Uni vs' The Beast Pt 2

Uniscots97

Hello All, I started my original diary in June of last year (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3266846). I decided as the old one was getting a bit cumbersome to start Part 2.


So, what happened in Part 1?

- was getting back on my feet after redundancy from a very long term job.
- OH and I were putting our lives back on track after a lot of issues
- my debt had gone up and down like a yo-yo but I did manage to pay off a loan I had
- redundancy yet again (which came out of the blue) and this also identified who my true friends were (....and yes the answer was a total shock!)
- 5 months of job hunting with a few hours of work here and there
- Finally found a job (temporary)


That is Part 1 in a nutshell. Its been a hard year and a half. The job I am in now is a temporary job but I am glad it came up when it did. Unfortunately the redundancy money was used up to pay bills etc whilst I was job hunting. I had hoped something would have come up quicker so I would have been left with a lump sum to pay off some of the debt but not to be. In the meantime I am using my cc (but paying back what i use each week) to get the cashback. It won't be a lot but I'm viewing it at the moment that every little helps. My cash back last month was £7.

Beast is the nickname I gave the cc I was trying to slay but I also have another one which the interest has spiralled on (and I can't shift to another card) so I'm keen to get rid of that as soon as possible. I've nicknamed that one Goliath.

To help get rid of my debt I had been doing a part time job but since starting my new job due to the travelling means I don't have the spare time I had with my last job (which was literally down the road). So I do surveys when I can and have been referring people to Quidco, clicks when I can, sell stuff on ebay (though that has only been a few small things), taking old clothes to one of the cash for clothes places and thats about it. I'm hoping to get some time back to do the part time job. Even if its only 3-4 hours a week. I'm also going to be taking a leaf out of another poster's book who banks the amount of money she saves and pays that to her debt (i.e. something at £1 instead of £1.50, she will bank the 50p).


Its been a long hard slog but I would like to think that by this time next year I can have a serious dent in my debt.


...................Wish me luck......:o

The_Dragon

Happy new diary and debt busting!

maddiemay

Lovely shiny new diary, good luck with the monster slaying,:)

Knitting_Nora

Oooo *peers around* I love what you've done with the new place, Uni.

How's the newish job going?

Uniscots97

Thanks Nora. Its going ok. Decided as I needed focus I needed a new shiny diary. I'm fed up with debt taking a huge chunk out of my wages each month without making a significant dent. The commute for the job is not nice. Just on way to work now and its freezing!

Stopped to get cash this morning and the atm was playing up. Hoping its registered that I didn't actually get any cash!

Last weekend was very heavy on fuel. I think this one could be the same but got a friend's candle party to go to. She's having this instead of a house warming so I really should go and thinking about going to a work abroad expo that's on. I applied for a few jobs (temp) abroad. Money seems ok but I'd like to know more. OH has said we should do it if it means a more comfortable life here.

On the debt front no more payments till Friday. Thinking about listing some stuff on eBay. It won't make a lot but means I get some drawer space back and a tiny bit to debt.

Will look at changing my signature tonight as need to keep my focus. Hope everyone has a good day.

Uniscots97

Morning, how is everyone? I have 1.21 over a round figure in my bank account so i'm going to throw this at Beast. Payday tomorrow thank goodness. Very tired today just wish the vitamins I started taking would kick in and give me a bit more energy.

Regarding a different type of energy the bathroom seems warmer since I put the bubble wrap up. Do you think it would work on my glass panel front door? I've been threatening to put a curtain up across it since last year but bubble wrap might be a quick fix.

Have a good day everyone.

Keiss_21

Hya Unix

Sorry, not been on MSE for ages...been so busy!! Reading and posting inbetween doing some web-work tonight...getting there at last, been a bit of a slow slog today.

Hope you feel better soon, it's no fun feeling down and shattered.

Well done on your bit of insulating, it's amazing what a llittle bit of plastic can do! DH put some of that cling-film-like double glazing on the bay window in the sitting room last winter, with the plan to remove it when it got hot in the summer...well, it is still there and doing its best to keep us warm!! We really should replace it as there are loads of beasties caught behind it...so a large enough gap to the outside to let them in, but not out...very strange!

We are a bit out of sorts this week as DH was made redundant on Tuesday...it has been on the cards for ages, but still a shock when it actually happens. He is getting a decent pay-out, so if he gets a job soon, then we will have some spare cash to throw at debts and improving the house, not to mentions our two student sons!! Not thinking of that money as "extra" until he gets a new job, which could be a problem at 53 , but I hope not.

Right, need to upload the new website files and then send an email to over 500 folk about it, then it's off to bed...bliss!! Started at a gym last week, enjoying it, though a bit stiff and tired so far. Needing my bed every night though!!

Night, night...have a good weekend xx

Uniscots97

Sorry to hear that Keiss, what industry does he work in?


Off to do my paperwork for the week (the joys of being self employed) and I'll be back later.

Homemadehappiness

Hi, just wanted to pop in and say hello had a quick read of your diary (altho not looked at part one) we have also been affected by redundancy as my husband was made redundant a few weeks ago and like you his money has gone on the bills

Anyway enough about me, will subscribe to your diary xx

Uniscots97

Redundancy is an awful thing. whether you know its coming or its out of the blue (experienced both). Big meeting tomorrow to discuss future of our project so we'll see what's said.

Both times I've been made redundant I've been VERY thankful for a full freezer and lots of tins. Ok, its made for interesting meals but it needs to be done. Tomorrow we start paying for our satellite (deal has finished) so I have downgraded the package to the bare minimum. I spoke with OH and we agreed we don't go out to the pub etc so we'll keep it on for the moment but if things get tighter its going. I also heard today that we're in for a worse winter than the one 2 years ago (oh joy :eek: not!). Our living room is lovely and warm but the rest of the house is always freezing. Its not helped by the fact OH keeps leaving the kichen door open when he's having a cigarette at the back door. Downstairs toilet is warmer since putting in the bubble wrap but now wondering would I get away with doing it on our patio doors? They are at the back of the house, no-one sees them and the dining room has to be the coldest part of the house. I also have a problem with black mould around the window in our bedroom. I know this has probably been caused by drying stuff in our room on the radiator. I wiped them down with an antibacterial wipe this morning but its not taken off the bits at the edges. So I need to look at a better solution. I also got those moisture remover containers from the pound shop to see if they helped but so far no luck.

Well the home made screen for my Gran's kitchen extractor has worked out really well and my Gran was really happy with it. No more drafts coming through and it can be easily removed for cleaning. Total cost to build £12. The company that makes the extractors wanted £48 (excluding postage) for theirs.

Getting a bit of interest in my hampers. One made, delivered. The second and third are in planning stage. I'll pick up the rest of the contents tommorrow. I also have an enquiry for a Christmas cake gift hamper, the 'icing' made from t-shirts, wash cloths, scarf and contents are deo sprays, shower gel etc.

The weekend has gone really quickly, it was nice having a 3 day weekend last weekend but I know I won't think that way when my pay comes through this friday!

OH and I were talking babies again earlier. Yes it would be ideal I'm in perm work but I'm not getting any younger. What does everyone think do you need to sacrifice a lot to have a child? I'd be interested to see what people think.

Freebies this weekend, Dove conditioner x 2 (this will be going into someone's Christmas)

Uniscots97

Morning All, its cold this morning. Rushing about late as usual. Plans for this week? Get two nappy cakes finished and get a few more Christmas presents. Oh and try and tidy my clothes. Got lots of stuff past its best and stuff that doesn't fit (I'd love to be a size 12 again but it doesn't seem to be happening no matter what I do).