My journey to a debt free life

Onebrokelady

lillypoo said:

Just popped in to say that I'm loving your diary. I'm only just starting my "journey" out of debt but I've spent the last couple of evenings reading your diary and it's given me a bit of bravery.  I'm only on page 70 so I'm going to be catching up for a while but just wanted to say thank you x

Awww thank you for reading 😊 I'm always surprised when anyone says they enjoy reading it 😀 It also nice to know that it's made you braver. Do you have a diary too ?
Good luck with your debt busting 😊

Onebrokelady

milann said:

It sounds as if you’re doing great with the kitchen and garden organisation. 

I can’t get over the price of pet food. We keep contemplating getting a dog but I’m not sure with the cost of things. It’s the vet bills that put me off. 😳  Hope the tests at the vets turn out ok.
Its rubbish working with somebody who doesn’t pull their weight….I remember it well 😡

It's coming along slowly 😊
Vets bills aren't too much of a shock so long as you have good insurance then at least you know you are covered. The problems arise when the dog/cat is over a certain age because it costs more,it's harder to insure them and you quite often have a co pay where you have to pay not only the excess but in DD1s case 20% of the bill just because they are old.

I had a better day at work on Friday because I was on my own for most of the day and it was quiet 😊

Onebrokelady

Im having trouble getting going today🙄 I have plans to strip more paper in my room but haven't made it up there yet . I have taken B for a walk through the fields though and got one load of washing done.
 I thought when DD moved out that I would do a lot less washing but it doesn't seem like I am 🤷‍♀️ I think it's mainly because I got rid of loads of clothes ages ago and have just been living with a sort of capsule wardrobe but I have to wash them more often or I run out of things to wear. I'm not sure if I need to increase my clothing so I do less washing if you see what I mean, I'm not sure that makes sense 😀 

Cherryfudge

I'm so pleased your cat is feeling better!

Re clothes, I'm not being funny but is there an option to wash them less often? There's probably an expectation you have to launder any uniform between washes (you are of course claiming the whatever it is for this) but in the olden days people would give clothes a shake, spot clean if needed, hang up to air overnight then put away. It reduces wear and tear as washing does wear clothes out, but you do also need a good light and a sense of smell (or Fabreze/equivalent which are deodorisers as well as having a scent due, apparently, to public demand). You might still need to buy more socks and underwear, but things like jumpers can be used a few times provided there are no marks on them.

Onebrokelady

Cherryfudge said:

I'm so pleased your cat is feeling better!

Re clothes, I'm not being funny but is there an option to wash them less often? There's probably an expectation you have to launder any uniform between washes (you are of course claiming the whatever it is for this) but in the olden days people would give clothes a shake, spot clean if needed, hang up to air overnight then put away. It reduces wear and tear as washing does wear clothes out, but you do also need a good light and a sense of smell (or Fabreze/equivalent which are deodorisers as well as having a scent due, apparently, to public demand). You might still need to buy more socks and underwear, but things like jumpers can be used a few times provided there are no marks on them.

I do wear things like jeans and jumpers more than once. There is no way my uniforms could be worn more than once without being washed because it's like an oven at work and I sweat buckets. I'm ok with dark clothes as I have enough to wear so I only need to do a dark wash once a week but lots of my tops are light so can't be washed in the same wash then I run out before the next light wash is due 

Onebrokelady

I managed to strip some more paper yesterday so now only have a tiny bit left 🎉🎉 I spent my evening watching Magpie Murders which I'm really enjoying .
Today I worked a late. It was a strike day so we were very short staffed and it was busy. The day went by really quickly though so silver linings and all that.
Tomorrow I'm going to see my mum and dad. I couldn't go last week because of the cat. I also need to buy pet food and some bits of shopping then I'm hoping to come home and finish the stripping 

milann

Hope you have a nice meeting with your mum and dad. I know it's stressful for you sometimes.

Cherryfudge

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80025935#Comment_80025935

I have a similar dilemma as DH has two 'posh' shirts which are often hand washed rather than risking colours running. They will last longer as there's less wear on them, but it takes time and energy. Same goes for my white shirts. I wash and rinse by hand then spin them in the machine.

It's time consuming and I think I'd be tempted to treat myself to some new light coloured tops with summer coming up. 😉

Onebrokelady

Got an email from Stepchange today as promised. They said they would let me know alternatives ways to sort my debt and they have recommended bankruptcy 🙀🙀I cant actually go bankrupt because I have a mortgage and would have to sell my house and I'm not allowed to be a power of attorney which means I would have to stop being powervof attorney for my mum and she would want to know why. They have said my DMP is not a sustainable solution to paying off my debt because it will take too long. My DMP will continue to run while I decide what to do. I am going to have to go self managed now as I can't go bankrupt 

Cherryfudge

It sounds alarming but at least you have the option of continuing as you are for now. Meanwhile - I suppose SC's advice is standard but you may find variations in insight and experience between debt counsellors as in any field, so would it be worth consulting another free debt advisor?

I see what you mean about your mortgage. I think there are a few circumstances in which you wouldn't necessarily have to sell, for instance if you are close to paying of your mortgage (obviously you don't have to discuss that here but it might be worth bearing in mind: Check how bankruptcy affects your home - Citizens Advice).

You could probably get more practical advice on the bankruptcy board.

Meanwhile remember you have actually paid a lot of money off your debt at a time when your health was really suffering. That must have taken some doing, so I'm sure you will find a way through this.