Raquela's Diary

Raquela

in theory that's true, but I realise I've hit another snag - because I'm a temp, and can't guarantee my income, I'm not going to be able to sign another lease without a guarantor.

Best bet at the moment is hoping I can rent from someone else in the Force or a private Landlord elsewhere, as I no longer have anyone who can act as a guarantor.

Ugh, things just got pants really quickly - must be time to knit!

Shoe_Gal

Raquela, that's pants :mad: And effecting your job plans too!

I would hate that uncertainty, have been in my flat 3 years, and so far, so good! Would hate to have to move :rolleyes:

SilkCutSilver

Totally feel for you. Am super weird about flat security - hate having to move, think it's a symptom of having to move too many times in my life so far. Sure it will be fine though -lots of people are struggling to rent/pay agents fees at the moment so I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't someone about willing to rent without a guarantor.

angela110660

Just saw that you are going to move - sorry about that . Have you started looking round for somewhere else yet??

Shoe_Gal

How are things going hun?

Raquela

Hi all!

Sorry for the extremely lengthy silence, but the whole moving thing kind of stressed me out and left me no time or energy for anything internet - and since I moved I have had no internet (using my phone as a 'dongle' at the mo!). Here's a quick round up of my life since last post:

1) Debts have increased as a result of having to move house. Not markedly though, and less than I was fearing would be the case.

2) Oh, I have actually moved! I have moved into the very first flat I saw on Right Move, which is perfectly placed in several ways, but will say no more since it's easy to identify to anyone in Naaaar'ch who knows me! I failed the credit check on the basis of my employment only, and my mum came through big time by lending me enough to pay six months rent in one lump sum. Keeping everything crossed that I'll have a contract when it comes time to renew so I don't have to keep doing exactly the same, because my mum is going to need those savings when she needs to move her self!

3) Moving was as stressful as it usually is, but I got some help from family on one day, and got movers in to move my furniture, they were awesome and cheap (PM me if you need a recommendation in the Norwich / Norfolk area!). I moved all my 'stuff' myself, they moved my big furniture.

4) The flat is much warmer than my old house, despite being crap on the EPC rating. It's spacious, and everything on my doorstep that I need (even on a snow day like today when I realised I was about to run out of toilet paper!). The shower is absolute crap, but at least I have a bath now as well. But if anyone knows how to get crap mixer showers fed through a combi boiler to not cycle from hot to cold, I would be most grateful since the agents don't seem to want to do a lot!

5) Still in the same job, have moved round the corner from Hypno's work, but am trying to go back to Wymondham, because it turns out I miss it, and don't like the city location at all! Job is going from bad to worse as I have literally nothing to do (have left early three days last week due to this). I have said something but now I'm worried I may have shot myself in the foot and I'll get a phone call from the agency telling me I am no longer required! Will keep you informed.

6) Am awaiting all my overpaid tax back. It will be rather a lot and is going straight to either the credit card or to my student act to help pay the first scary loan payment.

7) Despite the stresses, I easily made my November £5 a day target (haven't worked out how much yet, but it was about £180 I think). I have nowhere near done this in December, but this is no surprise since have had no internet and all my time has been spent making christmas pressies! Back in gear in January when I find more stuff to sell!

Shoe_Gal

Hi Raquela - lovely to see you back and sounding positive

Raquela

howdy y'all - if anyone is still reading that is (Hi Shoe Gal!)!

Christmas eve here, I still have 1/4 of one present to knit, almost half of another, and most of someone i won't see til after christmas - oh dear! and I have to find time to bake today as well!

Forgot to mention that my old property managers have done a runner, and are now being investigated by the police; was in the evening news the other day. What a stupid idiot. He owes my old landlord 3 months worth of rent that I had paid, and owes me my deposit. My old landlord is such a good guy that he's given me a cheque for the deposit I am owed, so I won't be out of pocket, but I'm so so annoyed that I have paid all this money and it hasn't been given to my landlord.

Have been doing my sums, and on my current wage, I am about £110 short per month come January on my budget without revising my DMP. I don't really want to revise my DMP as technically I'm no longer in arrears and pay over the minimum, it's just that the interest has been frozen. My new budget allows for me making £100 on top of my wages every month, which I'm hoping I can do via surveys / amazon / ebay etc. I just don't think I can stretch it to £210 to make up the shortfall! I have no room for manouveure in my bills unfortunately, but am trying to think of what else I could do to make up the deficit. My food budget is now £85 a month, and even though I stretch everything using the tips on here, and buy cheap etc, I really struggle to get it below this amount (probably due to the fact I have to use soy milk and can't eat a lot of white flour products and wholewheat pasta is slightly more.. grr. Why is brown rice also more than white?!

Will have to think of a few more money making schemes! Don't really want to get some pub shifts as there is no non-spit and sawdust pub in walking distance, and I would definitely have to keep the car for safety, and I'm thinking of getting rid of it, as this would help the budget! So far have thought of audio books, and trying to sell my music online. I need to start designing my own knitting patterns too, but am scared ;-) Feel like I'm too much of a novice to go down that route yet!

Oops, forgot to explain why I don't want to revise my DMP - if I start showing up as in default, I can't work where I do - losing my job would obviously create far more problems!!

hypno06

Happy Christmas Raquela!! I am glad that you have successfully moved, and am sure that all the budgeting issues etc will get themselves sorted over the next few weeks as you settle in.

Shoe_Gal

Hi Raquela

Good luck with your budget - I'm sure you'll work something out

Happy Christmas :xmassign: