Skint Dad's Debt Diary

Emmala

SkintDadUK wrote: »

Let me tell you a story,

Once upon a time there was a man called skintdad. He was contended with his life, he had wonderful kids, a beautiful wife and close family around him who loved him unconditionally.

Skintdad worked all the hours under the sun so he could pay the bills, put food on the table and a roof over his and his family's head.

He had always worked, through the hard times and good. Then one day sitting at the table going through the bills came across something that make him sad.

Even though skintdad was a hard worker and would take extra shifts etc., sitting the table going through the bills he realised that they were in a serious financial situation. So serious in fact that the money going out was more than the money coming in.

Worse than that, once skintdad added up the cost of childcare, after school clubs etc. it turned out this amount was higher than skintdad earnt.

Skintdad was sad.

He went to his employer to ask for a pay rise and even though skintdad was a hard worker his boss said no.

Skintdad felt useless.

After speaking to skintmum there was only one thing to do. Skintdad would have to leave his job and look after the children full time whilst skintmum who was the main earner carried on working.

Skintdad felt like a complete failure, not only had he left his job, he was in an awful financial situation as well, owing thousands to numerous creditors.

He had let his family down. He was devastated.

The last day at work came and went. Skintdad got home and the house was empty. As he sat on the sofa lost in his thoughts he started to cry, tears running down his face, thoughts racing through his mind that he wasn’t good enough for his family and that he had let them down.

Just then he felt a hand on his shoulder, It was skintmum and the children. He had been crying so much that he didn’t hear them come in.

Skintmum sat down next to him, took his hand and placed her head onto his shoulder. She told him that she loved him ever so much and that she was contended with her life, she told him his kids loved him and his family loved him very very much as well no matter what situation they were in, it was unconditional

He realised from that point on that however bad it got, he had the full unconditional support and love of his family and that's what drives him on everyday.

Whatever situation you are in, the love of family and friends can get you through the darkest of days.

The end.

PS. I had a bit of a dark day today but I started to think about skintmum and what she said and that gave me the energy to stay positive and carry on fighting.

Let me tell you something......being in a pair (married, not married, whatever) means being a team. Sometimes things are split 50/50 and each of you make a similar contribution. Sometimes the balance shifts from one end of the scale to another. The point is, it doesn't matter.....that's what being a team of two is about, sometimes you share the load, sometimes one of you takes on more than the other but it doesn't mean the other one is worth any less.

Chin up young man, you are doing your bit in the same way as Skintmum is doing hers.....this is what you need to do for now. Who knows, in five years time your roles may be reversed. Doesn't matter as long as you are working towards the same goal, even if some days are darker than others.

Years ago, my husband and I earned roughly the same. When I dropped to three days teaching after DS1 for the first time I couldn't contribute as much to the pot as he did. Two years after DS1 came DD and I gave up teaching, one, to look after the two little ones, and two because it meant that DH could develop his career which meant being away from home a lot (both here and abroad). According to his family, I was sponging off of him!!!! Anyway, here we are and DH has lost his job, and I am going back to work, a complete reversal (and admittedly, I won't earn as much as he did, but hey, I'm doing what I can!). That's what being a pair is all about........although I have teased him about his timing, of course he doesn't mind being at home now the kids are all at school and I've done all the hard work!!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

It will all come out in the wash, hang in there,
Molly xx

SkintDadUK

AlexLK wrote: »

Sorry to hear today has been a bit of a dark day. I've been there, many times and only hope things get easier for you.

As for Just say NOvember; well, you're a braver man than I!

Thanks.

I think I may be a little run down. I didn't sleep well last night so today even though I woke up full of beans, I have gradually become more and more tired as the day has progress.

I've just made myself a steaming hot cup of tea and found a few rich tea biscuits in the cupboard which has lifted my mood somewhat.

In regards to the challenge, I need to put myself through things like this if I am ever going to achieve my dream of being debtfree within 3 years.

I'm actually looking forward to it :eek:

AlexLK

MollyMischief wrote: »

Let me tell you something......being in a pair (married, not married, whatever) means being a team. Sometimes things are split 50/50 and each of you make a similar contribution. Sometimes the balance shifts from one end of the scale to another. The point is, it doesn't matter.....that's what being a team of two is about, sometimes you share the load, sometimes one of you takes on more than the other but it doesn't mean the other one is worth any less.

Chin up young man, you are doing your bit in the same way as Skintmum is doing hers.....this is what you need to do for now. Who knows, in five years time your roles may be reversed. Doesn't matter as long as you are working towards the same goal, even if some days are darker than others.

Years ago, my husband and I earned roughly the same. When I dropped to three days teaching after DS1 for the first time I couldn't contribute as much to the pot as he did. Two years after DS1 came DD and I gave up teaching, one, to look after the two little ones, and two because it meant that DH could develop his career which meant being away from home a lot (both here and abroad). According to his family, I was sponging off of him!!!! Anyway, here we are and DH has lost his job, and I am going back to work, a complete reversal (and admittedly, I won't earn as much as he did, but hey, I'm doing what I can!). That's what being a pair is all about........although I have teased him about his timing, of course he doesn't mind being at home now the kids are all at school and I've done all the hard work!!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

It will all come out in the wash, hang in there,
Molly xx

Molly: Thank you. I am aware this is skintdad's diary but I (and my wife) can relate to this and often need to be reminded of it.

AlexLK

SkintDadUK wrote: »

Thanks.

I think I may be a little run down. I didn't sleep well last night so today even though I woke up full of beans, I have gradually become more and more tired as the day has progress.

I've just made myself a steaming hot cup of tea and found a few rich tea biscuits in the cupboard which has lifted my mood somewhat.

In regards to the challenge, I need to put myself through things like this if I am ever going to achieve my dream of being debtfree within 3 years.

I'm actually looking forward to it :eek:

Not sure about your way but round here there's all sorts going round, I was ill for over three weeks not long ago. I'm quite used to not having a decent nights sleep so again know where you're coming from.

In regards to looking forward to Just say NOvember ... what are you, a sadist? :rotfl: Actually, a lot of the reasons I can't do it involves how my wife and I do our grocery shopping (we don't buy much at one given time for various reasons).

ETA: You've just prompted me to put the kettle on myself, at least it keeps me off the Scotch.

stewby

Hey skintdad.

It's all good. I am looking forward to the NOvember challenge as well. I think (well for me anyways) it is the idea of achieving something, even if it is something small like a spend-free day. Maybe that is why you are looking forward to it as well, especially if you are having "low" days??
:undecided

Cheeky question... your fakeaways. Where do you get your recipes from?? And do you have one for beef with spring onion and ginger... and one for sweet and sour sauce?? (I am constantly trying to make sweet and sour sauce with no vegetables as I don't like them but am never successful).


I have really enjoyed your diary so far and you last blog entry that you put up here made me cry. I hope you are feeling a bit better now and look forward to reading more.
Hugs.

p.s: congratulations on your blog being so popular. Hope your "mystery plan" gives you success.

AlexLK

stewby: I can relate to a feeling of achievement from the NSDs too and admire anyone who can manage the Just Say No challenge. I'm doing Naughty but Nice because I'm simply not hardcore enough!

Also very interested in beef with ginger and spring onion.

SkintDadUK

stewby wrote: »

Hey skintdad.

It's all good. I am looking forward to the NOvember challenge as well. I think (well for me anyways) it is the idea of achieving something, even if it is something small like a spend-free day. Maybe that is why you are looking forward to it as well, especially if you are having "low" days??
:undecided

Cheeky question... your fakeaways. Where do you get your recipes from?? And do you have one for beef with spring onion and ginger... and one for sweet and sour sauce?? (I am constantly trying to make sweet and sour sauce with no vegetables as I don't like them but am never successful).


I have really enjoyed your diary so far and you last blog entry that you put up here made me cry. I hope you are feeling a bit better now and look forward to reading more.
Hugs.

p.s: congratulations on your blog being so popular. Hope your "mystery plan" gives you success.

Hi Stewby, I am looking forward to the November challenge. I like a good target and there are plenty of them within it!

As for the fakeaways, the recipes are our own. we think about what we want to make. research lots of recipes and bring different elements into them. we then look at ingredients and look for cheaper alternatives.

I will definitely look at doing the beef with spring onion and ginger dish, it sounds yummy! Likewise with sweet and sour sauce(we've already been looking at that)

I'm really glad you are enjoying my diary. I get real pleasure in putting my thoughts and feelings out there for people to read.

I look forward to you commenting more on my journey

SkintDadUK

Having a good day today.

We did a food shop on Sunday and it was late by 45 mins. I emailed the supermarket and politely complained. I didn't hear anything then this morning I check my emails and they have refunded us £8.24! Result!

To make things even better, I went online and checked the cost against there price guarantee and was rewarded with another £3.57 voucher!

It really does show that it pays to either politely complain and check online to see if you can get some cash back.

Emmala

Glad you're sounding more positive today Skint Dad x

SkintDadUK

MollyMischief wrote: »

Glad you're sounding more positive today Skint Dad x

Thanks Molly. I do really feel a lot more positive today, I reckon I was just a bit tired yesterday and things started to get to me more than normal.

All in all October has been a good month and I hope November will be even better.

I am looking forward to tomorrow and the for the first lot of payments to come out for debts :j:j:j:j

Also I have joined in with a couple of challenges which will keep me occupied. The Just Say November and the giving up / cut down alcohol challenge. I love things like this so I will be giving it 150% and most probably blogging about how I am getting on as well.

Talking of blogging, I've just posted "17 Tips to Make You a Smart Shopper" which is a good list of tips to make you think more before you go shopping and therefore help stop impulse buying.

I'm off to bed now so goodnight everyone and sleep well.

SD