oh my life...... Light Bulb moment.

MiMi66

Well, a long day yesterday at work but interesting and a sort of NSD too. I didn't spend anything but when I realised we didn't have bread left to make sandwiches I had to fork out £5 to my son for lunch. He's kept a bit back for today for his work lunch and have a top up of a couple of pounds. Sigh. I was annoyed at myself and will be more organised next week. Honestly between cat food and lunches I don't have much money left for food shopping. Must rethink this.

And I know it's small successes but I haven't used my CC at all this week. A time of change of habits. My resolve feels good and though I know it's baby steps I do feel good about it and can't wait to make a payment off the debt. Sort of craziness isn't it? To be so keen to give money away to the CC companies.:p

I've downloaded a couple of apps for debt management and budgeting going to see if they support me to keep an eye on things and stick to a budget.

So today I am tackling the garage with paint etc. Deeeeeeep sigh. I don't like DIY but needs must. And a bit of domestic goddess behaviour as my little house has turned into a hovel this last week :embarasse

tealady

Hi I know how annoying that bread thing can be that is why I freeze bread, Have you looked at the idea of freezable fillings?

tori.k

Hi MiMi66 just caught up with your thread it's been quite a road for you and your story resonates with a lot of us.

Mine own is not far from yours for years I'd run debt right down even cleared it for a while and swore never again, then this and that would happen and before long i'd be back to where I started. a merry'go'round that I was long over due to get off.

My real light-bulb moment came the after a year of going to more funerals than celebrations and the realisation that 50 is approaching fast and want to enjoy my time with the people I love rather than stuck the work place to pay for the cost of things I own.

For me it's not about extra pension provisions or investments but just simply know ing how much I need to cover my outgoings each year with a little extra so it negates the need for credit cards or loans. Cards just foster a sense of false security.

You don't have to do this alone one of the free debt charity's would help take a lot of stress out your life. the help is there when you are ready to take it.
Best of luck

MiMi66

tealady wrote: »

Hi I know how annoying that bread thing can be that is why I freeze bread, Have you looked at the idea of freezable fillings?

Glad I'm not alone in that one! No I haven't even heard of freed able fillings. What are they?! Mind you my lovely son is a fuss pot. Ham sandwiches only allowed!

MiMi66

tori.k wrote: »

Hi MiMi66 just caught up with your thread it's been quite a road for you and your story resonates with a lot of us.

Mine own is not far from yours for years I'd run debt right down even cleared it for a while and swore never again, then this and that would happen and before long i'd be back to where I started. a merry'go'round that I was long over due to get off.

My real light-bulb moment came the after a year of going to more funerals than celebrations and the realisation that 50 is approaching fast and want to enjoy my time with the people I love rather than stuck the work place to pay for the cost of things I own.

For me it's not about extra pension provisions or investments but just simply know ing how much I need to cover my outgoings each year with a little extra so it negates the need for credit cards or loans. Cards just foster a sense of false security.

You don't have to do this alone one of the free debt charity's would help take a lot of stress out your life. the help is there when you are ready to take it.
Best of luck

Yes I completely get that cards foster a unreal sense of financial freedom. Those blasted ads on TV promote that too don't they. I am sure I am not the only one who has a tale of financial mismanagement - and I am grateful for all the suggestions and advice I have had.

I have a sense of determination that I've not felt before this time. I so want to be able to address it and face down the debt. I think my son being older helps? I have been very open with him so he knows why I flinch with spending money - he knew before but not the whole detail.

I have been really up front with close friends and the children. I've told the kids about the mortgage and debt and what insurances and pension cover they would have should something happen to me so they aren't fearful about being left with a shed load of debt. Sigh. Depressing stuff. I must write a will!!! I haven't done one and I don't know why? Not avoidant just not sure how and not wanting to pay money to a solicitor.

I will contact a debt charity if I can't manage the debt down. That £30k target means a lot to me this year and I feel optimistic. I did the debt remedy question and came out as suggesting a DMP, however I didn't do the figures accurately. I want to repeat that and again I'll use my achievements with Personalnplan this year to guide me. I don't want to do an IVA as I think the house would need to be sold. It may come to me downsizing though anyway.

I was looking at Rightmove and Zoopla yesterday as there is a possibility of a job change for me in a different area of Devon. I already drive slot for work (1250 miles last month) but this is in a seconded post. The potential new role would be substantive Debon wide and also some days a week in south Devon. A move to Exeter would make sense. It's more expensive there though :mad: and I would need to downsize in order to afford the move. My house is worth about £215K and is 3 bedrooms I could get a 2 bedroom house in Exeter or nearby place for around £180K. Which would mean capacity for the move costs plus a big chunk off debt paid off. Hmmmmmmm. Thinking. It all hinges on whether the proposed job becomes a reality.

Hey! I have had 4 NSDs other than my sons lunch money:-) need to get bread and milk today - so minimal costs. Excellent. :A

MiMi66

Ah a question. Can anyone recommend which credit rating website that is best and free? I am just wondering whether my exhusbands finances are still linked to mine? He and his wife have seriously done the wrong thing with money - it involves taking pension survivors benefit that she was no longer entitled to up to the tune of £100K. They haven't paid it back. And are living a great life style I might add with other very large debts accrued - though it may be they paid that bit back now as they sold their house and moved in with family rent free - do I sound bitter?!? I know they are not intending to pay back the Pensions agency (her deceased ex was a civil servant). My exhusband said to me when he left in 2003 that his intention was to keep the lifestyle to which he'd become accustomed. And he did, with bells on. They have around £110K joint income a year. Funny that he is intending to stop support of our son isn't it. What was I saying about the rich get richer - through fair means or foul.

I am wondering if their finances are linked with mine somehow? In the magic box of credit ratings.

crazy_cat_lady

Morning
Noddle and Clearscore are both free for life.
If I remember rightly, you can go through TopCashback to sign up for Equifax free trial and get about £15 cash back (just remember to cancel before the 30 days are up)

MiMi66

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

Morning
Noddle and Clearscore are both free for life.
If I remember rightly, you can go through TopCashback to sign up for Equifax free trial and get about £15 cash back (just remember to cancel before the 30 days are up)

Thanks for this Crazy cat lady (me too!). I shall have a look this weekend. Feeling a bit guilty for being knarky about my ex. Resentment and envy are not very honourable feelings and I am sure I probably don't know the whole story. Might have to edit that post and 'play nicely'!

So I have been an angel.
No Cc use.
Spent approx £15 on groceries on the weekend
£10 for son - lunches (grrrrrrrr)
£1.50 for chips that just called to me at work today.

Pay day the 27th and I have £60 left. I can do it! I won't need my emergency fund except for fuel which I will largely get back through work expenses. Normally I use cc for this but I am going to use my debit card this time it takes two months to get expenses back sadly.

So I am feeling chuffed.

I returned some sealant £11.49'back on cc
And had another PPI amount that I need to send off the agreement for. 260£ after paying 50% to the PPI company (arghhhhh why of why do I not do it on my own). And I had the hosting company here today and am having a student for three weeks. £20 a night so just need to make sure I don't spend it on too much food. The company doesn't pay until the third week so I won't have it too spend anyway so budgeting will be essential. I will make sure they have a lovely time though and have good meals. Hopefully it will be a lovely student who stays with us. So. 420 hosting + 22 PPI + 260 PPI + 85 ( ex's train ticket money). = 787. Half to emergency fund and half to Tesco cc I think. Or Halifax. Gave to figure out which save me the most in transfer fees. 393 :-) another 1% of my debt!
Hope everyone else is getting a bit of a boost too X

tealady

Hi again
Basically when I said freezable fillings I meant either making a batch of sandwiches and freezing them or use fillings that can be kept in the freezer.
For instance I often look out for my favourite cheeses when they are on offer and when they are I grate them and freeze in small portions.
Also a quich search on t'internet came up with quite a few surprizing ideas
HTH

Sazzie23

Those lunch's for son really take up the cash budget.
Suggestions:

Does he need a lunch everyday, or can you at least guess how many he'll need every week, plan in advance.
What about things like the pasta packets - 3 for £1 can send him with a flask of hot water if you needed (not sure how old), or sandwiches, I make a months worth and freeze them, different fillings so I get a surprise every day.
( Sandwich - about 40p, bag of crisps about 25p, choc bar or cake 35p flask coffee 10p fruit about 30p = £1.50 but I can get it less by careful shopping). Even if you cant do the sandwiches, do the other stuff, you can buy sarnies in morrisons or boots for £1.


If this doesn't work for you and DS, tell us why and we'll come up with more suggestions.