3-6 Month Emergency Fund Challenge!!

black_cat

carbootcrazy wrote: »

Please cover your ears, everyone, while I have a good scream:eek:

Just when I thought I might have a tiny amount to get my 3-6 months savings off to a start this side of Christmas my washing machine has packed up today:mad:. It's absolutely ancient and not very energy-efficient. I have a newish tumble-dryer (which I try to ration the use of but is essential sometimes as this is a damp, cold house and I can't finish off drying partly line-dried washing inside as condensation and the resultant mould is always a worry:() and I'd love to have a WM in the same brand so that I can stack the two (usable space in my big but horribly designed kitchen being at a premium).


Am thinking it's throwing good money after bad having the old one resuscitated, it's been living on borrowed time for yonks, and I'd be better biting the bullet and buying a new one (on Black Friday if possible as every penny counts:o). Will have to deplete my £1000 EF on another thread to buy it (although it's only just over half full:o) and pray that no major emergencies strike before I can top it up again.

Frustrating, I know, but you won't be going into debt to pay for the washing machine...

sophieo16

carbootcrazy wrote: »

Please cover your ears, everyone, while I have a good scream:eek:

Just when I thought I might have a tiny amount to get my 3-6 months savings off to a start this side of Christmas my washing machine has packed up today:mad:. It's absolutely ancient and not very energy-efficient. I have a newish tumble-dryer (which I try to ration the use of but is essential sometimes as this is a damp, cold house and I can't finish off drying partly line-dried washing inside as condensation and the resultant mould is always a worry:() and I'd love to have a WM in the same brand so that I can stack the two (usable space in my big but horribly designed kitchen being at a premium).


Am thinking it's throwing good money after bad having the old one resuscitated, it's been living on borrowed time for yonks, and I'd be better biting the bullet and buying a new one (on Black Friday if possible as every penny counts:o). Will have to deplete my £1000 EF on another thread to buy it (although it's only just over half full:o) and pray that no major emergencies strike before I can top it up again.

This is exactly what the EF is for Carbootcrazy. Annoying i know, but atlas you won't have to go into debt or pay monthly for the next few years for a new one!

Keep your head up

stewby

I agree with everyone else carboot. This is exactly what the emergency fund is for.
Otherwise, it is just another savings system.
:undecided

As others have said, at least you aren't going into debt to pay for a new washing machine.
You should be happy as it means your emergency fund is working, it's doing its job.


Hope this doesn't sound harsh as I don't mean it to be. I am not assuming you are unhappy. My words don't really work very well, sorry.

crazy_cat_lady

Still no progress for me on the emergency fund front... BUT - I have a plan. And with a plan then I am happy. December is coming up and I want to contribute then.
It is good news that you don't have to go into debt to pay for the washing machine cbc - I know that there's never a good time for these things to happen, but at least you have the funds to deal with it...

[Deleted User]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and encouragement, I really appreciate it:beer:

stewby, don't worry, I knew what you meant:T

You're all right, that is what the EF is for and it's such a relief to have it to fall back on. I just get frustrated that as soon as I get a bit of money together I have to spend it on stuff that breaks or goes wrong:mad:. My car is pretty antique and I'm desperate to get some savings together for a replacement when it goes to the scrapyard in the sky. Being on a DMP I have no credit cards or access to credit whatsoever, so it's savings or nothing:o

DuranGirl

Oh carboot, I'm screaming with you! The car that I was assured was fixed and collected at the end of last week conked out again yesterday! :eek: Fortunately it was on the way back from DS's uni open day and not on the way. I managed to get us all home slowly but safely, but it's back to the garage for the THIRD time on Monday! I'm hopping mad about it. Then, to top it all, last night we were without water for about five hours due to a giant leak a few streets away. That was the last straw and I had a bit of a melt down in front of my chap. Car up the spout, no water, STILL waiting for court orders so I can buy out the ex, job situation is a bit iffy to say the least, I just had enough money left for food and petrol for the rest of the month, but I know there'll be another bill from the garage now. So I think there is no way out of using my EF as well - and I was so proud of having nearly a third of my target. I just keep having a little cry and am feeling VERY sorry for myself. In the scheme of world events, it's absolutely nothing, so I need to pull myself together and just carry on.

[Deleted User]

DuranGirl wrote: »

Oh carboot, I'm screaming with you! The car that I was assured was fixed and collected at the end of last week conked out again yesterday! :eek: Fortunately it was on the way back from DS's uni open day and not on the way. I managed to get us all home slowly but safely, but it's back to the garage for the THIRD time on Monday! I'm hopping mad about it. Then, to top it all, last night we were without water for about five hours due to a giant leak a few streets away. That was the last straw and I had a bit of a melt down in front of my chap. Car up the spout, no water, STILL waiting for court orders so I can buy out the ex, job situation is a bit iffy to say the least, I just had enough money left for food and petrol for the rest of the month, but I know there'll be another bill from the garage now. So I think there is no way out of using my EF as well - and I was so proud of having nearly a third of my target. I just keep having a little cry and am feeling VERY sorry for myself. In the scheme of world events, it's absolutely nothing, so I need to pull myself together and just carry on.

DuranGirl, sending every scrap of positive energy I can muster:kisses3::grouphug::coffee:

I know there doesn't seem much of a silver lining to that massive black cloud but you've got some positives in your life. You've a son at Uni, a partner who I'm sure will commiserate over your 'meltdown', the fact that the car let you down on the way home rather than the outward journey and you all got home safely.

The water, the workings of the court and the job are things out of your control so try not to stress too much about them. Easy to say I know, I went to pieces and it was only a washing machine that was broken:o

As for the money situation, I know exactly how that feels, it's a scary place to be and you have my total sympathy and hopes that things will work out. Now, the car, surely the garage were at fault for charging you for a repair that wasn't done properly and fully in the first place. You shouldn't have to pay again and I hope you'll be feeling confident enough by then to stand your ground about it.

I really hope you'll be feeling a lot better soon. Take care:kisses3:

DuranGirl

Thank you, thank you Carboot! You sound a lot like my partner in terms of positive mental attitude and what I can and can't control (although sometimes he drives me crackers if I just want a good moan!). I do have many blessings to count, it's true. In addition to the ones you mentioned, I have an understanding boss who's been letting me work flexibly because of the wretched automobile, and a brilliant dad who's going to be taking the garage to task! I don't think they're fleecing me, as we've both been taking our cars there for decades and they've always been honest and fair. I do think it's just one of those difficult to solve problems, but I don't think they should be charging me much more. Dad's got it in hand though for first thing tomorrow. Plus, I have a warm house, a cosy blanket and a DS who's making me as much tea as I can drink. Life is (despite appearances to the contrary) pretty good.

DreamerHelen

Morning Everyone....


I'm sorry I haven't been on this Thread....been feeling a bit disheartened this past Weekend....but trying to stay positive and keep upbeat


Aww carbootcrazy and DuranGirl I'm sorry that things are tough for you both right now....keep going, just keep on putting one step in front of another and this tough time WILL pass soon...xXx


Nothing to Report with regards to my Emergency Fund...it's going to be a tough few Weeks with Christmas coming up....But I'll get there...we all will xXx

crv1963

Dreamer Helen, Carbootcrazy and Duran Girl,


It always seems hard and is easy to get to feeling down. Remember the struggle up to the top of the mountain makes the view all the more worthwhile


Only worry about things totally in your control, what ifs, maybe and this possibility are all beyond you so don't waste time and energy on them,


Best Wishes to you all I know that you'll look back and smile at these difficulties one day and say "do you remember when....."