Mr and Mrs K's New Journey to a Debt Free Life.

AlexLK

cottage_retreatist wrote: »

I agree with scottishspendaholic - even if you are super busy there is always time to volunteer and it might give you a bit of perspective? I used to volunteer 3 mornings a week a few years back when I was studying for a Masters full time and working 5 shifts a week as well so you can always squeeze it in! I volunteered in a museum and in an urban farm on Fridays!! (London living!!!)

I have to admit to being very offended by some of your comments over the past few pages but you seem to have repented for your ill-guided slip up so I give you the benefit of the doubt but you seem to have a hint of the 'Tiger mom' about your approach to parenting - obviously every parent has a right to chose how to bring up their children but I ask you to be careful so as not to set up either yourself or little K for disappointment some time in the future.

And well done with the creditor and bulking up the F&F settlement pot! when you start writing the letters do let us know how it goes - I'm fighting my own F&F battles at the moment so any success stories always boost my confidence!!!

C-R x

All you Londoners are making me just a little jealous I don't live in a city! (so much to do)

Mrs. K. LOL'd at your "Tiger mom" comment, my niece (brother-in-law's daughter) is very pushed into things by her parents and I've always said we wouldn't do that.

As for F&Fs just you wait 'til I've got the cash together, I'm started at 25% with the collection agencies.

wegle wrote: »

Life is a learning experience. You made a mistake and now you will learn from it. You have apologised and people accept apologies. Now this is a positive situation as you can choose to take on board what you have learnt and put it into practice. :T

Whatever you do Alex, don't use this mistake as an excuse to withdraw into yourself with self pity, you know that achieves nothing.

Thank you and yes my initial reaction was "I need a drink", I must admit but I didn't and instead thought about what everyone was saying to me instead.

kissjenn wrote: »

Alex, I've a great life with a wonderful son. Genuinely wouldn't change my life with anyone.

Life dishes out some lessons for us all and it's up to each of us to choose what we want to learn.

If you're going to c0ck something up then no better place than this. People here are generous and offer a good sounding board. Far easier to repair virtual bridges than trying to take back some blistering faux pas at the nursery.

Maybe you could offer to be the pianist for the Christmas show...I'm sure something like that would bring you some admirers and a lot of joy.

Thank you and what is everybody's obsession with Christmas on this board?! :mad:;) However, playing piano at any potential show does sound like fun.

Readytobefree

I am glad others have suggested volunteering! Some community groups might benefit from your restoration skills! It might open up business opportunities too. Just a thought.

cottage_retreatist

AlexLK wrote: »

All you Londoners are making me just a little jealous I don't live in a city! (so much to do)

Mrs. K. LOL'd at your "Tiger mom" comment, my niece (brother-in-law's daughter) is very pushed into things by her parents and I've always said we wouldn't do that.

As for F&Fs just you wait 'til I've got the cash together, I'm started at 25% with the collection agencies.

Thank you and what is everybody's obsession with Christmas on this board?! :mad:;) However, playing piano at any potential show does sound like fun.

we're obsessed with xmas because we know that to budget for it we need to start planning for it a long time in advance!!! :cool:

haha!! good going - get in there with the 25%!!! They'll be tough b*ggers!!!! I'll be happy if they come back with just a bit more off their first offer to me - 200 quid off - that's not good enough!!!!!! :rotfl:

Readytobefree

AlexLK wrote: »

Thank you and what is everybody's obsession with Christmas on this board?! :mad:;) However, playing piano at any potential show does sound like fun.

Am sure they will need a Santa too :rotfl:

AlexLK

mum2one wrote: »

Thank you, I dont want you to feel terrible, I just wanted to give you a kick up the rear (in the nicest of ways). At this rate I'll need a glass of your wine tomorrow night If your lucky I'll bring some homemade cake and my famous Rhubarb, Orange and Wine marmalade... it has a potent kick in the morning!

Meant to say congratulations on the agreement with the difficult creditor.

I do have to say thank you to you, a year ago when I started my DMP journey, I wrote a piece for stepchange for their online newsletter, and a couple of months ago I was asked to do a follow up "A year on", to be honest the year has been up and down debt wise, - had to take a months "holiday" as needed some money towards a new car (new to me) then my finances were so stretched that I ended up having to reduce my payment by 25%. I felt a failure, as though at my age I should know better. But seeing (and being part of) your diary, you gave me the inspiration to say yes, and stop making excuses, it went live today, bit scary seeing it in black and white - but if it helps one person make a decision to face up to their debts and realise that life isn't perfect then I've done a good job.

Thank you. What is it with you lot and baking? Mrs. K., oh Mrs. K. are you liiiistening, those lot bake WHY DON'T YOU?? . Having said that my father likes to make various fruit crumbles from fruit he's nicked out of other peoples gardens. Honestly, can't believe I've just admitted to that.:rotfl:

Glad I've managed to give somebody some inspiration. Have you started a diary then?

cottage_retreatist wrote: »

oh that's a super idea kissjenn!!!!!

yes! it's the dreaded c-word again! but what a wonderful idea!!!!

:T

scottishspendaholic wrote: »

That, dear sir, is exactly what I do. It's ironic, but I'm great with everyone else's money, just cr&p with my own. At least I have lots of empathy!

I do bake! Coffee & walnut cake is a speciality!

I'm great with my business (it's got very healthy finances), my parents asked yesterday why on earth I don't pay myself more, I admitted a large part is the fact I don't trust myself with the money but sat in the business it grows. :rotfl: So can definitely relate to what you are saying.

If you can't tell I've got rather a sweet tooth.

7roland8

Don't know much about F&f settlements myself but isn't it a bit hypocritical to be asking to pay off a reduced amount of debt when you are sitting in a house full of stuff that you could sell to fund the debt - its a bit different for others who have nothing to go towards payments.

kissjenn

From memory, as my small boy is now a big boy, they start rehearsing for Christmas right after the October week. So right about when mini-k would be enrolling.

Oh and we had turkey pie tonight from the remnants of Christmas dinner.

Just to keep on theme :rotfl:

AlexLK

Readytobefree wrote: »

I am glad others have suggested volunteering! Some community groups might benefit from your restoration skills! It might open up business opportunities too. Just a thought.

I don't know about "skills" :rotfl:, I have a go! But yes, it would be something I would be interested in. However, at the moment simply getting up out of bed is hard enough some days, I don't want to let people down.

cottage_retreatist wrote: »

we're obsessed with xmas because we know that to budget for it we need to start planning for it a long time in advance!!! :cool:

haha!! good going - get in there with the 25%!!! They'll be tough b*ggers!!!! I'll be happy if they come back with just a bit more off their first offer to me - 200 quid off - that's not good enough!!!!!! :rotfl:

I hate Christmas, quite happy enough for my money problems to be an excuse on that one.

As for the F&Fs, don't tell me you expected any less from me?

Readytobefree wrote: »

Am sure they will need a Santa too :rotfl:

Got to draw the line somewhere, RTBF. :rotfl::rotfl: Mind Mrs. K. can get that "special" Mrs. Santa costume on any day of the week ....

AlexLK

7roland8 wrote: »

Don't know much about F&f settlements myself but isn't it a bit hypocritical to be asking to pay off a reduced amount of debt when you are sitting in a house full of stuff that you could sell to fund the debt - its a bit different for others who have nothing to go towards payments.

Do we not all think the banks get quite enough?

kissjenn wrote: »

From memory, as my small boy is now a big boy, they start rehearsing for Christmas right after the October week. So right about when mini-k would be enrolling.

Oh and we had turkey pie tonight from the remnants of Christmas dinner.

Just to keep on theme :rotfl:

Did I read that correctly remnants of Christmas dinner ... in SEPTEMBER? :eek:

kissjenn

Yup...neatly wrapped in grease proof and tin foil.

Was really good tbh...haven't had turkey since, well, Christmas :rotfl: