About to be struggling really badly

ALIBOBSY

bogusdruid wrote: »

At last, some positives. I have a temporary job from September to Christmas (I'm a teacher, so that works), an interview lined up for next week for a permanent position in a post 16 college (although they may want a september start, and I've already accepted the other post). I received my payout from my job - not huge amounts, but enough to get us through the summer and beyond if we are careful.

Still not used my next card (for those that know me, this is a huge leap forward), and will be looking to pay this off first - I know it's not the biggest debt, but it is the one that spirals out of control when feeling stressed. We've all managed on clothes that are either from cheaper shops or that have been made at home.

Some of my money saving ideas haven't really helped - changing to a cheaper brand of washing powder has aggravated my son's excema so we have changed back; changing to a slightly more expensive washing up liquid as none of us can stand the smell of the cheaper variety. But, the cheap beans stay, the cheap cearel, the cheap ham (in fact, the kids complained about some of the more expensive stuff when we ran out the other day!)

Well done on the job and the things achieved, every step is a step to freedom from worry and debt (that's the way I like to think of it lol).

Regarding the shopping where do you shop? Personally I find that Aldi has products that are as good as the main supermarket brand or even premium, BUT for the same price or just a few pence more than value products. Aldi's washing up liquid BEAT fairy in which tests but is 75p so a bargain-cheap washing up liquid is a false economy as you use more.
My kids and myself all have allergies and excema (I am asthmatic) so I always use non bio. I have tried just about every powder out there the only ones not to effect any of us are persil or fairy non bio AND Aldi's non bio (almat) which is a fraction of the cost. I find use less of the powder than the amount specified and avoid anything (conditioner,ironing water etc) heavily scented as its these chemicals that seem to be the big issue.
If stain doesn't come out try hanging an item on the washing line for a few days and re wash, the combo of rainwater, wind and sun (if we ever get any lol) has a naturally bleaching/cleaning effect.


Kids also love the aldi cereals which are as good as kelloggs and certainly MILES better than the value versions we have tried in the past.

I also look for good offers and shop around then stock up when they are available so I might do a run to Asda/mr t/sainsburys/poundshop/lidl etc every now and again to see what I can stock up on. EG this week Asda had branded chopped toms that I know are good 4 tins for £1 so I bought 24. Aldi had offers on heinz beans a few weeks ago(lidl have these often) so I have a load in my store.

I must admit to likeing my store cupboard (well the shed now lol) if money is tight one month its there to fall back on, and it means I can take advantage of really good offers to stock up-especially on branded goods that we otherwise wouldn't buy. To me a store is like money in the bank, but its not for everyone.

Ali x

bogusdruid

I'd like it to be that I've won the lottery and can pay off all my debts, but it feels like that to me.

I have been offered a permanent position at the school that had given a terms work. I went in today to collect some paperwork, and during the morning the head of department said that there might be a vacancy in the new year. I told her that I had an interview lined up on Tuesday for a job in a local college but that there were no guarantees that I'd be offered the job or that it could be acceptable to have a January start. Anyway came home at 10:30am and by noon the 11:30 the head called to say that they would like to make the position permanent (with the say so of the chair of governers) with effect from September (when my contract starts).

It's not the end of my time on these boards - I have a horrible amount of debt that I need to clear, and to retrain myself in money management. I also have a responsibility to teach my children a more sensible approach to money than the one that I have had. But at the moment, the mountain that's been on my shoulders has lifted a lot with the financial security of a permanent job.

bogusdruid

Feeling bored and a little bit depressed with the weather at the moment. Had my payout from work, and really struggling with the temptation to go out and spend some of it on something new . I know that I shouldn't but it's almost like a compulsive obsession.

Going to clean the house today to try and knock the feeling out of me - how do others cope? I know that this is one of the reasons why I am in so much debt - I've also indulged rather than thought about if I need something and then talked myself out of it.

JustAboutThere

Oh Bogusdruid,

I'm so sorry you're feeling bored and I do understand. But, please, don't start spending money. You've done so well up to now.

Think of this as a little test. If you're able, just pick up your keys and have a walk around the block (assuming its not raining too heavily where you are) - but WITHOUT money or credit cards.

Otherwise, use a task / reward scheme. Spend 15 minutes doing someething you've been putting off or don't like doing: be it ironing, dusting, anything else and then the next 15 (or more) minutes you like. Sitting down relaxing, reading or anything NICE.

Then, you've accomplished something and NOT spent anything.

Or, if you're like one of my friends, be really ahead of yourself and start writing the list of Christmas cards you want/have to send. You don't actually have to write them, just make the list. Yes, its a daft idea, but its just something to do while that desire to spend goes away.

Good luck. You can do it.

ian_jamieson

Where are you based in the UK? You'll have different options depending on where you're from.

Edit:

Done a little research. If if you live in Scotland, get in touch with these guys http://www.trust-deed.com/ if you live in England then give http://www.cccs.co.uk/ a call.

bogusdruid

Temptation avoided yesterday - cleaned bathroom, kids bedrooms, did some washing and started to make a shirt for my little boy out of the remains of a duvet cover! He'll match his curtains.

Also been updating my signature with the actual amounts that I owe on credit cards and how much I have paid off - had a go on the snowball thing as well - that was scary. But on the plus side, haven't used my credit cards or next card for two months now and that is a good thing. Just one more card bill to come through and then the picture on the whole debt is laid bare apart from my overdraft, which I might be able to pay off in one go if I'm careful with my payout from work. However, would like to get rid of the next account first - this has been my biggest weakness, it's just too easy to walk in and buy clothes when we have lots already. I've already stopped buying clothes for the kids from there, and I think that I've got too many clothes already. Saying that I do need to replace some tattier t-shirts for September, but as always these will come from primark (I've found that they last the longest and fit the best and only cost about £2 each)

Done the snowball based on the figures that I have and my debt free date should be December 2017 (5.5 yrs away). Not totally sure how I feel about that but at least it's something to work towards. Now to go and finish a little boys shirt

YoungBusinessman

Well done on the job, just the small things/changes make the biggest difference.

byjimini

Well done, been reading this thread last night and love how your posts get more cheerful as you go along.

Your debt free day is 5.5 years away, which means every extra pound you make through eBay, car boot sales etc brings that date forward.

bogusdruid

1 - this post, which started off as a cry for help really seems to have become a diary - does anyone know how to put it on the right section of the forum?

2 - have finally had the last credit card bill for the month and updtaed all the figures in my signature. so, I have managed to clear 2% (well, 1.93% to be exactish) of my debt. What have I learnt

• the barclaycard isn't as bad as I thought it was - before anyone coughs and splutters, it was £10,500 at one point (so I'm halfway there with that one)
• the apr on one of the cards is absolutely bl**dy disgusting, and I need to pay that one off as soon as
• next account should be easily clearable in the next few months (and I give myself a christmas deadline for that one)
• that the snowball date isn't as dreadful as I'd expected, but neither is it as good as hoped

So here's to trying to clear some more of those debts

ILW

bogusdruid wrote: »

Temptation avoided yesterday - cleaned bathroom, kids bedrooms, did some washing and started to make a shirt for my little boy out of the remains of a duvet cover! He'll match his curtains.

Also been updating my signature with the actual amounts that I owe on credit cards and how much I have paid off - had a go on the snowball thing as well - that was scary. But on the plus side, haven't used my credit cards or next card for two months now and that is a good thing. Just one more card bill to come through and then the picture on the whole debt is laid bare apart from my overdraft, which I might be able to pay off in one go if I'm careful with my payout from work. However, would like to get rid of the next account first - this has been my biggest weakness, it's just too easy to walk in and buy clothes when we have lots already. I've already stopped buying clothes for the kids from there, and I think that I've got too many clothes already. Saying that I do need to replace some tattier t-shirts for September, but as always these will come from primark (I've found that they last the longest and fit the best and only cost about £2 each)

Done the snowball based on the figures that I have and my debt free date should be December 2017 (5.5 yrs away). Not totally sure how I feel about that but at least it's something to work towards. Now to go and finish a little boys shirt

Cut the Next card up and close the account. They will be charging you close on 30% interest.