I Will Be Free

IWillBeFree

You are spot on MT, man troubles are horrible, especially as the whole thing came out of no where. Let's hope we go back to normal soon as life is pretty hard at the moment without that added stress.

Good day. Lots of chores, decluttering and sorting stuff out. My study looks pretty decent now. I've decided to sell the desk and chair that are in it, and to turn it into a little guest room eventually. No rush for that part but I've already listed items on sites so here's hoping they sell!

Nice time with the hounds at the park. We have all been zonked since returning. Had a dinner from the freezer, something I made a while ago and been reading for a bit. Early night is needed as another tough week ahead.

IWillBeFree

Stressful start to the week but, finished the day with a lovely long walk with the hounds. A few chores tonight and a simple dinner, followed by checking accounts and balances. Getting a bit obsessed I think!

Very good spending day. Spent £2.70 on bits I needed for lunches for the week. A few outings this week so if I spend as little as possible during the day, hopefully the week won't be too painful financially.

Jobs for tomorrow include writing to L and G as yet again, no news. Also contact the pension people as not heard from them either.

Early night again I think. Was glad I had a good rest last night, everything seems a little better when I'm not totally exhausted.

peaceandfreedom

IWillBeFree wrote: »

Early night again I think. Was glad I had a good rest last night, everything seems a little better when I'm not totally exhausted.

This is so true - it is very hard to keep your perspective when you are exhausted. It's something I've been trying to do more myself - get to bed in good time.

Keep up the good frugal work .

IWillBeFree

You are so right peaceandfreedom, keeping perspective and positivity is nearly impossible for me when I am tired. A good night's sleep was had again so here's hoping I've turned a new leaf!

Work is very busy today but have managed to resist the coffee shop round!

I have contacted the pensions people, who had no record of my withdrawal so I prompted our payroll team to process the paperwork.

I wrote a complaint letter for the insurance company and will post it shortly. Fingers crossed!

I made an appointment with the broker to discuss my mortgage. I have been avoiding this as I have no idea if I will be able to get a new mortgage, after my fixed term expires at the end of September but it's time to face that particular hurdle.

Lunch is a homemade salad of sorts and the fella is taking me out to dinner. I guess I will buy some drinks but he's driving so not a high cost night - hopefully!

A little job hunting whilst eating lunch I think. A new job is my only other way to increase my debt repayments so let's hope somebody wants me soon :rotfl:

IWillBeFree

Updated my signature. Although it looks like a lot was achieved in one month, I will need to go in the overdraft between now and payday so the amount of debt will go up but I am hoping it will be a lot less than usual!

mumblingtaff

Just a quickie to say well done for sticking at it.
I know what you mean about being tired and everything seeming so much worse when you're not sleeping. I hate those lying looking at the ceiling nights, especially when other half is happily snoring away next to me. Had one of those last night, what with between him and the dog you couldn't hear yourself think !

lobbyludd

hello there IWBF

wow - what a time you've been having - you should be enormously proud for keeping on at it, I hope you are, but I am very unhappy on your behalf at L&G trying it on with the insurance.

fingers crossed for a speedy resolution xx

peaceandfreedom

IWillBeFree wrote: »

I made an appointment with the broker to discuss my mortgage. I have been avoiding this as I have no idea if I will be able to get a new mortgage, after my fixed term expires at the end of September but it's time to face that particular hurdle.

Is there any reason why your current mortgage provider will not offer you another mortgage - did you default on any payments. In my (considerable) experience of being in debt and taking out a new mortgage, existing providers don't look into things tooooo much if you have an excellent record with them already.

Last time was almost 5 years ago though, so maybe things have changed since then.

IWillBeFree

Hi Peaceandfreedom, I contacted my provider and they advised they don't offer deals directly and that I would have to go through a broker. I have an excellent record with my mortgage repayments and all other payments to be fair, apart from a serious mistake in March 2010 when I defaulted on my overdraft at the time. Since then, I pay everything regularly by direct debit and now that the penny has dropped, I overpay every month on some debts.

My stress re the mortgage is a little better now. I contacted a broker, sent them my credit report and they have advised me they cannot see an issue with me getting a mortgage. They don't think I will get the best rate, but, if I can get a 2 year fixed deal, then I will be in a much better position by the end of it. So I am feeling much more positive in that respect.

My frugal living took a hit in the last week with various engagements/evenings out. I was reviewing my expediture on YNAB last night and I felt really proud of myself with how much I have cut back/stripped things like posh hairdressers/beauticians/nails/massages/frivolous make up/skin care purchases/random treats for the hounds, reduced grocery shopping, non existent lunch shopping etc. Recording every penny has helped me see how far I've come but also where I need to focus next: nights out and coffee shops. So, this will be the focus for the next month. In fact, I am thinking every time I fancy a Cafe Nero coffee for £2, I will walk to the Halifax and pay it into my overdraft instead :rotfl:

Things with the fella are very much back on track - thank goodness! That blip really upset me (and him) and we have learnt a lot from it. I know it is not the most feminist thing to say but, I love being in a relationship with a good man, and it helps me stay on track with other parts of my life so, I will do everything I can for us to keep growing as a couple.

Still no news from the insurance company or the pensions company - wish they'd hurry up!

No news from the job I applied for either, guessing that will be a no go sadly

Been listening to a lot of Dave Ramsey podcasts (thank you mumblingtaff! ) and he really does help me stay focussed. His ideas on snowballing are very different to the ones we see on here, so when I have the cash from the pension, I will have to think carefully where it goes.

Last thing, I am going back to the gym. My back has been hurting lately and I am convinced it is because I stopped exercising when I culled the gym. I can't afford for the back to go, so I am going to get back into my training. Another incentive to reduce the nights out & coffee shop spending as now I know I cannot add something to my budget, without reducing something else. Ah, wisdom, where were you before.......

IWillBeFree

I am so glad this week is coming to an end. It really has been tough at work, too many deadlines and stress! Cannot wait for a little lie in tomorrow, if the hounds allow it.

A sensible week spending wise but going out for a meal with two girlfriends tonight so estimating around £30 on that. Two of us are driving there so not much drinking, which is great for the budget. Apart from a bit of beautification cost tomorrow, no other expenditure planned for the weekend. Fella is away and I need to tidy up/do chores around the house and garden, as well as go to the gym, so the time will be spent on those things - and the hounds.

Still not heard from the insurance company

Had letter from the pensions people and I will be getting a refund of £5K for my contributions. I have thought long and hard which debt to pay off first and I am still undecided but I will make up my mind by the time it comes in, hopefully next week.

Doing really well with the overdraft so nice to see the frugal living is paying off. It was £3,031 in the middle of June and it is in the green now. Payday is the middle of August so I am hanging to every penny for dear life as I think mentally, it will give me such a boost to not hit the red by so much or at all. Fingers crossed (and purse locked away :rotfl:)

August has a few high costs so when I do my budget, I must carefully plan for all those and a bit for the next couple of months as car insurance and dog food will need to be sorted. I buy dog food twice a year at around £220 as that's the cheapest way of doing it but now I won't use the credit card of overdraft, I will have to be more careful.

As it is the end of the month, I am thinking of how it's gone and I am quite content with my efforts. I have not lost my mind or gone into the darkness of depression, both of which are real risks for me, so onwards and upwards! :j