dottyanne's debt diary

scottishspendaholic

Hey dotty,

I don't have much to offer in advice - but I just wanted to say that I am thinking of you. You put my paltry problems to shame with your big problems about running a business, CSA & child support and other 'grown-up' problems.

I think you have done brilliantly so far and have come through a real journey since joining MSE DFW! I'm really proud of you.

Good luck with everything - keep us up-to-date with what's going on and here's a virtual ((((((((((HUG))))))))))

scottishspendaholic x

dottyanne

Hey everyone - thanks for the kind words (as usual)!!.

Well - i have had a really bad couple of weeks if im honest -ive really been letting money get to me - feel like the personal side is getting sorted albeit through DMp with CCCS. The business however is a right old b**l ache!! If im honest im too scared to go through the accounts - im afraid of making a terrible mistake . Also i think that when i ring Tax Credits to do my annual declaration they may have been overpaying me (not sure!!) this in turn will probably throw the DMP all to !!!! and i'll be back to square 1!!

I just wish someone would come and do my books for me - sort out my finances and say there you go !! well......................its kinda sad if thats your biggest wish at the moment..........

OH's kids going away with their 'porper' mother again abroad next week (2nd time since easter!) while shes so skint shes hounding him more and more for CSA - he can only afford to pay what hes assesed for and i dont call 2 holidays abroad in 3 months a neccesity do you?? although could do with one myself right now - as far away as possible one way ticket............

God im on such a downer - someone shoot me!!

dotty xx

Chortle_2

Dotty - I've not been about of late (things chez Chortle have been a tad manic!) but one of the first things I did was check how you're getting on!

As OberonSH says, take it one step at a time with the business accounts, it took you several years to get them that messy, so don't expect to be able to organise them overnight! Are you submitting them to an accountant to 'check' or whatever before they're filed? If so, don't worry about 'making a terrible mistake' - a good accountant should pick up on anything glaring before they're sent off! Certainly don't let fear of messing it up put you off doing it, even if you make a mistake, they'll be in a lot better shape once you've finished than they are now!

I know you're still all over the place with the business, but compared to where you were when you first joined, you've come *such* a long way, and that definitely is something to be proud of - so don't be so hard on yourself!

dottyanne

Thanks Chortle - I was wondering where you had gone to!!

You're right of course - I should 'grab the bull by the horns' and just make a start - im sure once i do i will be able to sort them as much as possible. I am giving them back to my accountant before submission to the IR - thank god!!

I cant believe how well youve done with your debt!! Ive just noticed your signature - youre such an inspiration!!

Keep in touch

love
dotty xx

lynzpower

dottyanne wrote:

Hey everyone - thanks for the kind words (as usual)!!.

Well - i have had a really bad couple of weeks if im honest -ive really been letting money get to me - feel like the personal side is getting sorted albeit through DMp with CCCS. The business however is a right old b**l ache!! If im honest im too scared to go through the accounts - im afraid of making a terrible mistake . Also i think that when i ring Tax Credits to do my annual declaration they may have been overpaying me (not sure!!) this in turn will probably throw the DMP all to !!!! and i'll be back to square 1!!

I just wish someone would come and do my books for me - sort out my finances and say there you go !! well......................its kinda sad if thats your biggest wish at the moment..........

OH's kids going away with their 'porper' mother again abroad next week (2nd time since easter!) while shes so skint shes hounding him more and more for CSA - he can only afford to pay what hes assesed for and i dont call 2 holidays abroad in 3 months a neccesity do you?? although could do with one myself right now - as far away as possible one way ticket............

God im on such a downer - someone shoot me!!

dotty xx

Dotty, if at all possible, can you have a day off ? I was in this situation a couple of days ago and I turned the PC off, shoved all my papers I hadnt filed back into the carrier bag, had a cold shower and a good cry. Sometimes nothing else works. You just have to accept things are getting too much and if you have things to do list put it out of sight and do nothng.As a felow northener maybe listening to the Smiths might help Or Watch some crappy daytime telly if that helps. Now When Ive had loew days all these suggestions were made to me and I felt no no I couldnt stop I feel worse whe I do nothing etc. Maybe your the same. If you HAVE to do anything do the fun stuff. Do some pigsback clicks or apply for some freebies. Make an easy cake or something Debt free thats cheerful if you HAVE to keep going. Do you have any plans for the weekend? With the kids away, maybe a drive to the beach and a DSW style picnic with OH might help. I found getting away from it all the best tonic.

Sending a hug, god I know what these days are like, the PITS. xxxxxx

methekidsandthecat

Hi Dotty

I think Lynz is right and maybe a day away on a DFW special day out might be in order. Just giving yourself some space can help put it into perspective and also give you a break.

I have a friend who does the cardboard box method of filing for his accounts and just hands them to the accountant. He was investigated by the IR a few years ago but they spent a few hours trying to make sense of his papers and then gave him a rebate of about £1500. They didn't even look at most of the paperwork. So don't worry - they understand that small businesses struggle to complete paperwork (not having dedicated teams of people to do it for them).

Take care and take a few hours off in the sunshine this weekend.

Me.

dottyanne

i know what you all mean - its my wedding anniversary this weekend and were going to go for a meal - since trying to be a DFW weve cut back ever so much but for once i think its in order to do this - for ourselves - ive saved a little money for it in £2's and change etc - nothing too extravagent but will really appreciate it more. I think the next few days will be the days when i tackle the damn accounts - i dont know why im being so silly and scared about them - god im 33 and acting about 13!!

dotty xx

lynzpower

Dotty, I wish I lived more local to you, Id come over and have a nose over myself. Im sure you are jsut working yourself into a tizz over them .Is there anyone at all that you could ask to come and sit with you to help you get your thoughts straight?

Pobby

Hi dotty.Hope you have a good meal out,you deserve it.I really wouldn`t get too worked up about the accounts,think you said that your accountant was going to check them out so if there are any glaring errors he will soon pick them up.Anyway if you do make a couple of mistakes it really won`t matter.Doing accounts is more tedium than anything else hun!!

dottyanne

Hoya Lynz and Pobby!! TBH my Dad is really good with figures and once ive gone through them i will let my hubby look at them and even maybe my dad. Was working out how much the business owes in bills and overdue bills and its about £1900 - this sounds a lot but if you consider this is for everything as we pay for stock with cheques when we collect - we have no business loan or overdraft then its not as bad as i thought - and on a positive if theres not as much pressure to take out more money to cover personal outgoings (as going through CCCS on a DMP) then i should be able to catch up sooner than later....................any thoughts???

dotty xx