When you're in a "Debt hole"..Stop Digging!

Ellieseleven

It's a good feeling isn't it when you can cover the cost from your budget? We've just had to have a lock replaced on OH's van...£285 but we had that money stashed in our emergency fund so it wasn't the end of the world, Emergency fund is a bit dented though:o

Ellie xx

Chrisblue1962

Hi Folks

Apologies for not posting sooner but the last two months have been a financial rollercoaster with fact that despite OH now being back in work, our finances have taken an absolute battering with both cars having Mot and Tax due in July / August .

On top of this, our beloved dog had to have a tumour removed from his leg but Animal Friends (our insurers) only coughed up approx 1/3rd of treatment (weasel-worded terms and conditions apparently :mad:), leaving us with more bills, circa £250.00

To make things worse, I've been informed that I've got to apply for my own job as they're cutting staffing for my post from three to two members of staff. I remain confident that I stand an excellent chance of staying in post butI'm looking around for something else as well :sad:.

I would just like myself and OH to have two or three "quiet" financial months where we can "steady the ship" and start making slow but sure progress but month on month it just seems like we are swimming through treacle.

My DMP remains at £38.00 but I hope to double this by March next year, assuming I'm still working and OH's finances are healthier.

Well, hope to post some better news soon. Keep DFW'ing !!!!

Ellieseleven

Good to see you back Chris! You really are on a rollercoaster:o

I hope everything turns out alright for you...onwards and upwards;)

Ellie xx

Chrisblue1962

This post has been delayed due to the fact that the last month has been a really stressful one, which will become evident in the post.

I work in Local Government and our department was advised in thee summer that some jobs were going and I found out I was going to have to re-apply for my own job .

After many delays and much uncertainty, I had an interview for my job in late October. The result?...Unsucessful . Naturally, I was absolutely devastated and seriously worried about the prospect of being made redundant in January 2015.

Thankfully, I immediately applied for an internal post with the same Council, got an interview and got offered the new post within the space of a week after losing my previous post :T.

Myself and OH are now looking forward to 2015 with a tiny portion of optimism and I hope to seriously get to grips with my DMP .

Well its Bye for now. Onwards and hopefully upwards!

chevalier

Wow Chris you sure have had a rollercoaster of a ride. Sorry I have missed so much of your diary.

You have been on your journey for a few years now. So have you double checked all of your utilities and insurances this year, to see if you are still with the best providers for you? It might be a way of finding a few more pounds a month.
Also I am not sure whether you have your council tax over 12 months or 10, but putting it over 12 could smooth the monthly outgoings a bit aswell.

good luck
chev

Chrisblue1962

Tanks for your kind words chevalier.

Yes, I tend to keep a close eye on bills but having trouble transferring gas and electricity to another provider at the moment as one company wanted a £300.00 security deposit :eek: because I have a poor credit history.

Duh!....I need cheaper utilities because money is "tight" so where am I going to find £300.00? Down the back of the sofa?!!! I wonder how many £300.00 "deposits" they hold and how much interest they get? :mad:.

Hopefully, over the next few monhs, myself and dearest OH can"steady the ship" and get our finances on a firmer footing. Will let you know how gas & elec swap goes.

Chrisblue1962

A very sad day as we had to take our beautiful 12 year old Samoyed Danny to the vets this morning to be p.t.s. :sad:

His health deteriorated rapidly over the last couple of weeks to the extent where his quality of life was now severely reduced and we had to make a very painful and difficult but necessary decision.

Myself and OH are naturally very upset but treasure the time we had with our beautiful friend.

*******************************************************

Danny, our Samoyed

06.02.2002 to 18.11.2014

Deeply Missed, RIP, sleep well darling

******************************************************

Ellieseleven

I am so sorry to hear about Danny - sending virtual hugs.

Ellie xx

Chrisblue1962

Hi All

Apologies for not posting for a while but both myself and dearest OH have both been quite ill over the last few weeks, with both of us having really bad coughs / chest infection, this being just as OH was recovering from three weeks of sciatica

Christmas was so low-key that it barely happened, given fact that both of us were very ill. It's been nice being off work but being poorly on one's hols is no fun .

One positive step is that I'm now using a trial version of YNAB (You Need A Budget) in parallel with my budget spredsheet. Whilst my spreadsheet is good, I need something which forces me to make informed positive budget decisions, no only for the coming month AND the year ahead!

My major budgeting "blind spot" has been and remains a lack of planning for "known future expenditure" e.g. car MoT, Car Tax, annual insurance premiums, etc.

Given that YNAB works on a "Zero Sum" basis i.e. every pound of income MUST be given a "job" rather than lying around in an account doing nothing , being forced to make a choice NOW means:

You are forced to face up to the "status quo" and deal with it!!

If you don't face up to the "here and now", things will NOT get better!

Avoiding difficult choices NOW means they only become MORE difficult in the future!

If you want things to improve, you MUST make good budget decisions AND keep accurate spending records.

I am determined to make real progress in 2015 and not just "limp" from pay day to pay day!

There endeth the rant!

Besy Wishes to all DFW'ers in 2015

Ellieseleven

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that you have both been ill over the festive period and I hope that you are now on the mend.;)

I keep seeing posts about YNAB and I'm tempted to have a look, most folks are saying that they have found it very useful. I would be interested to see what you think.

I would also like to wish you all the very best for 2015, here's to another debt-busting year!

Take care
Ellie xx