I have literally no money!

BigMummaF

brokeinwales wrote: »

Not at all - it makes me quite happy to know people find anything I've written useful!

Not only is this so useful, you have a way of saying things that others find difficult to put into words. I take my virtual hat off to you for being brave & starting this journey in such a way that others find comfortable to follow :T
I don't know if folk would find this of any help but you're more than welcome to join us It's to help concentrate the financial mind but be warned! It does get addictive :eek:

brokeinwales

I don't know if folk would find this of any help but you're more than welcome to join us It's to help concentrate the financial mind but be warned! It does get addictive :eek:

Totally just joined!

Keiss_21

Wow, what an inspiring thread!! Only came across this tonight and have spent the whole evening reading it through....no TV and knitting for me!

BiW - you are a real inspiration, glad that things are starting to work out for you now. :T

The offers and help made on this thread really prove that there a great many good folk out there who want to help to those in need. Not sure what I could offer you, though I am sure I could find some material/wool etc around the house that you could perhaps use in making things.

I have had a pretty c**p year health-wise, having not worked since last December, and not much chance of returning until the New Year. Luckily I managed to get occupational sick pay from my work until July, but since then we have had to be so much more careful with our money. Despite failing in my Grocery Challenge targets the past couple of months, we are still doing a bit better that we were when I was working! I am still quite amazed that we actualy have some money left over at the end of the month.:j
We have some extra expenditures at the moment as we have to find £72 a week :eek: to pay the private sports physio and the cognitive behaviour therapist that I see..(NHS either took too long or was unable to provide the help that I needed, when I needed it). Thanks to these two wonderful women, I can at last see the end of the long dark tunnel that has been this year, so they are worth every penny!!

I can totally relate to the notion that making things helps you to feel better. I have started knitting numerous gilets for Christmas pressies (on the fourth one, with three more to go!!) and I love it! I have also made quite a lot of jellies (crab-apples from the tree in our garden, so free!) and chutneys, yet more presents!! I thought that I would have to be really stingy in my present-giving this year, instead I will have unique and individual items to give, which I hope will be appreciated all the more.

Once I do get back to work, as we seem to be managing reasonably well without my pay-check, I am going to save my earnings. This way we will be able to cope with any money problems that come our way and perhaps even afford (and be well enough to have) a holiday next year! As I get better, the weekly therapist bills will lessen too...more money for the kitty....I like this idea!! :j

Hopefully this way we won't get into money troubles like we have had in the past. Mind you, with DS1 starting Uni this year, and DS2 talking about going in 2 year's time (after his A-Levels), I can see this money being coming in very useful! :rolleyes:

Right off to see just how much more we can cut our monthly food bill by....still difficult, but should be do-able I think!!

Just noticed the time...bed now, more thinking in the morning methinks!!

Thanks again BiW and all the other posters who have made this such an inspiring thread to read...:beer::beer:
Apologies for the ramble...I do tend to waffle a bit!

Night-night!

Angelfeathers

I'm so glad things are working out for you at last, BiW! I read this thread earlier when it was highlighted in the weekly email, and found it really inspirational and a wonderful view of how lovely people can be to those in need.

thisismoneysaving

Hi BiW. You really have come so far. I've just been reading through this thread and I can 'see' your progress. Well done, you!
You should be so proud of yourself.
Keep at it!
It's easy to get bored, but if you think in the long term you should stay focused. I'm 100% behind you, please keep us updated.

Mx

N79

brokeinwales wrote: »

SOOOOOOOO my news is....

I have managed to get some of the money from my landlady - she has sent me a cheque for £800, which is most of what she owes. In the accompanying letter she says that she is retaining £200 for "cleaning and repairs" - no more detail. As we've already established that she didn't protect my deposit, I'm certain she's not entitled to do this (the flat was in a very reasonable condition when I left anyway.). So - any suggestions on whether it's worth pursuing the rest?

Well done - a great result. I don't normally post here but I know I was a little short on the housing board all those months ago so I'm very pleased you went ahead.

Personally, I would encourage you to persue the remaining £3200 you are owed (assuming the deposit was £1000).

brokeinwales

can totally relate to the notion that making things helps you to feel better. I have started knitting numerous gilets for Christmas pressies (on the fourth one, with three more to go!!) and I love it! I have also made quite a lot of jellies (crab-apples from the tree in our garden, so free!) and chutneys, yet more presents!! I thought that I would have to be really stingy in my present-giving this year, instead I will have unique and individual items to give, which I hope will be appreciated all the more.

This made me think of a quote from DH Lawrence:

"I got the blues thinking of the future, so I left off and made some marmalade. It's amazing how it cheers one up to shred oranges and scrub the floor."

I also have plans for some homemade gifts. (BF suggested making cakes for everyone). It's definetly the way forward if you ask me I think as well as doing something practical and moneysaving, the mere act of putting effort into something that produces a tangible end result is deeply satisfying somehow.The idea that you can just point to something specific and say "I did that". It's a shame but that's so different from most people's day to day jobs (definetly mine!) where it's difficult to point to anything specific that feels like an achievment - I kind of think as humans we need that sense of "creativity" (in the loosest sense of the word).

It's one of the reasons having started this thread makes me feel good!

Once I do get back to work, as we seem to be managing reasonably well without my pay-check, I am going to save my earnings. This way we will be able to cope with any money problems that come our way and perhaps even afford (and be well enough to have) a holiday next year! As I get better, the weekly therapist bills will lessen too...more money for the kitty....I like this idea!! :j

It ought to be true that once you've learned to manage on less, it should be easy to continue to do so, even when you don't have to (if that makes sense!). I have this idea that once I've paid off my debts, I'll put that same monthly amount into a savings account for the next twelve months, as I've already proved I can live without it.

I hope it all works out for you too. Keep me updated!

Keiss_21

brokeinwales wrote: »

This made me think of a quote from DH Lawrence:

"I got the blues thinking of the future, so I left off and made some marmalade. It's amazing how it cheers one up to shred oranges and scrub the floor."

BiW - Wow, like the quote from DHL! Will be making Seville marmalade in January...got to get through December first!

Off out to try and get some stuff that the online Mr T order didn't have...and the substitutes were not any use at all...this is why I did the order online, to save me traipsing into town. :mad:

I will take the drink cartons and cardboard boxes to recycling on my way in...also need to get some deisel too, so not a completely useless journey.

Hoping to make the next two days NSDs, so may as well cram as much as I can today! :rolleyes:

Have a good day folks...isn't it a bit chilly! Outside temp has at last crept above zero to 1.3 degrees C - warm hat, scarf and gloves today then!

brokeinwales

Have a good day folks...isn't it a bit chilly! Outside temp has at last crept above zero to 1.3 degrees C - warm hat, scarf and gloves today then!

Yep. Call me weird, but I kind of like the chilly weather. Makes me feel cosy when I finally get inside (weird I know. In MSE style, maybe being skint means I appreciate money more when I have it! I know when I got the payment from my landlady I was sooo determined to make the best possible use of every penny - £800 feels like so much money when you spent two weeks living off less than a fiver!)

Note the new signature by the way!
I've never been the kind of person who can fully indulge in "positive thinking" and affirmations and stuff - I just find the whole thing too cheesy. But putting a positive spin on something is a different matter - and maybe I can do that without relinquishing my natural cynicism too much.

Hoping to make the next two days NSDs, so may a
s well cram as much as I can today! :rolleyes:

So did you manage it? I'm still stuck on two this month, but have high hopes for the weekend... (as long as I remember to but butter on the way home tonight)

buy butter. buy butter. buy butter...

lolly_896

Whats happening with the other £200 BiW are you going to pursue? I do hope so x