PigginSkint's DFW Diary

PigginSkint

elantan wrote: »

ive read on here about a few people that have had problems with them they deffinately charge an awful lot of money in interest your doing the right thing clearing it

Thanks! I always intended to pay it off in full. I only ordered from them because the stuff was so cheap and it's stuff I'll need for Christmas or before then anyway.

chevalier

Hi there
Just some random thoughts having read the whole of your diary in one day today:eek: !

First of all WELL DONE on keeping going! You must be highly motivated to keep on doing the extra bits and pieces in all weathers. Your lightbulb must be the 100w variety to keep on going so long:D .

Just a couple of things. Do you know what your triggers are for the headaches? I suffered from migraines for years, having found out what my food triggers were (red wine and cheese), yet still had them. It was only when I moved and so moved drs that I was told that the pill I had been on - one of the KNOWN side effects was migraines. And the silly former DR had never twigged and suggested changing them:rolleyes: . Changing to a different brand stopped them pretty much, and since I have had the children I have had only one precursor experience (where you get the flashing lights etc). Maybe this would be a factor with.

On the other hand have you been checked for being anaemic? Would explain the tiredness. I was really struck by how virtually every post you mentioned having a headache or being really tired. As this was over a long time (at least 6 months since your first post?) I was concerned on your behalf...

Well done on the weight loss! It can be such a pain can't it. But I also found that little changes really helped. Can you believe that I cut out sugar (was only 2 spoonfuls anyway) in my tea, and half a teaspoon in my coffee and I have lost 7lbs! How cool is that! And that is eating everything else the same.

Only another stone to go now!

I hope that you do well in your challenges, that your OH gets the job in London, that there is not contest in your divorces, etc etc!
chev

PigginSkint

chevalier wrote: »

Hi there
Just some random thoughts having read the whole of your diary in one day today:eek: !

First of all WELL DONE on keeping going! You must be highly motivated to keep on doing the extra bits and pieces in all weathers. Your lightbulb must be the 100w variety to keep on going so long:D .

Just a couple of things. Do you know what your triggers are for the headaches? I suffered from migraines for years, having found out what my food triggers were (red wine and cheese), yet still had them. It was only when I moved and so moved drs that I was told that the pill I had been on - one of the KNOWN side effects was migraines. And the silly former DR had never twigged and suggested changing them:rolleyes: . Changing to a different brand stopped them pretty much, and since I have had the children I have had only one precursor experience (where you get the flashing lights etc). Maybe this would be a factor with.

On the other hand have you been checked for being anaemic? Would explain the tiredness. I was really struck by how virtually every post you mentioned having a headache or being really tired. As this was over a long time (at least 6 months since your first post?) I was concerned on your behalf...

Well done on the weight loss! It can be such a pain can't it. But I also found that little changes really helped. Can you believe that I cut out sugar (was only 2 spoonfuls anyway) in my tea, and half a teaspoon in my coffee and I have lost 7lbs! How cool is that! And that is eating everything else the same.

Only another stone to go now!

I hope that you do well in your challenges, that your OH gets the job in London, that there is not contest in your divorces, etc etc!
chev

Hi! You read all of my diary in one day? Wow! Thanks for all of your comments!

I think I have found most of the triggers of my migraines – cheese (so don’t eat a lot), stress, Time Of The Month (this seems to be a strong one – I am more likely to get a migraine when I am due on), spending too long in front of computer (difficult to avoid in my job), sinuses (when I have got a cold or hayfever), lack of sleep. I never thought about my pill but as I get most of my headaches/migraines when I am not actually taking it (the 7 days between finishing one packet and starting another) I don’t really know. I do need to see my doctor to discuss this anyway – if only to keep my boss off my back!

As for the tiredness – I am not tired all of the time…just a lot of it! Mind you, if you led the sort of life I do, I think you would be tired! Seriously though, I am feeling quite stressed at the moment so I think that is a major factor. Plus the fact that (a) I’m overweight, and (b) my sciatica is playing me up at the moment, and so I am finding it extra hard to drag myself around. I don’t think I’m anaemic – I have had various blood tests in my time and it has never cropped up. The only time my blood count did drop was after I had a Caesarean – that would do it!!

Anyway, thanks for your comments – I think you have given me the push I need to see my doctor about this!

Still keeping our fingers crossed about OH’s job in London. I doubt there will be any contest to our divorces – we think OH is actually divorced as we have heard on the grapevine that she has actually remarried. OH just needs to get his a**e in gear to fill his form in and send it off to find out for sure. I think I will end up putting it in front of him with a pen and say ‘Here! Fill this in now!’. As for my divorce, I have also got my forms but mine are a bit more complicated. I also need to fish out my copy of my separation agreement – filed in the loft somewhere – as I need to send that off with it. It is over 4 years since that was signed and over 5 years since the marriage ended so I doubt there will be much problem with getting the divorce. I just need to get my a**e in gear to do it!

PigginSkint

Hi All

Another busy day – my days don’t seem to be anything other than busy at the moment! I was on a course all day yesterday which is why I didn’t update.

Yesterday, after much nagging, I finally got OH to fill in his form for his internet banking. After days of ‘have you done it yet?’ ‘no’ ‘do it today then’ ‘I will – later’ and it never getting done, last night I took matters into my own hands. I happened to find it on the top of the stuff in the basket at the bottom of the stairs. I picked it up, put it in front of him, gave him a pen and said ‘do it!’ and he did it!! At long bl**dy last!! Your guess is as good as mine as to how long it will take him to post it!!

I also gave OH a guided tour of my Egg account online – which he will need to look at to see how much he has been spending and how much he needs to pay – and my internet bank account to demonstrate how easy it is to pay bills that way.

On Saturday I phoned Ace and paid that off in full – one less thing to worry about.

Still haven’t sorted my insurance out – I just don’t seem to have the time!

Tonight I must do my Avon order online (only got a handful of books to get back now) because, as I am now doing a course on a Wednesday evening, I can’t do it tomorrow.

Oh, and for the record, I am a bit tired today, but not as bad as yesterday!

I think that’s all for now. Enjoy the rest of your day everyone!

PigginSkint

Hi All

I had an early night last night so I don’t feel too bad today – I do feel a little bit tired though.

I did my Avon order online tonight but had to wait until today to pay for my last one as there wasn’t quite enough in my account to cover it – my Tax Credits went in today.

I have ordered a couple of things for Christmas presents from the Avon book - nothing too expensive. Luckily with the commission I earn everything is cheaper – so the things I ordered for £4 each are actually only £3 each for me.

Guess what? OH didn’t post his letter yesterday. Oh quelle surprise!! Anyway, he has promised he will post it today. We’ll see!

What else is new? Oh yes! I booked the birthday party for DS yesterday evening. For the past few years we have just had bit of a do at home – I just laid on a few sandwiches etc and a homemade birthday cake and DS invited a handful of friends round to play. We tend to invite a few family members as well. Nothing too expensive! But this year he will be 13 – a special birthday in my eyes because he becomes a teenager – so I have allowed him to do something else. He decided he wanted to go bowling. We have a bowling alley near where we live and they do various types of party including a teen party. So last night I booked it - £10.95 per person, minimum of 6 people (there will only be 6 of them). The price includes 2 games, a meal, unlimited soft drinks and other bits and pieces, so it is fairly good value for money. And, like I say, it is not every day you are 13. What’s more, he is my only child (so far……!). I have told him that it will be back to the usual routine next year! I have paid a deposit of £5 per person so it means that the cost will be spread for me as well (always useful!) as the balance is not payable until the day of the party.

PigginSkint

Hi All

Had a late night last night so I am tired again today – no surprise there then!

Went on my course again last night. I had arranged with OH to meet me off the train just after 10pm. I tried several times to phone him but couldn’t get through. Then he phoned me while I was on the train, but it cut out because we went through an area with poor signal so I got a voicemail from him instead telling me to answer my b****y phone! Cheeky git!

Anyway it turns out that he had been in the pub again because he had happened to be in town and hadn’t seen the point in going home. When he phoned me up again while I was on the train and told me he was in the chippy and what did I want. I could have said ‘no thank you – I’ve already had my dinner’ but I didn’t. Very naughty I know, considering I am trying to lose weight and not spend too much money. So after all my good intentions I ended up having a veggie spring roll (yum!) and some chips (not so yum) – but I didn’t eat many of the chips because they were hard and not very nice. Not very money saving I know – I shall have to have words with OH about this habit of going to the pub instead of going home!

Oh well, at least it means that OH is working plenty at the moment – he was in town because he had been to work yesterday afternoon.

Anyway, I suppose I had better do some work. I am doing a lot of procrastinating today because I just can’t be bothered to do much!!

Bye all!

PigginSkint

Hi All

Well I am not having a great start today because I weighed myself this morning…and I’ve put on 3 pounds (see Party Season Challenge Thread). I suppose it is not surprising given the fact that I had crisps last Friday, cheesecake on Sunday, buffet and biscuits on Monday and spring roll and chips on Wednesday. I suppose I have just got to treat it like I treat my debt – try and put it behind me and just plod on.

Anyway, some good news from yesterday - OH posted his form for his Internet banking. :eek: I had to sit down I can tell you! :rotfl:

Hopefully OH is going to do some housework for me today as he is not working. He had better do some or there will be trouble!!! :mad:

More good news that all the children (5 of them) that DS has asked to come to is bowling party a week tomorrow can come. Last night I sat him down in front of the PC and got him to do some written invitations so that they have something in writing – it was a good education for him as it got him to really think about his design…and it proved that I know more about Word than he does!!

The kids break up for half term today so he is not going to see his friends after today until his party so it is important that they something with the party details on so that they don’t have to rely on their memories.

Talking about half term, DS will be going to his Dad’s for a few days this evening – we split school holidays 50:50. OS has been told to try and keep Wednesday free because that is the day that DS will probably be coming back (I don’t know for certain until I negotiate with his Dad later!). I have booked Thursday and Friday off next week but not Wednesday and I have also got my course on Wednesday evening. That will leave me with 2 days annual leave until the end of December – I like to keep 2 days in reserve in case any emergency arises (e.g. a funeral or if DS is ill) and then if nothing crops up I just take a couple of extra days off before Christmas.

This weekend I really want to get my house blitzed as it really is in a shocking state. The prompt for this was the session of my course which we had this week – asthma etc. Now I am quite severely asthmatic so this was of particular interest to me. They were talking about some of the things that make asthma worse and they mentioned allergies in particular. Some of the things that were mentioned were dust, the house dust mite, fungus and pets. Oh dear! If you were to ask me which of those were in my house I would have to say ‘all of the above’. So I have been shamed into really tackling the pig sty that is my house!

I also think that a guilt trip for OH is in order later so that he helps me!!

Anyway, I must get on and do some work! Seeing as it is Friday (woohoo!!!!!:j ) I would really like to get away early this afternoon – I have got plenty of flexi banked so I can!!

skintscotslass

Morning luv, just read through most of your diary. We are sooooo alike!!! (except I have a DD and a BF rather than a DD and an OH). Spooky!! xx

PigginSkint

Hi All

Well I have had a very productive weekend money-saving-wise even if it hasn’t been particularly good housework-wise!

On Saturday I phoned Halifax to transfer a balance from my LTSB credit card to my Halifax credit card at 5.94% APR for the life of the balance. They tried to give me the hard sell for PPI and card protection but I battled through it with a bit of vagueness and a few white lies (I actually didn’t renew the card protection policy that I had on another card, but I wasn’t going to tell them that). So I can now celebrate the fact that apart from a small amount lurking on my Egg card, all of my credit card debt is now on low APR life of balance deals. Yippee!! This is something I have been working towards for over 3 years and I have finally done it!! Woohoo!! (Can you tell I’m pleased?!):j :j :j :j

Other not-so-good news is that I phoned LTSB to request a repayment holiday on my loan and it was declined! Oh well, it would have been nice to have a break from it for one month, but it is not the end of the world. I asked them why and they said that they couldn’t give me specifics but suggested a few things that might have caused it. They said that whoever makes these decisions looks at my current situation as a whole over the last few months so any late payments to credit cards (there has been one – more on that in a moment) going over my overdraft limit (that has happened a couple of times but I have always brought my account back within the limit on the same day) or total overall debt. Now, none of this is any different to my situation about 6 months ago when I previously took a repayment holiday. One thing that did occur to me is that because I have transferred my windows finance (secured debt) to a credit card (unsecured) whether that might have made a difference. I think this is the more likely reason because everything else is actually better than it was 6 months ago.

I finally got round to phoning Capital One to ask them whether they would be prepared to waive the late payment fee of £12 for making my August payment a few days late. I expected them to tell me to bog off, but no! They offered to refund half of it as a good will gesture, just like that! That’ll do for me! So it goes to show that it is worth asking! So my late payment has only cost me £6 so I think I can live with that!

They did ask me whether I would prefer to set up a direct debit but I said no. The reasons I gave (which were accurate) were that (a) I normally like to pay a bit more than the minimum payment, and (b) I am usually pretty organised in arranging for my payments to go out in time – this was a one-off caused by my normal routine being disrupted in August and I had just overlooked that one card payment on that one occasion. The other reason, which I didn’t tell them, is that I like to decide when my money goes out of my account.

Yesterday I also finally got round to transferring the photos from the broken digital camera to the laptop. This means that I can now take said camera back to Argos and get a replacement. Luckily when I was transferring the images I was given the option of deleting the photos from the camera as soon as they had been transferred. This was particularly useful as it is the LCD screen on the camera that is knackered (to use a technical term!) so I can’t see any menus in order to delete them manually. I just need to find the instruction booklet to put back into the box (which I will do tonight) and then I can take it back. As DS is now at his Dad’s for the next couple of days so I don’t have to rush home, I can do that – I shall probably do it tomorrow.

I got some more quotes for my house insurance yesterday and just need to have a look at the links through quidco now. I have deleted the cookies on the laptop so we are ready to go. I will do that tonight (I will – honest!) because I have got to go online later anyway because I need to go to the Avon website to print off my returns form so that I can parcel up my returns to give to the driver when my delivery comes tomorrow.

Last night OH and I finished off some Christmas booze from last year, ready to replenish the stocks for this year. We had the last little bit of sherry (I had used a bit for a salad dressing) and the last glass each of mulled wine – yum! Very decadent but very nice!

I managed to cut myself this morning. Note to self: Do not attempt to open a stubborn container of dishwasher powder using a sharp knife at 6:30am! This was grrrr on a number of levels! Grrrr to the dishwasher for not opening the powder drawer when it was running last night, which meant the stuff didn’t get properly clean and so it needed running again. Grrrr to the dishwasher powder container – the lid is dodgy so can’t be opened by just squeezing either side of it, you have to squeeze and then get a knife under it to prize it open. Grrrr to doing it wrong, i.e. towards my hand instead of away, on account of not being properly awake! The result is that I managed to stab myself in the ball of my thumb which caused it to bleed profusely and hurt like hell! I have got a plaster on it and some surgical tape to hold the plaster on. I have also taken some paracetamol but it is still quite sore – not helped, I am sure, by having to type.

Another grrrr today is the fact that I took my mug home on Friday to wash it and I have forgotten to bring it back. I have brought teabags with me and milk, but no mug!:doh:

Oh, well better get on with some work I suppose. I can console myself with the fact that I have only got to do 3 days this week as I have booked Thursday and Friday off.

Bye all!

PigginSkint

skintscotslass wrote: »

Morning luv, just read through most of your diary. We are sooooo alike!!! (except I have a DD and a BF rather than a DD and an OH). Spooky!! xx

Ooh! I'm intrigued! Which things are the same? I wonder if we are the same age as well - I am 36.