Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

carbootcrazy wrote: »

Hope you've enjoyed your day, HH. Will you have the opportunity to see the concerts, plays, nativities or whatever the children are doing?


Feeling very glum today as I had an email this morning from the creditor who turned down my original offer and who I'd asked for an idea of what they would accept. Took them over 3 weeks to reply to my original offer letter but after speaking to someone on the phone earlier this week he promised to get back to me within 48 hours with a possible counter offer. I wasn't holding my breath but he was true to his word:j. Sadly, their offer was a reduction of only 35% (65% payable by me):mad:. No way! I phoned again to see if we could meet somewhere in between but they wouldn't budge:(.


It's silly really as by repaying them at £1 a month (which I'm doing now for as long as I can;)) or even a bit more it would take over 100 years to pay it off in full:rotfl:. Their loss.

That is such a pity Carboot . Well it's their loss. If they want to carry on getting a pound a week for ever then it's their lookout :mad:. Try again in six months .

HairyHandofDartmoor

I've had a busy day, I'm exhausted!

I volunteered which I enjoyed as always, then afterwards DH and I nipped out and paid DS2's keep into the bank so we can order a few Christmas presents for the DC (it's like DS2 is buying his own ). We also bought a pair of pillows for £7.99 :T.

Then I posted the two birthday cards with vouchers inside and posted the Christmas present to my friend. Then we got home and ordered some presents for DS2 and DS3 :T.

So a bit of a spendy day.

SPENDS
58p Can of diet coke
89p Postage for friend's present
£7.99 Two pillows
£4 Chocolates for school staff
£50.40 Presents for DS1
£29 Pesent for DS2.

TOTAL = £92.86 :eek: :eek:

We need to spend another £20 on DS2, and put £50 in an envelope for DS3 (he wants money). So that's another £70 to spend :eek:.

Then we need to spend £10 each on five of DH's relatives. Plus I need to give my two little nephews £10 each. So that is another £70 :eek:.

In addition I need to spend £10 each on my dad and stepmum and £10 on stepdad, so that's another £30 :eek:.

We're going to go the easy option of Am@zon vouchers because I can't cope with thinking of anything else at the moment .

I hate spending money at the moment but it is Christmas. The only bonus is that the relatives usually spend more on us than we do on them, so we will gain more than we spend, and we always ask for money .

We also have £100 left of DS3's keep and the £60 cheque from my dad will clear tomorrow. So it should be manageable. I just want to make sure the DC have a good Christmas, as they deserve it.

What a long and complicated post. I need a rest !

doingitanyway

Glad volunteering went well.
Yes, you have spent a bit but it all looks like good spending that will make a difference so all good.
I'm sure the DC will have a good Christmas and yes they deserve it but you do too

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks DIA . Spending money just feels worrying at the moment .

doingitanyway

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

Thanks DIA . Spending money just feels worrying at the moment .

I know what you mean, it's such an expensive time of the year so the additional spending feels constant. It's hard not to worry when money coming in isn't keeping up with money going out! :eek:

HairyHandofDartmoor

doingitanyway wrote: »

I know what you mean, it's such an expensive time of the year so the additional spending feels constant. It's hard not to worry when money coming in isn't keeping up with money going out! :eek:

That's it exactly :eek:.

Onebrokelady

Christmas puts so much extra pressure on the finances doesn't it,I'm slowly getting to the stage where I am cutting the Xmas budget down,I told my girls it would be less this year and next year I plan to cut it even more,my spending at this time of year was getting ridiculous and it has to stop,I think I spent a a couple of hundred each on my DDs last year,I couldn't afford it it just went on my credit card,I didn't want them to know I was struggling but how silly was that,DD1 is married with her own child now and I need to stop treating her like she is stil a teenager living at home,DD2 isn't fussed about receiving presents but worries if she isn't buying for others,because she is doing her no spend challenge next year we have agreed on no presents for birthdays but for Xmas we are going to buy each other a book and that is it next year

HairyHandofDartmoor

It is good if you can cut down at Christmas.

I find it hard because we are the poorest in our family. DH used to get embarrassed to tell people we can't afford things, but I think he's had to get used to it as things seem to get worse and worse .

beanielou

Luckily I dont care who knows that I am skint!

Onebrokelady

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

It is good if you can cut down at Christmas.

I find it hard because we are the poorest in our family. DH used to get embarrassed to tell people we can't afford things, but I think he's had to get used to it as things seem to get worse and worse .

I'm also the one in the family with the least amount of money,luckily means my sisters and relatives agreed years ago to stop buying for each other's families as it was getting too expensive,I now only buy for my mum and dad from my family along wth both DDs and my DGS and Son in law so just 6 people which is a lot better