Story of one man's LONG road to financial recovery

turbo.jet

Thanks my DFWBud... Thanks for being happy for me. I hope I can continue to encourage you and provide useful tips!

Skint_but_Optimistic

Delighted for you!

The lessons you have learned will help you forever. Im going to be here for at least another 30k of debt and after that til I have saved enough for a yacht. :-) Dont blame you for hanging about.

turbo.jet

Thanks Skint Appreciate your comments.

ampersand

A kiwi subscriber here, turbo[and twice your age].

You've done wonderfully. You might want to read moneywaster2007's Savings Log of a 26yr old on low pay to realise how lucky your earnings make you, too. He hasn't posted for a bit, which is slightly concerning.

Don't disdain the Old Style Moneysaving Threads, for recipes and cheapie tips. I feel a lateral thinker lurks about you and that is a bonus. You should be able to do more good things aided by what you learn there.

I'm presently saving for a trip back to NZ, but with only OAP, plus some Antique Fairs[and have to save for high stand costs], ebay etc, so - just remember, even to be in well-/reasonably paid work is a plus in these times.

Back to true/new beginnings - the Key is that you have a clean slate[OR WILL DO WHEN YOU FINALLY STOP SMOKING] . . .read moneywaster on this, too.

I'm sounding like Len Goodman...all in all, WELL DONE!

turbo.jet

Thanks Ampersand, loud and clear!

I haven't made a song and dance about this as I'm a bit superstitious, but I plan to stop smoking on Sunday the 9th.

I defintely don't disdain the old-style boards. It may be called old style but it my new style of living!

Saving is addictive. I have a running start in my Christmas and Australia fund so far, hope to have a really good amount by Christmas day. Aiming to do Christmas as frugally as possible (already booked hotel on Christmas night near my Sister's house for £19!! )Which will leave me in good stead to get my Aus tickets next year. The thought of buying something and eating into that figure turns my stomach now.

And finally, yes, I appreciate I am on a good salary and don't take this for granted. It angers me a bit (but I don't do 'regret') that I allowed myself to get into the situation I did. If all my debt repayments and interest had been savings I'd be in such a different place now. Live and learn though, and I really do feel so well armed to deal with future finances now than I ever did, or ever would have had I been bailed out by silverspoon parents or something.

Thanks again for your comments.

TJ

Aiming_High

:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T:T

YEAH!!!! Well done. :beer:

We've just phoned Lloyds this morning over an old loan and were surprised to find we had PPI on it...our claim has started today. :cool:

turbo.jet

Oh cool AH... please do keep me posted on how you go. Its a LOOOOOOOOONG process but SO worth it.

Thanks for your words too. I still feel a bit bad posting about it on the DFW board, as so many people are still on their journey - but am hoping I can inspire others. I really want everyone to feel how I feel today

Aiming_High

Why not post on the DFW board, it's the motivation people need.

They've said about 12-16 weeks. The claim has been accepted on the phone, but they'll send out a letter of confirmation in the post. They've said we don't have to do much else at the moment, it's all automated. Did you find you had to do a lot of chasing etc?

turbo.jet

Not at all, I didn't do any chasing whatsoever. Because I didn't expect to get anything I just sent off my initial complaint forms and then did nothing else. I got one acknowledgement (they sent me the same blank forms back that I'd already completed in case I hadn't completed them yet - obviously a standard thing - which I ignored) and then another letter saying they were still looking into it. I still didn't think I'd be getting anything so ignored this too. Next thing was an offer letter. You could have knocked me down!

I need to look for the date I sent off the original complaint and compare it to the date I got it upheld, but it felt like about 4 months. Sounds like you've short-cut this.

Aiming_High

Cool thanks. From what I've heard it's an easy progress just a waiting game. Much better than the bank charges from a few years ago.

I'm surprised we had PPI on anything to tell you the truth as we've never taken it as a rule..hubby doesn't believe in it. I'll definitely have it back though, as it's all money off our debts.