We are about to pull the purse strings soooo tight!

Alice_in_Poorland

Today was NSD 3.:) Hopefully back on track now.

Yesterday got loads of little jobs done around the house. Feel much better now we're getting on top of things at home. Trying to keep the positivity going.

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Yesterday was NSD4.

Tonight I've spent £14 on grocery top up, £10 petrol in the other car and got £20 cash (£8 for school trip, lottery and 'just in case').

We need replace part of the exhaust on the other car. Have had a look online and found the bit we need. Will order and OH can fit it.:D

xx

brizzledfw

Good stuff. Keep him busy

We have kept the heating off too... coping at the moment as its gone mild again but also noticing washing taking ages to dry and generally like having the wood burner on in evenings..

Alice_in_Poorland

Yes brizzle keep him out of trouble.:D

Went shopping tonight, spent £64 but did get DS3 some jeans and joggers. Got petrol £25. Payment due to stepchange on Sunday, child benefit due on Monday.

Heating still off.

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Feel deflated. Had Bcard statement today and they have charged £12 late payment fee and £83 interest. I only pay £110 a month. They are also asking for £220 to bring the payments up to date. This is all from me halving the payments a few months ago.

When I had the letter from Bcard about bringing the payments up to date I spoke to stepchange they said not to worry it would be sorted. They aren't open until Monday, so do I call Bcard, do I write to them or wait and speak to stepchange on Monday?

I have had trouble with Bcard right from the start and unfortunately it is the biggest debt.

In other news......just a small spend today £4.50 at sports club (warm sausage rolls, delish ), pegged out, when we came back did some more snipping and pruning in the garden, OH trimmed the hedge, I've done some jobs around the house, cleaned out the washing machine draw....Rock n roll. :rotfl:

Xx

Eager_Elephant

I think I have mentioned Barclaycard before, as a debt adviser they used to be one of the better companies to deal with until they changed their policies on interest/charges etc for people on DMP's/reduced payments.


I would speak to Stepchange on Monday but I would also write to Barclaycard explaining the situation, enclosing a FS and mentioning the reduced payment from the other month and ask them to remove the charge.


They won't reduce the interest as you are paying more than the interest in monthly payments each month.


When you get closer to the end of the DMP I would be self-managing and then reducing Barclaycards payments down to £5pm and then interest would be frozen and then saving the difference ready to pay off.




Loving your rock n roll lifestyle - mine is very similar

Alice_in_Poorland

Thanks EE, I will do both (speak to stepchange again and write to Bcard), the had put a hold on interest until I paid the reduced payment, now it's all gone a bit pear shaped.

Did meter readings this morning, have used £32 over the last two weeks, now £35 in credit.

Did meal plan, called into shop to get some bits we needed (to complete meal plan), spent £12.

Have cash for DSs bus money £15, will put £15 on DSs dinner money card.

Today we were out and about, OH paid £1.50 for a can of fizzy pop.:eek:

Also washed the cars, have done all the ironing and vac'd/dusted everywhere.:)

Xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Right...spoke to stepchange, they are going to send Bcard a re proposal. Advised me to speak to Bcard direct to ask about the interest and late payment fee. Bcard have put the account on hold for 30days and refunded the late payment fee. Once they have the info from stepchange they will look at the interest charge. Going to call back next week.

I was on hold for ages to stepchange (luckily I was on a late start). Whilst I was on hold it made me think how vulnerable I still feel about all this debt stuff. I can still recall how hysterical I was the first time I called stepchange, I have no idea how that poor woman could understand a word I was saying.

I know i/we are dealing with our debt...and yes I know we have come a long way but I feel inferior to people now. I get the feeling I'm not good enough, like by getting into debt in the first place I somehow failed.

This post is getting very deep.:(

I'll get back to basics......today was a NSD, heating still off although have got fleece on and blanket over me. Also lit the candles, pyscologically it feels warmer.:rotfl:

We were going to sort the pile of papers that are just hanging round the side in the kitchen but I've put it off until tomorrow. OH watching the footie anyway and to be honest I'm just not in the mood to do it.

Must update sig as down to 38 payments to go......providing Bcard play nice.:o

Xx

mummytogirls

I agree Alice, candles do give the illusion of heat!!!! Were still without heating too. Keep going 38 months will just totally fly by! xx

Dolphin1

Alice_in_Poorland wrote: »

I know i/we are dealing with our debt...and yes I know we have come a long way but I feel inferior to people now. I get the feeling I'm not good enough, like by getting into debt in the first place I somehow failed.

Alice, you are by no means a failure or inferior to anyone for getting into debt. I don't know the reasons that you got into debt in the first place but I suspect it was just a matter of your circumstances at the time. It has happened to millions of people and you would probably be amazed how many people you know who are actually in the same position.

The fact is that you are dealing with your debt and in just a few years it will be gone. You have had amazing willpower and strength so far and look how far you have come. Ditch the negative feelings, stick a smile on your face and be very proud of what you have achieved because it is amazing.