The cutting out/cutting down alcohol thread (part 7)

SimIsOnTheUp

shaggydoo wrote: »

You might get one on Freecycle.

Great idea!

Hadn't even thought of this, thanks

SimIsOnTheUp

Marru wrote: »

Sim - Nationaldebtline has also lots of template letters but wait first before talking to CAB. What you could do is to send letters to those who are chasing you telling that you are seeking advice - I am sure template for this is on National Debline website.

I can only identify four areas that you might be able to save some money: electricity, water, mobile and groceries. See if you are able to change electricity provider (don't get me started on n-p0wer :mad:) and get cheaper tariff, also are you on meter? if so your bill should be less than this (I have one adult and a child and washing machine on most days and pay less), see if you can downgrade your phone - see how much you really need to use it and find cheaper way - I have 200 free minutes which are more than sufficient for me and pay £20.-, you know yourself that you don't have £170 for groceries as when the money runs out that is the first you have been cutting down. I am sure there are peeps here that are more apt than me to give advice on this.

Have you checked if you are entitled to council tax benefit? There is a good website for checking stuff like this.

Must do my own DCA letter writing shift now - they are all w@nkers - don't take it personally.

Great one Marru re, sending an initial letter to the DCA's, advising them that I'm seeking advice. Makes sense, thanks. Do you think I should send these, before I see the CAB on 12th May?

Re Electric, yep, nPower are a nightmare to deal with!

They did however, after much negotiating, and phone calls to them, agree to remove my pre - payment meter (after only being in for 7 months) in March. So, they didn't have to take that out, but they did, and now I have a 'normal' Electric meter in.

I called nPower about 2 weeks back, and the lady there worked out, that I'll need to pay £12.00 per week, for my current Electric usage (going by my previous 12 months bills) PLUS a minimum of £3.30 per week, towards the debt = £15.30 per week minimum

Not sure if I could go elsewhere with the nPower debt of (approx) £700??

More than anything, I need to contact them today, as I really can do without them putting the Prepayment meter back in!

You're right also re phone - I'm going to try and negotiate with Vodafone today also.

Re food, I'm going to have to learn to be a much better cook! :rotfl:

Council Tax Benefit - I already get this (I included it in my Income), and it pays the Council Tax in full.

Your comment regarding the DCA's cracked me up. Needed this today!
Are Wescot reasonable?

I'm just annoyed that Wescot have decided (Lord knows why), to send weekly letters to my Dad's address. I haven't lived there in nearly 2 years!

What's interesting is, as I've just read only this morning, on MSE (Thanks Martin!) is that once the CAB / Debt charities write to the DCA's, they legally have to give you 30 days breathing space.

Is this 100% correct?

Cheers,

Sim x

SimIsOnTheUp

PS - Marru,

Good Luck with your DCA letter writing!

SimIsOnTheUp

PPS - Do you type them / hand - write them?

69chick

I am really not up on any of this regarding debts etc (not that I don't have loads just still juggling them !)

anyway would it be a good idea for Sim to handwrite the letters as he now has all the facts together to say that he is taking advice and that he has a CAB appointment lined up etc. that way the letters would be on their way asap..

Also would CAB or other agencies do the letters for him after that? or would another option be going to a library to use a computer/printer (don't even know if that can be done)...

Well done Sim though on staying sober this week....that can only be a very good and positive thing, there is definitely help out there regarding your debts so keep at it....

If you are looking for inspiration for cheap and nourishing meals, the old style board is great for that...I could spend hours and hours on there getting tips...

Good luck Sim, you really are doing great x

Jo, meant to ask how is your new job?

Thanks for the snoopy hugs Shaggy I am the same as you, have only drunk at the weekend for the last few weeks and I actually feel bigger!! I know I am still snacking too much, but thought with the no wine in the evenings and the lack of the usual 'munchies' that goes with it I might have at least felt a bit less bloated....oh well maybe it will catch up with us soon

Have a great day all, I don't work on a Friday...so am about to take my twins to a play centre.....(I know which will be the hardest work out of my job and today lol, especially as I need to do a food shop with them later!!!

Hugs x

Lurkio

69chick wrote: »

If you are looking for inspiration for cheap and nourishing meals, the old style board is great for that...I could spend hours and hours on there getting tips...

I do

morning all..... finishing the month on 16 - which is pretty good for me, I think. It was a whole heap better for me to have lots of small targets (4 day challenge) than to have one big one for the month, so I'll stick with that. Do we have a scorer for next month? If so, no target for me please

Sim - sorry mate, can't help with that stuff.... wouldn't know where to begin with advice, but as a genral rule, I would think if you tried to manage everything at once it would get overwhelming, so break it down in to manageable chunks.... "today I am going to sort x and y - that's it!" tomorrow can be the next thing etc. If you do it in ones and twos, you'll get a sense of acheivement, which will inspire you to do more (hopefully) - good luck anyway


I am away this weekend - first in a series entitled 'my mid-life crisis' :rotfl: those who know, know results may be posted somewhere (FB, youtube) if they are any good

Enjoy yourselves if I don't reappear today - be good. and if you can't be good, get a good lawyer

Pippilongstocking

shaggydoo wrote: »

Fay



Shaggy

Hey thanks

And for all the lovely wishes as well I thank you lots -

I hope you're all good - my OH being around means I can't get online much - xx

I am sure this will settle down.

budget_babe

shaggydoo wrote: »

fay



shaggy

from me too fay, sorry i wasn't online last night. Hugs and lots of love. (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

lurkio wrote: »

i do

so do i :o:o

i am away this weekend - first in a series entitled 'my mid-life crisis' :d :rotfl: Those who know, know results may be posted somewhere (fb, youtube) if they are any good

enjoy yourselves if i don't reappear today - be good. And if you can't be good, get a good lawyer

you are very chipper today dear lurky, i am not in the know, know??? But what ever it is have a fabby time. Hugs matey and take care. (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

off to catch up properly now, sim hugs and well done on getting your head around all of this, and for staying sober too. (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

away to catch up on you all
budgie xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lurkio

budget_babe wrote: »

you are very chipper today dear lurky,

Must be all that mucky beer I'm NOT drinking :J :J

Hope you're well, budgie

SimIsOnTheUp

Thanks for your support on here guys.

I really want to be able to repay my ex - Girlfriend all of the money she's lent me - £1,458.00

I've set up a Standing Order, for £5.00 per week, starting next week.

Just wish I could repay her, all of it, today :-/

She's really helped me out. Wish I could make it up to her straight away, but it's going to take me a while to get straightened out :-(