From debt to freedom...

Spendless

Honeysucklelou2 said:

Thank you Spendless. I have requested regular text updates on the journey.  I gave DD2 a contribution to the petrol costs as I’d be having to do the journey had she not volunteered and I’m thankful, with all the jobs, at not having to go somewhere else at the weekend!
That was a long shift for  DD. Will she get today off?

Nope she's working today as well, 1 - 8. She does 4 full days at college 9-5 and then this job is 16 hours across the other 3 days. Only recently started but for the next few weeks she's getting Sundays off. 
I'm glad her student digs are literally next door to her college. We have a photo of her standing with arms outstretched with one hand on the halls and the other on her college. They're just separated by a passageway. That convenience is by accident rather than design but it was a last minute change and she came close to losing us £1,000 to a scammer when she signed up to a non existant flat! Luckily DH who works in IT spotted some mistakes before parting with money.

I have to say though DH's company car can drive me nuts at times when the benefit of it is added to income and makes the kids ineligible or limits any financial student support I really appreciate it when making long trips that we don't have to consider petrol costs. 

ETA - Scrub the first paragraph she's no longer continuing at the job. Think I'll start repeating to myself 'I love teenagers, I do' so often I convince myself.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH, DAL and Spendless.

Another frantically busy week has passed by with the next week looking equally hectic! I like being busy but have reached that point of busyness when it could easily tip into chaotic😏. Part of it is simply the time of the year, combined with training courses and staff meetings that are making for the increase!

Pay day was a few days ago so I’m £100 less in debt than I was which is good. I have the MOT on the car this week so have some money put aside for this. I am hoping that there won’t be any expensive repairs that need doing.

The not- so - good news is that I’m half expecting to have to go to court before Christmas. I had thought the procrastination has ceased and it was full steam ahead but it would appear that procrastination is still very much occurring☹️. I was also hoping that the legal bills would be coming to an end but the continued (necessary) chasing up is simply adding to the cost ☹️😞☹️.

A few days ago, one of the DCs that don’t live here came and took a key from one of the younger DDs. I  went to see them,  at their place of work to get it back only to be told that it wasn’t on them, which can only mean it was at the ex’s house. We got it back the next day but I am concerned that the key was AWOL long enough to be cut. The next day I bought another lock to replace it ( having only changed the lock at the beginning of Sept) but when I went to change it, discovered that the screw ( that has to be removed before it can be changed) had been tampered with and bore no resemblance to the one I had put in a few months ago. I checked the new lock I had just bought, another fitted lock in the house to check and double check that I wasn’t going mad, but the screw is definitely different and I can’t get it out at all. This effectively prevents me from changing the locks. I’m going to have to get a locksmith  in to look at it. My friend is going to help me to set up a security camera because this is decidedly unnerving.

The coming week is very busy again...

Cherryfudge

That really is unnerving - I suggest you get photos before the locksmith comes and maybe mention it to your legal person.

Would it help to put old fashioned bolts top and bottom on the inside of external doors?

Your work sounds crazy-busy, I hope you can get some rest. Well done on knocking another £100 off the debt though - you are making serious inroads there.

rugbymadfamily

That is very unnerving and I echo Cherry, get photos of current lock and get photos of new ones (maybe with an invoice from the locksmith). So frustrated for you at ex dragging his heels, I just hope and pray that a judge sees it for what it is.

Only a few weeks of term left so hopefully things will settle down again after that!

savingholmes

So sorry you are having such on-going problems that just escalate costs too. I feel for you.

Kittykattykate

I am so sorry to hear about the lock, Lou. These people have no right to access your house and belongings so a camera would be a great idea. Gosh, I get so cross on your behalf! 

I know you’re dreading it but going to court is really what is needed now. It’s time to put this to bed and start your new life. I will be thinking of you this week, lovely.

janb5

KKK is entirely right!
Does the way your ex has procrastinated and bulled you have any sway in court?

Drawingaline

If it does go to court then I hope it really is the end of it all and that you can then move on with your life 

Sun_Addict

That’s not on about the lock, it’s so wrong - and creepy. Your ex is a 🤬 I really hope you can this sorted. 

I’m manically busy at work too, I think people are trying to ‘clear their desks’ before they break up for Christmas. 

lucielle

I echo all the above re the locks.  I'd also tell the solicitor what's happened.
L