I have literally no money!

Primula

Aaaarrrgghhh, what a pain. I just did a long post and lost the lot! Basically, I read your thread when it appeared in the weekly email and have just spend the last "quite a long time" catching up! Gosh, this is so inspiring. You have done so well BIW and so many lovely people on here.

I am so enjoying reading your dairy, I hope you are going to keep it going - it's like a good novel - I want to know so much - did you make any more clothes? Did you make cakes for xmas pezzies? Did you get your £200 back yet? And how you getting on? Do come back and tell all! I'm loving your diary!

Ruby_Pudding

Just read through the whole thread - what a brilliant lot the MSE forumers are :-)

bLaZiNgDucK

I too have just completed the reading of this thread and it is amazing, Hope you have a great new year and continue to keep us up todate with how life/2010 is treating you

Duckie

pajerochick

biw.. i've spent the last 4 days back-reading your story and how you managed. as so many others have said, it was heartwarming to read the offers of help you got...i don't know you but am so proud of you!- 9that does come over a tad cheesy)but seriously- be chuffed with yourself, you are really inspiring many people
k

tudorfan22

i know what you guys mean, this thread is like a book that i cant put down, this could be a winning idea - i swear if this was put into a book, id buy it!!! theres a way to solve your debt probs BiW!!! this has everything - drama, tension and fingers crossed, a happy ending!

debtfreefuture

You have done so brilliantly - keep up the good work. Have you thought about a "diary" on the diary board. I would definately subscribe. I've just spent all evening reading you thread and it's really inspirational:j.

Good Luck

brokeinwales

Hi everyone,
Hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year and the lot. How's the snow treating you? (I got to confess I'm kind of loving it - makes me feel like a big kid!). Was really nice to spend Christmas day with my family for the first time in many years (long story, ex often had to work Christmas Day so used to stay with him.).

I managed to make a few homemade pressies - some chutney (kept a jar for myself and I am really pleased with it - great with £1 Stilton from Lidl...), some homemade sweets taht my Mum absolutely adored in a box I decorated myself. A cushion I sewed myself for my sister.

Next year I'm going to start early and make all the presents myself - I mean, it's something I'm capable of doing, which gives me a feeling of personal satisfaction (as opposed to shopping, which gives me a sense of personal impending doom.), it's cheap, and it's something you know the person will definetly not already have or be able to buy themselves. When you're skint it always feels a bit ridiculous, spending money you don't really have on a present for someone who could well afford to buy it themselves if they really wanted it. So all good.

I've entered the new year feeling quite positive. I have a plan outlined that should mean I'll be out of debt by the end of August 2010 now - and have some savings by the end of the year. I've earmarked £250 a month (which is about a quarter of my income) to go towards either debts, or later, savings. In theory, my fixed outgoings are very,very little now - I pay rent on a room in a shared house, which includes council tax and most of my bills. I don't have any regualr travel costs, and being a fully paid-up MSE-r now, I can do my grocery shop so cheaply it's almost laughable (it is quite shocking how much you can save with a bit of thought and advice from others, even if you're already pretty frugal.)

So yes.

Go me.

(loving the book idea btw guys, let me give that some thought...)

dianadors

Hi, Just read your great thread. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned "freebies" to you. I got into the Freebies section about 2 years ago now and its amazing what you can blag. We get totally free cinema tickets for our entire family at least once per week and often 2. We have had free meals out at Wagammam's and Cafe Rouge. I have had free spa days, haircuts, beauty treatments all locally. I have had free train tickets, tons and tons of gorgeous beauty products (I once did a trial for a face cream that should have been £150 to buy!!) Magazines, chocoloates, coffee and tea. I got all my Christmas presents one year for free( BAth Robes, Luggage, Toys, Handbags etc). All these were obtained via the freebies board. Have a look - it gets very addictive and you can blag some excellent stuff.

Verbatim

Hello B in W,

Glad things are going so well. Love your signature too!

angelflower_2

first time I got around to reading this thread...Jan a tight month and we are about £5 a week with a bare freezer till the end of the month. Still, loads we can do so thanks for the inspiration everyone.

Going home tonight to something as yet unidentified from the freezer and with my budget today, bought large box of eggs, bread to do until the weekend (can also make some cakes for sweet treats).

I would second the free cinema tix...great treat (which you can get quite regularly!) and I really grudge paying now.