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

[Deleted User]

Hi Hairy

My first time posting on your diary. - you very kindly acknowledged me on Car Boot’s diary.

First of all, congratulations on how well you have coped on your journey so far. You have come a long way. I know you have experienced a lot of hurdles along the way, but you are coming out on top. Good luck with the PPI and good news on the tax rebate.

As you say, your mortgage is small in comparison to others, but I realise that, to you, it is a strain on your finances. If you think back over the last year, you’ve made major strides - undertaking training for a TA position, which will ultimately bring in a regular income, setting up your small business, which will, hopefully, generate more income, you have made major strides? Congratulate yourself:T. You will do it - 2019 will be the year you will turn your finances around, I am sure.

You have indicated previously that this time of year business tends to be slack - come Spring/Summer, it’s bound to pick it. Your OH is working so hard, so I’m sure that will pay off.

Good luck to you and your family.
RL x

[Deleted User]

Not been here for about 24 hours (maybe more but I've lost track of time recently for some reason:o) and there were pages of posts to read. very interesting and fun chat as usual, even when dealing with serious topics:T


After reading your list of what might need doing on your house I was going to reply straight away but decided to read to the end of all the posts that I'd missed. I see MadamMim and beanielou beat me to what I was going to say about paying for the repairs:rotfl:. I wanted to add something along the lines that all that lovely PPI money that will be coming your way should allow you to make your home into a palace;). When I actually dare write a physical list of our necessary repair/renovation needs I'll need a toilet roll to write it all on:eek:


Looks as if your part of the world is really suffering from the snow at the moment:eek:. Just saw one of the outdoor reporters in Cornwall on BBC Breakfast this morning and she was covered on snow. I know Devon is suffering badly too. We just had an icing-sugar type dusting but the ice is really thick and hard. Never thawed all day yesterday and is still there and more this morning. We had horrible freezing fog most of yesterday, we couldn't see to the end of the driveway. I worried about OH driving in it as he had a GP appointment which he didn't want to cancel but he doesn't mind about driving whatever the weather. Unlike me:o. I'm really pleased for your DH that he doesn't have to drive to his meeting today:j. One of the best things for me of being retired is looking out on early, dark, snowy and icy mornings and knowing I don't have to struggle through a treacherous 40 mile journey on mainly ungritted roads.


Good for you increasing your volunteering:T. I'm sure they value you highly already but the more you are part of the team the more likely they'll realise they can't manage without you and will offer you a paid post as soon as they have one available;)


I must have missed something with the orange Smarties, I've no idea what you're all talking about:rotfl:. I remember them introducing blue ones a while ago and that caused a bit of a stir but orange ones???


Onebrokelady's experience of buying sponge pud as a substitute for bread reminded me of the bizarre substitutions the supermarkets sometimes send with their home deliveries:eek:. I once ordered some single cream in my Tesco online order years ago and they sent me some fresh broccoli instead:rotfl:

elizabethhull

carbootcrazy wrote: »

Onebrokelady's experience of buying sponge pud as a substitute for bread reminded me of the bizarre substitutions the supermarkets sometimes send with their home deliveries:eek:. I once ordered some single cream in my Tesco online order years ago and they sent me some fresh broccoli instead:rotfl:

I find broccoli doesn't go very well over desserts !!!

Tesco seem to be particularly bad. Asda always have very plausible substitutions, and there are regularly 6-8 per order, as our local Asda is a very small one so things are frequently out of stock. I've just got used to going with the flow with the subs, and if we sometimes eat something I would never have ordered - so what ?

[Deleted User]

elizabethhull wrote: »

I find broccoli doesn't go very well over desserts !!!

Tesco seem to be particularly bad. Asda always have very plausible substitutions, and there are regularly 6-8 per order, as our local Asda is a very small one so things are frequently out of stock. I've just got used to going with the flow with the subs, and if we sometimes eat something I would never have ordered - so what ?

I agree about the Tesco subs. I've had some very strange ones from them. I haven't shopped with them for many years now, not just because of the subs though. I lost trust in them during the horsemeat scandal when they came off very badly:eek:. Morrisons are very good with their subs, usually only a couple at most per order and mainly only a different brand/size of what was out of stock. I'm happy to keep the subs especially if it's for something I'm relying on like milk or bread. I didn't keep the Tesco broccoli though as we grow most of our own veg and always have plenty almost for free.

HairyHandofDartmoor

MadamMim2013 wrote: »

Here’s hoping that lots of your PPI claims come back with enough to help you do the work on the house.. or pay a chunk off the mortgage .. or both!! I shall cross all for big chunk of refund cash coming your way!

Thank you MadamMim .

beanielou wrote: »

This.Just this.

Thank you Beanie .

HairyHandofDartmoor

Retired_lady wrote: »

Hi Hairy

My first time posting on your diary. - you very kindly acknowledged me on Car Boot’s diary.

First of all, congratulations on how well you have coped on your journey so far. You have come a long way. I know you have experienced a lot of hurdles along the way, but you are coming out on top. Good luck with the PPI and good news on the tax rebate.

As you say, your mortgage is small in comparison to others, but I realise that, to you, it is a strain on your finances. If you think back over the last year, you’ve made major strides - undertaking training for a TA position, which will ultimately bring in a regular income, setting up your small business, which will, hopefully, generate more income, you have made major strides? Congratulate yourself:T. You will do it - 2019 will be the year you will turn your finances around, I am sure.

You have indicated previously that this time of year business tends to be slack - come Spring/Summer, it’s bound to pick it. Your OH is working so hard, so I’m sure that will pay off.

Good luck to you and your family.
RL x

Thank you for your kind words Retired Lady and thanks for delurking .

HairyHandofDartmoor

carbootcrazy wrote: »

Not been here for about 24 hours (maybe more but I've lost track of time recently for some reason:o) and there were pages of posts to read. very interesting and fun chat as usual, even when dealing with serious topics:T


After reading your list of what might need doing on your house I was going to reply straight away but decided to read to the end of all the posts that I'd missed. I see MadamMim and beanielou beat me to what I was going to say about paying for the repairs:rotfl:. I wanted to add something along the lines that all that lovely PPI money that will be coming your way should allow you to make your home into a palace;). When I actually dare write a physical list of our necessary repair/renovation needs I'll need a toilet roll to write it all on:eek:


Looks as if your part of the world is really suffering from the snow at the moment:eek:. Just saw one of the outdoor reporters in Cornwall on BBC Breakfast this morning and she was covered on snow. I know Devon is suffering badly too. We just had an icing-sugar type dusting but the ice is really thick and hard. Never thawed all day yesterday and is still there and more this morning. We had horrible freezing fog most of yesterday, we couldn't see to the end of the driveway. I worried about OH driving in it as he had a GP appointment which he didn't want to cancel but he doesn't mind about driving whatever the weather. Unlike me:o. I'm really pleased for your DH that he doesn't have to drive to his meeting today:j. One of the best things for me of being retired is looking out on early, dark, snowy and icy mornings and knowing I don't have to struggle through a treacherous 40 mile journey on mainly ungritted roads.


Good for you increasing your volunteering:T. I'm sure they value you highly already but the more you are part of the team the more likely they'll realise they can't manage without you and will offer you a paid post as soon as they have one available;)


I must have missed something with the orange Smarties, I've no idea what you're all talking about:rotfl:. I remember them introducing blue ones a while ago and that caused a bit of a stir but orange ones???


Onebrokelady's experience of buying sponge pud as a substitute for bread reminded me of the bizarre substitutions the supermarkets sometimes send with their home deliveries:eek:. I once ordered some single cream in my Tesco online order years ago and they sent me some fresh broccoli instead:rotfl:

Thank you Carboot . Lots of things are crossed for PPI or any other money to come our way . I've never had orange smarties either but they do sound nice.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Walking to school was interesting! The roads were fine but there was ice all over the pavements :eek:. I managed to get there without breaking any limbs :rotfl:. All the staff made it in but the kids weren't allowed out a break or lunch so I dread to think how exciteable they'll be this afternoon :eek:.

We were hoping the tax money would arrive today, but so far it's a no show . It's frustrating not knowing when it will come. Our accountant said she would request it on Friday afternoon, so assuming that she did then it's been five days. I hate waiting for money to arrive .

This afternoon I want to put clean laundry away, empty bins and generally tidy up before the weekend. I've already put a wash on.

The heating is on low but my hands and nose still feel icy! I'll be glad when the weather warms up a bit. I need to invest in some thermals I think.

jwil

How annoying that the money hasn't turned up. I think it's meant to be milder again next week. x

badmemory

Did you say you were de-registering for VAT? I do hope so. The new way they are going to do it will cost you to administer it as you need software to do it. Also of course you won't be waiting for a customer to pay you £120 so you can pay out £20 VAT which must add to your financial worries, just waiting for £100 so you can pay a bill.