MG - The Matrix Re-wired

mumsiemum

Good morning
I have been a member of MSE for a couple of years and have posted occasionally. I have changed my username for this post as my existing one gives my surname away and I don’t want people I know recognising me IYSWIM.

I too followed the thread over the weekend and am also glad you are all still here! I happened on this thread via another on MSE and have really enjoyed following your progress.

It encapulates all I have been feeling over the last few months. The positivity and support on this thread is very special and refresshing in this world of ours. To live more simply has inspired me over recent weeks and I am in the process of peeling away all the cr*p that we endure to reveal what is really important in life.

About me – well I am 51, married to a lovely DH (still has all the usual male faults though!) I have DD (16) and DS (14) .

I have suffered with depression over the last 12 years – started with post natel after DS was born. I was able to come off the medication a couple of times in the first 5 years but have been unsuccessful since. I have a very supportive GP who feels I will probably need to stay on medication for life but we are working to find a lower dose that still keeps me well. To this end I am soon to start CBT (now avaiable on NHS – couldn’t afford to pay before this).

I managed to accumulate some CC debt over the past 3 years – by not being careful with my budget and other overspending. I always used to pay of the whole balance each month but started reducing these payments when my wages reduced. I bit the bullet in September and added up all CC debt to find that it had crept up to £5647.33. I have been able to transfer the debt on to zero% deals which expire in August. In my dreams I would like to try and pay this off by the time the Zero% deal expires. If I can’t I will try and used another fixed deal. The other thing is that my DH doesn’t know about it. He is under a lot of pressure at work and I don’t want to burden him with this too (he is very anti debt)

I do have a job and, if I am really careful, I have some money each month make payments to CC. I have already managed to repay £316.63 mostly due to reading the Mattrix threads (esp the last 2). I am learning that every penny counts and have been amazed at how the money starts to add up.

I have used lots of the tips on here to achieve this – from leaving my purse at home when I go to work to using the recipes – the muffins and ginger biscuits have become favorites in our house J

With Christmas approaching I haven’t been able to pay as much off this month but have reduced the usual Christamas spening by half. As for my Christmas mojo – well I can’t only think that it must be awol with all the orther mojos that are missing on this thread! Winter isn’t a good time for me – mood wise.

I feel as if I am running out of steam and the debt remaining seems a like a mountain that I can’t summon up the enery to start climbing again. On a positive note I am now living within my means so the debt is not increasing.

I am hoping that by actually posting all this I can start to refocus and have/give support to others in similar situations. I have found it tough not having anyone to talk to about this. I hope you don’t mind me joining in?

MM

PS - not sure what I've done with the fonts on this!

greyfox

greenbee wrote: »

I wouldn't be surprised if she was in fuel poverty with the size of her heating bills


I'm pretty sure that I've read somewhere that (in terms of spending more than 10% of her income on fuel) she isn't far off!! (Found it! http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/36f46af8-fc0b-11e0-b1d8-00144feab49a.html#axzz1hA637D8M ) Poor old dear won't even be getting her Winter Fuel Payment as she isn't on DWP records (though I suppose it's possible that her OH is!)

(What follows isn't really in the spirit of this thread - as the item concerned is rather a luxury - but I need to vent!!)

Am off to do battle with Thompson & Morgan. I ordered plants on 1st December to be sent to my sister, my 89 year old Godmother and (luckily as it turned out) treated myself to one. When mine hadn't arrived after 2 weeks, I chased to find that the order had been cancelled (out of stock) but they hadn't bothered to tell me. Profuse apologies from Customer Services & I re-ordered an alternative to be sent to my Godmother (in Devon). When we got back last night, it was sitting on my doorstep (in Surrey). The only crumb of comfort was that it was such a sad specimen that I would have been ashamed for her to have had it (& she would have been far too nice to have said anything.) This late in the day, I've had to order flowers for her (from another source) which are costing twice as much as the original plant. So far, T&M have promised to refund my money but I'm planning to write to their MD & claim compensation. Wish me luck.

(Having now read MM's post, I feel bad about posting this. Welcome aboard MM. You're in the right place for friendly support.)

Lara44

Hi MumsieMum :wave:

You are welcome - sounds like you have made great progress already!

tenmah

I ordered one of the special offer plants from Thompson and Morgan for my daughter. It did arrive but like you, I was disappointed with the state of it!

maryb

Mumsiemum

There's loads of help both in this thread and DFW threads generally so cheer up. As you say, every penny matters and when you see how they add up it gets quite exciting - almost compulsive.

You might also want to look at Frugal Queen's blog (google Frugal in Cornwall) Now THAT is a woman who can pinch pennies until they squeal for mercy. Lots of ideas there as well and a good, positive read to lift your mood.

Memory_Girl

Another one for Frugal Queen - a woman of strong convictions and stronger heart.

Its official - DS2 has an ear infection, so he is on the antibiotics and off the booze for Christmas:rotfl::rotfl: ................ you do know I am kidding, right?

Two Mums with little ones in the Doctors - both about the same age and both with barking coughs.

DS2 sat on my lap, snuggled in and we read

Puffin A - Z
A Hat for Ivan and
Bambi grows up

(Our Docs has a bookshelf that is a wander down memory lane for me)

Other Mum spent all the time on her mobile and her DS ran absolute riot- ending up with nearly pulling the tree down on top of himself.

"But he won't sit to be read to" she whined

I was so tempted to ask if she had tried reading WITH him instead?? I think the Teachers amongst you will get the distinction.;)

So next project - 24 fairy cakes for the party at playgroup tomorrow.

But first - tea!!

MG

savingforarainyday

GF chocolate bar cake made ready to be turned into yule log for ds. GF golden syrup muffins made ready for icing, have had to hide these haven't even had the chance to ice these and two have gone "missing". Pastry for his sausage rolls and quiches next.

I have finished my pressie shopping. I have aimed for useful presents and things I know people enjoy, rather than extravagence. I think next year I am going to try for more home-made gifts and will start a lot earlier with my planning.

I have started my budget for next year. January is looking painful. I need to create approximately £300 extra income for the month. :eek: I think this can be do-able. Food is no problem as I have a healthy freezer and a good store cupboard. The only thing I need to replenish is my tinned stock, but I have a voucher for this.:D

I know what you mean about parents not paying attention to their children. OK he was too distracted to read but heaven forbid, if he was interested in the tree she could have put the mobile phone away and actually looked at it with her little boy and had a conversation with him about it

:wave:Mumsiemum.

I understand what you mean about the time of year and mood. I've struggled this past couple of weeks, just feeling a bit detached from everything like it goes on around me and I am not involved.

It is acceptable that your debt will just tread water this time of year and you will bounce back in the New Year, with all sorts of ideas that will help your situation. You have done really well up to now.

Just going to finish my coffee and catch up on the other threads and then I am off to do battle with the pastry:D

Aesop

mumsiemum wrote: »

PS - not sure what I've done with the fonts on this!

can't see that you have done anything! an mse glitch

MG - can I have recipe please for DH, he will love it.

Aesop

musiemum - come join this thread in January. We are all trying to clear debt/make savings, etc

Memory_Girl

Aesop wrote: »

can't see that you have done anything! an mse glitch

MG - can I have recipe please for DH, he will love it.

First take one little boy - add food and water ................. OH!! You don't want a recipe of how to make an OH ............. you want Peking Duck!!!

Gathering my supplies - and waiting for cakes to cool before doing the blob of icing sprinkle of e-numbers thingie:rotfl:

............. and I am someone's sucker list - three calls in the last hour re PPI.

Yesterday there was a stall in the shopping centre proclaiming "Have you been the victim of a financial fraud?" - was one of those PPI re-claim, charge you and arm and leg in fees businesses.

"But you can do that for nothing ............. well for the cost of a stamp!!!" I thought.

The only "Financial Fraud" I could see being perpetrated was the guy signing up unsuspecting people........... guess we haven't reached everyone yet.


MG