Staring it in the eye

C.W

I'm not particularly frivolous, and yet I got myself into such a pickle which landed me in a rather large spot of bother. I can trace it way back to when I turned 18 and I got a credit card offer in the post and my dad told me to apply (so he could use it) and it went out of control from there.

One of those stories of growing up in a family that had nothing, or next to nothing, so there was never much education around money. We just didn't have any. Before I even left my dad's at 19 I was already being weighed down with 1 or 2 grand's worth of debt. I'd somehow manage to keep things rolling but, at that stage, I had no idea that minimum payments would never rid myself of that.

I was working on minimum wage, 3 part time jobs, a house share I couldn't really afford, as well as trying to pay things off. But I was one of those people who wanted other people happy so, when I met a guy and he thought I was weird for living off pasta and cereal, I started buying things I knew he liked (mainly meats which were above my limited budget). This people-pleaser let things get out of control. In the end, I really could not afford to pay rent at all.

I ended up moving in with Mum and stepdad and that has been on and off for years now. I think I get myself sorted, I move out then the situation changes (such as having no job) and I have to move back.

The last big issue was living for 2 years in my own place, that was actually quite expensive for being on my own. I had just started a uni degree and was supposed to be trying to work full time around it. I was totally wiped. Then hours started getting cut back and not only was I drained of energy and motivation, but also of cash too. My debts had spiralled out of control because I'd opted for the 'Ostrich in the Sand' mentality and, when I finally did turn around and view the mess I'd made, I couldn't rectify it.

I ended up calling a debt management company and was in floods of tears. So overwhelmed and felt ridiculously stupid because I must have known that's the route I'd end up having to go down if I carried on the way I did.

In the end, I opted for an IVA. I expect many will say that that was a bad choice and some days I think so too. But, at the time, it really felt like the only choice. I felt overwhelmed and out of my depth and needed someone to try to pick up the pieces and assemble them in such a way that I couldn't mess them up.

And yet, I don't think I've really learned anything from that. I've been on the IVA since February 2012. I have paid every month though there has been twice last summer that I was late to pay as I was unable to work due to an injury but only qualified for statuary sick (this is where I borrowed from my mum).

Paid on IVA up to date: £3,783.24 (currently £176.34 monthly payment)
I've paid off some of what I owe my mum so I now owe her: £600
Rent/board: £250 monthly

I know I'm going to have to make a proper budget that I need to stick to. I hate getting 2 weeks in and find I have no money spare in case something comes up.

I work full time in one job which leaves me approx £840 after tax. I also started working as an Ann Summers ambassador for a little extra cash. Sometimes just enough to get me through to the next week.

What's really got me concerned is I ended up adopting a kitten. A very badly treated kitten that had no home. I actually almost managed to find it home as I knew I couldn't afford it but I was, in effect, told by family that if I didn't take it then it'd stay where it was. I'm sure they meant well as they knew I liked her, but what a cruel game they are playing! And also a ridiculous thing to be thrown into the mess but I feel like I can barely sort myself out, and now I'm supposed to take of another living thing? Oh dear.

So... another expense to budget in.

I'll get stuck into this tonight since I've essentially outlined my mess ups. Best get ready for work!

C.W

At my most frivolous, this is what my budget currently looks like (that's if I pay for one fitness class a week, one meal out with a friend and one cinema trip/coffee trip. Plus I think it adds what I should be saving each week to cover Christmas and birthdays). Also note, I have only added my main wage as my extra income from the parties aren't predictable:

MONTHLY SPEND Home £385.00 Insurance £0.00 Eats, Drinks & Smokes £190.00 Transport & Travel £56.29 Debt Repayments £176.34 Savings & Investments £0.00 Family £20.00 Fun & Frolics £54.17 Health & Beauty £10.00 Clothes £20.00 Education & Courses £0.00 Big One Offs £33.33 Odds & Sods £3.00 TOTAL £948.13

This budget includes £80 for the cat per month as it didn't give one off payments for things like vet visits, whereas the next three months there will be visits as she's still a kitten and needs her jabs and spaying.

Currently my monthly food bill is estimated at £150 per month as I did a quick check on a supermarket by filling the basket with bulk items and that came out at £100 (inc cat food & litter). With a buffer of £50, I feel pretty confident that should cover a sensible month without excessive 'luxury' food purchases.

I guess the spend isn't that bad since some of those payments will go down on on some months, but that's the highest spend without being a little crazy with the throwing money around. As it stands though, it's an overspend of £100 which, if I removed from the budget the savings for birthdays/Christmas, I could essentially say whatever I earn from the parties covers that. Like wise with the kitty. That would bring the budget down by just over £100.

Next step: Meal plan and bargain hunt so I know exactly what I need when payday rolls around, then I can stock up and know what I can spend within the budget.

C.W

Week One
Monday

B.
Overnight oats (oats, milk, yogurt, chia + fruit - set flavour combos)
S.
Apple & peanut butter
L.
Spicy bean burrito with salad
S.
Healthy home made fruit muffin (Melissa's recipe)
D.
Vegan mac&cheese
S. Satsumas

Tuesday

B.
Overnight oats (oats, milk, yogurt, chia + fruit - set flavour combos)
S.
Seedy bake bars
L.
Leftover vegan mac&cheese
S.
Healthy home made fruit muffin (Melissa's recipe)
D.
Left over spicy bean mix with couscous
S. Strawberries and cream

Wednesday

B.
Overnight oats (oats, milk, yogurt, chia + fruit - set flavour combos)
S.
Satsumas
L.
Pasta with veggies & sauce
S.
Healthy home made fruit muffin (Melissa's recipe)
D.
Quinoa stirfry
S. Baked tortillas and hummus

Thursday

B.
Overnight oats (oats, milk, yogurt, chia + fruit - set flavour combos)
S.
Satsumas
L.
Left over stirfry
S.
Healthy home made fruit muffin/brownie (Melissa's recipe)
D.
Baked sweet potato, tuna & mayo with salad
S. Peach and honey

Friday

B.
Overnight oats (oats, milk, yogurt, chia + fruit - set flavour combos)
S.
Seedy bite bars
L.
Veg curry
S.
Healthy home made fruit muffin/brownie (Melissa's recipe)
D.
Easy tacos
S. Caramelised apple & ice cream

Saturday

B.
Overnight oats (oats, milk, yogurt, chia + fruit - set flavour combos)
S.
Apple & peanut butter
L.
Left over curry
S.
Healthy home made fruit muffin/brownie (Melissa's recipe)
D.
Quiche
S.
Home made rice pudding and fruit/jam

Sunday

B.
Overnight oats (oats, milk, yogurt, chia + fruit - set flavour combos)
S.
Berries and yogurt
L.
Quiche
S.
Healthy home made fruit muffin/brownie (Melissa's recipe)
D.
Healthy roast
S.
Apple pie & custard

http://mywholefoodlife.com/2014/01/11/healthy-meals-in-under-30-minutes/

My weekly plans will currently look something like this one above. I may have to tweak a bit once I work out how much ingredients and such will cost and how much prep I can do in advance.

NOTE TO SELF To add on following weeks: egg salad pittas, cauliflower fritters, omelette, peanut noodle stirfry, chia pudding, pie, pancakes, enchiladas, casserole... essentially some weeks there should be things stored in the freezer that can be reused in other dishes (such as spicy beans from burritos as a topper or in enchiladas, casserole in pies etc).

Pippilongstocking

I just wanted to wish you goodluck and well done on the progress to date, its all the small things that turn us around.



My pal and I looked at IVA's - she took one, I didn't and both options were the best for us both. Her's has just finished so well done on working something out that suits you.

Some great meals up there!

Happy new diary.

ChopinonaBudget

Just wanted to wish you luck for you and little kitty!

Are there any charities (RSPCA, pdsa, etc) where you can get a spaying / jabs etc for cheaper than normal vet cost?
I'm afraid I don't know anything about this anymore but I used to have a cat (also an 'acquired' one) and I took her to the PDSA when she got sick as I was on housing benefit at the time. I'm not sure if they do spaying etc for cost price for certain circumstances or anything like that. They were excellent vets anyway, worth a google?

ChopinonaBudget

P.s. Re: tacos... I make vegetarian tacos using the spice kit (I'm lazier than you) and split half the spices with my daughter who has beef mince. For beans, I use a can of value baked beans at £0.sillymoney and drain them well. Amongst the spices, nobody can tell the difference and it's dirt cheap Its only more expensive than your black eyes if you do things ahem properly and cook from dried (I used to be that hard core, then I bought a can opener)

debtfree2014

Well Hello, Awesome diary, you have it all down now to read and your making a fabulous start, its more detailed than mine, excellent job. I have subscribed and will be checking it everyday for updates.

Have a Ace day. Nice job on rescuing kitty cat, does she have a name. I also agree PDSA do low cost and sometimes free in some circumstances.

Hang in there.......we can do this

x

C.W

Pippilongstocking wrote: »

I just wanted to wish you goodluck and well done on the progress to date, its all the small things that turn us around.



My pal and I looked at IVA's - she took one, I didn't and both options were the best for us both. Her's has just finished so well done on working something out that suits you.

Some great meals up there!

Happy new diary.

Thank you! I'm sure you are a right and it's certainly better than I am addressing rather than pretending the problem doesn't exist.

What did you go for instead of the IVA? Debt management? Congrats on your friend though! It's 5 years of payments for IVA, isn't it?

C.W

ChopinonaBudget wrote: »

Just wanted to wish you luck for you and little kitty!

Are there any charities (RSPCA, pdsa, etc) where you can get a spaying / jabs etc for cheaper than normal vet cost?
I'm afraid I don't know anything about this anymore but I used to have a cat (also an 'acquired' one) and I took her to the PDSA when she got sick as I was on housing benefit at the time. I'm not sure if they do spaying etc for cost price for certain circumstances or anything like that. They were excellent vets anyway, worth a google?

Thank you for the suggestion! I have her booked in for her first jabs at a local vets 23 Aug so I'll ask him about spaying cost as I get discount on early spaying for booking the jabs with them. It may be it doesn't work out that expensive... who knows? I will certainly look into the PDSA etc and see how much theirs are.

In terms of your comments on the meal plan, I have used tinned beans in stews and such. I especially liked using the 5 bean mixes, but I may work with the dried if that works out cheaper. If I know it's better for me (and better value) I don't mind spending a little time on it.

I'm actually not a veggie but I don't feel I need the meat (and it's far too expensive). I'll stick to my simple grocery shops without worrying about meat.

Can openers are super handy though! I did also pick up a little hand gadget for chopping too which is supposed to make veg noodles or will cut veg into chunks. Only cost me £3 so it's not a big deal if it's no good but hopefully it will... Not shelling out for expensive gadgets, that's for sure.

Love your signature by the way - it amused me you even put a library fine on there!

Pippilongstocking

C.W wrote: »

Thank you! I'm sure you are a right and it's certainly better than I am addressing rather than pretending the problem doesn't exist.

What did you go for instead of the IVA? Debt management? Congrats on your friend though! It's 5 years of payments for IVA, isn't it?

Exactly far better to tackle the problem head on.

I did MSE, over paying by every spare penny, downshifted on the shopping, got a lodger, well got two lodgers eventually and lived on the small things boards for ages and ages.

Learnt so much on here and the support was utterly invaluable.

Without these lovely folks I think I would have run away and kept my head in the sand forever.

These are fabulous boards, you'll do great. If I can turn myself around, anyone can.

So what's the kitty's name

C.W

debtfree2014 wrote: »

Well Hello, Awesome diary, you have it all down now to read and your making a fabulous start, its more detailed than mine, excellent job. I have subscribed and will be checking it everyday for updates.

Have a Ace day. Nice job on rescuing kitty cat, does she have a name. I also agree PDSA do low cost and sometimes free in some circumstances.

Hang in there.......we can do this

x

She is called Poppy. Are we able to upload pictures, or is it links only?

Thank you for the message and the support. It's much appreciated xxx