Tales from a country cottage

Igamogam

Ani...........hows things?

Igamogam

Ani????:wave:

ani*fan

Oh my word where does the time go?

I've been busy having a disaster, personally and financially. Or rather a series of small disasters that then accumulated in a big disaster.

Anyhow, this is my debt diary and all I need to record here is that my finances have changed considerably in the last couple of months. The debt has increased but I'm not sure how much by. I'm too scared to look and probably wouldn't post it here anyway.

I have an new SOA which I will post in a minute.

I'm also doing a bit of extra work and getting a bonus soon which I hope will bring the debt back down to where it was before I went awol from this site.

Honestly, this place really keeps you on track. So glad to now have internet again and be back.

Will catch up on all your diaries shortly. Igamogam...missed ya.

ani*fan

Here it is.

Income:

Wage 1600

Outgoings:

Rent 475.00 (This will reduce to £440 after 1 year)
Council tax 74.00
Electricity 50.00
Oil 50.00
Phone/internet 22.00
Mobile 10.50
TV License N/A (paid it outright)
Car insurance N/A (paid outright)
Petrol 200.00
Food 150.00

Total 1031.50

ani*fan

So there it is. The good news is that I have more coming in each month than going out. So WOO HOO :j to that.

The rent will be going down after a year due to the landlady accumulating a deposit over the first year. Which is kind of helpful really cos I didn't have to fork out for that.

The council tax is lowest tax band with single person's discount.

The electricity and oil are guestimates but I'm hoping will be pretty accurate.

I did my shopping around for internet and phone but due to my 'out in the sticks' location I culdn't get the cheapest deals but I thought £22.50 was good and the best on offer any way. That includes calls.

Petrol is the same problem as always; spend loads then claim loads back from work. £200 covered it before.

And the food bill should be halved as it's only me but somehow comfort eating has kicked in. And right now, I think I deserve it.

Igamogam

Ani! Your back:j:j And you will get back on track...I know you will:)

I am guessing the personal disaster is a split with OH? No matter now. You are back on the boards and hammering that debt again:) I slipped off the wagon a little and head has been firmly in the sand but feel a need to reignite the dairy again which I plan to do before the return to work next week:(

Knitting_Nora

Ani!

Lovely to have you back *mwah!*

And stuff whatever's been going on previously. You've drawn a line and stepped beyond it to move on - and here we all are, waiting in the wings to back you all the way *readies the big comfy chair and cups of hot drinks*.

Have you worked out where you are with the new debt? If not, remember that you're amongst friends (and we've all been there - or are there right now), so take a deep breath and add it all up.

You don't need to share the total - but you know that an accurate picture is the first part of taking back control.

S'ok...go on...you can do it....

Nora.xx

NewLeaf_2

Hey girl really happy that you are back

ani*fan

Hello my luvlies
Thanks for the welcome...knew I could depend on you all to still be here.
Well, first things first. I'm skint. Not only did I split with OH and have to move house, with all the expense that involves, but I also had to pay double rent for a while and went on a crazy shopping spree for stuff I absolutely needed to have to cheer me up. And all on credit. (Well, mostly.)
Oh dear.
I added up my total (thanks Nora for the encouragement) and it made me feel sick. I need a few weeks to post my new total, I can't bear to look at it right now.
In the meantime, I have overspent on a friends wedding present (on a credit card) and also booked a hotel room for that night which I can't afford (also on a credit card).
Thank goodness I have come to my senses now.
I've been thinking of a new plan for the next wee while. I want to pay the debt off (obviously) but I want to do it in terms of what I have bought recently. i.e. wedding present £60. Where will I find that money this month to pay that off? Hotel room £63. And so on.
May as well start with the wedding stuff so that's the challenge this month.
Would it depress you lot too if I posted my new total or would it be helpful to see it? Suddenly I'm feeling inspired to bite the bullet and do it.

ani*fan

I have a challenge coming up too. I need to go into hospital for a small procedure. Nothing major, just a skin thing. However, I need to have a general anaesthetic, so I can't drive. My pal will pick me up afterwards and bring me home but I need to find my way there.
The taxi will cost about £25. I'm thinking that's just too much.
It's half an hour walk to the nearest village where I catch a bus, then another 2 buses and all the hassle of connections, to get where I'm going.
I could probably walk to the nearest train station in about an hour then catch a train and walk again at the other end.
Hhmm.
I'm on a mission to get there as cheaply as possible, preferably for free.