Build a new life in 3 yrs.

uk_american

Smithfield wrote: »

It's not a matter of me passing or not, its just how long it will take or how much it will cost lol. I honestly never thought it would be this hard, the final exams of my degree were easy compared to this lol.

I know where you're coming from. As someone who has been driving accident-free for 16+ years (since the age of 16 in the US) and the past 5 years in Germany, it was maddening when I failed the practical here the first time. (I failed as in the US we learn 'signal, mirror, manoeuvre' rather than 'mirror, signal, manoeuvre'.) So the minors added up to a major. I spent about a month grumbling about the unfairness of the universe.

I ended up paying for 4 lessons here with a UK instructor, who spent the sessions pointing out this mirror/signal issue and giving me tips on how to pass the test, which I did the 2nd time.

It was more about learning how to pass the test than anything else. I cringe when I think how much it cost me for the re-take and the 4 lessons...keeping in mind that I've been driving for as long as my fellow test-takers have been on this earth.

However long it takes and however much it costs, so be it. This too shall pass, and you will be a stronger person for it.

MuffinTops

Hi Smithfield,

Eek to Christmas. Have been there for a few years and know how you feel. It sounds like your last big hurdle other than driving though. I have my tv licence and another large bill come out in January and, after Christmas, it used to cripple me!

I guess your main options for getting fast money together is eBay and Amazon sales? Surveys and other places are possibly a little too late in the year? It's stressful really, isn't it?

It won't be forever though. I know how hard it feels right now, but this is the worst it will be. Your mindset is so great now that once you get through this situation things will get better and better. That won't be easy to focus on when you're struggling to find something affordable but nice, but keep in mind that thought goes a long way too. Some of my best received and best remembered (by others) gifts have been when I've really needed to put some thought and personal touch into it.

Good luck with it all.

Smithfield

Creating money from thin air is what I've been doing the past while for driving. Total pain tbh. Most of this month has been quarterly bills, so I've just been hammered by one thing after another. I'm not going to pretend that it doesen't get me down sometimes. It does. I don't really have the option of giving up, things would only get worse, instead of the hope of them getting better.

As far as Christmas goes, I'll get through it, nothing else for it.

I just feel like im on a treadmill at times and all im doing is just about keeping up and with bills and food.

I'll book retest early Jan. Things will pick up. I have to believe that.

MuffinTops

With your attitude they will get better. Much better. Once that treadmill starts to slow down to allow you to look around a little better you'll look back on these times as the line you needed to draw underneath all the past and move to a better track of life that you're currently creating.

MuffinTops

Add a subscription to this forum too Smithfield:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=36

It's the grabbit forum which I've used a few times and saved an absolute fortune.

Thanks to the BHS code stack I've just bought a £70 hamper for £23. That's just as an example of the %'s you can save. You could use the code stack for other things on the site. I just needed to get a hamper.

I've also saved a fortune on toiletries and other bits and pieces that I've needed to buy anyway so have just saved huge amounts instead of standard shopping. Throughout that whole forum. The people there are so good at adding their bargain finds.

The supermarket ones are good as they show you really cheap deals that aren't on the ticket. Have a look and see if you think it's worth subscribing to.

Smithfield

so tonight, early doors freezer dinners.

Just got one of the 750mg tesco value mince things 2.20 and split in half.

half for a chili con carne/half for a spag bol.

had all the bits from cupboard or shop last sunday, bought some peppers and garlic £1.16 for both, but thats quite a lot of food for the freezer.

trishx

MuffinTops wrote: »

Thanks to the BHS code stack I've just bought a £70 hamper for £23.

Thanks so much for posting this MuffinTops - I immediately copied you! Unfortunately, the intended recipient is the other side of the country and I couldn't quite bring myself to have it delivered to them in November - so I expect it will cost me a fair amount to post it but still, the last time I sent them a "hamper" (actually was only a "presentation box") it cost me over £70! So I should still be quids in

Smithfield

Good work Muffintops, will keep an eye out for any wee bargains.

Boiler busted following flooding apparently, so land lord and boiler man coming out tomorrow, so sat afternoon spent cleaning

MuffinTops

You're very welcome

Smithfield

So...

Boiler man came out again today. (3rd day running!)

apparently boiler will need replacing but fitted a new used motor/burner for the meantime.

Once this was on the heating worked but the flue from the boiler looked like a steam train of jet black smoke and then (we have like a tunnel alleyway for house) it started to fill the house with smoke! My bedroom smelt like shotgun cartridges. So we got him back he adjusted it and left, tried again and same story. I think its just a case of a whole new boiler, thankfully thats my landlords problem! But its been a very cold weekend, thank god for the fire!

Dinner was freezer coq au vin from last week with last of cupboard potatoes so it was a NSD. Really pleased with shop and use of freezer this week helped keep the budget down. I have freezer spag bol done for tomorrow as well.

Sold an item on ebay for £30 today too and I have another item to post in the morning, so that's a bit of good news.

Just about got through this month, but hopefully thats things starting to settle down. *crosses fingers*