The "VA removes her head from the sand" diary!

Petlamb

Aww thank you StressedSteph, that's so kind of you

The second appointment went well, though seems we really are overstretched. More on that in a moment...

The Mr's course came to pretty much nothing, but he got a job elsewhere! Which, while the job is less than brilliant, at least ticks the "call centre experience" box on his CV now, and he's currently in for a different job for nearly £4k more a year, so fingers crossed on that front! I'm meant to be starting where he's currently at, but have also been applying further over towards where the potential new job is, as working near to each other would mean we could look for a house within walking distance to work (it's a HUGE call centre park) and therefore afford a better property to live in due to the lack of travel costs, which would be really nice.

I'm currently on antidepressants, and have been for a few years - suspect I will be permanently as at least a little of my problem is chemical. It's far from perfect, (the AD) but at least it takes the edge off and I generally function a lot better on it

Right, the big bit... StepChange second appointment! I spoke to a really nice guy who went through everything. The upshot is that it's imperative we get the Mr's working tax credits application in for the budget to work, and that even then, due to priority debts we can only offer token payments to non-priority creditors. That's okay though, once I'm in work, that should improve.

The only bit that's left me really concerned is that the council want more money than we can give, by March 31st. Ofc, council tax arrears are incredibly serious, so that's scary. SC advised £50 a month till the arrears are cleared as that's do-able, and any extra cash I get I'll sling at that, should I manage to find any!

And thanks again Steph xxx

Petlamb

So, today I was pleased to hear from the Mr while he was at work that he'd called HMRC for the forms to claim working tax credit (which is essential to the currently drawn up budget), and he even did an hour and a half of overtime tonight too

Meanwhile, I now have spreadsheets for practically EVERYTHING in the world (Okay, maybe an exaggeration, but not by much!) and paid £30 to the council today to start chipping our council tax bill down.

Between standard monthly payments, the extra £50 advised by SC and throwing any extra little bits of cash that come our way at it, I reckon we should be able to get the council tax paid by the 31st March after all.

Petlamb

Might as well add in the most recent turn of events.. due to the Mr having a couple of migraines over the last month and being unable to work during them, it works out he's been docked about 80 hours pay. Ow.

So, yeah, your incomings are about half what they should be (and we don't have WTC yet).

One step forward, forty back.

Petlamb

You know what I said about one step forward?

Phone bill is in, almost double the talkplan cost, from excess data charges. (And might I add, I have not been using my phone differently from when I was using less than half my data allowance)

*string of expletives*

Petlamb

Seems like a good time for an update!

I start my new job on Monday! It's only min wage, but it's a JOB! I'm so happy! I don't want to count my chickens before they're hatched though, I was meant to start a job on the 7th Jan and didn't cause the company messed me around So that, naturally, has made me wary! But this looks real and like it will actually happen, so yay!

The mr has also moved jobs to somewhere with better pay and bonuses, though the latter won't come through in pay till May.

Having a full month off him and my first week or two (as it's weekly pay) of pay for me should mean we will - just in time - make our council tax bill

Petlamb

And strike the job.

4 days, before they decided not to have me back (aren't contractless temp jobs great) because another trainee went ballistic at me. For proving her wrong on something.

Bright side, now I don't have to go to work for a highly unethical company. It's not much, but I'm looking for a silver lining here.

Fudgefund

Crikey, you're having some terrible luck this year.

The main thing is you're keeping things together, and your health is far more important than anything else. You will find another job, have faith and concentrate on budgeting for the dreaded Council Tax bill. You'll get there.