The Adventures of a Debt Defying Diva

in_need_of_direction

It used to be that if you received aa, lived alone and no one claimed invalid care allowance that you would get a pension credit uplift that was quite sizeable and it'd be backdated to the date aa was awarded (can you guess where I worked in a previous life?). It also means that instead of having someone getting carer's allowance, your mum determines where she needs the extra help and from whom. I'd investigate this pre one off grants then go for the grants, I always would try and up income first. It must be such a relief for you though. At least now you only need to worry about your own emergency pot

RainbowBridgeReturns

Thanks INOD, that makes sense. I phoned mum yesterday and she feels like a lottery winner! I have given her the number she needs to ring re a pension credit increase and the information for the Blue Badge application, so she says she will get that sorted tomorrow. As for the grant, it looks like she will be entitled to one as she meets all the criteria, but we are going to leave that for a month before applying, while we get everything else in place, as suggested.

I am gradually gaining control of this house again, continuing with the washing and emptying out a big cupboard in our bedroom that was full of general tat. One more bag of rubbish for the tip!!!

I lost out on all my ebay bids, because they went too high for my comfort zone. They sold for approximately £25.00 each (inc postage) and the shoes went for £20.00.

But.... I have discovered a treasure trove. There is a big warehouse locally, that has been taken over by C*ncer Research and everything in it was either £1.00 or £0.50. I managed to find a black Windsmoor Jacket, Penny Plain trousers, leather bag from GAP and leather shoes from NE*XT, and paid the princely, combined sum of £4.00!!

I was chatting to the assistant, and he said that C*ncer Research policy was to increase stock turnover in their stores. Every two weeks any stock that has not sold throughout the country, comes to this national distribution centre, and is either sold to a cash for clothes outlet, recycled or sold for £1.00/£0.50 in the warehouse.

I am going to target myself with carefully spending £5.00 in there each month and see if I can turn it in to £25.00 on ebay. I am sure that I could easily have done that with this month's haul, but I am keeping it for my new mystery shopping job which starts tomorrow.

Today's key tasks.

1. Get DH to phone N*power to chase up any credit on our old gas and electricity accounts as per Martin's suggestion. They will not speak to me!

2. Attend Body Balance and Body Pump Class

3. Send card to dear sister, who has torn her calf muscle, doing a step class at that dangerous place called a gym.

4. Return Mystery Shopping purchase.

Today I am grateful that I am still plodding on and beginning to see signs of progress.

sassychick2014

Morning hon

Looks like you've had a very productive couple of days - well done in getting family to help with the tasks. Did the Indian go ok?

Also, great news re the C*ncer shop. That's a great deal if you can do it and I have every faith you do. We've a new A*thritis Resea*ch shop opened near by (where I got the tables) and they have some treasures for cheap but I never thought about ebaying anything. Good thinking Batman!

Have a good day x

RainbowBridgeReturns

Good morning, the Indian meal was very tasty Sassy, and I thoroughly enjoyed the company. My father-in-law's wife works for a brewery, so she brought enough alcohol to last a couple of weeks, now we are drinking moderately. In the good? old days it would not have lasted the weekend!! I am starting this new mystery shop job today, which is 12 hours a month on a regular basis. I am quite nervous about it, so my key items today are:-

• Write up a check list for the job and ensure that I am organised and well prepared to ace it.
• Spend 30 minutes organising April’s work load as I am already really busy and I am in danger of double booking.
• Empty and sort two drawers in our bedroom and put on two washes.

Yesterday, all the tasks were completed, except I only did one gym class instead of two, as I was running late, so I will squeeze in an extra class on Friday. There was no money sitting waiting for me at N-P*wer ...... shame .......

TTFN x

in_need_of_direction

The ebay idea is a good one. I know loads of people who wouldn't visit a charity shop but shop frequently on ebay. Keep us posted on how that one works out

RainbowBridgeReturns

Thanks INOD, I am not usually a fan of charity shops, but I got some great comments on my outfit yesterday, and I never let on where my whole designer caboodle came from! The shoes were a particular hit.

Yesterday, was another organised day that went pretty much to plan. I am beginning to get used to it, and my stress levels are so much lower than they were. I am naturally a pretty liberal, free and easy sort of person, dippy, hippy, who doesn't like things too linear or rule based, it brings out a rebellious streak in me. Unfortunately, that way of living causes me stress. I am working on a much more structured lifestyle with wavy edges, so I think that I am still free, and not some sort of caged bird, marching to someone elses drum!

So todays tasks are:-

1. Organise two drawers in the dressing table. Yesterday's drawers yielded a whole carrier bag full of debris for the bin men.

2. Attend a spin class tonight and then chill in the spa with my obligatory trashy mag.

3. Stick another two washes on. Unbelievably, I have still not managed to clear the ruddy thing, but when I have, the first thing I will do is photograph my empty cupboard, and post a picture on here, as a momeno for all time.

TTFN xx.

Today I am grateful for wonderful poets and creative people.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

sassychick2014

Morning hon

So glad to hear the decluttering & wardrobe audit is on - sure it will all work well. Also can't wait to see the pic of the empty wash cupboard!

I love charity shops! There's always such a bargain to be found and if it's rubbish shove it on ebay. Buying things & ebaying them are a great idea so good luck with it hon.

Being organised usually leads to calmness. I too am a naturally ditsy person and so I have always had to be organised or I don't remember or do anything. When people I worked with in the past met me outside of work they were always surprised at how different I was. I've only brought the organisation side of things into my to do lists & money. I'm not sure why it's taken so long! x

RainbowBridgeReturns

Thanks Sassy, I am beginning to see the advantages of an organised and structured life! Maybe this is another LBM!

I was just listening to a report that said that 1 in 3 hospital inpatients were nolonger with us, a year later, which was a very sobering thought. My mental and physical welfare can never be left to chance!

Serendipitiously, I decided to attend an Ashtanga Yoga class instead of my spin class, yesterday, and I loved it. It was a very small class and the teacher modified a number of the exercises for me. I came away feeling so grounded, relaxed and toned, so I will make that a part of my weekly routine.

I cleaned another two drawers yesterday, gathered another carrier back full of tat, and realised that all the stuff that I want to keep, barely lines one drawer. What am I going to do with all this space? or do I stick yellow police tape over the drawers?

Today:-

1. Two more washes.
2. Two more drawers.
3. Chase up and finalise work for April with GR.

I am grateful for Roses today.

ScarlettMcCain

Well done on the decluttering Rainbow! If you ever get to the bottom of your washing pile, feel free to come and help with mine I've just got out a load of summer clothes as I'm going to Spain with work soon and the dress code is 'smart beachwear' (whatever that is!) - where the clothes had been in storage they've gone all damp, so will all need washing. Aarrggghhh!

That's fab about the charity warehouse nearby, wonder if I can find one too!! Must admit I find ebay so much easier and more convenient than trying charity shops - I'm not a mad keen shopper so the idea of trawling round loads trying to find something I like that's in my size isn't a pleasant one. But, it is very MSE, so I may have to give it a go.

Coming round to your idea of 'structured freedom' too; I'm away this weekend but have Monday off work too, which will hopefully give me chance to do a food shop to last until the end of the month, and plan an exercise regime!

Good news about your mum's money too x

RainbowBridgeReturns

Hi Ruby,

'Smart Beachwear?????' whoever thinks up these dress codes?? What sort of work are you doing on the beach? Or is this an awards jolly that you are on. I am intrigued!!

Structured freedom has a nice ring to it, it sounds like an oxymoron, but we will make it work.

Thanks for popping by x.