July benefit challenge -here we go

sammy115

Hi you lot

Just checking in to see how you are getting on, and I am pleased that you seem to be sticking with it.

I am struggling in some ways, up down, up down. Got some freelance work. Got paid for it and the money went into a black hole, as the bank had closed my account and forgotten to tell me. It went into their banking system and three weeks later I am still waiting for the money.. In one way its good, I can't spend it on the other hand I am so angry at the way the bank are behaving, and I want to pay one of my credit cards off. I am still waiting for the Inland Revenue to get my tax right following my job going awol in Jan. Tax credit people are also on my list, as are the benefit office.

Mortgage money also went astray in April and whilst the Insurance company have upheld my complaint and are going to pay the money again, they made the cheque out in the wrong name, so my mortgage payment has been adrift for three months!!

Lastly sky have got my bill wrong every month for the last six months. but i complained and have got sky half price for six months as well as £20 off my last bill and some vouchers.

I have been too busy writing complaint letters to organise my shopping, although I am being careful.

Keep up the good work

tru

Sammy I hope it gets sorted

Just smoked my last cig :eek:

jessicamb

troo wrote:

Sammy I hope it gets sorted

Just smoked my last cig :eek:

:eek: :eek: :eek: me too.

Are you giving up permanently Troo or just while you are on the benefits challenge?

jazzyjustlaw

Just wanted to say what an absolutely great thread. I have been on benefits - a long time ago. Em and Troo are an inspiration.

tru

Permanently :eek:

jessicamb

troo wrote:

Permanently :eek:

Good luck you. How are you doing it? I've been reading the Allen Carr book and I've got a hypnosis CD to listen to.

What are you going to do with the money you've saved? Are you using some of it as rewards or is it all going off the debt?

jazzyjustlaw

I gave up smoking 4 years ago. It took me three attempts the first time I was ill couldnt sleep, sick etc. I tried patches for one day - no good tried gum - yuck.

First - you need to decide why you want to give up.

Mine were the following:-

Foul taste
Made paintwork dirty
Controlled my life
cost a fortune
concerns over diseases
Companies make money out of it

I just chewed over the above and decided I didnt want my mouth to taste yuck, wanted my paintwork clean, did not want to do everything around fags and have three on my way to work. I was fed up with taking a tenner out each day and spending it, I had problems breathing and it naffed me off that people were getting rich at my expense - that should do it!!

tru

jessicamb wrote:

Good luck you. How are you doing it?

I just stopped, cold turkey. Well it hasn't kicked in yet but I know it will

I'm going to buy a pushbike with the money cos I hate the bus.

tru

Jazzy, I'm probably doing it for the wrong reason - I want the money

I spent £10 per week on cigs.

jessicamb

troo wrote:

Jazzy, I'm probably doing it for the wrong reason - I want the money

I spent £10 per week on cigs.

Past tense already - very well done. Mines more like £30 at normal prices. I just cant justify spending more on cigarettes than on food.