Life Overhaul Mission begins

beanielou

That all sounds very positive.

moneymakestheworldgoround

I am going to do a months shop on Nov 1st - I used to but just havent got round to it for several months so food is costing a lot more when I shop 2 or 3 times a week.

Meal plans:

Breakfast - Bran Flakes, Frosties, Toast, Yoghurt and fruit

Lunch - packed lunches for 3 people, sandwich for youngest and toast for me.

Dinners

1) Spag Bol
2) Corned Beef Hash ( never had this but am going to try it!)
3) Hot dogs
4) Burgers, waffles and beans
5) Cheese and potato pie
6) Bacon pasta
7) Sausage casserole
8) Omelette
9) Chicken casserole ( use whole chicken for this and day 10)
10) Chicken pie
11) Beef or Pork stroganoff
12) Turkey and potatoes
13) Salmon and noodles
14) Shepherds Pie
15) Soup

and repeat for next 15 days.

Fudgefund

I was manic over the weekend, perhaps it was a full moon. :rotfl:I hope you only threw out the stuff that needed to go.

Seriously good news on the advice visit, whoever came to see you really knows their stuff! :T I hope you're going to talk debts with the CAB too. Your meal plans sound seriously good and pretty damn thrifty. All in all, well done.

moneymakestheworldgoround

Fudgefund - I am feeling really awful today so you dont know how important your comment is! Thank you - my first smile of the day

dancingfairy

Whilst undoubtedly there are benefit bashers out there (and people who abuse benefits), the general idea is that you pay into the system when you can and if, in turn you need a bit of help at a time of need the governement supports you a little. O..K so being on benefits is not great but it will give you a breathing space to sort out all the other issues in your life. You've paid into the system (or presumably will do at some point) so why not take a little help whilst you need it?
Stay strong.
df

moneymakestheworldgoround

We have made a plan to only claim the elements that I need. So if I have £500 shortfall a month, only claim the equivalent of that. The welfare team said it will then be easier for me to supplement these with self employment as I get better.

I didnt want to claim £2000 a month in benefits, knowing a) I didnt need that much and b) I would struggle to work and get more than this.

It feels like a workable compromise for me. A short term plan that doesnt make me reliant on benefits and an easy way for me to keep focused on getting back into work.

Fudgefund

That sounds like a really good compromise. Glad to have made you smile, if you're anything like me, the days after a period of mania are pretty much a write off. I usually just sleep for a couple of days until I feel able to face the world again, but I guess that's less of an option when you've got a family. You're doing really well.

moneymakestheworldgoround

Thank you Fudgefund and dancingfairy.

Ran the list past the kids. My 7 year old is a fussy eater and normally has something completely different to us all but she loved all the meal ideas apart from Spag Bol so I will happily do something different for 2 days a month!

I trialled the bacon pasta tonight and it was a hit with all the kids. Cost 43p each and they complained there were no second helpings so thats good !

They have asked for it again tomorrow so I will definitely make it again later this week I think.

I also threw away the oversized bowls we use and used the regular bowls so that will help in the long run.

Wish I could sleep it off but yes, you are right - no chance with my kids!

[Deleted User]

Well it all sounds very good over in this diary land - I am glad your getting your meeting & the support that you need.

I think that this will defo be a step in the right direction for you all.

The meal plan sounds like a good idea - I alway do a weekly shop so maybe should change to monthly & see how I get on.

I also need to learn to cook I am rubbish - Got a big soup pot a couple of weeks ago & still havent attempted to make soup LOL

Oh well I will get some made at the weekend

Dxxx

moneymakestheworldgoround

Have been feeling awful for the last few days and have avoided posting on here. I must realise this is here to help me and do it regardless.

Still feeling rubbish and no idea why. Had a lot more work come in yesterday but I am really not interested in doing anything. Must get motivated and work out how I can help myself do this properly.

Figured I could get together about £200 and although I have many, many debts, I have 4 small ones which are only around £500 each. I made a full and final settlement offer to all 4 of £200 each, assuming I would be lucky if one accepted. All 4 accepted! So now I need to either work my bottom off and try and pay them all off, or just choose 1. All are offering to mark credit file as fully settled, and none of them charge interest so I suppose it doesn't matter which I go with.

Cheap meals are working - all the kids are on board and eating it all.

Completed DLA application form - god, that was mammoth!

House is an absolute tip so I may grab a bin bag and start decluttering and tidying up.

Half term next week - not looking forward to that

Hope everyone is well