Hugglemonster's debt free diary

hugglemonster

Oh my goodness, just checking through my emails and I completely forgot about a £10 T*sco gift voucher I have to print out! Done that now and that will help quite a bit!

hugglemonster

Folks I need your advice/help, I sorry that I'm not posting on other people's diaries and just taking at the minute.

Last night my dh had a breakdown it was bad enough that I ended up calling the H4H emergency helpline to try and get him to speak to them but he just couldn't stop crying, I spoke to a lovely chap and got some information about different support that is available for him and me too. This breakdown came after 3 days of drinking and therefore missed work for 2 days.

I managed to get him in to bed at 1830 last night and he slept most of the night although I heard him get up a couple of times to get some juice and something to eat (he hasn't eaten properly the last few days), he's gone to work today and is exhausted and apologetic. I spoke to him earlier as he wondered whether to speak to his boss, I suggested whether taking some time off sick might help or actually whether the routine of working is better for him - he's having a think.

Anyway my thoughts are obviously about the debt and income, I can't get another job at present as I think I need to be at home plus I'd be more stressed as I'm really busy with the job I have. However the debt is making me stressed and trying to budget is hard going at the minute, I can't talk to him about it as he'd be even more stressed out and anxious.

I've tried to sell some things but having no luck with a couple of big things, surveys are slow and the kids are bringing back letters about music lessons and other stuff at school.

What a change in just a few weeks when we were doing so well

Anyway after all that I guess I'm asking what shall I do about the debt, everything is maxed out again so back to square one, where shall I start?

Thanks H x

abba1772

Sorry to hear your hubby had a breakdown that must have been very scary for you and for him........does he normally drink three days in a row??? I think most employers now are more sympathetic to those who suffer from mental health issues / breakdowns xx. Best get him to a doctor to see if they can help in any way xx

As to the debt being back to square one my hubby is hardly bringing anything home from his new business at the moment and we have a rigid budget but we just need to keep plodding on xx

If your hubby has a pay rise why are you trying to survive on your part time wages or have I got that wrong???

hugglemonster

Hi, thanks Abba for your message and sorry I didn't reply I think I needed some time out to deal with things at home. Since I last posted DH has been much better, he hasn't taken the next step of talking to someone about his awful memories but we've talked about how bad that night was, his drinking and how I'm worried about him. He's not drinking much as back out running and I'm not sure it will be the last time that he has a breakdown like that but I'll be there for him if/when it does.

OK so on to finances, we have been very lucky in the last couple of weeks that DH parents house sale was completed and they transferred enough money to completely wipe out our big overdraft and a bit extra to buy a few small things for the house. This means that I can budget clearly with a balance in the black for the first time in years. I do need to phone the bank to get them to reduce the overdraft limit now.:T

DD and my mobile contracts were up for renewal so we've both gone to a sim only deal with more data and the same unlimited calls and texts. Monthly payments have gone down from £28 to £10 each. :T

A little bit of extra expense each week is now on our new kitten, he is gorgeous and I shopped around for insurance and have got £50 cashback sitting waiting to be confirmed. I do need to book him in at the vets for his first check up and injections etc.

Currently I am focusing on saving spending money for dh trip which will now be in December and have started the two savings funds, and also preparing for Xmas. In the new year we will then concentrate on finishing ds bedroom and I'll pay off extra on the other overdraft. I've redone the budget tonight and I'm aiming to try and stick to just our wages with the CB and any expenses I get going to debts and savings.I'm still doing surveys too.

MSE things today:
* Currently in the process of sorting attic, took out built in horrible desk from under stairs and put in desk from upstairs and sorted through items as I went along. Have a little printer to sell on FB plus some books.
* Surveys done.
* All meals at home plus dinner for tomorrow defrosting as will be a busy evening and need a quick tea.
* Washing dried on line.

H x

wishingthemortgaheaway

I got my washing dry on the line today. Meant the washing basket was empty and no wet clothes hanging round for at least two hours today. Winning!

abba1772

That was nice of dh parents bet your glad an overdraft is gone xx

hugglemonster

Busy day yesterday, went to a meeting that my boss from Cardiff asked me if I could attend with him the day before and luckily I was free! I asked him about getting another day paid and throughout the day when we were chatting to local authority reps then mentioned how much work I do in the area. Not sure if it will amount to anything but my other boss on my other part of the same company is trying to get me more hours anyway.

Updated ynab this morning and transferred some money to dh trip money pot after a sale on FB and some survey money came in, it now stands at £155.50/£500.

Chatted to dh about sitting down with me each month and setting the budget so i don't have to deal with it all, so will do this on Tuesday as we are away in different places this weekend and I work on Monday evenings, Tuesday is also my payday.

Off out to work soon then will be out for the rest of the day, off tomorrow before I drive down south in the afternoon ready for a conference and awards dinner on Saturday, I need to get a cheap dress and shoes but accommodation paid for and will get mileage back. Home on Sunday morning.

H x

[Deleted User]

Hi Huggle,

Fantastic news about the OD being cleared, what a lovely present from the inlaws :j

Really glad you managed to have a talk with DH, I'm sure that has helped and hopefully, he'll be able to move to talking to someone specialised in these things.

Yay to the more hours...will be keeping my fingers crossed that that happens for you x

hugglemonster

Hi all,
A very busy weekend away for work but all good since I spent hardly anything as meals and accommodation paid for (very nice hotel!) and a lovely awards evening with some famous athletes was great. My dh and dd went out for the day/night with friends and my ds stayed at my parents so it was lovely to all be back together on Sunday night.

Updated ynab this morning, payday is tomorrow (just can't read calendar!) all regular payments budgeted for just need to spend as little as possible on food and fuel this month plus we have dd birthday.

Finally made it to payout level on a survey site so £50 will be winging it's way over at the end of the month, I need to check the other sites this afternoon.

Am shattered today so just spending the rest of the day pottering around the house cleaning and tidying then tomorrow I need to do a shed load of work.

H x

hugglemonster

Phew a really busy week again and kids are on half term this week but they're so good that will happily sort themselves out most of the time.

Things are ticking on although I'll wait and see what my mortgage payment will be like after yesterday's interest rate rise, so annoyed with myself that we're stuck for a bit until we can remortgage to a better rate.

Anyway we battle on, here's what's happening at the moment:
* Dd birthday is next week so need to get her prezzies tomorrow whilst she's out with dh for the day.
* Kitten had first check up at vets yesterday, turns out he is a she :rotfl: so have paid for first 2 injections and first worming tablet.
* I've brought some little hessian bags to make an advent calendar for the kids, lego have their own version out but at £24.50 so I'm going to buy a cheaper set, break it up and put a few pieces in per day with a chocolate so it builds up over the month!
*Still putting bits of money into fund for dh to go to Germany, so frustrating that his mate can't say what exact date they're going as I need to sort out childcare etc.
*Overdraft now gets charged per day so added incentive to pay off, will try and pay off bits and pieces.
*Waiting on cheque from survey site and others building up.
* Oh and then there's Xmas, I'm going to write a list of what we can make, we're seeing both sets of family over the festive period so no need to post.
*Sent in large expenses claim for October which will be a good amount to get before Xmas.

H x