When you have Absolutley nothing but have everything

scottishlassie56

Short version of long story.

Due to domestic violence I packed a suitcase and left behind horrible husband and his fists and moved to the Midlands to make new start.
I was given a safe place by a local Domestic Violence charity in a lovley house and they sorted out all my benefits and I am on the local council waiting list for a one bedroomed property.

I join lots of block viewings for empty properties but have not been successful, until today, yesterday 3 of us went on a block booking for 3 flats in a 16 floor high rise locally.
As we viewed each flat the chap showing us round asked which one we preferred both other applicants wanted the 4th and 7th floor empty flat and I said ok I'd happily take the 12th floor if it became available and at 5pm today they rang and offered me the tenancy which I accepted.

So from having nothing other than the suitcase of clothes I left with I now will have my own place, those keys will have value beyond money, I cannot explain how secure this makes me feel.

Now comes reality, I can manage the day to day living expenses but I'm panicking re furnishing it.
I have some jewellery that I can sell that will buy me a reconditioned cooker fridge and washing machine from a local charity that helps low income folk.
The DV charity kindly give you 2 pillows a duvet and couple of fitted sheets and pillowcases, and duvet cover and a starter pack of basics like washing powder, washing up liquid, etc and local Women's Institute gives a ladies pack they make up containing toiletries 2 large bath towels 2 smaller towels and tea towels loo roll etc, this makes me feel really humble that such kind people exist.

As suggested by a friend I made while in here , our circumstances are similar, she suggested I put a wanted advert on local Frecycle for a sofa and bed so fingers crossed
Two other ladies awaiting a place and in the DV house with me presented me with a kettle and a toaster this evening as a moving forward to a new life present, such kindness when they too have nothing..

scottishlassie56

So I shall keep this diary of my journey to bieng Debtfree, I don't have the wiggle room financially to borrow money and repay it as long as I have a chair and a bed and something to cook on and be able to wash my clothes and a few books to read I shall be content.
I owe about £1250ish but the bank is letting me pay this down each week,:eek: it will take ages to pay but the end of the tunnel is appearing slowly.
Do say hello
Im Ailsa so hello

stoplurking

Hi Scottishlassie56 I just wanted to say hello and welcome to the MSE tribe. There are lots of helpful people on here who I'm sure will give you lots of support and advice on clearing debts. Once you are sorted if you post up your income and expenditure the clever people will spot areas where you can save. And the old-style boards are brilliant for reducing grocery spends.

I am sorry about the circumstances under which you arrived in the Midlands but hopefully you will settle in and enjoy life here - I'm also an import to the area. There might be a charity that can help -there is one near here called Bare Boards which provides furniture and other household items for people on low incomes. And freecycle might turn up some useful things. Your life has now taken a turn for the better without the DV so, good luck, onwards and upwards! X

warwicktiger

Ailsa, good luck in your new life. I don't know where you are in the Midlands so this may be no use, but for Instance in Kenilworth the Lions club collect unwanted furniture and sell it on cheaply. Might be worth checking out.

scottishlassie56

Thank you stop lurking andWarwicktiger for your kind welcome to MSE, I only put a wanted ad on the local Freecycle yesterday and already have been invited by a lovely couple to go and look at some items as there mother has to go into a care home and has some household items that might be useful.

I hovered outside a local we buy gold type of shop this morning and went in they hummed and did lots of tutting noises and weighed my bits of jewellery and offered me £21:eek: and said the watch was useless and lots of other insults..something told me to depart quickly so I did and went into a jewellers a few shops down.

Well that's my first lesson on being short of money and folk short changing you when you look desperate, the jeweller gave me £275 :T and has kept my watch as he thinks he may have someone who would be interested in it and then I said would my wedding ring and engagement ring be worth anything another £175 woo hoo never thought my miserable husband had bought me anything decent but seems despite his vileness he has paid for my new start.

So I've bought a reconditioned fridge freezer washing machine and cooker from a local charity and they kindly do free delivery and fitting.
I bought some ingredients to make a lasagne and garlic bread and a bottle of wine to have a nice meal with the 3 other ladies in the Domestic Violence house where I am at the moment before I move out, it's a kind of thank you meal for all the times they have sat with me in the wee small hours when I couldn't sleep and was down and despite them having similar situations happen they shared there kindness time and empathy with me plus I have the beginnings of 3 good friends here.
I shall return this charity's kindness to me by helping in the fundraising etc and try to pay back in kind the support and help they have given me.

So just off to visit these kind people from Freecycle and they mentioned a bed which would be wonderful if they have one to give and then all I would need is a small sofa and that's me, I can build the rest of my new home in time.
So thank you for reading

[Deleted User]

Hi, congratulations on getting a flat, after all you have been through you deserve some luck. I hope the furniture you went to see was useful for you. The Salvation Army also often have access to furniture. Charity shops will provide you with dishes, saucepans etc.

Have a look at the old style money saving board, there are some great ideas there for saving money and cooking cheap but tasty meals and saving money.

I will look forward to reading your diary. Take care.

scottishlassie56

Hello Deleted_User

Well I went to meet the couple from Freecycle and there mother who is moving into a care home due to illness and had a lovley afternoon, they were Scottish too and knew the area I came from and spent a lovley afternoon chatting and reminiscing.

I am now the proud owner of the lovley hardly used double divan bed from her spare room a gorgeous brown leather settee and chair and some lovley cushions and a rug so that is my flat sorted.
They very kindly said they would get there man and a man or two to deliver it, during my chat with the ladies daughter I found out that this was her second marriage and she too had a not too nice first husband and said she understood how I was feeling but that she had met her now lovley husband through work and was very happy, hope. I can have a happy ending too but not looking to ever remarry :A

Plus jeweller left a message on my clapped out mobile phone to say
he found someone to buy my watch for £75 which. I accepted so now must do my budget, get my Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit forms sorted out and start doing practical things to get my keys and get into flat.

The saying what a difference a day makes certainly has rang true today, a new lady joined us in the DV house this evening, oh my her poor face was bruised and she has had every bit of self confidence eroded but I have to remember that was me a few weeks ago, it is hard to realise but I am proud of the steps I have taken to smile again, bad days are there but more positive future now.
Forgot to add we all had a jolly evening with my homemade lasagne and salad and we cracked open a couple of bottles of wine from local cheapo off licence and the new lady and the other ladies and I had a man free ladies night in. even the new lady smiled a few times, I shall miss there company but they have said as Im local they will come round, rol up there sleeves and help me give the flat an initial good clean.
So tonight I feel tipsy, secure,warm and glowing in the good side of human beings so night all x