money to be off doing other things with my time (can't spend money while I am studying) have also met some really interesting people on days schools and tutorials that I wouldn't have otherwise. It's also been a bit of a confidence boost to get a great mark on an assignment when you feel like the lowest of the low because you had to resort to bankruptcy (a word I couldn't even speak out loud at the start of my journey into this, please don't anyone take offence at this I was just ignorant and afraid like allot of people who don't understand it). Ironically a major topic of my last course was the Consumer Society VERY interesting given my recent circumstances, I have a very different view on consumerism now...

7. Also done allot of the other things, parks, walks baking, crafts and really enjoying them.

As I said I still have my 'L' plates. I am really hoping to rebuild from here and hope that one day I will have enough money not to HAVE to take all these measures but I think some will stick and I'll be not only wealthier but also happier for the experience.

Also this board has been great I have learned more here than anywhere else!

IF

Another question often asked post BR is Help in regaining those green ticks


TF's post is very helpful - Click here

IF

Bumping up the board x

dojoman

Worth another bump methinks;)

IF

Another monthly bump.........x

IF

Another from me :dance:

dojoman

Bump......................

IF

Bump........;)

IF

Bump.........x