60k debt - anyone else with one? - Got a new job!! :D

owessomuch

Shame that link didn't work. I was shocked when I was able to get mine because I live in the sticks and we're always the last to get anything!

I'm going to USA on holiday, didn't pay for it by the way by BF did. If I was paying my next holiday would be 2020!!

Well done on the over payments, I'm just about managing minimum payments this month so I will really have to make up for it in the new year.

I just wondered if you are on any DMP or have gone through CCCS? If so have you been with them a long time?

owessomuch

Hey Brassic

I'm so happy I've won back my back charges :T I can't believe it!

So you must get on and wirte you letters now hun

I'm helping out all of my family this weekend to make their claims!

Really pleased as this has helped out the holiday spending money no end :cool:

Brassic

Awww, that's excellent news - congratulations!

I will do it this weekend - really I willl

Brassic

Hi all,

Owesomuch, are you on holiday yet? Hope you're enjoying it if you are!

Thought I'd do an update - am struggling a little but it goes without saying I guess.

Have had a nsd today, as money is very tight at the moment - always is around this point of the month. Have to spend a bit tomorrow for firework display but only a tenner and the kids are so looking forwards to it. Have 188 quid to go out before dh's money goes into our account, and only 62 quid in said account atm - but, I get paid about 100 before then and have 25 quid refund due to go in too so hopefully will cover it. Tips should cover bread and milk - so just got 3 days worth of dinners to find in the mean time and kids will be away for those 3 days with nanny so beans on toast it is (money goes in in 8 days time).

I was quite depressed about this, as my aim was to only spend what our main wages bought in - and put all my evening wages into overpayments for loans etc, and now it's just going on day to day stuff. But, then I realised that last month I'd managed to go 47 quid overdrawn, so incurred 30 pounds worth of charges too. That, with the 45 quid on shoes, just about evens things up (nearly). AND, I'm determined not to incur any charges this month!

I've learnt a valuable lesson though - overpayments happen at the end of the month - not the beginning!!!

Oh - and am feeling proud cos I've drafted out the next letter for my bank charges reclaim - just have to figure out the pesky interest to get the final figure and will send it off tomorrow - YAY!

Talking about owesomuch going on holiday got me to thinking what we are going to do with the kids next year whilst living on a shoestring. We are currently on the look out for a cheap bike rack for the car so we can go exploring on our bikes as the elder 2 both love their bikes atm and baby loves it in the back. Hubby and I talked it over and got in touch with my mum who has a great trailer tent we used to use to go on holiday with but is now doing nothing in their garage. She's agreed to give it to us to use, and pay for a towbar to go on the car for our xmas prezzie. So long as boss doesn't mind me having every other Sat off in the bar, we're all set to go whizzing around the east midlands camping come spring time - yay :j Should be fun with an 20 month old :rolleyes: :rotfl:

Right, hope you're all well, and the debts are going down. I'm off to bed now to make the most of an early night. Night night.

owessomuch

Hey Brassic

I'm still here I'm not going until next week!

Sorry to hear you were feeling a bit down. I understand what you mean about overpayments. I tend to get a bit excited about paying extra off my debts and then end up leaving myself short

I'm still worrying about having enough money to take on holiday with me, I know I should feel grateful that I haven't had to pay for the holiday but it keeps running through my head that I could be using that money to pay off one of my debts! Although I do think I need a holiday, my friends and family keep telling me this and I can't even remeber the last time I went.

Your plans for next years holidays sound like alot of fun, where I live there are some fab bike tracks, with loads of outdoor activities, if you enjoy the countryside that is!

Anyway I had better do some work now

I'll speak to you soon

Cantdance_2

Hello guys, just wanted to poke my nose in as my wife and I also owed nearly 60K at our worst but we're under 50K now and things are looking up! Sensible spending, switching suppliers and most importantly selling our car were the big things that really helped!

It's good to have some support from other people here so keep at it!

James

Brassic

Hey Cantdance.

Thanks for the post - and well done on getting under the 50k mark - I can't wait for that milestone It's good to hear a positive story - and I'll just have to work hard at catching you up now

Owesomuch, try not to feel to guilty about the holiday - remember to take into account that you won't have home food costs, remember to switch off all your electrics etc whilst you are away and just make sure it's a MSE holiday when it comes to spending - have a great time!

Brassic

Well, just thought I'd do a quick update - have posted off my preliminary letter today to kick off the process for reclaiming my bank charges. They now have 14 days to respond/get the money back to me before I send them the letter before Action.

:O

Right, back to the grindstone for the time being.

Came back and Edited to add : Have chased the CRB folks about our enhanced criminal record checks which I need for my childminding venture (certifcate supposed to be here end of September!) It's apparently still with the police, but it's been put on the CRB fast track, and it's all OFSTED are waiting for so hopefully not too much longer before I can start advertising for that too which could mean a bit more extra money coming in.

owessomuch

Hi Brassic

Can I just say WOW! Good for you all of these positive steps you are taking, you're gonna be debt free before you know it :T

Brassic

Hmmm, not sure whether I've done really well, or really badly this weekend :rolleyes:

Went out to get dd1's b'day prezzie on Sunday. This is what we ended up buying.

2 x jumbo colouring books (for stockings) - £2
3 x fluffy butterfly pens (for stockings) - £1
3 x packs of chocolates (for stockings) - £3
1 x jumbo pack of crayons (for childminding venture) - £1
1 x pack of hair clips/bands/scrunchies etc (for stockings) - £1
1 x pack of 24 mini candles (for hampers) - £1
1 x clothes horse (my leccy bill is huge this month so I want to not use tumble drier anymore - £9.99
1 x pack of 4 craft packs (2 for dd1s b'day, 2 for chrimbo) - £12.99
2 x cards - £3.

Total - £24.98

And today I spent 12.99 in the charity shop on a coat for me (needed a waterproof one as I don't use the car anymore (advertised it in local rag last week to come out this week as man down pub wouldn't pay enough :rolleyes: ))

On the plus side, the first £9 came out of my tips from the pub - result!

So, still hadn't got dd1s b'day prezzie - but a man in the pub who works for people in the know thinks he can help us with that one, so hopefully that's sorted too <mops brow>

On the continuing Chrimbo theme, got dd3's prezzie sorted - a trike from a friend who bought it new and hasn't had it long - £10. Gonna get her a loada lego from another friend and a couple of other bits and bobs so she'll be done and dusted.

Need to get dd2 a bike, but haven't sorted it out yet :eek: , and so far no idea what to get football mad, musical, arty and creative 8 year old dd1! Waahh. Hubby'll get what he's given and everyone else is getting hampers which we're in the process of doing (doing PYO fruit on Thursday to get some plums to do the plum jam). Dinner is at inlaws, already have decorations, so will just need a tree and we'll be sorted. :j Oh, and spending next weekend making Christmas puds - yay :j

How are you getting on Owesomuch? I guess you're on holiday now - hope you're having a fab time!