How I live now.

twiggy86

Thanks to you Nora I have finally cancelled my phone insurance!!!!

RosaBernicia

Knitting_Nora wrote: »

When I was at my worst, I'd sit there kicking myself for the unnecessary things I bought on impulse. I don't kick myself now (what's the point?), but I've sold a lot on and I'm now very good at returning things to the shop the next day. I am at one with buyer's remorse! :rotfl:

I still buy on impulse - but I do it a lot less, and I'm conscious I need to keep working on it. One of the key areas is around food purchasing (which is why your observation and Pelirocco's are so good). Right now, I have plenty to eat in the house - even chocolate (shhh, don't tell). But I'll still buy more or get a takeaway if I can - because I like to spend money, and because I've lacked the discipline to eat what I already have first.

I know the feeling - it's sort of a shopping binge urge. I've also got much better at returning things, and the other thing I notice is that I handle the 'but if I don't buy it now I might miss it' feeling much better. I can remind myself that I've managed without it perfectly well so far and if I don't have an immediate use for it then I can't possibly really need it. And that there will always be another way of getting the things I really [STRIKE]need[/STRIKE] want. Ebay, for example

I usually have food stocked up but need to be better co-ordinated with it - for example tonight I went out for frozen meats and chocolate, then decided to make something different and used the last of the gluten free pasta that I could have replaced if I'd realised half an hour earlier. Still doing much better than I was though, and even making really simple lunches keeps me out of the shops and saves loads.

I found that I do need to have emergency food in for the times when I need to study/ get back late/ get detoured by phone calls, otherwise when that happens I don't eat (which isn't healthy and means I eat junk the next day). So I used to keep 'emergency pizzas' in the freezer - just a couple of nice and passably healthy ones from the supermarket - so that I could cook them in 15 mins and still be eating something healthier than a takeaway for a lot less money. I can't do that now as gluten free pizza is pretty much like shoe leather :rotfl:which is why I get lovely one-pot, sub-300 calories for £4 curries from these people instead. http://www.cookfood.net/ (And now I've looked them up online, that fabulous little info bar has popped up to tell me I can get TCB cashback on them so I might even order to collect )


Rosa xx

Knitting_Nora

Aaleigha wrote: »

Looking back (catching the post about utilities ) I notice you have reduced your monthly over spend by nearly £30 that is amazing

*blushes* why thankingyoukindly. I'm still in (nice) shock - it was so easy. Why haven't I done this before?! DOWN WITH BRAND LOYALTY!! Ooo, sorry - just noticed the time. 'Tis a bit late to be shouting.

twiggy86 wrote: »

Thanks to you Nora I have finally cancelled my phone insurance!!!!

Yay!!! Now wrap your phone in bubblewrap and staple it to your hand. What are you going to do with your monthly saving?

RosaBernicia wrote: »

....the other thing I notice is that I handle the 'but if I don't buy it now I might miss it' feeling much better.

Oh, I know that one well! I was always like that with DVDs. Now I walk round the store with them in my basket, talk myself out of them and trek back to the stand to return them to their little shelf. Drives the store security people mad!

I can't do that now as gluten free pizza is pretty much like shoe leather :rotfl:which is why I get lovely one-pot, sub-300 calories for £4 curries from these people instead. http://www.cookfood.net/ (And now I've looked them up online, that fabulous little info bar has popped up to tell me I can get TCB cashback on them so I might even order to collect )


Rosa xx

Is being gluten intolerant a new thing for you? I'm discovering it more and more in the people I know. Do you find it makes things tougher on the grocery shopping?


And cheers for the TCB tip - I was always a Quid-ferret person, but I'll take another look at them.


Nora.xx

RosaBernicia

Knitting_Nora wrote: »

Oh, I know that one well! I was always like that with DVDs. Now I walk round the store with them in my basket, talk myself out of them and trek back to the stand to return them to their little shelf. Drives the store security people mad!

:rotfl: snap - I do that with clothes... well actually with anything that there's only one or two on the shelf!

Knitting_Nora wrote: »

Is being gluten intolerant a new thing for you? I'm discovering it more and more in the people I know. Do you find it makes things tougher on the grocery shopping?

Yes, I was diagnosed as gluten sensitive in the last year or so. It's wonderful to be finally really healthy and it helps my diet as I don't crave bad things like before, but yes shopping is a bit of a PITA. There is plenty of gluten free stuff available now but who stocks what really varies, and so does the quality of the stuff. So eg I buy pasta from Wa1trose, soy sauce from Sainsbugs, and 'bread' from Tatco. I'm gradually getting better at making stuff that doesn't need the gf equivalents, but they are a godsend when you're just learning as it makes it so much easier to cook your usual recipes.

There is a fantastic smartphone app available if you join Coeliac UK (£20 ish a year), which lists all the branded foods certified gf , all the background stuff on other foods (I can never remember which grains I can't have for things like spelt!) and will even scan barcodes to check them - much easier than carrying the paper directory around. It also lists restaurants who will serve gf food by location, so that you can search for somewhere nearby. Worth mentioning if you know someone who's struggling to adjust.

Knitting_Nora wrote: »

And cheers for the TCB tip - I was always a Quid-ferret person, but I'll take another look at them.

So was I, but I feel they've gone a bit downhill recently - eg I went to do my insurance comparison and instead of giving me a couple of quid to run the main sites and a decent amount direct with the company, they've started doing their own rather limited comparison search. I hadn't tried TCB as I thought they'd be much of a muchness but other people on here kindly recommended them :A and I've already racked up insurance, broadband and a hotel booking, plus their site is really clear and the tracking is immediate - I'm impressed


Rosa xx

Knitting_Nora

At the end of November last year I was frogmarched to the benefits office by a very dear friend. I'd never claimed anything but JSA when I was previously unemployed, and was resolute in not applying for benefits - mostly because of pride, and also because I didn't want to be seen in the same way as the people you see on those awful benefits programmes.


Anyway, I now get a little help with housing benefit and working tax credit. I'm very grateful, and frankly it's motivated me to work harder to come off them as quickly as possible.


But this morning, I was reminded why I'm actually (and inappropriately) a little in awe of those Daily Mail/Sun headline 'benefit scroungers' who never work a day and get all the help there is. Put simply - it's a bloody hard system to work with!!


I've been notified that my HB has been overpaid - which means my monthly benefit helpy-bit will reduce with immediate effect from £158.06 to £129.90 - a reduction of £28.16.


The 9 page document apparently explains what's happened - but I can tell you, as a degree educated, reasonably intelligent person that has worked for both the central gvt and the CAB - that it doesn't. It takes 9 pages to say that all of the information that I supplied - as required - has been classed as being somehow wrong because HMRC 'have provided your earnings or private pension details' and goes on to suggest that I have been dishonest in some way. SAY WHAT?!!


I provided all of those details when I made the original claim. The very nice lady actually told me that I didn't need to give them as much information as I had, so the very sniff of a suggestion that I've in someway defrauded the government has really narked me. In fact, the tone of the entire 9 pages of drivel has *really* hacked me off. Right from the start there is the assumption that I made the mistake and not them - pretty hard since I gave them everything they asked for when making the initial claim. Then, on the second sentence, they state that they're entitled to ask for the money back. Well of course they are - I haven't argued it, I'm not doubting it (well, I am a bit - but it's their money...frankly, I'm grateful for anything at all), so why the belligerence? Grrr!!


Now, I am actually going to get in touch with them - purely out of curiosity as I'm intrigued to see what HMRC have said that I didn't. Enquiring minds and all that.


But Lordy, I sat here reading these 9 pages today and thought to myself - if you're one of those so-called scroungers, and you've managed to get anything from this system that's a constant amount and useful in any way, then I reckon you've probably done more in the way of work than most people would appreciate!


Now, back to reality - that overspend is back to three figures, but boy am I relieved about yesterday's savings given the hit to my monthly income.


Here is my revised (revised) SOA - still with no food (clothing is bought using birthday money, and hobbies are all from my current stash):

NB: Actually, it doesn't include anything because I've deleted it! Accurate SOA in post 289. See you there!

DawnW

I HATE that scrounger rhetoric and the filthy tabloids that promote it, so don't be bullied by it Nora. It has ruined too many lives :mad:

Most social security benefits go to pensioners and working people and anyone who doesn't realise that old age WILL happen to everyone, and in the current climate ANYONE can end up needing a bit of help is frankly ignorant.

HMRC have probably supplied incorrect or out of date information - I received a coding notice the other day telling me that I am being taxed at 40% on my small pension, which together with tiny self employed earnings is my entire income :eek: My accountant advises that this is because I was for a while a higher rate tax payer, and even though this some time ago, and they have since been given the correct information, they have randomly assumed that I still am. And it isn't only me. Loads of her clients have been in touch with similar issues, by all accounts. I am lucky in that it isn't causing me undue hardship and in any case we are getting towards the end of the FY (if I got in touch with them now it would still take till then to sort out), but I am certainly looking forward to getting it back once my accounts are done for 2014/15!

So it is definitely worth checking what HMRC are up to :mad:

debtfreeoneday

What a lovely happy diary it is in here and it there are custard creams going, then I'm subscribing!!

:-)

twiggy86

Great idea about wrapping it bubble wrap but not so keen on the stapling! I'm going to use the extra towards my debts. Already have my budget set up for next month so I've rejigged it.

How annoying about your benefits! From all accounts HMRC are pretty useless when it comes to having upto date information but if you don't keep things updated then you can get in to trouble! Double standards!

I'm just popping the kettle on if anyone wants anything?!

Knitting_Nora

You're a right lovely bunch!

DawnW wrote: »

So it is definitely worth checking what HMRC are up to :mad:

Oh I shall - bless 'em!

debtfreeoneday wrote: »

What a lovely happy diary it is in here and it there are custard creams going, then I'm subscribing!! :-)

It *is* a lovely happy diary (aside from the occasional HMRC/benefits rant! ). I'm so incredibly lucky that while I might struggle financially at times, I now largely lead the life I want (hence the name of the diary!). How many people can say that? I just need to up the income a bit and get more control over that naughty spending. Except for the custard creams...some things defy all scrimping, especially when you're sharing them!

twiggy86 wrote: »

Great idea about wrapping it bubble wrap but not so keen on the stapling! I'm going to use the extra towards my debts. Already have my budget set up for next month so I've rejigged it.

Brilliant! I think, when you make these changes, it's so important to be able to see the benefit.

I'm just popping the kettle on if anyone wants anything?!

Oooo, yes please! Mine's a tea, please - milk and one sugar if we're into specifics.

Nora.xx

Knitting_Nora

Morning lovelies!


Today has started in the most interesting fashion, in that my computer has had something of a hissy fit! But I've nursed it through - which is lucky as I'm loving being back on here with you all, plus I've got an ebay pile to get loaded ready for going live tomorrow.... busy, busy, busy!


This afternoon I'm off to meet an old friend for dinner - I'll be honest and say that it's going on the credit card. Not good, but I've picked a chain that I've got vouchers for in order to limit the damage (shouldn't be more than a tenner). It's also why I've sorted out the ebay pile - because I've come to a really basic decision on my cards:

No more.

Easier said that done with that three figure overspend on my monthly expenses at the moment, so I needed a plan. It's simple really - I have two cards which I'm paying off slowly but surely. I'm not in a position to swap them to 0% interest cards, so it's really about making money to pay them off and not spending on them if I can help it. So where I do intend to use them, I'm committing to raising money to pay it off asap...hence ebay. Did all that make sense? Feels like that explanation ran away with itself a bit there! :rotfl:


So I'd best get on!


Nora.xx