Really need to get my act together

CCP

I used to be a regular on the OS board, and prided myself on being a pretty good money-saver. Over the past couple of years, though, it has been one disaster after another: in no particular order - my sister was seriously ill several times and was last year finally diagnosed with a serious genetic disorder, my father was diagnosed with a terminal lung condition and passed away in April last year, my rental flat developed a serious leak and is now revoltingly mouldy where the landlord refuses to do any repairs, I started buying a flat only to see it all fall through after 8 months and several thousand pounds (I'm now in the process of buying another one but have a horrible feeling that may fall through as well), the department I work in has been being 'reorganised' for the past two years and I still don't know if I'll have a job in six months time, and I developed severe depression and anxiety (perhaps not surprisingly!).

I've slowly abandoned all my money-saving ways and today came to the horrifying realisation that I've spent my entire house moving fund and have no idea where it went. :eek:

So - I clearly need to get things back on track. I used the MSE budget tool earlier today which underlined that I have a problem, and intend to do the full money makeover thing next weekend. In the meantime, and from now on, I need to get back to my old money-saving ways. I'm going to start meal planning again and will probably join the grocery challenge which I've never done before. I'm going to try and start taking a packed lunch to work at least twice a week rather than buying whatever I fancy every day. Any other ideas on how to get my rear into gear would be appreciated!

This post is a formal declaration of intent to sort things out - please hold me to it!!

summerlady_2

Well done for coming back. You have clearly been through a lot so I am not surprised you lost focus on one aspect.


I too suffer from depression - have done for years - and I find that the lower I feel, the less I am able to control my spending, although I can't see it at the time.


I have had a lot of support here and I am sure you will too. There are some real experts who will be with you all the way.


Wishing you well.

kscour

Hi CCP

Funnily enough I signed back in for the first time in ages today as well. I have browsed through from time to time but today decided to pull my socks up and get back to it again.

I'm going to take it one step at a time - no way could I get back to where I was a few years ago in one day But I will get there! And I'm sure you will too!

t14cy_t

well done ccp on your coming back and welcome. youve had alot to deal with. take things slowly and you will achieve all you wish. xx

determined_new_ms

I work in housing support and if you want to pm me some details about the flat I can get free legal advice on whether you can force the LL to do the repairs and depending on the severity damages too. I would have to take some details but nothing too personal or identifying, just so I understand the conditions of your tenancy, how long you've been there the severity of the repair issues so I can discuss with the caseworker

monnagran

CCP. Don't think of it as going back to anything. You are now going forward, the past, both good and bad, no longer exists.

There are a number of us on scattered about on this forum who, for a variety of reasons, are starting a new way of life this year.


You seem to have had a rotten time recently and your future looks far from secure.

However, we all hold our own futures in our hands, so if we all hold those metaphorical hands and jump together, we can keep each other afloat.

I probably don't have as much future to worry about as you do, but my situation is that the future that I was secure and happily looking forward to has dramatically disappeared. I am living in one room, in my house but my son's family home, (long story), and this year hope to move into a bungalow with a bit more money to augment the basic state pension.

If and when this happens I will be very happy, but I have learnt very painfully that there are no certainties in life.

It is nice to know that I will have some fellow travellers.

x

CCP

That's really kind of you, determined new ms. As I am intending to move in the next few months, though, I don't think it's worth pushing this too hard - I'm just contenting myself with the thought that, when I move out, the LL will have an un-lettable flat that he will have to spend probably thousands on fixing before he can get any income out of it. (Ah, schadenfreude can be sweet sometimes! :rotfl:)

CCP

I'm so sorry to hear about your problems, monnagran - I wish you all the best with your new bungalow.

monnagran wrote: »

However, we all hold our own futures in our hands, so if we all hold those metaphorical hands and jump together, we can keep each other afloat.

I like that very much - do you mind if I quote it in my signature?

VfM4meplse

monnagran wrote: »

You seem to have had a rotten time recently and your future looks far from secure.

However, we all hold our own futures in our hands, so if we all hold those metaphorical hands and jump together, we can keep each other afloat.

We need to hold on to this, even when it seems that nothing lies ahead for us. The first step is to create an ideal in our minds so we know what we are travelling towards.

Good luck OP, OSers are a lovely bunch of people.

monnagran

Good Heavens CCP, I love playing with words but never dreamed that I'd ever be quoted.
Go ahead - use it however you like, with my blessing.

btw, my tablet insists that you want to be called 'cup.' I've managed to correct it so far but apologies in advance if I forget.

x

*Margaret*

Goodness me you've had an awful time and well done for coming back. Hopefully as you take small steps it will start to feel familiar. I've found that feeling in control of money, food and so on helps me cope better when it comes to the things that are outwith my control - poor health, family illness and so on. I hope it does for you too. Welcome back to MSE

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