Kate's Journey

Skinnylatte

Hope you feel much better soon Kate. I've only just recently paid of ,y overdraft, and you're right, looking at a black bank balance instead of a red one is SO COOL!!

in_need_of_direction

Glad you're on the mend and well done on the finances. Take care.

Kate_fixing_it

Thank you all, I'm taking things easy and steadily improving. I'm hoping to get back to work for a few days next week before the op but we'll see how I feel.

Now, anyone for a wry giggle? HSBC have written. They can't accept the plan from SC because the signature on the letter of authority doesn't match the one used to open the account 14 years ago. Of course it doesn't, I got married in 2008, changed my name and updated it then. That's not the "funny" part though, I find it slightly amusing that I can't repay them nearly £5k because of a 14 year old scrawl but over those 14 years they've given me access to a loan of £5.5k (paid), a loan of £1.5k (paid), a loan of £3k (£1.6k outstanding), a credit card of £1.5k (£1.3 outstanding) and an overdraft of £2k (outstanding). All arranged online or over the phone without a signature! So they've been happy to give me access to £13.5k but want me to jump through hoops to pay back £4.9k??? Ridiculous!

I'll call their 0845 number on Monday between 9 and 3 as requested to sort this out but who wants to bet I'll swiftly receive a response claiming that they can't accept the plan and they can't halt the interest?

I know it was ME that spent it and they didn't hold a gun to my head to take it but this seems like an unnecessary difficulty. As do the wads of letters relating to these "on hold" accounts. I feel a complaint coming on...just as soon as I feel up to the argument.

For now I'm off to do something much nicer. It's my wonderful Dad's birthday today. A celebration for us both because for the first time in years I'll be buying his gift in cash from within my budget I know there's nothing in particular he wants (he knows the situation I'm in and will go mad if I get anything extravagant) but a new jumper or a bottle of brandy (on offer in Morrisons ) will fit the budget and make him smile. Plus I'll be getting out for the first time since leaving hospital

Might even manage to get dressed today

Kate x

Verbatim

Have great time with your Dad.

Kate_fixing_it

Hi all,

Monday morning but no misery here for the first time in two weeks the smallest two children aren't up at 8.15 lol! Joke is on them though as today is a teacher day so I'm enjoying a little quiet time. Teens have gone to school and as DD1 reminded me "only 19 school days left...EVER". Not strictly true as she's starting A-levels in September but a summer job will soon make her grateful for the easy days of her youth

All quiet on the debt front and the bank is ticking along nicely with all bills paid and the balance sitting prettily in the black. (I still love seeing that, doubt I'll ever tire of it)

Health wise the non-leg issues must be improving because I've realised my leg hurts more today! Quite a shock to get out of bed in search of painkillers for that this morning at 6.45 - especially as I was awake until 2am Never mind, in 4 days time I'll be "celebrating" my birthday by getting this leg fixed. I'm not feeling too nervous, I've even been joking that it won't be the first time I've spent the majority of my birthday unconscious I'm having this one last day off and going back into the office tomorrow, might not manage three full days but there's no point sitting here letting myself get wound up when I can get out the house, be amongst friends and get some work done. Time and taxes wait for no one so it's still month end and the company money won't move itself!

I've started re-watching all of 24 too (I LOVE Jack Bauer!) in the wait for the new series on 6th May. There are loads of little things I missed the first time around and whilst it's not an excuse to sit around it does make me stay put. Between that and Game of Thrones with DH I'm getting quite good at taking things more slowly so this time the post-op recovery won't be quite as big a shock to the system when I'm forced to ask for and accept practical help - it took at least two weeks to accept I couldn't even make a coffee last year! With hindsight it's rather amusing to think about the lengths I'd go to trying to be independent!

So that's about it from me today. A plan to get out the house for the rest of the week, keep the fear at bay but not push myself past my limits. Not exciting or ground breaking but realistic and sensible. And always moving forward towards good physical, emotional and financial health.

Kate x

beanielou

Have a good week
Hope all goes well for you.

in_need_of_direction

Hi Kate, how's you?

dawnybabes

How's the surgery gone Kate? Hope you're resting :-)

Kate_fixing_it

Hi all, I can't believe it's been nearly 3 weeks since I updated! Life has been very up and down.

First off... SC first payment has gone! Still having a few niggles from creditors (mostly automated letters that seem to arrive when I'm feeling rough ) but I'm on the road. I thought I was prepared to see the initial increase in debt but it's been very disheartening and a bit upsetting. I'm hoping I'm toughening up a bit now.

DH has finished his IVA :j he received the letter ending the DD last week. We're just waiting for the certificate of completion now. Things between us are going okay but the subject of debt is still a thorny one. I keep him informed of facts but I'm not prepared to discuss it more deeply.

I've had a strongly worded chat with tax credits about the reduced income this year. They have agreed to calculate the award based on this year's income but we'll see what happens.

Now the leg... the op went according to plan although it did take half an hour longer than planned (no idea why) the surgeon told me after that it was the easiest metal removal he's done in 20 years I had a real battle immediately after waking with pain (morphine via IV was doing NOTHING) but after 10 days I had my first day in months painkiller free yesterday. I was told to walk on it as soon as I could but as before let the pain set my limits. I'm taking it very slowly and making progress. I still haven't left the house yet but I'm happy with how things are going.

I don't want to speak too soon but I think it's been a success. The pain I'm experiencing is surgical wound related and a nerve pain I was getting pre-op (if I touched a spot on my calf my ankle and foot would be agony) has ceased! A nurse friend has speculated that a nerve could have been trapped by the plate or a screw. I'm also starting to get some feeling back in my toes which I haven't had since the initial op. Overall I've had a really rough month but things are going well.

I was also lucky enough to be the first in for surgery so I was eating a birthday breakfast of toast (with REAL butter ) by 1pm. Not the best birthday I've had but certainly not my worst. In fact I felt well enough when I got home to send DH out for a couple of hours while I had people with me. The poor bloke looked dreadful when he came to get me and barely left my side for the next 5 days.

I'm signed off until June and can't drive until the stitches are out which is this Friday but I'm planning to get the study books out on Monday, there's a very good chance I can get through the rest of the course before I go back to work which will ease the pressure on me. I'm also not spending as I'm going nowhere and it's lovely to see my current account sitting in the black for the second month

Thank you all for you well wishes, it's meant a lot to me.

Kate x

Kate_fixing_it

Oooooooh and I forgot! One credit card is GONE! Vanquis was originally going to be part of the DMP but as I delayed the start I was able to clear it I'm expecting some trailing interest to pay but one down...

I also got the balance from DH's college course, only 6 more Payments to go I'll be two debts down by the end of the year - although I am in the process of complaining to the online learning provider and hoping for at least a 50% refund which would clear 20% of my debt. It's going to be a bit of a fight but I'm up for a scuffle

Kate x