71p and Three Nappies

Memory_Girl

Hello fellow DFW's

I’ve debated long and hard about starting a DFW diary – but the reality of it is, as a single Mom I think I need someone “adult” to talk to about my long and winding journey ahead.

The title refers to a previous thread on DFW - the short version of which is that my bank froze my account with them without notice, leaving me standing in their branch with two kids, 71 p and 3 nappies to my name. I can’t do links but if anyone more techie than I can maybe you could catch up there.


Here's the link :-


Memorygirl

Many thanks Scrooge2008 - told u there were some friendly helpful people here on DFW

Long and short is that I owe the bank £10,000 from a personal guarantee relating to a Limited company that we put into administration in April – and they pretty much want it all now, which to be honest isn’t going to happen as I am now on basic state benefits.

I have discovered (thanks to my DFW guru’s) that I am entitled to some help with my mortgage interest – not only that, but because they previously said no I am actually going to get it back-dated. I am literally sitting here waiting for a phone call from a friendly and sympathetic “everyday angel” in the bank who is keeping an eye open for a lodgement of £2788.25.

The additional blessing is that every four weeks I will get additional help which is more than my mortgage interest – so my solicitor has requested that they take the £2788.25 and apply it against the £10k (happy to do this as I have somehow managed to pay my mortgage every month on Income support only). Then she has requested that they take the additional funds left over from the mortgage interest and apply this to the outstanding amount – with “hopefully” the bank unfreezing my account so that I can make additional payments as and when I can.

I have everything crossed that they accept this – because the reality is that they have decided to call in the mortgage and me and my wee boys face being made homeless in January. (Remember that I am not and have never been in arrears with my mortgage so I’m not sure how long it would actually take to get us out)

Sitting here waiting for the call (since 4.30am this morning LOL) has quite frankly driven me nuts – but in a way it has been another wake up call. Looked in at my boys fast asleep in their beds and have decided that I am only beaten if I give up trying – and I owe it to my boys to be the best example that I can be.

So here I am – standing in my kitchen at the laptop!!! Time to set a few goals and to get some momentum I think. Lets see if I can do five positive things today before the bank calls me with some good news that they have accepted the lodgement into the frozen account.

1. Whizz around the house and collect all Tesco’s vouchers etc that I can find.

2. Find some empty lever arch files and paper to create my “new life” files in.

3. Rummage in old printer box to see if I have a spare cartridge to get the printer up and running.

4. Put out all bins and recycling – create some space for something new to happen.

5. Find rechargeable batteries and put them on to charge so that I can start listening to something inspiring if I am awake through the night rather than being a worrywart.

Wish Me luck!!!

Memorygirl

debtfreesomeday

Hi Memory Girl

I remember seeing your thread a while back when you had your last little'un and thinking what a positive and determined lady you were.

I really hope the bank comes up trumps with the news you want and you can rest a little easier. In the meantime, a diary is a great place to 'see you through' the highs and lows as I have discovered on my DFW journey. Without mine, I'm not sure I would've found the reason / strength to continue tackling our debts.

The very best of luck to you and I really hope things get better for you soon.
There is lots of support and suggestions on here though so pop back often!

DFSD
X

Pinky15

Just wanted to say hi and well done on addressing your problems. You are certainly getting organised.
It might be also worth doing a SOA I think there is a link on the main forum (sorry I am not very computer minded lol).
I found the level arch files were fab in getting m organised I am currenlty working on my budget for jan.
I too have little ones and it is hard being strong for them but this is why we do the things we do. Have you joined the boots parenting club too they offer lots of vouchers and extra points on nappies and wipes. I will be pleased when last one is potty trained and I won't have to buy them any more!! Take care and hope the phone call goes well for you - let us know how you get on!!!

Memory_Girl

Pinky15 wrote: »

It might be also worth doing a SOA I think there is a link on the main forum (sorry I am not very computer minded lol).

. Have you joined the boots parenting club too they offer lots of vouchers and extra points on nappies and wipes. I will be pleased when last one is potty trained and I won't have to buy them any more!! Take care and hope the phone call goes well for you - let us know how you get on!!!

Hi Pinky

I'm working on my most up to date SOA as we speak. Now that I have a new bank account and that the money is now being paid to me rather than into an account I can't access things should hopfully settle down.

Having said that, no phone call from the bank . I hope they haven't decided to something silly like bounce the payment back to the IS people. I hate to think of the running around it might take to get the payment re-done.

As for nappies, wee one was in washables - now that he is much more mobile he is in LIDL's finest :rotfl:. Wouldn't want my wee man growing up soft now would we??? Actually I find they are just as good as any others - after all, you change them as soon as they dirty them so its not as if they get a chance to leak n stuff.

Got a long way to go before DFW - stay a while and play

Memorygirl

Memory_Girl

debtfreesomeday wrote: »

Hi Memory Girl

I remember seeing your thread a while back when you had your last little'un and thinking what a positive and determined lady you were.

I really hope the bank comes up trumps with the news you want and you can rest a little easier. In the meantime, a diary is a great place to 'see you through' the highs and lows as I have discovered on my DFW journey. Without mine, I'm not sure I would've found the reason / strength to continue tackling our debts.

The very best of luck to you and I really hope things get better for you soon.
There is lots of support and suggestions on here though so pop back often!

DFSD
X

Hi debtfreesomeday

Little bubs is now 20 months old - walking n climbing n "talking" - as for me being determined, well I'll be the first to confess I had one big big wobble there. For a long time I wanted to crawl under my duvet and not come out for a very long time.

Thanks for your support - please feel free to chip in whenever you see me having ablonde moment

Memorygirl

ClootiesMum

Hi Memory Girl,

It looks like I'm just down the road from you. Best of luck in getting organised - when you manage it, let me know how - I need help too

CM

spendtoomuch

I followed your last thread and thought you were amazing! Keep us posted on the bank and I hope they accept it, you seem to be really sorting things out. x

Memory_Girl

ClootiesMum wrote: »

Hi Memory Girl,

It looks like I'm just down the road from you. Best of luck in getting organised - when you manage it, let me know how - I need help too

CM

"When I manage it" - you've got more faith in me than I have LOL. I'm just making this up as I'm going along:rotfl:

I think all I need to do is one positive thing every day - after one year thats 365 positive things. ONe day the positive thing will be my DFW date.

Take it you are close to Fife. Maybe we will meet one day ClootiesMum:beer:.

For those of you who don't speak the Scots, A Clootie is a cloth, with a clootie dumpling being a pudding boiled in a cloth and a very rare speciality here in Scotland - beloved of New Year Dinners, Weddings instead of cake - and high days and holidays. Totally calorific, totally tummy warming, totally fabulous. Real stick to your ribs kind of stuff. In fact wait a minute .........................

Knew I could find it!!!! Taaaaaaaaaadaaaaaaaaa!!!

Memorygirls Grannies Clootie Dumpling

12oz SR Flour
6 oz Atora Suet
3 oz Sugar
2 tbsp treacle
2 tsp Mixed Spice
1 tsp Cinnamon
2 cups raisins
2 cups currants

Put everything into a huge bowl - and I mean huge!!!! I actually have a bowl that only gets pulled out to mix this up every year. If you've only got "normal sized" bowls then scrub and scald out your washing up bowl so you have a sterile bowl to work with.

Use your hands to distribute the fruit through the dry ingredients.

In a jug mix equal quantities of water and milk and using the biggest wooden spoon you've got add to the dry ingredients until you have formed a thick but moist mix. Think rock scone consistency - moist enough to hold its shape but wetter than a bread dough. (Can you tell this is Granny Recipe :rotfl:)

Take your cloot!!! Use a pillow case slit down one long and one short size and lay it out flat on your draining board. TAke a kettle of boiling water and pour allover the cloth to scald it.

Whilst the cloth is still steaming flour the cloth well (this will form a crust around the dumpling). A good couple of cups should do it - but don't stint on the flour.

Tip the mix into the centre of the cloth and gather up the cloth around the dumpling and tie securely with string (don't use coloured string - remember Bridget Jones' blue soup - :rotfl::rotfl:). Leave a little room for expansion as the dumpling will grow as it cooks.

Using a large pan (I use my pressure cooker). Half fill with water and bring to a brisk boil. Float the dumpling in the water and then top up so the dumpling is 7/8ths covered in boiling water.

Cover the pot loosely and boil the dumpling for 2 1/2 - 3 hours. You will need to top up with boiling water a few times throughout this cooking period so don't forget it.

Carefully lift the dumpling out of the pan and put in a colander to drain well. After about 15 minutes it should be cool enough to cut the string and carefully peel off the cloth.

I like to dry the dumpling off in a low oven (about 150 C) for half an hour or so before leaving it to cool and then you can cut a piece quite cleanly.

This is really heavy and rich - a piece about the size of a packet a cigarettes is enough for non-greedy people, but with my extended family.

Its lovely hot - with cream, custard, brandy butter.

Cold - with or without a dab of butter and a full high tea ................ or .............. and no wonder we Scots have a reputation food wise ................ a wee slice fried and served up with a cooked breakfast.:eek:

Go on - make it this Christmas I dare you!!!!!!!!!!!

Memorygirl

pepe2008

Good luck, Memory Girl! Remember, you only fail when you stop trying!

Do the Bank hold the Mortgage?

Memory_Girl

pepe2008 wrote: »

Good luck, Memory Girl! Remember, you only fail when you stop trying!

Do the Bank hold the Mortgage?

Yeah!!! The bank holds the mortgage - Pants innit!!!!!

I'm thinking of starting a range of t-shirts that I can wear under my clothes (superman stylee) saying "I'm down but I'm not out".

What other slogans could we have I wonder

Memorygirl

boredofbeingathome

Good luck with your DFW journey-memory girl. I remember your previous thread and just echo what others have said.

As for T shirt slogans....


Life is sh*t and then i skidded in it....

i'll get me coat.

Bob x