Today is a new day!

mum2one

belated wishes from dd and me as well xx

POSITIVE_AND_FOCUSED

Have come on to have a mini rant about the organisation that I have 4 complaints with currently - the dear Halifax. They may have a fifth - only joking..possibly! They called me before Xmas to tell me I owed a lesser amount than I usually pay each month on one of my loans and when I asked why the lady said it must be related to the PPI complaint concerning the account. So, as a dutiful customer I pay what she tells me to pay, all sorted as far as Im concerned. Today I receive a letter to say Im £15.01 in arrears and will be charged accordingly. I phone them saying I was quite prepared to pay the usual higher amount but had been advised that was not required so didn't. It transpires whoever called me was looking at the wrong screen, I won't be charged, and Im to pay the outstanding amount tomorrow. I did say to the lady today that I am often told conflicting information and this is just one more example to add to the pile for which she apologised. Anyway, thats it, just one of those things.

This month is going to be tough. I was out in that dreadful weather yesterday working, took far longer than I had thought it would. was extra careful. In fact one of my dear customers urged me to sit with her and have a cuppa. I must have looked v haggard!!!, wet, soaked, etc. V sweet of her and much appreciated. Was only able to collect two thirds of the books as many customers had been kind, not leaving the catalogue out because of the wind and rain so I need to go back for those tomorrow. so my order value yesterday was less than projected, but then my next order value should be higher so its swings and roundabouts. Its just the direct debit due dates don't change to fit in do they so certainly the next 10 days will be tighter than I thought they would be. Everything is covered, just v tight. I currently have £2.28 avail in my current account. The lady on the phone today wanted to take a debit card payt over the phone and I explained I couldn't do that until tomorrow... doesn't look good nor does it make me feel good either. That said, at least I have £2.28, better than Nil or worse over my overdraft.

So, just about to collect dd from school at 4pm today. One of the success presents from Father Christmas was a painting by numbers kit that was the grand price of £2.99. It has bought so much pleasure to dd and she can't wait to do some more when she gets back today. Just goes to show how you don't need to spend hundreds which is reassuring!

So, its a busy week and I am reminding myself that by the end of next week things will be better financially and with regard to my home insurance complaint that should be resolved in the next 10 days or so too. Yes, it will all be ok. By the end of Jan my tax bill will be paid, and everything will then be in order. Have also been ebaying more things and plan to put 5 things a day on ebay which for me is doable. Have loads of dd's old clothes and in deed some of mine to put on, as well as toys that dd is now too old for...

Other news , seeing the doctor tomorrow, to raise the issue of the pins and needles which has been better today funnily enough than previous days and to report my recent fall, as they want to keep a log of frequency of the falling and any damage etc.

On that note, I must away to collect my dd..

ani*fan

Hi there PAF

Just wanted to delurk and say well done and keep going. I love how you deal with the banks by keeping nice and calm and telling it like it is. That conversation with the halifax would have had me screaming at them and throwing my phone out the window.

Well done and I'm glad you had a good Christmas.

POSITIVE_AND_FOCUSED

Well, what a hectic start to January! Two important successes to report. My appeal regarding my parking ticket was successful. In fact I was thanked in their response for bringing it to their attention that the markings had all but disappeared! A late fee imposed by JJB when my credit card statement clearly showed I had paid on time was at last refunded after a letter to them and a phone call. They wouldn't take any action until I had written to them..But all is well now. I have assessed my progress thus far since my LBM. Since mid 2009 Ive paid off £15,559.99, of which ££9126.61 was paid off in 2011 compared to the £6433.38 during the prev 18 months which tells me Im getting my act together as the months go by and this year should pay off even more plus Im v hopeful of a very healthy PPI refund if I have my way!!!. That said finances have been v tight so far this year. Getting back into it all since the Xmas break, the sales Im achieving are still good. Sold over £1K this week alone but then this month is a catch up month too after 2 weeks off. Its all in hand, thats the main thing and Im hanging in there. It will all work out and as long as I keep my head down and do my best Im v confident all will be ok.

Kleeneze is indeed v v exciting at the mo. There have been a number of exciting developments/announcements which I hope to utilise to increase my business and my team So, I have big plans for this year. Ive been reviewing everything and this week will see the start of me implementing them. I just have to keep believing in myself and despite feeling the fear doing it anyway!!!

Health wise, I had a blood test this week at the docs to check the pins and needles in my hand is not due to anything other than the suspected nerve damage in my arm. Next week will be when I get the results.

Other than that have a busy day tomorrow with plans to load things on ebay and sort out a newsletter to customers. Ive decided to advise them I won the Top Retailer Award in the group of which Im part and thank them all. To think I had 7 falls last year and trip up daily I achieved that award. It is simply a miracle. I still can't quite believe it....Its taught me to keep perservering and with a bit of determination just keep going and simply keep my ears closed to those who want me to give up!!! On that note Im going to have a relax now with dd and cuddle up on the sofa. Its been a hectic tiring week and a rest is called for. Shes just putting a dvd on for us!!!

InaPickle

Well done, Paf: things sound the best they have done for you in quite a while, and financially everything sounds like it is ticking over nicely, with the potential for them to go better.

To quote Buzz Lightyear: to infinity and beyond!

mum2one

you've done brilliantly, well done on all fronts, think thats a realy nice touch re the newsletter, brings a personal element to it all xx

Verbatim

Good to hear things are going well for you. Lovely to hear how well your dd is looking after you! (And you her of course!)

mum2one

could i be really cheeky and rack ur brains, its been suggested that my daughter goes to young carers at the red cross, and i've got to speak to learning mentor at dds school, shes suggested it, and is going forward, just wondered if your daughter went + what type of things that they do?

sorry to be cheeky xx

POSITIVE_AND_FOCUSED

mum2one wrote: »

could i be really cheeky and rack ur brains, its been suggested that my daughter goes to young carers at the red cross, and i've got to speak to learning mentor at dds school, shes suggested it, and is going forward, just wondered if your daughter went + what type of things that they do?

sorry to be cheeky xx

Hi mumto one,

If a place has been offered for your dd then go for it. My dd started going to Care for Carers from the age of 8. She could not be accepted sooner as the view was then and presumably still is that a child is not a carer until the age of 8 but that view fails to recognise just how much a child does before that age especially when you are a single parent family and there is no official "outside" support and so there is no one else to help you in the aftemath of a fall or similar.
For dd its made such a difference. She has made some friends, she has a chance to be amongst peers who understand what its like being relied on for help and support more so than usual and to live with a disability in the family. She is v caring anyway but she actually wants to help me get dressed or make ameal or whatever and I think Care for Carers helps her to value herself as a person. Its a social evening, 5 to 7pm every month and as long as shes happy going, I want her to go and I try to be as supportive as poss so for me that means I take her there to save them finding money for a taxi as funding is always an issue and they are fighting for every bit of funding they can get being a charity. So, I can only speak wonderfully for such an opportunity for you and your dd!

POSITIVE_AND_FOCUSED

So, Im still positive but in truth things could be better financially. That said, I have all the bills covered aside from the mortgage, its just tight and without the money Ive been waiting for and still am waiting for from the Halifax re my home insurance complaint, my mortgage may be a week or two late in being paid. Its all timing. I could hear from the Halifax this week in which case all will be well. But I must pay my tax bill and so that will take priority if it comes to it. In a way I should be glad I have to pay more tax than I had expected, it shows Im doing better than I thought but I have worried about it and now Im past that stage. What will be will be. With my plans in place it will all catch up on itself, no council tax now to pay for 2 months, keeping my expenses down so am beating my budget, utilising every opprtunity to get more money in. My sales so far for January have been v good, the last two weeks have been around £1K each week. I have another £400 sitting here to process, and more orders to collect tomorrow. My bonus is less than usual because it is for a shorter month as it also includes the Xmas break in which I didn't work and even if I had wanted to couldn't because of Head Office closures and the Bank Holidays and thats why its so tight. My bonus is less than usual as its taking into account just 2 and a bit weeks instead of 4. I knew this could happen, just at the time my thinking is come on Lou you will be ok, it will all work out. Never mind, I just need to keep my head down and work hard, take each day as it comes, and if I get that money from the Halifax this week all will be ok - they have 4 weeks which finishes on the 2nd Feb to contact me or I refer the situation back to the Ombudsman, if not as my mortgage is with the Halifax I don't feel so bad having to potentially call them to explain the situation! Also, I should be hearing from them by the end of next week regarding my PPI claim. even if its to tell me they need longer to investigate, they have to make contact withme by the 28th which is when the initial 12 weeks is up since I filed my complaints.

So, its ok, just could be a bit better! Not ideal!! Aside from all of that I recd the results of my blood test and Im lacking in folic acid which apparently could help improve the pins and needles. So, I am taking a supplement for a month and then having another blood test. In themeantime, Ive also purchased some broccili and cabbage to improve my and of course dd's diet. It transpires all the veg we usually eat has none or v little folic acid in it.

Onward and upward, positive and focused as ever, refusing to panic and intent on making my income over the next 4 weeks better than ever. Nothing less will do! All will be well and is well!