update 8mths on

miaoww

Hi guys,
Havent been around for a while been getting used to working day shifts again and managing my money / life / kids - no doing to bad still getting few bank charges but no where near as bad as they used to be. The phones been very quiet and the mail man doesnt visit so often now though hoping he'll bring me some goodies from the freebies boards soon ready for some cheepo xmas hampers (my god im getting very organised!) Got to sort out paper work re benificial interest as cant afford to by it at the moment but may try and save to buy it over the next year or so - at the moment just about have enough cash to cover the essentials sometimes have a little xtra if hubby does overtime but soon goes again on grocerys / petrol. Trying to save for a new freezer as ours is on its way out managed to save £4 so far (the one I'd like is £219 in currys and has 6 drawers instead of 4 - so can store more meals from batch cooking and bread!)
Have bought two xmas pressies that were on offer at tescos for the kids (out of my food shopping money! naughty i know) but with ds birthday on boxing day and no having saved anything with my xmas club I though if I pick up some things as i go along maybe can have a debt free xmas this year! Am trying to win a freezer so then anything I save can go towards xmas instead.
Anyway just wanted to let all you guys thinking of / going through/ who are bankrupt there is some light at the end of the tunnel and to keep coming online and chatting and asking for help because if you need it heres the place to find it
Thanks to everyone for the support and help etc

copier_guy

Hi Miaoww

Glad it all ok for you. Was BR the best way out for you? we are going BR soon getting nervous now.

miaoww

yep looking back think it was though didnt seem it at the time -broke down in tears at interview before having to see the judge and judge said was i sure (didnt think he was going to make me bankrupt) said I had a good job etc when explained no option for overtime have to take time off in leau instead and wages dropped by £7,000 he agreed with me- then not so long after hubby almost lost his job had to take pay cut and move departments so all in all glad i did it before baliffs started coming around that would of been more scary! Also much less stress on me and relationship - lesson learnt though still find things a little tough when kids nagging for something but i just tell them to put it on their xmas list or make them save for it with a little pocket money or earn it as reward instead of just buying it for them (dont want them making the same mistakes)
Have discovered car boot sales to sell and buy and picked up a bike for dd (3yrs old) for £3 cycle helmet, knee and elbow pads for £1 where as before i'd of niped off to halfords or simular with credit card or ordered one from catalogue - its a bitty tatty but she loves it there were a few around on the day we went so she picked it herself and hasnt been off it since. Also got a ben 10 omnitrix watch for ds for £1 instead of ~ £18 so he was please aswel. Again kettle died and managed to get a new one hardle used for £1 which matches kitchen perfectly and would of cost about £40 new because a guy was moving in with his new partner.
Im not saying its all easy sailing - i had to tell my mum she lent me some of the court fees and came with me to look after ds when i went in,dont know if she's told dad but could face that - parents were so good with money and now have no mortgage or debt so couldnt face telling him. And tld my best mate and mother in law but otherwise no ones any the wiser. Have had dark days when get depressed and frustrated but realise now those days were the days i'd take my store cards or flick through the catalogue and order something to feel better but eventually didnt - it would arrive and so would the letters and threatening phone calls when i lost my job and could afford it anymore - the stress of phone calls just as i'd got dd off to sleep and rushed to answer it only for it to be another threatening one! was anoying and depressing - tried to offer reduced payments but they werent interested just kept adding more fees onto accounts so after finding this site and chatting to people and phoning ccs decided to go for it. Hope this has helped and good luck and dont be scared theres worse things in life - you can take control of this and deal with it head on its really not that hard and remeber your not the first and wont be the last!
good luck

fiveyearplan

Glad things are going well for you miaoww. Thanks for the update!

miaoww

just been to the bar going to c a bit of the old enders now b4 bed - at least my life couldnt be as bad as theirs! may flick through the ikea catalogue that rec'd today before it ends up in the rabbit hutch! I will not submit to the temptation that is ikea anymore
:beer:

copier_guy

Ikea is addictive, damn addictive. I have been cured though,

We live in a rented house!!

Plus im saving for the BR fees!!

miaoww

we managed to keep our house due to massive secured loan which we are still paying hence in negative equity but as it was all happening i/ we realised its just bricks and mortar anyway and parking in the street is a nightmare! wouldnt of minded moving and renting if meant we could of gotten rid of secured loan aswel (wishful thinking) - thats with us for a another 10 years or so! hindsights a wonderful thing!
ikea books in the recycling bin to be used for mr floppy ears bedding soon - same old stuff in it again and i think we own most of it anyway! heehee Hubby would def have a heart attack if he thinks im planning a visit there.:rotfl:

iquit

Thanks for sharing miaoww, hope things keep getting better for you.

lindsaygalaxy

Keep going, im now discharged and although some things are still difficult there is much less stress and no red letters every day!

Have you tried freecycle or your local paper for a freezer? We got a big chest one for free and even if it only lasts 12 months, that means 6 months saving for christmas and 6 months for new freezer.

Stay as positive as you are, you may get early discharge too!

miaoww

yep trying freecycle but not much around my area may be lucky and get a wooden dolls house for dd for xmas though (fingers crossed)
it hasnt quite given up the ghost yet!
will check out local bargain finder aswel you never know

tigerfeet2006

It might be worth putting a wanted ad on freecycle for a freezer. My freecycle fridge/freezer is still going strong 14 months after getting it from the wonderful person who answered my wanted ad.