Time for a change

WelshKitty85

Happy new year everyone! Feeling quite determined today. 2014 will be the year that I get to grips with tackling my debts! Looked at the snowball calculator and worked out that I could have half of my debts paid off by xmas 2014, and could pay them completely by xmas 2015. Thats based on just my wages, so if and when my husband finds work, we should hopefully be able to pay if off a bit quicker.

Got a few assignments that I need to tackle today, but going to make time to take pics of some items I want to sell and get some listed on facebook.

Spent last night at a friends house, which was lovely, and they gave us some of the leftover food to bring home, so thats lunch sorted.

Feeling a lot more positive now I have a plan and can finally see a debt-free future!

Igamogam

WelshKitty85 wrote: »

Thanks Igamogam. I have had a look but cant find anything to match what I already found. To be honest, I am quite happy with the prices I have found, so will get that sorted.

Okay:D I have found the policy I want from M&S but by clicking through topcashb*ck I will get £40 back. I guess its all down to the cover that an individual needs in the end.

WelshKitty85

Finally took oh's advice and went to docs today. Been told I have an aggressive infection, which is why I have been feeling so rough. Started on antibiotics but also have to go to hospital this afternoon to have tests to check for 'underlying issues'. Just what I need!

Still planning to attempt the childrens room when I get home. Even if I dont get any of it listed for sale today, it will be a start.

WelshKitty85

Well, not a very productive day today. Managed to sort through kids shoes. Binned the ones that are not suitable for selling. Only about 2 pairs to sell. And thats as far as I got in their bedroom.

Did a small amount of work on an assignment but have LOADS left to do over the next week.

On the plus side, it has been a NSD. Meals have been from the stores & freezer. Done a stock take and prepared meals plans and shopping list for the next week or so. Not desperate for shopping yet so going to try and put it off til Sunday. Earned a few more points on swagbucks, will hopefully reach £25 in the next week.

WelshKitty85

Still feeling pretty rough, but decided I must make today a more productive day.

Have emptied the washer & taken meat out of the freezer for tonight. Done some more work on an assignment and am hoping to have this one more or less finished today. Have a few bits listed for sale on facebook that aren't shifting, so gonna bag them up and take them to cash 4 clothes. As they say, every little helps. This will go towards holiday fund. Going to tackle a bit more of the childrens room. Have decided to do it one bit at a time so it's not so overwhelming. They still have Xmas presents that they haven't opened because they have no room for them!

WelshKitty85

Been keeping an eye on the hotel we want to stay at when we go away and just noticed the price had dropped by £30. Had budgeted the full price so thats £30 back in the budget!

Bit more swagbucks done too, and the assignment is getting there...slowly!

WelshKitty85

Ran out of milk this morning so decided to do my weekly shop today. Much to oh's horror, we went to Ald!. I am pleased to report we managed a weeks shopping for £37. We usually spend close to £50 so I am very pleased with this.

On a less positive note, an old tax credits over payment has come back to bite. I wrote to dispute it back in Oct/Nov and received a reply saying it has been passed to the notional entitlement team and that I do not need to make any payments until they have made a decision. I have not heard anything then until this morning when a letter from debt collectors landed through my letter box. I phoned tax credits and was told that the notional entitlement team and debt recovery team work seperately and because NE team are taking so long to make a decision they have decided to recover the debt rather than wait any longer! I have phoned debt collectors to explain and they have put it on hold, but I am more than a little annoyed about it! If I have been overpayed due to something that I have done wrong, then I am prepared to make arrangements to pay it back, but dont understand why they have just passed it to debt collectors after telling me not to make any payments yet?!

Squirrelly

Hi WelshKitty,

Just thought I would pop in and say Hi. Well done on your ald! shop we were 'converted' in September and it's one of the best steps we took, one of the things I like is that you can say yes to treats for the kids we had reached the point at Mr T's when we were only buying basics and I hated the constant no you can't have that cereal etc.

What a pain with the tax credits! Such a weird way of doing things, but I work in local government so shouldn't be surprised, my goodness departments talking to each other, whatever next

Keep going x

WelshKitty85

Hi Squirrelly, yes that shop included a few little extras that weren't on the the list, but I dont have to feel bad about them as I've still saved money! I used to shop there a while ago and honestly can't remember why i stopped.

Igamogam

Well done with the Ald! conversion.......I am not convinced yet. I have given it a good go but have been disappointed every time - quality of meat ( I usually bulk buy in a local butcher and would rather eat less and continue with butcher). I use AF for bulk buy dried store cupboard stuff ( pasta rice etc) and some tins like kidney beans and tomatoes. I do however like the cubed ham, parma ham and some cheese so stock up when I am passing - its not on a route I use very often either and living out in the sticks means I am careful with the fuel miles! My good friend and fab cook, swears by Ald! - I will continue to experiment

Not good regarding Tax credits - hardly your fault the decisions dept is sooooooo slow! Send them a rocket:mad: