Greyhound Angel – Rising From the Ashes, A New Life Starts Now

GreyhoundAngel

After receiving such lovely support when I first posted my situation (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1349973) I initially made a good start working & reworking many areas, not only finances but also our life & the future. It’s been a real rollercoaster, with many positive forward thinking times followed by very low unable to cope feelings.

However, 2008 hadn’t quite finished with us, MIL collapsed and was taken critical to the hospital. Thankfully despite another downturn she is now home again. It was a difficult time, being supportive to OH & FIL but also dealing with the reminders it brought of Dad. In order to cope, I focused on things I could change: I made lists of Challenges, Income options, created spreadsheets to track debts, earnings & a new budget together with notes for meal planning & freezer batch cooking. I also did projections for different scenarios depending on which options I chose.

During this time OH’s “state” has changed. He’s been in a slump for a while - lost motivation, bouts of anger & depression, but he’s got worse. Despite my best efforts to support & encourage him – he’s started shouting whenever I say or suggest something. I got accused of not being sympathetic & supportive, because I was spending a lot of time on the PC. Sometime during all of this, subconsciously I realised that there is a big likelihood that OH may never recover fully, and it breaks my heart.

I’d been doing so well, keeping positive etc, but NYE (I had been worried about all its various nuances) and it was then that things started to hit & overwhelm me. I felt so very lost, and utterly alone – for the first time in my life. The two rocks of my world are both gone in different ways, the very ones I confided in and leaned on when I feel low. I seriously wanted to take a quick way out – but I didn’t. Since then I’ve been hitting severe lows with alarming frequency, and very few highs (relatively speaking). All my good intentions fell by the wayside. I knew I’d given up before I’d started, and it would just be a matter of time before everything caught up & took us down.

Sometime last night – something snapped. A strength I thought I’d lost – resurfaced. I will not go down without a fight, and more to the point – I refuse to break. I will make things happen, and I will forge the future to our needs – whatever I need to do. However, in order to relieve some “pressure” – I’m not going to actively participate in the current challenges, but will do so “privately” by following the relevant threads. I’m sorry if this isn’t really the done thing, but it’s how I need to do it for now. Instead I will use this “diary” to note things I’ve achieved etc, so it will include challenges etc, but I only have to worry about updating one thread.

Short term it will be difficult – but by later this year my hope is that my plans will have started to pay off and will then be earning their “own keep”. I know some may feel it’s not the way to do it, and will say that I’m bringing it on myself financially – but with OH’s situation now, I know that longer term it will be the “right” thing. We must have a 2nd income and the only way to do that is to work smarter not harder – otherwise I’ll wind up seriously ill and that’ll be no good to anyone.

GreyhoundAngel’s rise from the Ashes starts now – I have managed to re-negotiate a few bits from my original SOA, and I’m going to include the extra’s from dad’s place as part of mine (as I am now determined to keep it whatever it takes – as this is the way forward I have decided upon.). I will update the post below with the new SOA at the weekend. I know that there are still areas that can be done better – so comments are welcomed. I have various DIY Payment plans operating atm, and these are being reviewed every 3 months – so I will amend / update the SOA when this happens.

I hope that I’ll hear from you guys on any further tips for SOA etc, and that some of you may stick around to read my mumblings for my ongoing journey – whether they be good or bad, and also to either support me or give me a (gentle) kick when needed. I hope in turn, that once I’m a little more stable, that I will be able to repay the kindness in more actively supporting others of you on your journeys too.

Post # 2 will be done at the weekend with the updated SOA

Post # 3 will be used as a “quick summary” of my progress (for my own benefit & also for anyone who wishes to see how things are going – but don’t have time to go through all the posts) and will be updated each week with any changes.

Angel

GreyhoundAngel

** Here's the New & Revised SOA **

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 2

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 600
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0 (DLA Renewal Accepted - Awaiting confirmation of £)
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 600

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 270 (This is now under review as property sold - but had neg equity)
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 400 (Under Review)
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 70
Electricity............................. 60 (estimate)
Gas..................................... 30 (estimate)
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 30 (looking at meter options)
Telephone (land line)................... 25 (combined with b'band)
Mobile phone............................ 10 (PAYG,with free double load up by provider)
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 200 (estimate)
Clothing................................ 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 150 (estimate)
Road tax................................ 20
Car Insurance........................... 30
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 20
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 25
Buildings insurance..................... 50 (combined)
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 20
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 1422

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 60000 (Now Zero as Sold)
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 250000
Total Assets............................ 310000

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 56000....(270)......0 (ZERO - SOLD)
Secured Debt.................. 125700...(400)......0
Total secured & HP debts...... 181700....-.........-

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
CC1............................1100......10........17.9
CC2............................1700......20........30.59
PA OD .........................1450......20........19
CC3............................700.......15........16.9
Water Arrears..................250.......15........0
C/Tax Arrears..................700.......40........0
OH Family Loan.................7000......0.........0
Dad's OD.......................5000......0.........0
Dad's Utility Account..........1600......0.........0
HH OD..........................1150......10........19
Total unsecured debts..........20650.....130.......-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 600
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,422
Available for debt repayments........... -822
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 130
Amount short for making debt repayments. -952

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 310,000
Total HP & Secured debt................. -181,700
Total Unsecured debt.................... -20,650
Net Assets.............................. 107,650
Created using the SOA calculator at www.makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using IE browser.

We're now a long way short each month and I'm currently looking at various ways to make up the shortfall (as muttered about in the post below)

Some of the CC balances are due to charges, so I shall be looking at getting that either refunded totally or at very least significantly reduced.

Awaiting DLA Renewal Decision, so may have a bit more from there. I will also be seeing a specialist helper (stroke support), to see if there are any other benefits that we might be able to get now.

MARCH 2011 - A NEW SOA IS IN PROGRESS, AS ONE PROPERTY SOLD & SOME DEBTS REDUCED / WAIVED - TO FOLLOW SOON
Angel x

GreyhoundAngel

These are my targets I want to achieve - and my Overall Target is 3 - 5 Years including the Mortgages

Debts to repay (I am classing the Mortgages as Debts)
1st MTGE 54,500.00 /
2nd MTGE 120,655.00 /
1st MTGE (Payment Hol) 1,500.00 /

Main OD 1,450.00 /
HH OD 1,150.00 /
Main C/C 1,100.00 /
2nd C/C 1,700.00 /
C/Tax (Back Payment) 700 /
Water (Back Payment) 250.00 /

Loan (OH Family - pay back when able) 2000.00 /
Home Imp Loan (OH Family - pay back when able) 5000.00 /

Dad's Electric/Gas Backpayment 1,600.00 /
Dad's O/D 5,000 /

Sub Total Debts : 6,350 /
Sub Total Mtges: 176,655 /
Sub Total Dad's : 6,600 /
S/T OH Family : 7,000 /
Total Owed : 196,605 /

ACTION PLAN
4 x Sectors = Cash Neutral / Living Fund / Debt Fund / Mortgage payoff Fund

Cash Neutral
Quit Smoking (reduction programme already in progress)
Meal Planning & Batch Cooking
Grocery Bulk Buying / Cheaper Sources
GYO / Chooks / Foraging (blackberries etc)
Vouchers & Coupons etc
Cut Bills
Make do and Mend / Freecycle / Recycle etc

Living Fund
Basic Wages from Main Job
Lodger
Wages from 2nd Job (if necessary)
Audit Work

Debt Fund* / Mortgage Payoff Fund*
OverTime (from Main Job)
Freelance Work
M/Shopping
Matched Betting (at a later stage)
Surveys
£2 Savers Club
Daily Clicks
Cashbacks
Shop & Scan (waiting to hear)
Comps
Paid to Advertise
Loose change
Ebay
Carboots etc
Cottage Industry items (online & Fairs)
Reward Account Bonuses
Anything Else I can think of !!!!

* These items will be started together, as I want to ensure I have at least 6months of Mortgage money !!!8220;safe!!!8221; for emergencies. Then I will focus on the debts and use the snowball method to speed up paying them off.

I will be using a couple of MSE Challenges to try and remain focused on my Dream -:
PAD (Payment a day Challenge)
NSD (No spend day Challenge)
Monthly £10 a Day Challenge
Chunk It Challenge 1,000 x £250 Chunks (borrowed from a MFW diary)

I will use a couple of Props to aid me in focusing & keeping track of progress -:
Dream Board Pictures what I want to achieve & Motivational Words
Fund Jigsaw Pictures, which are filled in as I pay chunks off.

So here's to happy hunting & flying high!
Angel xx

tealady

Hi Don't worry about not posting but please if you are feeling low go and have a chat with your GP.
Do pop in when you feel like it, if you look there is a depression support thread. the lovely peeps on there I'm sure will help in these difficult times for you.

chevalier

GA i don't know the ins and outs of your story, but we will support you however we can

is your OH on medication? when was it last reviewed? maybe it needs adjusting

i would also second another poster who suggested getting yourself checked out too

good luck with 2009
chev

Different_Corner

GA
I'm pretty useless at the hints and tips on SOA's, but didn't want to read and run. Emotionally I'm on a similar path, after having been suddenly widowed last year.
The realisation dawns on you that there's only one way out of this, it's scary but venting, rambling, and writing it all down here has really helped me. No judgements but bucketloads of support.
All the best with your goals.

GreyhoundAngel

Thanks for the replies guys,

chevalier wrote: »

GA i don't know the ins and outs of your story, but we will support you however we can

is your OH on medication? when was it last reviewed? maybe it needs adjusting

i would also second another poster who suggested getting yourself checked out too

good luck with 2009
chev

OH has had a couple of strokes and is on medication for that & also for high blood pressure & cholestrol - I know that the medication is probably a factor, but his personality has changed since the last stroke. He has regular GP checks now, but also 3 monthly appointments at the hospital (a joyful 10hr round trip) next one is in February.

Today's Update....

Made an appointment for tomorrow to open a basic bank account with a new bank (with card hopefully) - this is going to be used for paying in extra earnings etc - I will then distribute the money available each month against things to pay off.

Opened a savings account - this is purely for saving towards the annual payment items (mot's / tax etc), car repairs (tyres etc) and also a little towards a few xmas extra's

Made a list of excess household items (items too big to ebay or similar) to advertise in the local AdTrader, and also on gumtree (this is via a cashback site, which I'll get a small fee back for each ad I place) I will be doing the writeups over the weekend & sending off the ads. Anything I dont sell will go in the loft ready for the carboot season to start.

Got hold of my box of items for Ebaying - Photo's already done, just need to do the writeups & upload - will aim to have these ready to go on Thursday for a 10 day listing.

Received letter from Mortgage Co - Will benefit from a rate reduction next month - so the extra funds from that will go straight into the overflow account for debt busting.

Granted a Credit Card (PreLoader via cashback site) so should receive this shortly (along with some cashback money once tracked) - This is a safety net, in case I dont get a debit card with the new bank - I can then fund it from the overflow account to use in much the same way.

Listed remaining Cashback sites to register with for the daily clicks, and will get this moving over the weekend. Doing daily clicks could yield between £75 - £105 extra p/m (average) depending on how many days a week they're done - that's a fair amount extra for debtbusting!

Listed the MS Companies already registered with - and will update my profiles with my temporary address over the weekend so I can try & keep earning a bit of money while at this location.

Added £2 today to my £2 saver pot (my first one in weeks)

Made a list of all "online" Companies I will need to update bank info with once new account open.

Think that's it for now - though I've got more thoughts & ideas in the pipeline.

Each Sunday I shall post my tasks for the coming week on this thread and then update the post at the end of each week with what I've achieved along with an overall update on post #3

RosaBernicia

Hi Angel

Just to wish you luck, I'll be looking out for your updates.

Rosa xx

GreyhoundAngel

News for today....

Downs (slightly)
Barclays Basic Application has been referred for decision - will hear outcome next week :rolleyes:

Ups
1) Barclays opened a savings account on spot, which allows "wage" payments in - so even if no go with basic application - money from MS / Surveys etc can be paid into here and I'll just use the Preloader Card as a "debit card" for funds from this account.

2) Electric Bill - gave reading & had usage recalculated etc - turns out I owe nothing !! (taking into account recent payments made to them) :beer: I will transfer difference between new monthly D/D & old D/D into the overflow account & add that to available funds for Debtbusting

3) Water - Enquired about Meter being installed - awaiting paperwork. This will then reduce the " Monthly Rates payment" as it will PAYG.

That's it for the mo
Angel x

GreyhoundAngel

As it says in the "Title"

All constructive advice is welcome, but please don't knock me for the choices I've made as these are important to me for various reasons. What I'd really love, is advice, help, guidence, support & the odd swift kick (gently pleeeease) in how I can achieve this. :think:

Thanks for looking
Angel x

GreyhoundAngel

Gosh, no-one has any comments or advice on the SOA ? Can't believe I'm doing that well with it :huh:

Heyho, spent the weekend trying to finish the writeups for ebay & freead stuff. Didnt get it all done in the end as I kinda got sidetracked on the OS board (freezer meal & flylady threads) but I got enough done that I can list a first batch on ebay, and some more on FreeAds this week - will do the Freeads first so I can focus on the ebay bits on Thursday. These 2 are now on this weeks tasks list. :rolleyes:

Updated all my spreadsheets - income tracking, budget & accounts. Also created one for my spending Diary so I can really keep a tight check on the other expenditure.

Cooked a large batch of Sausage Casserole in the oven today while the roast was cooking - will be having some tomorrow and freezing the rest (2 meals) I'm also going to make use of the cheap night rate electric - and have Spag Bol prepared in the slow cooker to cook overnight. There's enough done for 4 meals, so will keep one for Wednesday and freeze the rest. Tomorrow night I will use the left over chicken from the roast today to make 2 lots of curry (for the freezer) and the rest will make up the Miso Noodle broth for Tuesday. :j

Also have a wash load ready to be done overnight, again to make use of the night rate. We've also agreed that anything that needs charging (phones / razor etc) also gets done overnight to help keep energy bills down.

After what seems like a very long month - it's payday on Friday... so want to make a shopping list this week (need to check cupboards for what's left) and do a "two week" shop on Friday (if poss) or early Sat - and then set aside a morning to do batch cooking. Would also love to do a bit of baking if I can.

Tasks for the week!!
Finalise last info for Probate filing - Priority !!
FreeAd Listings
Ebay Listings
Store cupboard list / Shopping list & Shop
Complete MS profile updates
Start Daily clicks routine (every other day to start with)
Batch cook next weekend
Sort all paperwork - bin / shred / file / action
Locate spare garden "tubs" and plan veg planting
Make Payments on C/Cards
Chase outstanding money from last company
Update Companies with Payment details with (hopefully) new account info

Think that's probably more than enough to be getting on with for now - and I will mumble my progress during the week :rotfl:

Angel x


Edited to add : Gosh, on reading that back - it looks more like a work report than a conversation post ..... I promise to write to my "Friends" next time, not my work colleagues ! :eek: