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Dancing through the rain with a smile and good cheer
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Current work situation.For the whole of last year I was earning a small amount of money per month approx £250 for bookkeeping - it was going nicely until my “boss” the treasurer of the charity retired and the new treasurer took over - let’s just say our approaches and expectations did not match. I decided to leave as the stress was not worth the money earned.I am in the middle of my MA @beanielou it’s Counselling and the next 6 months has particularly challenging deadlines so OH has suggested I don’t look for anything else.
By September I hopefully will have completed the diploma part so that I can then start counselling and get paid for it which is truly what I want to do.
For now though I am not earning any money of my own 😕As a dear MSE friend says “keep plodding” or
What does the saying say.... When life hands you lemons, make lemonade
Or as my Mum would say, brush yourself down, tomorrow is another day or
Fake it, to you Make It
Please say hello my new diary: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6578460/still-dancing-to-blow-the-debt-clouds-away0 -
Our Debt Situation
1. Credit Cards - we have I think from the start of lockdown have a running balance of about 25% of what is was - we are really focusing on getting rid of this completely by the summer
2. Bank Loan - for the additional work we did re redecoration following the new roof - this has about 2.5 years to go and will be the focus of overpayments once we clear the debt
3. Student Loans one - that is for my last degree and now one for the masters - I I’ve never earned enough to reach the mandatory repayment level. However I very much hope that once we get our personal debt under control I can start paying this off.4. Mortgage - currently interest only - about 25% of the current value of our house.
Once 1 & 2 are cleared and we have a savings pot for holidays and emergency fund - our mortgage will be the next to have overpayments.As a dear MSE friend says “keep plodding” or
What does the saying say.... When life hands you lemons, make lemonade
Or as my Mum would say, brush yourself down, tomorrow is another day or
Fake it, to you Make It
Please say hello my new diary: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6578460/still-dancing-to-blow-the-debt-clouds-away0 -
For those new to my diary here’s a snapshot of our life …..
We live on the banks of the Thames on a very fortunate to have a beautiful bungalow.
I’m married in my late 30s and live with my OH who is an IT wizard and works full time at home and will be 55 on Weds!We have two furbabies of the feline variety
We both have physical disabilities - OH is a triple amputee since birth and I have cerebral palsy.
I have had a variety of careers accountancy, health professional however, my health means that I have to really work from home part time in the coming years Hence now doing my counselling qualification to give me that flexibility I was determined not to be medically retired at 45.My OH has a very good job, When we married I was working full time with a very good salary
Then my health deteriorated and to keep me functioning we pay for treatments such as Osteopath and sports massage.We m receive disability benefits - DLA for me ( still awaiting the dreaded assessment to transfer me to PIP) and other half has PIP.
I can honestly to say at times that we spend far more than what we receive in benefits to keep us fit, well and mobile
The only NHS interventions we have Is the ability for me to have two pairs of shoes built up every year (I have one leg longer than the other) through Surgical appliances. My other half has maintenance on his prosthetic limbs. He has only had four pairs in his life. One he wears and one a spares.
We used to get wheelchair vouchers but the last time mine was £130. My current wheelchair which has power assisted wheels it cost family members £7k!Our NHS is fantastic, the best in the world if you have acute health needs but it is not designed to support those with chronic long term health conditions or disabilities.My husband and I are fortunate we do have the financial means To manage our disabilities and to be able to contribute to society through working.This is due to our parents fighting for us to go to mainstream schooling in the 1970s we are very fortunate and we count our blessings every day.
We have a few guilty pleasures holidays which are mainly at the moment in the UK for rest and recuperation rather than adventure.Prior to lockdown good food, horseracing and theatre - These three things have been put on hold since March 2020 as we have been very careful where we’ve gone and what we’ve done to try and keep ourselves safe. This is really helped us to clear our debt.2021 sees a different chapter to our lives we started the year with Covid.We want his resume some of the things that give us pleasure.
While really focusing on clearing short term debts and living a less consumptive life, less things more adventures and experiences.So I resume this diary - To really be more thoughtful about spending and my life in general and to be more accountable to myself but also to remember to count my blessings.As a dear MSE friend says “keep plodding” or
What does the saying say.... When life hands you lemons, make lemonade
Or as my Mum would say, brush yourself down, tomorrow is another day or
Fake it, to you Make It
Please say hello my new diary: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6578460/still-dancing-to-blow-the-debt-clouds-away1 -
I've enjoyed reading your diary @Bubblesmum. You are a very thoughtful and honest person. I hope 2022 is a much better year for you.
Credit card One :£926.60( Oct 21 )(Nov 21 vet bill disaster), £999(Jan 22), £974(Feb 22)
Credit Card Fl :£739.26 (Oct 21)£763 (Nov 21) , £590(Jan 22), £298(Feb 22)
Savings target C.U. £1000(£410 Oct 21)(£610 Nov 21)
Savings target Bank £500 (£10 Oct 21) (£50 Nov 21)(£60 Jan 22)(£80 Feb 22)
Credit Union loan paid off. Now for the funeral plan...0 -
Sounds like the last few days have taken their toll on you, hope today's a better day & that you're Covid free soon.
As you know I've had similar issues with my last job and sometimes you have to do what feels right and aligns with your personal values even if it is scary to be without an income in the short term ,(although you've certainly been a lot more proactive in doing something to change your career goals than me!)
You have a clear plan on what you want to achieve with education and finance goals and I've no doubt you'll smash them all 💪
Will continue to cheer you on, really glad you're back and posting more often xx
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As a dear MSE friend says “keep plodding” or
What does the saying say.... When life hands you lemons, make lemonade
Or as my Mum would say, brush yourself down, tomorrow is another day or
Fake it, to you Make It
Please say hello my new diary: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6578460/still-dancing-to-blow-the-debt-clouds-away1 -
OH bought me these beautiful notebooks as a token Christmas Pressie with pens so I have put them to good use !
1. My todo list
2. Meaningful Spending Diary
3. Declutter list !As a dear MSE friend says “keep plodding” or
What does the saying say.... When life hands you lemons, make lemonade
Or as my Mum would say, brush yourself down, tomorrow is another day or
Fake it, to you Make It
Please say hello my new diary: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6578460/still-dancing-to-blow-the-debt-clouds-away0 -
Meaningful Spending Week One
Note we were both self isolating at home so spending was virtual !
5 NSD 😄
Bulbs for Candle bridge ( posting separately ) £5.79
Medical masks £24.99 - I really think these are better than the fabric ones
Green Grocers £24.92
Cushion Filler £7.81 ( for a present will post separately )As a dear MSE friend says “keep plodding” or
What does the saying say.... When life hands you lemons, make lemonade
Or as my Mum would say, brush yourself down, tomorrow is another day or
Fake it, to you Make It
Please say hello my new diary: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6578460/still-dancing-to-blow-the-debt-clouds-away0 -
I thought the picture was going to be furry friends!
Sing from same page on the NHS as you, as you know.
My friends don't believe that I pay for my physio.
You have done so well on the debt front.
Much love xxxI am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.1 -
As a dear MSE friend says “keep plodding” or
What does the saying say.... When life hands you lemons, make lemonade
Or as my Mum would say, brush yourself down, tomorrow is another day or
Fake it, to you Make It
Please say hello my new diary: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6578460/still-dancing-to-blow-the-debt-clouds-away2
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