First Steps to Solvency

FootyFanDan

Hey mate, just checking in after what has been a very hectic week! Agree re the social dilema suggestion its such an eye opener, I mean I generally use a load of SM but it certainly gives you plenty to think about. I am glad that you had a relaxing weekend, I know it is something your still getting used to but yeah I think recharging the batteries is a good thing. Really pleased for you re the alcohol you are doing really well.

alt80

Busy day on the work front today and been roped into helping son with photojournal. Good news he’s going to be back at school properly soon he’s been missing his mates and looking forward to going back.

 

Other announcements not too bad for us good to be carrying on in lockdown ha. Wife looking forward to maybe meeting her parents 29th March haha.

 

Nothing else to update tbh been too busy workwise.

 

@ryanm8655 FML you really do have dodgy taste in cars mate. Haha I’ve always love my RRs as you know so not going to agree there I can only assume you’ve not been in an Autobiography spec FFRR, even got a leather headlining mate, only better interior in something like a Bentayga. Tesla interior !!!!!! awful imo.

 

100 agree re Dubai though and yeah I’ve noticed that with the wine too there lol. Probably won’t surprise you my wife !!!!!! loves it, won’t be returning (ever I hope tbh).

 

@getmore4less lol not just me with the call centre rants ha I !!!!!! hate being held on the phone for ages only to be told they can’t help if that wasn’t obvious from some of my previous rants. Hope it gets sorted for you anyway.

 

Re keeping paperwork, we did away with a lot of our personal papers a few years back, all scanned into computer and saved (and backed up before you ask ha). Lot neater in the home office.

 

Didn’t quite realise how much I struggled with sleep until being off the stuff tbh mate 100 held the stuff responsible for that but I’m 34 days in now and still don’t sleep particularly well. Used ‘I need my 8 hours’ excuse plenty of times ha but can’t remember the last time I consistently had a decent sleep schedule.

 

Yeah def true re wife I’ve had her phone for the day FML the amount of notifications is unreal lol can see why she’s on it all the time. Do feel I’m making progress with the house, parking the need to move on for stupid reasons purchase price lol and higher ceilings mainly haha. Might still be nice one day but I am very happy with my res home so long as it doesn’t drive temptations as lockdown stops (too close to city ha).

 

Your thinking not far off my thinking re cars – I think I do need to park it for the moment. Will keep me away from a few mates into the other stuff too not having a car. Def would like an AM at some point that’s been one of the constants through this even ha never learn. I do feel apprehensive about when the time comes that my money isn’t just all going to debt. Seems ‘safer’ for me to just keep retained rather than start spending again idk.

 

Thanks for the MS Money link, will have a look probably be the weekend though or may just decide to keep developing my excel sheets idk right now brain not on lol.

 

@Onebrokelady hahaha put her on the parental control love it. I’ll see if I can get a log in for Netflix and watch it, not even sorry for being a p1key over that ha.

 

@enthusiasticsaver Re Range Rover – I’ve only really been piling the miles on the BMW since we thought it was going back and with the knowledge we’ll be keeping the Range long term so get some miles on the BM that would have ordinarily been put on the Range short term thing iyswim.

 

Re tech yeah we’re the same and tbh won’t stop paying out for decent tech. Try to buy the best and make my computers last until they stop being supported so usually last about 7 years for me. Wife has to have latest tech haha but she knows she’s going to have to ‘make do’ a bit longer with some things.

 

Don’t really get the holidays thing at all tbt. I do like one maybe two max holidays a year but 6 a year that’s a complete waste imo and a lot of time away from work too. Appreciate that’s just me ha. I don’t mind travelling but doesn’t really interest me to spend a lot of cash on it in the future. 100% would rather buy an AM and be able to drive that whenever I wanted than get away to Thailand or whatever, not really my thing.

 

@kayannie yep you’ve got that in one mate. Wish she wasn’t like that but think that’s IG too tbh – the girls on IG she wants to impress are a good 5-10 years younger.

@FootyFanDan thanks mate. Yeah weekends off are a bit odd quite enjoying it some ways other ways not sure it's so good but trying to reserve judgement for the moment. I've been off the social media personally for a while no interest in going back on it mate but I do think the programme will be interesting. 

RelievedSheff

We are going to make the most of the next couple of cheap months and try to get as much off the debt balances as possible before life starts to return to some sort of normality. 

alt80

@RelievedSheff I'm really dreading everything opening back up again tbh return to 'normality' not what I need. Just about ok as it's all a while off but the thought of this being it come mid-summer not in a great place now had time to think about it for an hour or so tonight tbh. 

Humdinger1

@alt80 understand that it's difficult to put new regime in place re toxic friend but you have done just this on all substances.   It might be worth discussing a few options of how to proceed, what to say in counselling because he is going to be piling on the pressure.   You don't have to destroy your health, family and all the progress you've made to keep him company though.  Don't want to sound a heartless swine but I think it's worth discovering why he's able to manipulate you when you're the stronger, more successful and intelligent of you.  Being born into money doesn't give him the right to tell you what to do.  Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now.  

enthusiasticsaver

I have just spent the last half hour rearranging our first holiday booked for April (rebooked from last year) so now August instead in the hope we may be back to some sort of normal by then. 

We love travelling and seeing different places and thankfully now we no longer work we don't have to worry about time away from it.  At least half our holidays are in UK as there are so many  lovely places to visit and I love walking especially coastal walking so our next one will be an Exmoor trip to do the south west coast path around Lynton, Lynmouth etc and visit some places up around that area.  

Again I think you may be unusual @alt80 in not liking holidays. I am pretty sure a lot of people get themselves into debt by booking holidays they cannot really afford but good job that is not an issue for you as at least that is not a drain on your income as you don't really do them. 

The social dilemma documentary highlighted the fact that the notifications are designed to keep drawing people back to their screens and reinforce the social media addiction.  Only way round that is to uninstall things like instagram and twitter, facebook etc. 

alt80

Interesting conversation with wife tonight related to her carrying on with the nails or exploring the PT work. She said she basically feels it’s not worth it for what she can earn. Scaled up 3hours a day doing the nails, 5 days and over 45 weeks of the year she’d see after all deductions £12k/y bit more really but that’s accounting for a few cancellations etc too. Tbh I would probably dismissed it too this time last year but that’s our son’s school fees and a massive difference imo. Might say something to her about it tomorrow as can see why she cba thinking that way.

@Humdinger1 It’s not just that one mate but he’s a big part of it. Sent me a message this evening March 29th invited to his don’t bring the wife and kid lol. Ignored it but it’s difficult especially as we’re connected in business too. Generally dreading being allowed near shops/ pubs etc also. I live too close to the city centre can walk in and also walk to x3 high streets easily. Moving not the answer I know just stupidly anxious about it easy to live this life currently but panicking for the future as I don’t want life to go back to how it was iyswim.

@enthusiasticsaver we’ve done the stupid holidays and 100 I won’t miss them one bit, easiest thing about the no spend, sort the debts out life tbh glad my wife not nagging me about going away. Can do a week to 10 days max but hate being away from my work any longer just bores me senseless. 

Find if you’ve seen one beach/ city/ tree or whatever seen them all. I don’t get much of a buzz from it never really have. Enjoy one or two max one week hols just a switch off so not that I don’t get it at all just don’t understand people like you and @getmore4less who go on hols like 6 times a year. Find the travelling really stressful tbh hate being away from my car etc even if hired not the same and prefer being home than some hotel doesn’t matter how nice haha.

Her notifications are a !!!!!! nightmare haha switched the thing off after 5 mins ha.

enthusiasticsaver

I wondered if this was the reason your wife did not want to work because the income is relatively low but as we know she does not live in the real world and unfortunately she does not appear to have any sort of work ethic.  Everyone has to start somewhere though and if she was able to expand her business to employ other nail technicians or expand to other beauty treatments she could grow the income.  If she doesn't start to do something though she will never get anywhere. As you say £12k covers the school fees so it is not nothing or would pay for your holiday and more than cover her personal costs and maybe Christmas. 

strawb_shortcake

Job idea for your wife, either beauty counter in JL, or shop assistant in JL. I know someone that worked on the beauty counter there and they got loads of freebies, trips to London to learn about new products etc, I suspect if she picks the right counter then the clientele is going to be more varied and she may see something other than the IG set. 

JL staff I believe get a 25% discount so even if she were to spend all her wages in the shop then then the products are cheaper and whilst she may not be contributing to your household income she would be freeing up some of your existing budget.

elbree

I can see why you might be concerned and I agree with @Humdinger1 that planning in advance how you're going to avoid triggers is sensible, you can't just ignore your mate forever. Especially if you have work ties. I think you're also underestimating how far you've come and how many changes you've already made though. You're obviously more determined than you give yourself credit for.