From broke to better ..a journey

lillypoo

This week was relatively uneventful. Lots of 5.30am dog walks, work with a few extra hours, sunshine.
No unforseen money went out and I am left with just three DDs to cancel before I stop using my old current account abd move to my new basic, ready to start down the dmp journey

Had a major wobble about it all last night. Went to bed feeling exhausted and after half an hour started a totally unexpected panic about the whole situation ...especially about not paying back my overdraft. I ended up sitting up all night reading 350 pages of the dmp mutual support thread. Still felt sick to the stomach and tearful, but as always @sourcrates came to the rescue with sound advice today.

I think its the sitting back and letting things happen that's scary. I never had myself down as a control freak till now. 

This afternoon I went onto my  banking app to try and start a chat to tell them I won't be able to pay off the o/d and am planning a dmp, but they sent me a number to call ...dialled it but couldn't do it. Will try again next week. 

Meal plan went to pot as I just didn't want veg madras or chili baked potatoes when I got home from work but I only bought bread, coffee and dog food so grocery budget was stuck to. Going to try and eat from the fridge/freezer/cupboards this week then have a batch cook next weekend.

Sorted out my bookshelf...26 books on it that I've never read so I honestly think that will last me until at least the end of this year then I'm joining the library.

Was needing some wire for the garden fence but hadn't got the money. Saw a house nearby had put some out fir the scrap man so I swallowed my pride and asked if  I could take it and they said yes. Result!
(It's the little things lol)

Enjoy your Bank Holiday weekend all.

Spinayarn

Hi - I’ve subscribed to your diary for inspiration. I think you’re being incredibly brave. You have the phone number for the bank - that’s the first step. I’m sure you’ll feel strong enough to call them soon. I suspect that as soon as you say DMP they will be supportive. Try not to be too hard on yourself - you’re doing brilliantly.

Willowtree222

Hi,

I've been reading through. It's hard on your own but I've found incredible support here and making the decision to do this is the hardest step.

X

Naomim

Hi, 

I think you're doing really well. The start of your debt free journey is always the hardest part but also the part where you start to relax a bit knowing the plan is taking shape and you are in control rather than it controlling you. I had so many sleepless nights before I actually decided to do something! 

Thinking of your insurances and vet bills, have you thought of splitting your emergency fund into pots? Some people think of them as envelopes.  You know insurance is due May-Jul, so take this years price, divide by 11 and save that amount ready for next year. I assume your dogs are vaccinated (I know some people choose not to, no judgement). Maybe pop £5 a month into another pot. Don't forget about cashback sites when shopping around for insurance too. 

You've got this! 

Naomim 

lillypoo

Willowtree222 said:

Hi,

I've been reading through. It's hard on your own but I've found incredible support here and making the decision to do this is the hardest step.

X

Thank you. This forum is invaluable. I have learned so much. Feeling better today.

lillypoo

Naomim said:

Hi, 

I think you're doing really well. The start of your debt free journey is always the hardest part but also the part where you start to relax a bit knowing the plan is taking shape and you are in control rather than it controlling you. I had so many sleepless nights before I actually decided to do something! 

Thinking of your insurances and vet bills, have you thought of splitting your emergency fund into pots? Some people think of them as envelopes.  You know insurance is due May-Jul, so take this years price, divide by 11 and save that amount ready for next year. I assume your dogs are vaccinated (I know some people choose not to, no judgement). Maybe pop £5 a month into another pot. Don't forget about cashback sites when shopping around for insurance too. 

You've got this! 

Naomim 

Thank you.

Yes the dogs are vaccinated.  I also pay pet health plan which covers parasite treatments every 3 months, annual health checks and the vaccinations. Need to look into whether this is costing me more than paying fir the actual treatments and visits or not.

I've never used any cashback sites. Will look into this too. Thanks for the tip.

lillypoo

Better day today. Slept very late. Had a long bath. Tidied the kitchen and did a stock take of whats in the freezer from previous batch cooking. Kind of fun guessing what's in all those unlabelled freezer bags lol. I've got pasta in something for tea ...could be bolognese could be curry could be chilli lol

Foubd a £10 I thought I had lost wedged in the drum of the washing machine. Big yay!!

Also set up pots in my monzo account.  I get two paydays each month. My pension on the penultimate working day of each month is a set amount, my wage from current part time job is paid every 4th week and varies according to hours worked. They'll both be paid into my current account where essential bill DDs will come out of, then I'm moving amounts into four pots: unforseen emergencies  , saving for essential bills , s*d it I need a splurge fund, and this month's food, petrol  and  fun/hobbies. Just organising this and seeing the figures makes me feel better.

Got a couple of planters free off freecycle today. Going to plant coriander, chives, flat leaf parsley and mint. I spend a lot on herbs at the supermarket but waste half of them. Hopefully this will be a bit of a saver for me.

Time to get a cuppa and catch up on everyone else's posts x enjoy your evening

Edited to add  ...put a hold on charges on my overdraft

Hollie_Hobbie

Hi @lillypoo I think you're such a positive person, love reading your posts. Sorry you had a bit of a down day yesterday ❤️

lillypoo

Hollie_Hobbie said:

Hi @lillypoo I think you're such a positive person, love reading your posts. Sorry you had a bit of a down day yesterday ❤️

Thankyou. I am old enough to remember hollie hobbie. Had  stickers of her all over my text nooks at school! Think I also had a ragdoll too. Youre probably younger than me and are wondering what the heck im referring to haha

I do try to stay positive. Every cloud has a silver lining even if its not apparent right away. And i have come to believe theres a lot of truth in the saying "what doesnt kill you makes you stronger " ...onwards and upwards we go.

Hollie_Hobbie

lillypoo said:

Hollie_Hobbie said:

Hi @lillypoo I think you're such a positive person, love reading your posts. Sorry you had a bit of a down day yesterday ❤️

Thankyou. I am old enough to remember hollie hobbie. Had  stickers of her all over my text nooks at school! Think I also had a ragdoll too. Youre probably younger than me and are wondering what the heck im referring to haha

I do try to stay positive. Every cloud has a silver lining even if its not apparent right away. And i have come to believe theres a lot of truth in the saying "what doesnt kill you makes you stronger " ...onwards and upwards we go.

It's where my name is from - I loved her too 😊😊 

I try to stay positive too as well, but it sometimes takes me too long to find the silver lining 😊