From ill health to better wealth

nikki2002-2008

Well as I was such a night owl last night I checked my bank at midnight and finally had a payment of £52 from the csa (wonders will never cease) so after dropping dd of at school I went to the charity shop. I bought the coat I saw and was a bit cheeky they had one pair of George jeans for £4.50 :eek: until I pointed out they were the same as the £4 ones in asda so the nice lady gave them to me for £2 I got two t-shirts for £1 each and 2 cardigans for £3 each so £15.50 lighter and I have a good bit of clothes and finally feel better. This experience has taught me between need and want and I think I need to carry this forward. The first installment for my TV licence has gone out too I was wondering weather to get rid of the TV and save the money, I have never lived without a tv though lol.

I'm scared about Wednesday but I will tell you all after it's happened and how it went. Anyone who prays send a little pray for me for wednesday I won't sleep until it's over but I will be OK.

I only need to pay the gas and elec this month which goes out on the 28th, I am so proud that all my bills are being paid and we are happy and me and dd are closer than ever before.

I might be skint but life is good lol.:)

nikki2002-2008

Next door have just been round and asked me if I would clear their front and back garden if they paid me. I was bored the other day and cleared my back garden and cut all the bushes back, didn't cost me a penny but looks so much better now. They saw what I had done and offered me £50 to do theirs now the question is do I declare it to DWP as it will be cash in hand.

I have planted some pepper seeds today from a pepper I got in the supermarket did this last year and although I only got 3 peppers per plant they were all free lol so 4 for the price of 1. I use lots of pepper I am going to try some chilli ones too. Looking forward onwards and upwards.

Sessie

A very warm welcome to the Board Nikki,

As others have said there will be a wealth (forgive the pun!) of ideas and helpful people here to assist you on your way back up.

Remember this saying:

The darkest hour is just before dawn.

I like it a lot. It reminds me that yes, things might be bad now but soon they will start to get brighter and it won't be long before the sun is shining on you again.

Take care of you and your daughter. Having each other makes you rich beyond anything.

x

nikki2002-2008

Ty sessie I know I feel better than I did last night amazing what a couple of hours sleep can do lol

startagain_2

Hi nikki and welcome.

I am sorry to hear of your awful year and let's hope things start improving for you.
Where do you live that you don't pay rent or a mortgage but have high utility bills? I think your water bill seems to be very high and a meter should be a real bonus in saving some cash.
If you don't have carpets then that won't help with the cost of heating your place either. Do you have a local carpet warehouse where you can buy remnants fairly cheaply and perhaps do a room at a time. It is amazing what a difference it makes to have one room nicely decorated (even cheap paint) and cosy. You can do the rest later on. I am not up on these things but do they not do grants or loans for carpets or furniture from the Benefits office? Are you in social housing?
As for the garden clearing, well done you and think of it as one of your positives for the day, along with the unexpected cash in your bank account. :T
It is up to you and your conscience as to whether you declare it or not. In my experience "trying to do the right thing" leads to so much bother with benefit payments that I would think twice over a one off, small payment such as that. It is your decision, however.
I am glad you are feeling more cheerful and have managed to expand your wardrobe! Good on you.
Best wishes
SA

nikki2002-2008

I'm on ESA at the moment so the rent and council tax are paid for me. I tried for a comunity care grant but unfortuantly the kind help of people meant I didn't get any help as I have the basics the only money I got was for a bed for dd from social services. Things are looking up. My water meter is being fitted today so that might help, I don't have the heating on while dd is at school and just wrap up. I now have my new coat to keep me warm . My mum have got me a load of cardboard from Morrison's so going to lay it like a carpet might help with the heat.

Thanks for your kind messages makes you feel better when you have support.

EssexHebridean

Wow! You sound SO much better today than yesterday! I'm pleased things are looking brighter.

Sounds to me like you are going to clear your neighbours garden out of the goodness of your heart, and in return they might be about to give you a £50 gift as they have seen that you are struggling?! How lovely of them!

nikki2002-2008

lol that's a good way of looking at it essex. It is amazing how a little bit of unexpected money and a new coat makes a difference. I am warm and dd will stop worrying about me now bless her heart she kept offering to walk to school herself so I could stay warm.

Last night I needed a sound off and a bit of sleep and today looks so much better. I made a list of food I have and realise that apart from bread, milk and fresh fruit I really don't need much until next month. The fact I have planted seeds makes me feel better I don't know what it is about plants they make me feel better, someone once told me plants are like kids you look after them, keep them warm love them and they give you more back than you could imagine lol.

I might ask next door if I can use a bit of their garden to grow veg as they have no interest in it and I have only a small garden but have ear-marked half of it for growing.

Pinky15

Aww Nikki - I really couldnt not post when I read your diary - it really brings tears to my eyes! You really sound like you have had a rough time - so sending hugs. Keep your chin up and keep posting you will get lots of help and support on here xxx

startagain_2

Sorry if I missed it, but are you in social housing? I am a tenant of a housing authority and they have a scheme that decorates homes for very little providing the tenant comes below a certain income level. I am sure you would qualify for that.
Good luck with the garden clearing, don't do too much and put your back out......
SA