chewits - the debtquake monster is coming

Scottishmummy

Hopefully the OFT will kick their butts and if not the DDA take it up. Can't believe some of the comments that were made on the online paper page - some people.

Sure there was a bit of lightning in amongst the hail we had this afternoon.

kissjenn

Thanks SM. I didn't realise it was up there, but I've had a look and put the record straight.

As OH said, paper wanted a skateboarding duck story and went for all the tea and sympathy nonsense. This is blatant discrimination and I'm holding that line.

I'm waiting to see what OFT says.

kissjenn

Home made burgers and wedges for dinner. Very nice and I was soooo sad I'd frozen the heel of a loaf earlier in the week just to keep for the tonights burgers.

The joys of MSE and menu-planning. It is so very frightening.

Also had a couple of hundred pounds drop in my bank account from WTC. No idea what it represents as they only got the appeal last week. Our income has changed somewhat radically 08/09 to 09/10 that they agreed to recalculate - well a drop of 90% - 95% is significant in anyone's book.

Still not convinced this is right. Very nervous about touching it. Imagine the scene; dark night, flash across the sky, a meteror lands and slowly cracks open. Kissjenn and crew are camping nearby and set out to investigate. They come across the oozing rock and small boy stretches his hand out to touch. Is it a friendly life form, asteroid flu or tax credits. All should be approached with caution while carrying a very big stick.

Scottishmummy

That's not good. Have both the hours and income changed significantly as that might be the problem? And sorry if you explained previously I am trying to keep up with too many diaries and can't remember who's doing what.:o

kissjenn

I've gone from employed on about £100k to self employed and will make about £6k setting up the business this year. On top we have the rents which won't count because of the huge losses over last 3 years (£30k worth) and are therefore wiped out. OH will have minimal income so part of the £6k.

My problem bizarrely is if I get a contract. Pre-recession I would have picked up around £600/£700 per day but now there's no work and about £350/£400 if I do land one. So I'm between a rock and a hard place. If I get 1 * 3 month contract at some point in 09/10 then I'll earn 5 times the estimate. If I don't and haven't claimed I get nothing.

They say to tell them immediately if I get a contract but to take the credits meantime. It's very confusing because I don't have a crystal ball.

Scottishmummy

DH is self-employed too and for the last three years has earned between £5k and £6k so we put down an estimate of £6600 that way if I do overtime or get a payrise if I have underestimated for myself it should balance itself out. Certainly when we give them his exact figure in January we always get a small final payment to bring us up to what we should have received. I would much rather overestimate and get a bit extra in January when money is tight than underestimate and end up owing them back.

But I still can't see why that would make them drop your WTC by so much.

kissjenn

Thanks SM.

Feeling lots better today so actually got some stuff done.

• Wrote last 3 arrears letters.
• Popped into insurers - flat above one of mine had a leaking bath :mad:
• Filled out DLA form for OH
• Ebay and Amazon packing
• Tidied desk (okay maybe onto floor isn't tidying but I SAW WOOD )
• Ordered new fridge freezer and oven for 2 different flats.
• Viewing for empty flat on Monday booked.
• Interview with CAB on Monday.
• Cooked dinner so 2nd NSD in a row.

OH brailled a nursey rhyme for a childminder friend of his so the kids can understand how blind people read. I've written it out underneath in pen so they can match up the letters and the bumps. He's really chuffed with himself which is so good.

He also got his first ever braille book from the RNIB. His teacher said get Peter Rabbit or something else short and simple. Nah - Sherlock Bleedin' Holmes. He'll have forgotten who got murdered but the time he gets to the end. But he sticking with it and they have a great lending system which is completely free. So :T:T:TOH.

All our little spice jars now have braille lables too so hopeful he'll need to cook to practise.:j

Scottishmummy

Well done to your OH. My DH takes three years plus to read a regular book so if you OH manages to finish any book it's an achievement as far as I'm concerned:D.

Re seeing the wood on your desk, at the moment I have four boxes sitting in the dining room full of stuff removed from the kitchen table, coffee table and living room floor - how much tidier does it need to be:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

EssexHebridean

Thanks for posting the womble =- Wombles are excellent so if you have anything in common with one then you're a marvellous person!

kissjenn wrote: »

I SAW WOOD )

Following on from the Pierce Brosnan / Johnny Depp conversations on another thread this made me snigger in a deeply childish "Fnar Fnar" sort of fashion.

Cut to the chase with BD & Arrears Boy - just wire 'em directly to the mains and switch on - you know you want to!

kissjenn

EH - I think I blushed but it's hard to tell under all the fur!!

Oddly enough I had a call out to a flat cos the powers gone out and allegedly I have the key for the cupboard under the stairs. Well long story short builder who originally put them up about 12 years ago sold the last one to me last year (he was renting it out). BUT he had been paying the communal lighting every year and now that bill has disappeared so the place is in darkness. Spoke to the tenant I moved in there and he just received a final demand for £767 or we'll cut you off.

So guess the mess I'm sorting out on Monday? DB and Arrears Boy will have to sit with great big car battery crocodile clips on their bits until then...that's going to nip a bit :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: