Single and in Debt Part II

Hollyberry

Hi again Summer - I see you've had lots of info and advice while I've been catching up on some sleep. You mentioned wanting things to do and possible cheap holidays, so here's my take on that. Through threads on here, I have found that there are cheap offers on Travelodges (£10) and de Vere hotels (from about £19), both of which give you a chance to get away.

I have booked to go away for a couple of nights in June with de Vere, once to the Mill & Old Swan in Oxfordshire - absolutely gorgeous, have stayed there before - and one to Wychwood Park near Crewe. If you like exploring, one of those could be great fun. When I stay away for work, I sometimes go out for the early part of the evening then have what I call a "room picnic" if I don't fancy eating out on my own.

I think the idea of being a tourist in your own town is a fab one, and definitely worth exploring. I've signed up with Enjoy England/Scotland/Wales etc, and get their email newsletters which are great for highlighting things you otherwise might not have thought about. I also love walking, and have been pounding a fair few towpaths over the past year. I have been watching the progress of my local cygnets with great pride...Mr Swan now brings them to me to show them off.

It's definitely worth signing up for the cashback sites; I have been registered since March and currently have £65 awaiting payment from things I would have bought anyway. Also, I have found a cheap renewal for my house insurance which will save me tons next month.

The very addictive Boots thread is great for maximising advantage card points and getting bargains. There is also a thread which challenges you to make £10 (or variations of your choice) each day. At the beginning, there are lists of things you can do to up your income, and it's great to read what other people are doing. I've made more that I thought possible from this; it's paid for a holiday, which is brilliant.

Finally, I'm with Moo on the non-so-smug-marrieds. Some of us still do single pretty well, y'know...and love all our mates whether paired or solo. Hope you are feeling a bit better today; the medication may take a little while to kick in, so hang on in there, ok? And come back for some ventage here.

pipk62

Hey, how did I miss this thread?

Hi all, just perused quickly through here and see that one topic is Holidays.

This is a subject I was talking about recently to a friend of mine.

She has 2 boys and wanted to take them out for the day, so she went to Freecycle and put in an ad for any unwanted tickets.

She received an e-mail from another mum who was taking her son to the Fleet Air Arm museum,:A using a free pass and offered her the chance to go with her (her hubby is serving abroad in the Navy, and she didnt have many friends in the area, and neither did her only son)

She went (meeting at the museum) and everybody got on fine, Both her kids and her have now got new friends too.:T

She also was offered a 'complimentary pass' for entry to Stonehenge (I think), but wouldn't of been able to get there.

Now that was quite Jammy, and not likely to happen too much, but the idea of simply asking if anyones got tickets, or a tent, or picnic set is quite good IMO

Now I'm wondering if anyones got a complimentary ticket to Chicago, return flights transfers and hotels included? :cool:

gwen80

Hi everybody!

Hope its sunny where you are! It's glorious up here. I'm afraid to say I've been moping a bit again. I don't like being single anymore. However, in about the last ten minutes I've decided I'm not moping anymore. Life's too short, so I'm going to get on with all my jobs and just get things done and things will turn around. It helps I've had a couple of winks and two messages from nice looking blokes on the internet. I can't remember if I mentioned but one guy from before Gavin has suggested meeting up aswell, so there are other possibilities. However, they won't want me with my house a tip, feeling fat and sorry for myself will they? I'm not sure I would, so I've got to get the house tidy, finances sorted, eat well and do some exercise. I'm not sure if I'm trying to convince myself now, so please give me a kick from time to time.

Summer - I see everybody's given you some great advice, please keep posting and let us know how you're getting on.

FeeFee - I've had my own splurge this week, so won't be lecturing anyone. My bank account is empty and my bedroom is full of bags. How's things going with 'the boy'?

TDQ - Sounds like a successful party. Are the same girls coming back again tonight?

I hope everybody's enjoying their nights out this weekend and hello to everybody, Holly, ShoeGal, makeup, Sarah, Lula, Buffy...everybody. Has anybody seen Pink recently? Hope she's ok.

Unfortunately, I have failed to make any plans for this weekend, but I'm going to busy myself getting stuff done and arrange stuff for next weekend.

Gwenx

makeup

Hey All

Gwen - don't worry about moping, I've certainly been there but glad things are looking up with Match etc.

I finally got my stop eating too much book from the post office. It is kind of annoying - I signed up to get Amazon Prime on free trial which gives free overnight delivery. But cos they send it special delivery, needs a signature so wasn't delivered on Weds and I had to pick up today....might as well have had the normal super saver!!

However bought some yummy ice-cream from Iceland so now planning to go and lie in the garden eating ice-cream and reading library books!

Also realised my clubcard deals tokens for YHA run out tomorrow, have sorted out a few trips but not sure how to redeem them and the call centre has closed! Aargh! I'm hoping when I call on Monday they will be ok with giving me a couple of days grace!!!

gwen80

Hi makeup

Yes, things are looking up. I will get there. It's a long story, but some clothes of mine were damaged at my Mum's house earlier this year. Quite expensive stuff, Coast etc. I was a bit gutted about a dress in particular, but on the bright side, I put in a claim yesterday. Worked out the 3 items would cost nearly 300 quid to replace, so I should get some money through for those soon. I won't buy new stuff just yet as I don't need it and would like to lose some weight. I'll pay it off my credit card. After all, I probably ran up my credit card buying all that stuff!

Just checked quidco and 25 quid from Vanquis has tracked, just need some of my cashback to be paid and I think my Oasis card should be almost gone. Yay!

I'm going to sell my first item this weekend. I have a Spanish book as new I've never used and tbh never will. I'm thinking of using Amazon, but I have no idea how it works, so I will go in search of advice.

Reading the garden sounds fab, makeup. What's Amazon Prime? Or maybe I'll just look it up.

I seem to have no money this month at all and I've only just been paid. Where's it gone? I have bought some stuff, but not that much. I'm a bit worried. Off to see where all my money's gone.

Gwenx

gwen80

Summer74 wrote: »

Thank you all for your responses. Rosa I do work in a team and although they don't know about my financial situation they know that I am lonely and are being very supportive but they all have their own families. My job involves co-ordinating teams and getting them to hit deadlines and in order to do that I really need the respect of my colleagues so need to be confident and firm.

I have just hd a look at the AQA site and there are no vacancies in the UK. Is there anything else I can look at? Somebody mentioned surveys. How do you find legitimate sites? I will feel better if I can see things starting to change.

Thanks again for your support.

Just another idea. Have you looked at trying to reduce your outgoings so that you have more money that you are able to spend going out, doing things and meeting people? I'm not sure if anybody's already suggested this, but look on the rest of the DFW board and maybe post your SOA and people will suggest how you can reduce your outgoings, so you can have more 'fun' money.

TDQO

Hehe, it's 2am and I have sausage n cheese sandwiches

See my facebook for tonight's shenanigans

sarahb123_3

Hi all, hope everyone has had a good day, have been lazy today as it has been too hot to do anything.

Not much on the debt free front today:

• coins in piggy
• £2 coin in pot

but I must keep reminding myself even that is a step in the right direction. Was very annoyed this morning to recieve vouchers from Sainsburys including one for £4.50 off a £30 shop, hmmm, that would be the shop I did yesterday.

I think I am going to join the make £10 thread this month, I could do with a little push and any extra cash can go to the dreaded Barclaycard.

sarahb123_3

Hollyberry wrote: »

You mentioned wanting things to do and possible cheap holidays, so here's my take on that. Through threads on here, I have found that there are cheap offers on Travelodges (£10) and de Vere hotels (from about £19), both of which give you a chance to get away.

Ooh, thanks for this Hollyberry, what a great idea. Am planning to reinstate holidays as soon as I am debt free, am not keen on beach holidays but I do like UK city ones, this would be absolutely brilliant for pootling round galleries and museums (and shops):D without feeling guilty about the cost.

Hollyberry

gwen80 wrote: »

I'm going to sell my first item this weekend. I have a Spanish book as new I've never used and tbh never will. I'm thinking of using Amazon, but I have no idea how it works, so I will go in search of advice.
Gwenx

Hiya Gwen
I felt the same way about most of my Spanish books (just about scraped through A level, but have always been absolutely awful at communicating en espagnol except ordering tapas and a drink or two...;)).

Amazon is a doddle for selling your books. You have to set up your bank account details so they can pay you, then listing the books is easy. You just use the ISBN or equivalent number, it comes up with the book's details, and then you just select the condition of the book and say a few words about its condition (apparently UK seller is the thing to start with, then I just go on to say "as new", "name inside front cover, spine creased" etc.). When a book sells, they email you, you go onto the website to get the buyer's details, and then you have 2 days to post it. Simples! Amazon pay fortnightly directly into your bank and send an email to confirm.

It may be just my esoteric collection, but my sales on Amazon go in fits and starts, so don't worry if it's quiet for a while. I have heard that popular fiction goes better on Green Metropolis if you have anything of that sort you are looking to sell.

Take care of yourself - moping is allowed, but only if we can try and cheer you up too!