Spent 4 years pretending it's all OK

NoOneAround

So VERY nearly 1% paid:j (focus on the positive please and not on the increase in weight over the last 2 weeks:o)
Just as long as they don't all start adding charges/interest again - all quiet so don't know whether to be proactive and write to them again or wait until they start asking?


Decided to pay my road tax by 12monthly instalments (13 extra over the year) but have only just paid DH's and his MOT (well his car's MOT ) is due DEC and don't know what to expect as high mileage:( Plus as everyone keeps reminding me Christmas is fast approaching!
xx

crazycatlady2014

Nearu 1% is awesome :j Well done! Considering you have had the expense of DD going to uni that is brilliant I think you deserve a big pat on the back The only way is UP for the percentages but DOWN for the debt

I would probably wait until they get in touch with you but there will be others that maybe know more than me and have better advice?

You seem in a very positive frame of mind compared to your early posts which is great. Keep going, that next 1% will be here in no time!

CCL
x

Igamogam

Ah Christmas ............that old chestnut! We got very strict with Christmas many years ago when our DDs were quite small. Started with a falling out in the family ( OH side) but then it seemed the thing to do............we only buy presents for our DDs no other relatives or friends or the hairdresser's cousin's-dog-walker............or each other. Now that is bah humbug! We made a decision at a time when money was VERY TIGHT, told all our friends and family that whilst they may wish to buy gifts we would not be buying in return, just for the sake of it, not even token ones and almost all have been OK - those who weren't dont matter. We saw it as self preservation at the time but now its a rule that we have stuck to except in recent years as we each have a 'Secret Santa' at work with a limit of £10.........cos we are not that 'bah humbug';)

hazeldreams

Hi NOA, just wanted to pop in and say well done on the 1%! Congrats on saving £85pm on the oil too - that's tremendous! Good to hear DS birthday went well too! Xmas is a tricky one isn't it?! Apart from in laws and parents we've always stuck to just buying for the kids. But this year we've also asked my parents if they mind not getting us anything if we don't get them anything and they've been great about it. DH has yet to ask the same of his parents but I think they'll be ok about it. I was thinking of making some chutney/chilli jam as a token gesture instead....Any hows great to hear how positive you're sounding!

liltdiddylilt

Hi NOA

I am sorry I meant to say about the road tax, had you thought about paying for half a year, followed by a full year in 6 months. The slight increase in the cost to do that would mean that you had 6 months between cars and time to save. Bit of useless information now though isn't it?

Christmas at yours sounds utterly bonkers. After I moved away from my family and spent 6 months living on my own in a county where I only knew 2 people and didn't like anyone at work, I went home for Christmas and felt completely overwhelmed on boxing day when everyone descended. They may have thought I was scrooge but there were 15 people other than me there, nowhere to sit except on the floor with the kids, and it was bewildering and noisy for someone so used to living alone with a cat. I am glad you get the pleasure from it that my mum gets from having us all under one roof.

I spend on nieces and nephews, mum & dad get token lovelies from Jellytot/me combined and something made by Jelly. Brothers and sisters buy little things for me but I don't return it. I get my uncle a bottle of wine. Him and I don't spend on each other, and Jellytot has token presents from us as I organise everyone's willful spending on her into things that are very much needed or wanted, saving us a fortune over the year. It will stop when she is no longer as small and cute, but for now it is useful. My problem is I have 4 birthdays between November/December for those self same people!! And I will never be the auntie to combine gifts for my nephew who is unfortunate enough to have a birthday 2 days before Xmas!

PS, woohoo to nearly 1% - well done you!!!! :D:D No mean feat considering your income/outgoings ratio. Obviously careful planning on your part xx

grannyx2

Well done on 1% reduction.

I wouldn't bother writing to anyone, those predators will write when they think a review is due anyway. I've self-managed for 3 years and never offered them more. They've accepted it each time and never restarted interest or charges.
X

PinotGrigio41

Need to have a serious catch up with your diary Noone, but just wanted to say, I agree with Granny. Don't get in touch with the Predators. Lie low, they will contact you when they feel the need. I only have one predator who likes to do a six monthly review, in three years they are the only ones who have bothered. All others have remained quiet and we plod along quietly paying what we can. xx

NoOneAround

PennySaving wrote: »

So pleased you had a good family weekend. Open fire - bliss. I would be snoozing too
Quite rightly you needed a new bag. For one to last 4 years is ace, some people I know buy a bag every week! Great to hear your DH is on board too. 3 years ago when we were in the debts of despair my husband found it alarming that I kept everything and I mean everything logged on spreadsheets However, he soon started to enjoy reading them back and noting just how far we had come.
Enjoy your day.

Thank You PennySaving! Always have a big guilt trip if I buy anything for me! but it made me feel very nice to have a shiny new one. Trouble is I get attached to things - I loved my old one and its still looking great apart from the handles which couldn't cope with the kitchen sink;) I will get it fixed as is a lovely blue and cream leather with bits of tan but need to get priced for new handles - it was an £80 one snapped up for £40 at TKMx! I think DH only on board because he 's not having to talk about it!!!!!
NOA xx

NoOneAround

Brogden wrote: »

He.....? 'He' is the cat's father..........;);)

Brogden x

:rotfl::rotfl:
xx

NoOneAround

Oooooooh lots of visitors! Thank you all for dropping by - will reply individually later as am bit behind with work due to new found MSE diary addiction


MSE News update


Just submitted meter reading and bill updated but still over £80 in credit! did all the sums and found that even if usage goes up 25% in winter months the monthly DD should keep me in positive balance. So Thank You Lilt!! in an earlier post here you told me they had to refund anything over £5 is asked.
I checked on this site whether my supplier has a threshold and it was £75 so I called and asked for refund. Lady said that if I waited until 19th Nov my annual review was due anyway and it would get automatically refunded. So I said that was a month away , could she not do it now, she got quite uptight and said it would be automatic in November. Then she proceeded to explain that if I was in debit next month at time of review my DD would go up. I said that I could make up the deficit IF ANY at the point in time and she said that wasn't really the point of doing DDs. I said that I would take the chance, as I have worked out our elec usage and theoretically it should not go over (may do in Dec?) - she tried again but I just said I would prefer to have full refund now. Job done - will be £80+ in my pocket next week, not theirs
Satisfied with today's debt-busting - off to do some work (hopefully);) if I don't lurk incognito
xx