Tales from a country cottage

ani*fan

Hey Igamogam
Good to see you too.
I'm trying to get back to all my debt-busting ways, which include visiting this site regularly, but it's taking me a while.
I'm thinking a new year's special effort will be on the cards. I'm definitely looking forward to that time. 2012 has been the worst year of my life. So the idea of a fresh new beginning is appealing right now.

ani*fan

My debt busting efforts today will be:

Taking a packed lunch to work
Getting my expenses done (due over £200)
Buying petrol at the cheapest place

Yesterday when I paid one of my credit cards online I overpaid by £5. I've never really done that before, I only ever overpay the target card, but then I was determined to try and save that fiver from elsewhere so it really is an extra debt payment.

Wonder what other wee things I could do?

Igamogam

have yuo tried the PAD challenge - paymment a day. I made a determined effort last month and was pleasently surprised how quickly it adds up and I didnt notice the difference in my purse! Lots of different techniques to it. You can create your own rules. if you havent done so already take a look at the thread:)

ani*fan

I looked at the PAD thread a good while ago. I love the idea of it, mostly because it meant I had debt repayment on my mind every single day and not just at the start of the month when the cash comes in. I will have another look and a think about how to work it. I hate those letters from my credit card people saying 'we've noticed you only make the minimum payment every month...would you like us to help you? What about a debt management organisation?' They put me in a rage cos if the interest rates weren't as crazy I could pay more.

ani*fan

I have woken up today with a LOT on my mind. Things are feeling really out of control.
It started on monday when my manager approached me sheepishly and informed me she had had a letter from my professional body saying I was no longer registered to practice and would need to stop doing my work. I was all 'whaaaaattt???' She was very understanding as I thought back over the last few months, closing my joint account with OH and how I thought I had moved all my direct debits. Turned out I missed one, the £30 required every quarter to stay registered. I wanted to burst into tears but didn't. It got sorted in the end, a colleague needs to take me on as a trainee for the 2 weeks until my application is processed. But still, it totally threw me and I'n now wondering what else I've forgotten.
Reading through the diaries, and about people checkingtheir electricity bills, I remembered I got a bill for £50 about a month ago and haven't paid it. Need to get on to that.
Also I have been offered overtime at work, but haven' t been doing it for the last few weeks so obviously can't claim for it. But I really need the money and how stupid to miss such an opportunity?
It seems like life is getting out of hand. When uni is going well, all my reading and assignments done, I drop the ball at work. And vice versa.
I realise I've been through a terrible time but still, it's not like me to be so unorganised. And the debt, I thought I had learned new skills for life but with this bonus arriving I just seem to be frittering it away. (£50 on 2 pairs of winter boots. Granted I need them but still, I didn't think first or shop around.)
I also got a call from Santander telling me that the direct debit I set up with them has not been arranged and that I need to call their head office.
When I go into work I sit staring at my computer. Things are a little crazy.
I need a plan. And I need to make it right now.

ani*fan

In addition to all of that, having quit smoking months ago, now I have started buying the odd 10 pack this week and smoking like mad.

I had also joined a slimming world group to get rid of the excess quit smoking weight (10lbs) and having lost 8 of them I'm now off the wagon and munching chocolate again.

I don't feel so good about all of this. I was doing so well and it's all crumbling away.

ani*fan

Here's the plan for today.

• Find the electricity bill and pay it in my lunch break.
• Phone Santander and get the direct debit sorted out.
• Get my application to re-register sent off.
• Realise I'm back to square one with smoking and force myself through the 3 day withdrawal. It's not too hard. I've done it a million times and I've only relapsed for a week, and not even every day.
• Get my overtime booked in this week. There is still time to get it done.
• Apply for my expenses.
• Get my car booked in for it's MOT due at the end of this month.
• Remember that this will all pass and things are actually ok. I have a good job, my family and friends are all well and I have brilliant plans for Chirstmas.

ani*fan

And more importantly than everything, check the money. Check the bills are being paid, check how much I have left for this month and get rid of the rest of my bonus by paying MiL.

ani*fan

Also, in a moment of madness I went to an info event about becoming a slimming world consultant. I figured it might be good to have a back up plan for when my work try to sack me again. I have an interview tonight at 8pm but it's a bit of a distance away. I could do without it right now but I figured since my application is in, I may as well get this next step done so that I have some choices.

Also, it's nearly time to apply to do my PhD training. This comes with a paid training post which is almost the same salary I'm on now. Fingers crossed I get it because it looks more stable than my current work and would at least be 4 years of reliable wage. In my usual style, I'm not just applying for it in Scotland, I'm aplying in London and the north of england too. Nothing to keep me here really with me and OH separated. My friends are scattered all over the place too so theoretically I could move. Just not sure I want to. However, it is good to have choices.

It would be helpful to have as much of the debt as possible paid off before that starts.

NewLeaf_2

I think deffo go to the SW consultant thing. I will PM you