We are about to pull the purse strings soooo tight!

Alice_in_Poorland

wot-a-mess - Thank you, I shall check that post out.

Itsadogslife - When we are debt free we can look back at these days and say 'been there, done that, never again'!!!

I know our friends have all had to cut back too. We have stopped buying Christmas gifts for our friends and their children, only do birthdays now. I also put a lot more thought into buying a gift than I used to, and after all it's the thought that counts.

On ebay just waiting for an echeque to clear then can post the last item on Monday. I am going to try and put another batch of stuff on over this weekend too.

Also this weekend me and OH will sit down and do the budget for December, I really don't want to go down the CCCS route but I don't know why. I am sure we can sort it out ourselves so will give it another couple of months (the most difficult months with Christmas and that!!) and see how it goes.

On the plus side i tried a few of the clothes that I haven't been able to get into and even after my 5lb weight loss (I know but it's a start only 3trillion lbs to go) they fit a lot better, still not good enough for me to wear them but another 5lb and I reckon I'll have at least another 3-4 outfits to wear.

Anyway must get on.xx

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Hi Alice keep your spirits up you are doing so well. I have the same thoughts as you regarding other peoples spending. I know some people like that and we may see them on here one day . I suppose people who have no debt have a high disposible income also.
I have also scrated around for petrol money and my hubs is weekly paid so i know exactly where you are.
I am on dmp hubs self dmp both going well. Its the sign of the times now and creditirs know this and are much more compliant.
Take care xxx

Alice_in_Poorland

Yippee I have been paid (yesterday) which I was so looking forward to but have spent the last 48hrs in bed with some sort of flu bug so I have been unable to sort the budget out.
I did make a payment over the phone last night for the loan that brings that back upto date.
I must get the budget sorted and meal plan done.
xx

Alice_in_Poorland

Budget done, not looking good but at least everything should be paid.

OH has done food shop today so that's sorted.

That leaves just enough money for petrol, kids bus fare and a few pounds for basics like milk and bread until next thursday.

Phew that will do for tonight, still feeling rough so having an early night. Feeling a bit teary about our finances but think that is more to do with this cold bug thingy I've got. xx

wot-a-mess

Alice I think this is the worst time of the year for everything including debt-busting & not feeling great. The festive season is looming & it is expensive even when cutting back plus the weather is horrible, it gets dark early & half of britain seems to have a cold, flu or bug. Keep u're chin up

Alice_in_Poorland

Thank you for your kind words wot-a-mess. I'm feeling much better today

We have a bit of sunshine too.

There is a little rumour that we maybe having a little bonus (word on the street is £50) which will certainly come in handy. I think we will be paid earlier this month, still trying trying to find out what date.

Right back on track with this debt busting. xx

yummymummy2012

Thank god for pay day, December always seems to be an uphill struggle, you are not alone and at least on here we can support each other through it. Fingers crossed for the bonus coming through and hope you are feeling better today x

Alice_in_Poorland

Aaargh I've had a relapse with this cold thing I've got, made worse by the fact that I miscalculated our money and some how, not sure how I forgot about paying the council tax and utilities on Monday.

So that means that 3 of the CC's are just going to have to wait. Will phone them to advise.

Also my OH doesn't seem to be as interested in all this debt busting. He had a call (infront of his works mates!!!) from his CC company yesterday chasing payment which of course he wasn't pleased about.

Last night I said we can work it out (somehow) and this was just a blip and perhaps if he took more of an interest he could see what was what. He said he knows he should get more involved but he never has but when I suggested that maybe we should contact CCCS he said no we can work it out.......talk about going round in circles!!

Oh well going to have a potter around the house today and do some tidying up. Plus got some soup to make with some bargain 20p veggies and could do with putting a last lot of stuff on ebay before Christmas.

Right rant over going to get on. xx

Alice_in_Poorland

and thing just keep getting worse.................OH's car not running properly. Think it could be the plugs or that fact that he keeps on running it on 'red' and that some muck from the bottom of the petrol tank has come through. He's gone to football so he will have a look when he gets home.

I've tried to check our bank accounts but although the balance is reduced it doesn't show which DD's have come out. I will have to get up tomorrown mega early and check.

I have spoke to 2 of my CC companies and advised them of the date I can pay. My OH needs to speak to Virgin but can't find any number that lets you speak to a human.

On the plus side have done loads of house work, just got the bathroom to do. Made some homemade soup with bargain veg, hung washing out (but it has just started rain, hope it blows over) to save using TD.

Hopefully we can get our heads together and sort this blip out. There was me promising I would keep track of every penny during December. I'm sure we can do this. xx

Itsadogslife_2

Hi Alice,

Unfortunately I think sometimes men just use that "keep calm and carry on" mentality (either that or burying head in sand). I felt many times that OH was on board, but not fully understanding the situation. He has got it eventually but it took a lot more of what he probably thought of as nagging before that penny dropped and things finally sunk in.

I tried to dry a load of washing on the line today but it was out all day and still wasn't dry - just bloomin freezing cold and damp.

I definitely think that if the creditors are chasing you, you should maybe consider contacting someone like CCCS. Our debts are huge, but we make all of the minimum payments on time every month. Once you start missing payments and getting chased, I think it is time to re-evaluate.

Men are numpties sometimes (women can be too.....) :cool: