In for the longhaul

phoenixchick

Another update.

OH annoyed me somewhat by spending too much when he went shopping for clothes, we had budgeted some but not the amount he spent. On the up side, what he bought can be worn for casual or work and I can trim from other areas of the budget.

I have decided to do the grocery challenge for April to bring down the costs. I will aim for £150 for the month. Doing a monthly shop last month really helped - I still have meat left in the freezer. I don't think I need to do a big shop this month, just a top up. I've been using mysupermarket to compare the prices and create a shopping list - I just printed it out rather than getting it delivered.

I am also starting to add more veg into the meals to make them more healthy and stretch the meat. It's funny that my OH, who insists that he doesn't like carrots, happily eats them in casseroles or when they are grated. I made a chili last night and it has made 3 big meals - 2 have gone into the freezer. All that from a small amount of mince and lots of veg!:j

I'm in the process of making a big loaf of bread, I find making bread very theraputic - next time I'm in Asda I will see if I can get some live yeast.

As part of my general review of life, the universe and everything, I had a good think about what I enjoy. I really enjoy learning new things, pretty much anything really. I completed the first year of a MSc a couple of years ago, but it was work related and I don't think that spending so much time on work is healthy. :think: I've decided to see if I can cash in the qualification (a postgraduate certificate) and then explore the possibilities of doing something I really enjoy, but not work related. I have always loved the medieval period in history and literature and would like to study it in more detail, ideally up to Phd level. I have seen an MA course in Medieval Culture I will save towards, in the meantime I am going to reread my books on the subject.

I am also going to try to learn Latin, but rather than doing what I used to do (buying lots of books) I am going to try to do it the DFW way! :T So far I have found a pdf file of a text book through google. As it is out of copyright it is a free download, and it is not as though Latin has changed a great deal since the 1800s. I have also found the brilliant national archives website that has free online courses in beginner and advanced Latin using medieval texts.

I have to go now, my bread is ready - all I have to do is try not to eat it all before OH gets back from work. Tough, because I love fresh baked bread - ooh the smell! :drool:

In_Search_Of_Me

Just popping in to say hi & well done! Great that you have made such positive changes and begun to fight the bully back. Also great that you dont have to go back before your new job & that you have taken further action re the overdue payment. One thing I learned since becoming DFW was that I had to redress the balance in my life and have learned to enjoy simple (cheap!!) things again - getting a good book from the library (buying when desperate!!) and me time have been such a blessing! This for me has to be one of the best things of being a DFW!
I think in many areas you will find youre not alone - I think many of us have suffered from quite significant stress/depression/pmt & I think this possbly in my case contributed to the debt (emotional shopping, burying head in the sand & not having the energy to deal with things. When you do its strengthening & liberating, if exhausting at times! So this really was just to encurage you to plough on. Youre doing REALLY well and should be proud of what you have achieved so far! Big hugs for you & dont forget to have some chilling too!!

phoenixchick

Hi,

ISOM and Wendy, thanks so much for your support, it really means a lot. Since I've been on this site I feel much more in control of things and much happier overall. It really helps reading other people's stories, partly to see that some people are far worse off than me so I should be grateful, and partly because it is such an inspiration.

I've been reading a lot more, borrowing from the library. I have always loved reading but it was one of the things that went when I got stressed, partly because it is such a big part of my job. I have read more in the past 2 weeks than I had for the whole year so far.

I have updated my signature, another couple of payments have gone and now the total debt is under £67K and I have broken the £3K paid off mark as well. I do enjoy seeing the figures gradually getting smaller.

WorkingHardDFW

Just wanted to add my congratulations to the journey you've come on so far. Well done you.

Although I think we all acknowledge the hard part is starting on the journey and finally adimitting what your debts are thats only the start. Keeping on the straight and narrow for the journey is tough. Changing the habits which have been long in the making.

We're a good way in but I still find it tough. This weekend although we'd been paid (and OH got a bonus) the food money hadn't transferred across and therefore we couldn't even had a bottle of wine at the weekend! Small scarafice I know but sometimes its the small things that get you down.

You seem to have a really positive attitude and are changing the fundamentals which in the long run will be the key to sucess. :T

phoenixchick

Hello all, another update! Have had the all clear from the Dr - a bit overweight (as though I didn't already know that!) but otherwise fine. Blood Pressure was totally down to stress and bullying at my crappy almost ex-job :mad: . BP is now nearly back to high/normal and I'm starting to look forward to starting work at my new school.

Updated my sig again as I have paid £100 of one of the eek :eek: debts - it's nice to keep chipping away.

I have sent a chase up letter to Welcome for OH's ppi cancellation and my ppi mis-selling, I have also sent a chase up letter to DAF - just so they know that I haven't forgotten them!

My favourite letter, though, was the one I sent to my nasty boss. As I was gathering all the information together I found an email I had received in September confirming that I was due a payrise, I then found that I had forwarded this email proof to my nasty boss at the start of SEPTEMBER!!! So she has basically ignored the issue since then. I wrote a letter asking that she let payroll know immediately (only she can do it apparently) and listing everything I have done to chase up the problem including the email and a letter I had. I then wrote that I had sent copies of the letter to my union and to payroll. Oh to be a fly on the wall when she reads it!:D

Got to check on my latest bread recipe and make sure the flat is nice for another viewing.

msmicawber

Excellent news, Phoenixchick. You're really keeping at it. Really pleased you found the e-mail to your boss - let her try & wriggle out of it now!

Well done.

Jelly_Babies

Hi, hope your boss does something now and makes sure it is backdated as well - do you not have a HR department you could go to if she doesn't play ball?

phoenixchick

Good Afternoon,

Ms M - I know! I was so angry when I found it :mad: , but it proved she has had written proof all along.

Jelly Babies - As it is a school the only person who can inform payroll is the head. It will be backdated as I am legally entitled to the pay. I have a feeling she wanted to avoid paying it as long as possible (and April is my last pay for that school). If she doesn't play ball - and I will be checking in a week - I think I will ask the union to call and threaten her with an employment solicitor.

Updated my totals again! :j Got an unexpected cheque in the post today, so cleared one of the smaller debts.

The next step is to save as much as possible towards the move.

mancbird

Hi Phoenixchick,:A

I just wante to say that your posts have really inspired me. I've sat and read your diary from start to finish and I'm feeling a lot more positive and inspired about dealindg with my own finances.

Thanks :beer:

ampersand

phoenixchick wrote: »

Another update.

OH annoyed me somewhat by spending too much when he went shopping for clothes, we had budgeted some but not the amount he spent. On the up side, what he bought can be worn for casual or work and I can trim from other areas of the budget.

I have decided to do the grocery challenge for April to bring down the costs. I will aim for £150 for the month. Doing a monthly shop last month really helped - I still have meat left in the freezer. I don't think I need to do a big shop this month, just a top up. I've been using mysupermarket to compare the prices and create a shopping list - I just printed it out rather than getting it delivered.

I am also starting to add more veg into the meals to make them more healthy and stretch the meat. It's funny that my OH, who insists that he doesn't like carrots, happily eats them in casseroles or when they are grated. I made a chili last night and it has made 3 big meals - 2 have gone into the freezer. All that from a small amount of mince and lots of veg!:j

I'm in the process of making a big loaf of bread, I find making bread very theraputic - next time I'm in Asda I will see if I can get some live yeast.

As part of my general review of life, the universe and everything, I had a good think about what I enjoy. I really enjoy learning new things, pretty much anything really. I completed the first year of a MSc a couple of years ago, but it was work related and I don't think that spending so much time on work is healthy. :think: I've decided to see if I can cash in the qualification (a postgraduate certificate) and then explore the possibilities of doing something I really enjoy, but not work related. I have always loved the medieval period in history and literature and would like to study it in more detail, ideally up to Phd level. I have seen an MA course in Medieval Culture I will save towards, in the meantime I am going to reread my books on the subject.

I am also going to try to learn Latin, but rather than doing what I used to do (buying lots of books) I am going to try to do it the DFW way! :T So far I have found a pdf file of a text book through google. As it is out of copyright it is a free download, and it is not as though Latin has changed a great deal since the 1800s. I have also found the brilliant national archives website that has free online courses in beginner and advanced Latin using medieval texts.

I have to go now, my bread is ready - all I have to do is try not to eat it all before OH gets back from work. Tough, because I love fresh baked bread - ooh the smell! :drool:

###########
Hello pc(a felicitous abbreviation? I'm more of the non- myself)
I've just found your posts and much like your style and content - know I will
enjoy others.
The Latin and therapeutic uplift of breadmaking will do for starters [There are Threads for it]- just made my two multi-seed loaves earlier. How do we reconcile them to weightloss? It's not easy to stop at 1 slice when it's lovely and new.
Ask @ Mr T's bakery for some of the sesame gloop used for the tiger rolls topping - gorgeous stuff.
Bon voyage - I'll doubtless lurk and remember:

I strongly suggest you apply for a Clubcard Plus from Mr T and shop there, ensuring OH knows to use it for paying his petrol, too.
Martin recommends it and I maunder on about it when the opportunity presents itself, as now.
The Hunter-Gatherer in you will become stronger than ever and a source of pride and resilience.
Do you disdain Charity Shops, local auctions, carboots, ebay(buying and selling)? - I hope not.
Give these things a try, please.