Positive Steps Challenge 2013

fairyclicks

Suzi - have you thought about changing banks??? lol - i know that not always easy but i had some major nasty conversations with barclays and thought sod you lot. I'm now with nationwide who are much more approachable

I would suggest you open a new account anyway before you take things further with a complaint - they can just leave you a bit high and dry if they don't like you complaining. After thats done i would write to them explaining the situation re hardship, the fact you are trying hard to get out of that situation and they are making that harder. Add some info to show you know your rights/the info about charges etc and be very specific about what it is you think you are entitled to. If you get no where consider taking it further - the ombudsman is taking a dim view of banks who do not treat their customers fairly.

Paul - so sorry to hear about the divorce proceedings - this might sound really obvious but have you said you don't want to get divorced? and asked your wife what it would take to sort things out? Or even suggested counselling? i know that can be helpful regardless of the outcomes.

Not sure what happened my stepping today.........not much sleep again not helping :o

[Deleted User]

Sorry to hear you're not sleeping much fairyclicks. I know how hard it is to function with an accumulation of not much sleep. Hopefully you will be able to get some restful sleep soon.

I didn't really consciously do ant steps today but I did the following:
1. Took out my shopping trolley and got in the weekly shop - in walking to and from the shops I got some exercise and I didn't use any petrol.
2. Planned out a healthy food plan for the week.
3. Paid an invoice which I had been procrastinating over.
4. I am heading out for a swim soon

During the course of my summer holidays I want to:
1. Take some time to recharge and renew. Get rid of the dark circles under my eyes. I am probably going to take the next week or two to just do household bits and use the time to relax and unwind.

2. Get some development work done for school. With the new qualifications there is lots (and I mean LOTS) to do. I need to prioritise the Level 4 Chemistry course and an elective I am offering called Lotions and Potions but I also want to have a good look at National 3, 4 and 5 Chemistry.

3. Complete my Self-assessment (Tax). I left it to the Christmas hols last year and it was horrible doing it then. I want it over and done with asap.

4. Kick-start my weight loss. This is now my number one goal. I am pretty unfit and need to work up my fitness slowly - daily walks and swim to start with. Plus some morning Yoga. If the mornings are nice I am going to try and do my Yoga out in the garden.

5. Get organised for Nurture Group. This is a group I have been given at school for half of my timetable (at my request). It is a group of vulnerable kids who need nurturing for various reasons. I need to work out targets for them and plan out the first term or so of activities but build in some flexibility too. I started with the group about a month before finishing term and I can easily say that this is the hardest but most rewarding part of my job. I have quite a lot of work to do here and will probably end up going into school to get things set up.

My daily 5 positive steps will focus on these main goals over the next 6 weeks and beyond. I feel blessed to have this time off to get ahead with some of these things and have the time to focus on them.

ScarlettMcCain

Hi everyone, I've read your posts on the positive steps with great interest; I'm just starting out on my debt free journey and looking for encouragement wherever I can! I've taken stock of all my debts and have asked CAP Money to help me with a DMP to tackle the £25,165 of debt I have got myself into no massive spending, but (clearly) I've always been rubbish at budgeting, and since I got divorced in 2004 I've struggled with finances and stacked up the credit cards trying to stay afloat. It's very, very scary how easy it is to get into debt, and how had it now seems to tackle it.

The people at CAP Money have been fantastic and I've recently made my first payment into the DMP, they've written to all my creditors and I'm starting to get the default letters through, which is also scary. I know it's better to be honest and explain what's happening - when I phoned First Direct (my bank for years) to tell them, the chap was very nice and understanding - but it does feel very lonely sometimes to be in the situation where I won't be debt free for years, so thank you to all you lovely people for such inspiring posts

Any encouragement gratefully received - the admin side of the DMP has been very tricky so my brain is reeling a bit at the moment - but I do like the idea of daily positive steps!

fairyclicks

Rubyslippers77 wrote: »

Hi everyone, I've read your posts on the positive steps with great interest; I'm just starting out on my debt free journey and looking for encouragement wherever I can! I've taken stock of all my debts and have asked CAP Money to help me with a DMP to tackle the £25,165 of debt I have got myself into no massive spending, but (clearly) I've always been rubbish at budgeting, and since I got divorced in 2004 I've struggled with finances and stacked up the credit cards trying to stay afloat. It's very, very scary how easy it is to get into debt, and how had it now seems to tackle it.

The people at CAP Money have been fantastic and I've recently made my first payment into the DMP, they've written to all my creditors and I'm starting to get the default letters through, which is also scary. I know it's better to be honest and explain what's happening - when I phoned First Direct (my bank for years) to tell them, the chap was very nice and understanding - but it does feel very lonely sometimes to be in the situation where I won't be debt free for years, so thank you to all you lovely people for such inspiring posts

Any encouragement gratefully received - the admin side of the DMP has been very tricky so my brain is reeling a bit at the moment - but I do like the idea of daily positive steps!

Welcome to the thread rubyslippers and a huge well done on getting yourself onto the DMP as you can see from my signature i was in your situation just a few years ago and i know exactly how you feel! I am today working on getting my final debt cleared - not bad considering i haven't been able to work and my expected debt free date was in 2038 or something close to that. The main thing i'm trying to say is it feels very scary to be where you are right now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Please don't feel lonely - you certainly are far from alone!!!!

xxxxx

[Deleted User]

Welcome RubySlippers, I am sure you will find lots of encouragement on here. Well done on taking the steps to get your finances sorted.

It is a stunningly beautiful morning here today. I am heading out to the local country park with my sister and my 2 nieces later for a picnic which I am really looking forward to.

My other plans for today are to simply take more time to relax and renew and to take some gentle exercise (a walk in the sunshine and probably a swim later this evening) to keep working up my fitness from my current level of couch potato.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

suzitiger

[Deleted User] wrote:

Welcome RubySlippers, I am sure you will find lots of encouragement on here. Well done on taking the steps to get your finances sorted.

It is a stunningly beautiful morning here today. I am heading out to the local country park with my sister and my 2 nieces later for a picnic which I am really looking forward to.

My other plans for today are to simply take more time to relax and renew and to take some gentle exercise (a walk in the sunshine and probably a swim later this evening) to keep working up my fitness from my current level of couch potato.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Sounds wonderful Allie, Have a lovely time, it certainly is a beautiful day

Rubyslippers77 wrote: »

Hi everyone, I've read your posts on the positive steps with great interest; I'm just starting out on my debt free journey and looking for encouragement wherever I can! I've taken stock of all my debts and have asked CAP Money to help me with a DMP to tackle the £25,165 of debt I have got myself into no massive spending, but (clearly) I've always been rubbish at budgeting, and since I got divorced in 2004 I've struggled with finances and stacked up the credit cards trying to stay afloat. It's very, very scary how easy it is to get into debt, and how had it now seems to tackle it.

The people at CAP Money have been fantastic and I've recently made my first payment into the DMP, they've written to all my creditors and I'm starting to get the default letters through, which is also scary. I know it's better to be honest and explain what's happening - when I phoned First Direct (my bank for years) to tell them, the chap was very nice and understanding - but it does feel very lonely sometimes to be in the situation where I won't be debt free for years, so thank you to all you lovely people for such inspiring posts

Any encouragement gratefully received - the admin side of the DMP has been very tricky so my brain is reeling a bit at the moment - but I do like the idea of daily positive steps!

Hi Rubyslippers and welcome! Sounds like we are going through the same thing at the moment, I have less debt but situation wise I am just about to set up a debt management plan myself, at least for the next few months.
You are totally right, its best to be honest, it feels horrible when you admit to it but at least you know where you are and people are able to help you if you have admitted your situation. :money:

Suzi - have you thought about changing banks??? lol - i know that not always easy but i had some major nasty conversations with barclays and thought sod you lot. I'm now with nationwide who are much more approachable

I would suggest you open a new account anyway before you take things further with a complaint - they can just leave you a bit high and dry if they don't like you complaining. After thats done i would write to them explaining the situation re hardship, the fact you are trying hard to get out of that situation and they are making that harder. Add some info to show you know your rights/the info about charges etc and be very specific about what it is you think you are entitled to. If you get no where consider taking it further - the ombudsman is taking a dim view of banks who do not treat their customers fairly. [/QUOTE]

Thanks Fairy, I will do that. With Nationwide can you withdraw cash without charges from most cashpoints? My only issue with them would be that I have no clue where my nearest branch would be...

Edit: Where did the quote marks go hahaha, sorry guys!

[Deleted User]

Morning All,
Today's positive steps:
1. Exercise - local walk plus short swim tonight
2. Tidy up paperwork/filing
3. Have a look at priorities for the summer and decide which one to focus on for next week.
4. Early bed tonight. Being on holiday I am starting to turn night into day and vice versa, staying up late watching useless (but entertaining) TV.
5. Give myself a treat and look at houses for sale. I can't afford to move but I can work towards it.

Giggles86

2 weeks and 2 days to the summer holidays and I met get back on top of stepping. I've been home alone most of the week (except 2 nights when OH stayed over) and I've rather enjoyed fending for myself. It's been a pretty productive week and today's steps (while watching tennis) are:
-tidy desk - done
-put Christmas boxes in top cupboard - done
-put uni folder s in top cupboard - done
-sort out 2 boxes I'd missed - done
-put empty boxes on top of wardrobe - done
-sort through recipe magazines - started
-sort through photography magazines
-finish reading book
-make cake to take into school tomorrow - done
-half hour jigsaw - done
-shower - done
-lunch for tomorrow - done

fairyclicks

Just popping in to say hello for today and i'm off to bed! am soooooo shattered after doing bootsale today in mad heat when i got 3 hrs sleep last night car almost emptied but i just gave up - it will wait until tomorrow

Suzi - yes re free withdrawals for nationwide - you can apply online and do withdrawals and deposits via nationwide atms, and i think via post office as well (but check that )

I would respond to other posts too but am afraid i will start sending messages with my nose hitting keyboard lol! Night alllllll xxxxxx

Sir_Pac

suzitiger wrote: »

Te world is a difficult place to make money as a fitness instuctor at the moment, there are barriers in all directions!

Please list the barriers, so we may offer suggestions on how to get over, go under, run through, destroy those barriers

suzitiger wrote: »

I think it is part of anxiety/depression that makes me get so worried about doing things.

We're fighting the same demons - welcome to the club It is beatable though, and in my opinion, its a change in mindset rather than pills (they made me worse)