Mud, floods and money worries

Dizzy_Imp

Well, I've finally decided to keep a diary to help me on my journey to becoming debt free. Things have become so bad now that I need to write down what's going on, just to clear it all from my brain, so that there is space for me to think without panicking or having a meltdown.

I've looked and looked again at our situation and am hopeful we can make it through and start to enjoy life again, but it's going to be a very hard and long road. However, I'm a fighter and I have two small boys who need their family to remain united.

So here I am.

I'm in the midst of compiling an SOA. I may well just use that myself, rather than lay my bones bare online, which I hope won't offend, but I'm quite a private person. Today I will be gathering my thoughts, financial information and courage. Tonight will be the start of my new way of life. I hope to have some support from friendly peeps as I drag my sorry behind through the mire

Buffythedebtslayer

Oh you will get support, this is still the best place on the internet

I have always kept my SOA private because I felt like such an idiot to have a decent wage and yet got into debt.

People here are great tho, a wealth of knowledge and experience that really does help.

Post soon and take care XX

Dizzy_Imp

Thanks for your reply Buffy - glad I'm not the only only one!

We survived the weekend, which is a plus. Still pumping water and waste from three locations on our land. All the local rivers have flooded the surrounding fields and the village is a bit of an island at the moment. This weather has been relentless and so depressing. The endless mud being traipsed through the house by kids and dogs means I'm always cleaning floors and trying to stop the house becoming a total hovel.

I looked into a part-time job at our local garage, but the hours mean I'd never get any time with my boys at the weekend, plus it's my friend's job being advertised and she said she was leaving as the owner was a slave driver who paid minimum wage, but expected unpaid overtime on a regular basis, so I've gone off that idea.

Good news is that we have lots of food in the fridge and freezer and I enjoy cooking, so I'll be doing lots of baking this week to provide yummies for the hungry boys, without having to buy in snacks.

Hello Monday....I'm ready for you!

jwil

Good luck

lindens

Good luck with your journey and the mud!
Have you thought about selling on ebay as a way to earn part time wages? Start by selling your own unwanted stuff around the house. It maybe too hard in a very rural area, but you can pick up items for cheap on Facebook and sell for a profit.

doingitanyway

So sorry to hear about your flooding.
Welcome to diary land and the best of luck with your journey to becoming debt free

Dizzy_Imp

Morning diary!

The water seems to be receding slowly, which is good news. The mud, however, remains as horrendous as before. My boys play football at the weekend and yesterday their kits were totally caked in it...:eek:

Money-wise, we seem to be over the worst this month. I cashed in some bonds that I had completely forgotten about - only a small amount, but enough to lift us out of the mire until payday. Also, had a couple of clients paid early for their dog boarding over Christmas which has enabled me to settle some bills.

We had a super night out after parent's evening, popping into Shrewsbury for their Christmas lights switch on, then hot-footing it to Pizza Express (luckily I had reserved a table). I had a 25% off code for mid-week meals and used a voucher my bestie had given me for my birthday, so all four of us ate for a total of £6.49. Eating out has been on the banned list for months, so this was a real treat!

I'm delighted that I passed my annual inspection for Trading Standards with flying colours, which had been worrying me a great deal. I always get nervous before inspections, so sleep eluded me, but sadly not the biscuit tin... I need to put up my prices in the New Year as my running costs keep going up with new rules and regulations. I hate asking for an increase but I've kept my charges static for 18 months now, so it's time.

Anyway TTFN, Happy Sunday everyone x

jwil

Congrats on your annual inspection :T I know when I am using a business, I prefer a smaller regular increase in prices rather than one struggling as long as they can and then making a big increase every few years. It's far less painful.

Dizzy_Imp

Thanks jwil - I'm glad it's over for another year! And thank you also for giving me the confidence to put together a letter to my clients about an increase in January. You're right - small regular increases are better than struggling on and then having to raise charges by a large amount in one go! I've already had a lovely reply from the owner of a gorgeous GSD to say I'm worth my weight in gold, which made me smile

DH arrived home early with a massive haul of yellow stickers goodies, saving over £30 on the full price! Prawns, steak, trout and other meaty treats which have been off the menu for a while. I've popped it all in the freezer as bangers and mash is on the menu tonight. I'm enjoying being creative with my cooking - going to try my hand at flaky pastry tomorrow to make a chicken pie from Sunday's left-over roasted bird. My pastry and bread-making skills are improving - I've had the seal of approval on HM pitta bread (which to my utter amazement puffed up to make a pocket) and a basic white crusty loaf, which I got right on about the fifth attempt

jwil

That's lovely from the GSD owner.

Great bargains :T

Dizzy_Imp

Haven't been here for a while, so time to update/download...

Been seriously stressed over the end of the month, waiting for money to arrive and trying to survive on next to nothing. Fridge was bare, cupboards very sparse and bank account crying, but we are still here, battered and tired, but still fighting.

DH is borrowing some sort of electrical meter checker as he thinks maybe our electrical meter is faulty. We do have a large 500 year old Tudor farmhouse, but our heating is oil-fired, or run by the woodburner, along with our hot water, all our lights are LEDs and we don't have an excess of power-drawing appliances and yet our monthly charge is £200+ I'm going to have to record when I use things like the washing machine, hairdryer etc. so we can see when our usage peaks and troughs and work out if there's a problem. I have wondered if we are somehow connected to the barn next door (originally part of the farm, but now converted) but they say they get theirs from the solar panels on their roof...

I have meal-planned for the next week and have a list of items to mend and avoid throwing away, but am enjoying a glass of wine by the fire now after a hugely busy few days.

X