Reeling from the Reality Check

NoOneAround

Hi Historybuff,
Taking inspiration from you pages (haven't managed to read all the way through yet but will it by bit!) after your posts in my dairy- I have major de-cluttering to do too, also love sewing but haven't had time for years, might just get the old sewing machine out - somehow being productive helps keep positive-ness up


Keep up the good work!
xx

Historybuff

Thanks guys. Well I'm back on the treadmill today. At least it's easier not to spend anything when at work all day! Will have to do a minimal shop, though today for essentials. £10-£15.
One side effect of being frugal is I'm losing weight! Definitely shrinking! Also feeling better because of eating more veg and salads. And drinking more water.
One more payment plan review yesterday. They are keeping the payment the same, but defaulting me now. So that will be three out of eight defaults. Two still marked as arrangement to pay and three still saying up to date! Amounts are going down...slowly, but going in the right direction. I'm wondering how I can get my outgoings down further. Looking at life assurance to see if I can get that down and also the mortgage. However, if I reduce the mortgage payments the term will increase and I will end up paying loads more interest, so don't think that's is a goer. I've looked at broadband only packages, but they work out much the same as I'm paying now for the whole package. I will keep thinking about this.
So if I can't reduce outgoings much further, I definitely have to increase income. I'm working on it. 1) get a new job with an increased salary 2) add a part time job 3) Get the novel written. I need to refine the plot line then discipline myself to write 250 words a day every day for a year. Then the same amount of time to edit and rework...should be done in a couple of years. There's so much going through my head. All the things I've posted about earlier too. The balls are all in the air, Now I need to catch a few and follow through.
Successes...decluttering the downstairs, getting into a frugal state of mind, organising and being on top of the household paperwork and finances, still managing to get out and about and enjoy life. Feeling good today. Have decided to take one day at a time for the rest of this month, live in the moment and not worry about tomorrow till it comes, whilst trying to spend as little as possible.

in_need_of_direction

That's an attitude that will take you far.

BritishBibliophile

You can also pop by the Boost Your Income part of MSE and have a look at some of the threads there. Everyone has a different way of earning extra cash, some people have success with survey sites or websites like Swagbucks, while others find it easier to write reviews for Ciao or post on places like Bubblews and MilkTheBlog.

Obviously it's not as reliable as a proper part time job or getting a new job with an increased wage, but the little extra here and there can help.

Historybuff

Thanks INOD and BB, I'll certainly have a look at those sites. Grocery shop was £13.47. Stuck to necessities. Going to do an hour and a half of tidying and cleaning tonight before having a long soak in a lovely bubble bath. Already helped OH move seven bags of garden waste to the trailer. It's amazing how much bigger the garden looks! Mr next door is helping OH cut down the massively overgrown bushes on his side of the fence tomorrow, so when I get home from work the side of the house will be clear and three new fence panels that we rescued from other neighbour's garden will be up! Things are moving.
I'm psyching myself up to ask OH to borrow £250 till next payday. Before I do that I'm seeing if I can sell the exercise bike and clarinet. I have also sorted out some scrap gold I can take in to the shop in town. Also crossing my mind is that I could pawn my decent jewellery. I'm a bit shocked that I have even thought that!

mfmaybe

Things sound tough, HistoryBuff. I'm sure it's just a blip. You sound determined though, and are keeping your eye on the ball. It will get easier, and everyone is here to support you.

Personally I'd save pawning the jewellery for the day you literally can't afford to eat, which will never come, I'm sure!! But do ask yourself if you properly, genuinely, love the items; or are you keeping them just because they were expensive? If you don't really love them, why not consider properly selling them? By which I mean having them valued and see then how you feel about parting with them?

Historybuff

Yes. I think you are right, but it just popped into my mind! I do love the items and would be very sad to see them go, so will keep them. I have other things to sell first!

NoOneAround

Glad you are not going to pawn shop History buff
Pawn shops are last resort - I know someone who goes from month to month pawning and rebuying back sentimental items - as bad a pay day loans.

Igamogam

Historybuff wrote: »

Also crossing my mind is that I could pawn my decent jewellery. I'm a bit shocked that I have even thought that!

You would be better rescheduling your mortgage! Seriously you would pay more interest but once you are back on your feet you could over pay the mortgage............just a thought. Guess it depends on how big mortgage is and how the numbers add up?????

in_need_of_direction

I know you want to tackle the debt yourself but it worries me that you consider pawning items precious to you rather than psyching yourself up to borrow from your OH. If he has the cash, can you just not just ask for it as a gift rather than a loan?