Zig's new start (again!) on a budget!

zigmeister

I've spent the whole day trying to sort out my Mum's money. It hasn't gone too well. I went overdrawn by 69p so hopefully they won't charge me cuz I put money in quite quickly.

I didn't spend anything at the weekend which is good. But I did lamb for tea last night which cost me £20 :mad: I will be getting half of that off my OH though so it's not all bad.

I'm so tired. Think I'm gonna have an early night and try more money-sorting tomorrow.

Note to self: Sort out BT/Virgin Media stuff

zigmeister

Today has been a good day. After months of wanting sky I have finally been able to get it for my Mum and got a really good deal! £28.50 a month for tv, phone and broadband, with a free sky+ box! Only had to pay £25 for the line installation! :j

When my Mum rang Virgin to cancel they said that's a good deal and they wouldn't be able to come close to matching it so I'm well pleased. Especially as it will be saving her £20 a month

I have also written both my PPI claim letters, and my tax rebate letter. Just need to photocopy my P60 then put them in the post!

My OH has given me the £50 he owes me so that helps. I did spend £7 on chinese last night but I had it for dinner last night and lunch today.

I was hoping to do some overtime seeings as I'm off uni but I actually have too much uni work to do I think. It's also nice just having a break for a bit too, even tho I need the money.

It's my Mum's birthday in October and me and my sister want to get her a little laptop. I've seen a good one in Tesco for £249, and at the mo it's £229. I reckon we should get it now and just put it away, but my OH thinks the price will go down by October. If anyone happens to be reading this - what would you do?!

Zig x

Update: I've just sorted out my student finance for next year, so that's a relief!

zigmeister

I've had enough at the moment of trying to help my Mum. Her bank gave her a credit card and she's managed to rack up £1600 on it. The interest rate is 15.9% and she's struggling to afford the repayments, plus pay me back. I just tried applying for a Tesco credit card for her because they had a 0% for 14 months offer but they declined. So I tried the Barclaycard 6.8% LOB card and they accepted her which is good, but I don't know what the limit will be.

She has some mental health problems which affect the way she thinks so I can understand her struggling sometimes. I just get frustrated at her unwillingness to do anything about money she owes. It irritates me that she still buys walkers crisps - even tho she is the only one who is bothered about having them, and only likes one flavour - yet buys the big variety pack every week. My brother would be happy with cheapy ones yet she still buys walkers :mad:

I'm starting to lose patience

Zig x

Pamela1705

Hi Zig,

Sorry to hear about your stress . I know what it's like to have family problems, and it's not easy - particularly because it's family.

What I would say though, in defence of your mum, is that sometimes it's very easy to put your head in the sand if other people are complying with you. So the fact that your mum is still buying walkers and racking up debt may not be helped by your helping her.

I'm not saying don't help - that's totally the opposite of what I'm saying. I mean that maybe you can help by saying - yes I'll do this for you if you promise not to get this or do that. Keep it small steps and see how it goes.

Trust me, I know that's a lot easier said than done, but I hope it helps a little bit.

I'm thinking of you and hope everything works out, and if I knew how to post the hug smilie I would! :j

zigmeister

Hi Pamela,

Thank you for your message, really kind of you.

I've read a few times now on different threads that you should let people have their LBM and sort themselves out, otherwise they don't really change if you do it for them. But it is different when it's family!

I know what you mean though, and that's a good idea about the small steps, so thank you

Hope you've had/are having a good Easter! :j


Well on the money front I've done okish this weekend. I bought some clothes from Sainsburys while it's 25% off, but Im not sure about some trousers so I might take them back. I'm tempted to buy a rice cooker but I reckon it might end up in the cupboard along with the sandwich maker etc!

Zig x

Dinah93

Hi Zig,

Can emphasise with your mum owing you money. Mine owes me £2400, which is on a credit card in my name, as I have trasnfered CCs onto my 0% card to help her pay it off, then she just ran up another one again. I realise now my behaviour enabled hers, so I have had to be quite harsh and 'cut her off', as a result the balance is very slowly coming down. If she continues letting my OHs rent go straight to the card it will be clear at the end of next January. Unfortunately their income will take a small hit this July, so I doubt they will be able to pay it back at the same rate. Should always have listened to the old adages, don't mix family and money.

zigmeister

You were kind to transfer the balance to your card must be a bit annoying that it's now in your name though. At least your OH's rent is paying it off! My Mum has just enough money for normal stuff. Let alone paying everyone back. So I'm not sure yet how she is going to do it. She has just been accepted for a Barclaycard so that will bring the APR down to 6.8% instead of 15.9%. Better than a smack in the face!

I bought my Mum's birthday present yesterday. It's an Acer netbook. I got it for £174 instead of £240 so I'm pleased. It's not her birthday til October, and I'm splitting the cost with my brother and sister so it won't work out too expensive. I'm gonna give it to her sooner though cuz it seems a waste sitting in a box.

I'm going to Frankie & Benny's tonight with some friends which should be good. I always ask for tap water so that makes it cheaper! Me and my OH were gonna see 17again at the cinema after but it'll be cheaper to go tomorrow using the orange wednesday thing :T

I'm in pain today. I've got wisdom teeth coming through, I have a cold, and my arm hurts. Plus I should be doing assignments! Ah well!

Dinah93

Urgh don't envy you. I had a wisdom tooth cut through two weeks ago, first week of my holiday. Thought I'd suddenly developed a huge filling, was heavily dosed on ibruprofen for a week. Couple it with a cold and aches, I reakon some duvet time with Mr Ben and Mr Jerry is in order.

My mum and dad are in a IVA so no spare money either, think its why they suggested my OH move in with us - it's the only way that card would ever get paid off! Your mums situation should get a bit better now with the drop in interest rates. My mums 0% just ended, now 29.9%! I can't transfer it again due to an ongoing saga with the incompetants at Alliance & Leicester decimating my credit rating.

zigmeister

That sounds awful! Rubbish start to a holiday. Luckily the pain has gone from mine now. I just hope I don't have to have them removed.
The interest rate thing must be very annoying. It's so frustrating paying high interest when there's not much you can do about it. I hope the situation improves for you though

Update

I'm really poor! I currently now owe £380 to my Dad which needs to be replaced as quickly as possible. I got paid £100 wages yesterday which needs to go towards the £380 but then I have no money to last the next 4 weeks. So I'd have to use my O/D. Not really sure what to do. Actually, I'm owed £90 which should be here in a week so I could use that for food. Dunno if it'd last a month, and I also need to put petrol in cuz I'm on placement for a month which starts in a week.

I'm starting a new challenge. The pay off an amount by a certain date one! I want to pay off £2000 by the time I'm 21 which is next March! That would be the £500 to my sister, and my overdraft. If I'm careful with food shopping then I'm sure I'll do it.

chazsucks

Hey! Thought I'd check out your diary as you so kindly commented mine
You're doing really well paying things off - keep it up , you can inspire me
xox