Mud, floods and money worries

greenbee

Dizzy_Imp wrote: »

. 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...

Easiest way to check this is to switch your power off ... if they are getting their electricity via your meter they’ll either lose power or the meter will keep going round.

They are unlikely to be completely off grid and relying on solar alone unless they have some very sophisticated battery technology.

Tahlullah.H

Greenbe is right. Its the quickest thing to do. Switch off absolutely everything in of yours and if it keeps spinning or climbing (depending on the type of meter) it's not you! Good luck.

Dizzy_Imp

Thanks both - I'll give this suggestion to DH and maybe we can do both - I've got a sneaky feeling the useage is correct though, as I do use the dishwasher, washing machine and tumbler drier every day. I did a bit if research and they cost between 25-50p an hour to run and definitely on days with football practice in the mud, the WM & TD are on maybe three or four times...

Yes, I have an airer which I use and a laundry room to hanging things up to dry, but sometimes heavy clothing or bedding can take days to dry, by which time it starts to smell musty and I want to wash it again.

Flood alert again tonight...river not predicted to rise to dangerous levels (for us) but still a worry for the groundwater level. Pumps at the ready and one already dropped down into the main well outside our back door. We've moved the heavily pregnant nanny goat into the indoor stable, out of the rain and mud. The other girls are not so far along that they'd appreciate the confinement, so we have added a deep straw layer to their bedding so they have a nice warm goat house to sleep in tonight.

Money worries continue, but not much I can do until DH gets paid just before Christmas, so I'm trying to ignore the stress its causing. I think DH is on holiday from work from Tuesday next week until the New Year :eek: by which time, I'm sure I will be considering a patio to bury him under!

TTFN x

Dizzy_Imp

Hello again diary...it's been a while!

Flooding is at an all time record high around my way.  The rain has been relentless and Storms Dennis, Ellen and Francis can stop now. Right now.  Bridges in the villages either side of us are under threat, houses are under water (my friend is living on her first floor, with four feet of water in her lounge and kitchen) but so far, our defences have held.  We've had to raise all the goats and chickens up onto the higher platforms and the two nanny goats who have kidded, and are about to, are in the stable with raised areas in-case the water rises any further. 10 cars "drowned" in the flood water on my road yesterday - people ignoring signs saying the road is closed, then not driving through the water at a sensible speed,  instead, preferring to steam through, flood their engines and panic as the river water starts to take their car away across the fields...ah, gotta love Wales.

We still have no money and things are getting really dire.  I've taken on another job working from home doing admin and logistics for a local company which although not very well paid, will help a little. Trouble is, it will be paid a month in arrears, so this month's work won't be paid until the end of March. I need cash now!!! Got nothing of value/interest to sell and I've hit rock bottom.  The weather isn't helping my mood - I love winter, with frosty, cold days, bright but bitterly cold,  not this depressing, cold, rain-soaked offering we seem to have been experiencing since October last year.

Anyway, off to meal plan for the next eleventy-ten weeks...

Fortune_Smiles

Hi there Dizzy.  Hope you don't mind me popping in.  We're in North Shropshire so getting the full force of the weather here too.  Fortunately, we're on slightly higher ground than the surrounding area so are keeping our feet dry.  Plenty of roof and window leaks to contend with though.  It's just relentless isn't it.  I'm usually a very positive and upbeat person but I have to admit that these storms are bringing me down.  All we can do is cross our fingers and keep putting one foot in front of another.  It sounds as though you're doing everything you can so just hang in there.  The sun's got to come out some time - let's hope it's some time soon 

Fortune x

Dizzy_Imp

Thanks for your comment Fortune - I hope you stayed dry! I have never seen so much water and there doesn't seem to be any sign of it stopping.  The river by my house feeds into the River Severn about a mile down river, which has been devastating Shrewsbury and Ironbridge.  The levels are truly frightening.   The fields surrounding us are flooded and have been for weeks.

So diary, a further update:
Money-wise I've accepted two new daycare dog boarders to help ease our financial crisis.  The "workload" I've got is already high with the needs of running a dog boarding establishment, breeding pygmy goats (another two cute babies arrived today) looking after a flock of Brahma chickens and checking incubating eggs, renovating a dilapidated farmhouse, helping at breakfast club at the school, doing admin for a third party (which looks like it might grow exponentially over the next few months), dragging children up and running the home.  I'm getting less than 6 hours sleep most nights and I'm eating too much rubbish just to keep going, energy-wise.  I often get headaches and I'm on maximum dose of strong anti-depressants.   Not sure how much longer I can continue.  

I'm open to suggestions by anyone who has been in this position on how to get on top of things!

Moneywhizz

It sounds like you have far too much to do on a daily basis and it will be difficult to sustain this level of pressure for very long. Without knowing a bit more about your situation and what has caused this financial crisis, it is difficult to offer any real advice. Is there any end in sight to your shortage of money? Is it because of a high mortgage or debt? Are you spending too much on groceries or other things? I understand that you don't want to post an SOA but maybe some more information might help us to think of ways to lift some of the burden you are struggling under. You know that your health is already suffering so it is important for you to find a way out of this current situation. There are many people on this forum who have really struggled but have turned things around. I'm sure your circumstances can be improved if you feel that you can share some of the detail. 

the_cross_rabbit

I would 2nd a SOA on your diary, the people on this forum are fantastic at offering advice. But only do it if you feel up to it. Sending virtual hug 
CRx 

Msmoneyspider

Hi Dizzy_Imp, I think you are amazing, keeping the family afloat with all the stress of the flooding, Like Noah .  Give yourself a huge pat on the back.   

When I get overloaded, I am now looking at what my absolute prioirities are and saying 'no' to everything else, calling it self care rather than selfish.  You only have so much energy and you are now running completely on empty, is there any chance of grabbing a couple of duvet days, a bottle of wine, a good film and letting your DH run the show?

I agree with the other posts that a SOA would allow others to be able to advise.  I have felt 'overexposed' posting my financial details, but the reality on DFW boards, is that people aren't judging, we have all been there in one form or another and learn from each other and I am grateful that I did have the courage to open up.

savingholmes

I'm with Ms Moneyspider - I earn good money but we still got ourselves in a mess that it is taking us years to dig our way back out of. Some thoughts:
Have you tried the MSE credit club -to see what lenders think of your debt levels?
Is there any high interest debt you could move to a lower interest rate?
Are you trying to pay off debt too fast or are you not making headway at all?
Have you done the check on electrics you mentioned? Are you reclaiming some of that as part of your tax bill/allownces?
Are you continuing to over-spend or are you wrestling with past debt only?
I have posted an SOA in the past although not on my current diary. 

Have you been to the doctor about how you are feeling? Mental health issues (I have them) can be a huge component in not just getting into debt but our ability to dig our way out again. It sounds like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. It sounds like you need to ask for more help whether that is from DH, the doctor, friends, relatives or whoever....

It also sounds like you need to give yourself a break like MsMoneyspider and others said. Be kind to yourself. You can only do so much.