My journey to a debt free life

Sunshine_girl2

Well done OBL for finding a way that suits you to pay your bills. I am billed monthly , I intend keeping my DD to what I want to pay and will then pay the difference from savings. 

I have ordered an electric blanket on order and have a onesie. 

Hope work don't do anything rash . 

Willowtree222

Another loving your stance. 

I’ve bought a thermal blanket that’s electric. Heat the human not the home is the current stance so that’s what I’ve adopted. 

I’m so sorry so many people are so affected by this x

Onebrokelady

Sun_Addict said:

Well done 👏 I was offered the option to pay my bill monthly and I was tempted. My direct debit went up from £118 a month to £228, although the lower amount was a fixed deal that ended so I always knew it was going to go up.  I’m £306 in credit at the moment. 

The Christmas £10 present cap is a brilliant idea. It’s surprising what nice gifts you can pick up for very little. One of the nicest presents I had was a little gift bag with a mini bottle of wine and a bottle of bubble bath, I loved it. 

Sometimes the little things are the best 😊

Onebrokelady

foxgloves said:

That's proper fighting talk, OBL, & I'm with you on the planning. I've been sitting in the garden with my notebook doing exactly the same thing this afternoon. 
The cap on gifts is a good idea, & if you decide on books & time it right, WHS & W*terstones often have 'Buy one, get one half price'-type offers on new paperbacks. Do you have an Oxfam Bookshop near you? The one in our town has fantastic stock & I've bought many pbks for £1.99 each which honestly can only have been read once & then donated, as have been in excellent condition. I've a particular pbk.novel in mind for my best friend & am checking their stock regularly to see if it turns up.
At least with a firm plan, you will know you've done everything you can. I understand your anxiety about work. I missed a lot of time years ago, when I had a couple of years of anxiety disorder which was difficult to shake....I honestly thought I'd just suddenly feel better! I do remember the worry about whether procedures would be implemented. All you can do is plan for the worst while hoping for the best.
F x

I've joined the Enough is Enough campaign too so will be out on the streets protesting if they come close enough to me. I am going to request some leaflets so I can leaflet my area too

Im liking your ideas for using the charity shops for books, we have a very good Oxfam shop in town so I will be checking that out for present ideas.

I think work are just ticking boxes at the moment and I will certainly have a lot to say if they start to get nasty about it. I've swapped unions to Unison from the RCN because the RCN are about as much use as a chocolate teapot and I know unison are very good if you have problems at work. I was offered a role with them when I got this job but chose this instead because it was a permanent contract,I'm now wishing I had taken the risk 🤷‍♀️

Onebrokelady

I feel better now I'm channeling my anger into some proactive action 😊 I'm urging all my friends to not take this lying down, people need to make a stand and get out to any local protests they can get to. I'm done with sitting here worrying and not turning my lights on because some greedy fat cat wants an overinflated profit. Its not sustainable for normal working people and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't do my part 

Honeysucklelou2

Hadn’t even considered alternative options to the monthly direct debit. I find the billing bewildering, particularly after I got swopped from one company to another without requesting it. My monthly direct debit is £277, up from £167. You are right OBL - it’s money that is sat in their bank accounts. Thanks, lots to think about...

warby68

We're with Scottish Power, I'm doing monthly readings and get a bill immediately after. Quite easy to track what my 'true' credit is. I don't mind it sitting there ready for Winter but for people who cannot put money aside easily I think its so wrong of energy companies to hold onto money. They really are trying to give themselves a preferential position over other bills.

I'm glad you have a plan of attack. I agree the debt is low priority, upsetting as it is. You need to keep warm and well fed and able to work if you can first. Secret Santa is a good Christms option too between the adults who buy for each other. It means only one gift but a bit bigger one if preferred at the same time as knocking the total cost for pressies right down.

I don't see what you have to lose in applying for PIP. Your health clearly impacts you in terms of personal care (too low or too much pain to cook) and the money would make a big difference. My mum qualified for the high rate of Attendance Allowance. We were amazed but had someone from AgeUK fill the forms in and we didn't realise how many adaptations she had already made to cope. Its about the original need not how you cope with it.

Its all rubbish at the moment but you're always heard here if it helps.

badmemory

I think you will find that the majority of people when approached about the low/no presents will heave a sigh of relief.  For many it isn't just the money but the time (& brain space) it all takes.  Although there are those that love buying presents.

milann

The plan of action is sounding great. The energy companies holding onto money is absolutely scandalous. I totally agree it your money and it’s for you to pay as you wish 👍 Good idea to stock up on candles and torches too…..I hadn’t actually thought of that.
I also hadn’t thought of getting Age UK helping to fill a PIP form in. Definitely might be worth it for you as the temperature affects your condition so much. I found unison really helpful when I had to finish work last year. It took some adjustment but I’m getting used to it. I know I’m in a different situation as I’m not on my own having to pay the bills, but I feel so much better for finishing. I honestly don’t think I’d be able to manage at work now. If they do end up suggesting you aren’t fit for work…it might actually be for the best. Have you paid into the NHS pension…..if you have and have to finish due to ill health, it is paidto you at an enhanced rate. I’m presuming they’ll follow the same guidelines as my local government pension. It might even be better.

I’m loving the fight in your posts now. That spirit will keep you going 👏👏 Hang on in there 👍

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Morning OBL 

As others say it is great to hear your plan of attack.  Definitely helps to have a plan.
I think buying small gifts from the CS is a good plan too, I have already bought a book from a CS as a present for a friend, you can find really good quality ones that look virtually unread. I walked past our local CS last night and saw a gisela graham ceramic heart photo frame in the window, if it's still there tomorrow i'm going to buy it as a present to put away for one of my sisters. We've had a present price limit for years and we try to be inventive in what we buy. We also have 8 children between us and buy for 2 each on rotation and we buy for one sister. It helps keep costs down. But none of us need anything so I'd be happy to stop that if others needed to.
Hope you feel ok today

Love Deni x