Wherediditallgo’s ‘path to enlightenment’ bankruptcy diary

wherediditallgo

5 Sept - Have been feeling rotten for the last few days thanks to a stinking chest infection that has now risen into my sinuses. I get up to do something, feel sick, am sick & then forget what I originally wanted to do! My thoracic area & stomach muscles are still weak, so my coughing is ridiculously long & painful - like interest rates, what goes down definitely can go up. Oh well, at least I'm alive, even if I do look more of a mess than Cherie Blair at number 10 the day after Tony won the election.

Got more freebies today - a lovely set of 10 cards for different occasions, with a cuddly bear & some gel pens. I'll be giving the bear away, as there's bound to be someone who needs it more than I do (I've got too many of them already), but the rest will really come in handy. I seem to be getting something free or making use of something free almost every day - I had a free eye test from D & A on Friday, got some Avery labels & printing paper & some gluten-free pasta on Monday & I'm sure there are some more goodies to come this week. When my finances were a mess, I absolutely dreaded the post, but now these freebies really cheer me up - sometimes they take a few weeks to come through, so by the time they arrive I've forgotten about them, & they're like little surprise presents.

Finally found my bluetooth adapter, so I'm going to start photographing things I don't want & putting them for sale on eBay, eBid & a car-boot site. I'm like a magnet for books - when I left home many years ago, I left over 500 in my mum's loft, & when she moved overseas she took them with her in the shipping container & I didn't even realise they'd gone. When I moved in 2005, I put over 200 on my wall for people to help themselves to (they were gone within the hour) & I reckon I've still got more than 200 here. :eek: I've always loved reading, but I think the time has come to be a bit more choosy in what I buy rather than do my usual car-boot 'Ooh, they're only 10p - I think I'll have 20' routine. I can use the money, so anything that can be sold is going to be.

I'm now well into my sixth month as a BR. I haven't heard anything from the OR in the last couple of months, so I think I can forget about an early discharge. I was really hoping I'd be selected for one, but funnily enough I'm not so bothered now - the months have flown by, & if the next six months go as quickly I'll be happy enough. My regular finances are pretty much sorted out (though I've got to look into getting benefits, as I may have to claim them if I have to stay off work on unpaid leave), & I've sent my complaint to LTSB about their ridiculous behaviour re my credit file, so everything's going as well as can be expected.

rog2

wherediditallgo wrote: »

I'm now well into my sixth month as a BR. I haven't heard anything from the OR in the last couple of months, so I think I can forget about an early discharge. I was really hoping I'd be selected for one, but funnily enough I'm not so bothered now - the months have flown by, & if the next six months go as quickly I'll be happy enough.

I was well into my seventh month, and hadn't heard anything from either OR or Trustee, when the letter arrived to inform me about my early discharge. The letter arrived about three weeks after the date of my discharge, so you never know.

fermi

I didn't receive my IPOQ/EDREV letter until 6 1/2 months into BR. ED then took another 3 1/2 months to come through making it 10 months in total.

So it's not out of the question yet.

But I do agree that as long a being undischarged isn't holding you back from doing something in particular (eg starting a business again), then it's no big deal to go the whole 12 months.

wherediditallgo

Oh, thanks for that, Rog - there's hope for me yet then.

Fermi, funnily enough a year ago I was actually thinking about starting up a business, but getting ill put paid to me sorting that out. The business was supposed to be something in addition to my main income rather than replace it, but now if I end up having to give up work altogether, it would then replace it. It's probably been a good thing that I've had more time to think about it, as had I started it when I originally planned it would have been dust by now. Now I'm on the other side of the recovery wall, I can see things a lot better than I did then.

wherediditallgo

12 Sept - Had a bit of a day yesterday that I'm paying for today. Did two huge loads of washing, & while that was going on I cooked two trays of chicken breasts & legs, did a big casserole of macaroni cheese & did a large pot of lamb stew with lovely veggies & dumplings. I've divided everything up into small portions for the freezer. I still can't eat as much as before (never will be able to again), but at least when I want some it will be there, & it will save me loads of money too. My poor dishwasher didn't know what had hit it - it was on for hours! Also put together a new unit for the study, which I'm gratefully filling up. I've still got two units to put together, but they'll have to wait a while - I think I over-did things a bit yesterday, as I'm absolutely shattered today, but it was worth it. I've just got to make some burgers or meatballs today, then that's my lot.

Got some 40 web design & computer graphics mags from someone via Freecycle last week - it cost me £8 there & back to get them, but it was £8 well spent, as the mags cost about £6 each new, so I've saved a lot of money. :j Most are back copies from earlier this year, so they're still relevant & will really help me learn how to do graphics & set up my website. Even the older ones go over basic design skills, so they'll still come in useful. If I've got to give up work in the next few months, I need to find new skills that I can either use to save myself money or sell on, either freelance or to another employer. I've been trying to get through to the benefits people all week to get an idea of my entitlements, but the line seems engaged forever. Hopefully I'll be able to get through to them before the end of the week.

gratton20

I had never seen your thread until today and I am hooked! I spent over an hour reading your diary - its brilliant. Its like a Bridgit Jones diary for real, (and I hope you understand I mean that as a compliment - its sooo well written and entertaining, I dont mean you are like Bridget)

have you ever thought of being a writer .. got to be a good chance a book would sell but what do I know - thanks for a great, entertaining and often informative read. I shall keep watching avidly.

wherediditallgo

Thank you - I understand the compliment, & willingly accept it. I'm a poet, & I tend to write letters, diaries etc the way I talk anyway. Several people have told me I should be a writer, so I may investigate that further while I'm off work.

NekoZombie

wherediditallgo wrote: »

I'm now well into my sixth month as a BR. I haven't heard anything from the OR in the last couple of months, so I think I can forget about an early discharge. I was really hoping I'd be selected for one, but funnily enough I'm not so bothered now - the months have flown by, & if the next six months go as quickly I'll be happy enough. My regular finances are pretty much sorted out (though I've got to look into getting benefits, as I may have to claim them if I have to stay off work on unpaid leave), & I've sent my complaint to LTSB about their ridiculous behaviour re my credit file, so everything's going as well as can be expected.

Well, believe it or not, but I've had the forms for early discharge through - they were sent 4th September. As we both went BR on the same day (and at the same place) I think you should be hearing something very soon. Fingers crossed and all

fermi

NekoZombie wrote: »

Well, believe it or not, but I've had the forms for early discharge through - they were sent 4th September. As we both went BR on the same day (and at the same place) I think you should be hearing something very soon. Fingers crossed and all

That's great news Neko.:D :j:j

Pleased for you.

I hope yours comes through as well WDIAG since you truly deserve it.

NekoZombie

fermi wrote: »

That's great news Neko.:D :j:j

Pleased for you.

I hope yours comes through as well WDIAG since you truly deserve it.

Thanks Fermi

The battle is not yet won - but its a good start. WDIAG, still have my fingers and toes crossed for you.