HELP! We're in the poo!

Hootie19

Brokeinwales - I know exactly how you feel. When I first posted about our problems, probably about 18 months to two years ago now, I was shocked by the virtual slap in the face I received when I was saying (quite reasonably, I thought at the time) "oh no, I can't do that, because we need this that or the other" and I had a bunch of knowitalls telling me "oh no you don't".

It was tough love alright, and although I appreciate it now with hindsight, for quite some time, I sat at the computer "effing and blinding" at those who posted advice for me, thinking "who the hell do you think you are, 'talking' to me like that".:rotfl:

However having taken on board *most* of the advice, I am now in the happy position of having paid off two of my credit cards, and we are tackling DH's two cards now. We are up to date with everything and slowly but surely things are improving.

The food bill was a MAJOR issue for me, as I *thought* I was a pretty savvy shopper/cook. However, a tiptoe through the old style board soon showed me that I knew nowt!! When my meal planning slips, as invariably it does from time to time, when work and family commitments take over, I nearly have a heart attack when I tot up what I've spent due to "just popping out for xyz" at the supermarket.

Anyway, I'm waffling unnecessarily. I just wanted to say my own "well done" to you - as I say, I know it's really really hard to hear (read) when it seems people are having a go at you when all you've done is ask for advice. But look through this fog to the other side - there are clear skies ahead of you. And you will be me in two years time, giving your own advice and encouragement, having been there and done that and got through it yourself

In_Search_Of_Me

Good that youre feeling defensive rather than offended! Hugs for you! its hard coming on here & asking for help & for those of us who try to help literally thousands of people who come here in various stage of being in the poo we also need t try & remember the scary feeling of being at the start! I dread to think what my first post was like at 37,000 in debt & scared witless from reccollection! Youve made great strides so far so well done! With some changes you'll be there in no time & if nowt else maybe this has made you realise that it could be alot worse if youd left it for longsre so well done for tackling it before you got tobailiff stage as some dont...How did you get on with the council tax pepys? Did they accept a staged pay back? Thought of you as I epiladied my legs this am! Yup it is sore but you can at least get the hair when its short rather than having to grow legs! I also tried to have legs waxed once & it was just TOOO painful! Did also try waxig & what a faffymess that was! Well done on the writing group & walking back...which one do you go to?

kizzykizzywizzy

Just popped in as haven't looked on this thread for a while & I think you've done really well with your cutting back, nice to see other half is onboard - ish!:p
Good luck to you & I hope you sort your council tax out soon, so you don't have that to worry about.
Also want to say, you do need to have a life, so perhaps once the council tax is paid you can start some of your classes again.
But I think you are doing Fab!

arealbasketcase

My o/h thinks I am a genius with money and leaves it all to me, lol.

brokeinwales

Thought of you as I epiladied my legs this am!

LOL! That really made me smile! (I'm starting to think maybe hair removal is a bit like sanitary protection - one of those "personal preference" things).
I haven't heard back from the council yet, worryingly. OH has day off today so I've asked him to chase them up. Fingers crossed they accept the offer.

Since I last posted I've also managed to pick myself up two modelling jobs in the next month (one on Sunday which I wouldn't normally have taken at such short notice.). I've also been inspired by the "50p club" I've read about in people's signatures. I've decided not to swim for a month and jog instead (I really don't like jogging though!) - but save my fifties up and maybe use them to start going to the pool again next month.

I made my first weekly shopping trip to Lidl last night too (silly me not using it really as it's walking distance even with not-too-heavy bags) and I'm quite impressed! Their selection of stuff has grown a lot since I last went (I even spotted that they have a fairtrade collection now, though I didn't indulge this time!) I think I can get most things except brown rice and wholegrain pasta - but the Old style people are throwing loads of ideas at me about that kind of thing (I can see myself getting quite into old style things as I do really like cooking and trying new ideas.)
B/f is supportive - but skeptical I think - especially about the groceries. He doesn't really believe we can live on £40 a week worth of food, although he seems willing enough to give it a go at the moment. He's also worried that I won't be able to carry the shopping back from the supermarket by my little girly self bless him (it's not always easy for us both to go.).
I guess my worry at the moment is that we're both really busy at work - so a lot of the time we end up getting home feeling a bit frazzled - and normally we'd chill out with a glass of wine and a DVD, or go out to the pool or the sports centre or something to thrash it out - and I think that's going to be really difficult. (I'm dreading a row will erupt when b/f texts me on way home from a tough day to say "get a couple of bottles of wine in love." And I have to say "No - it's not in our budget!" - but I guess we cross that bridge when we come to it.)

katiepops_2

I second the suggestion of buying your make-up on Ebay! I had a splurge a couple of years ago and spent a huge amount on the full works, plus a load of Olay stuff ... but that was a one-off. I use Olay stuff for my skin, and No7 make-up, which I know is not the most expensive stuff out there, but for someone like me who is a total cheapskate it makes me feel like I'm using top stuff!

Over the last six months I've bought two little tubes of foundation (the ones they were giving away in the 'free' bag of No7 stuff if you spent £15) for £8 - enough to last me about a year I think (full size £14); lip pencil £1.20 (shop price around £7); Olay Serum £6.50 (shop price around £16); plus I buy my perfume from Ebay too - I use Chanel Cristalle, which is around £50 for the biggest bottle - I never pay more than about £20 for it. And all these prices include the postage ... it can be very satisfying shopping for these great bargains.

As for the wine, if you're shopping in Lidl you can probably pick up a couple of bottles dirt cheap.

In_Search_Of_Me

keep up the good work! It does take time to get into the habit but very satifying when you do! Also do try splott market for make up bargain - also for fruit & veg on a sunday am! Quite bizarre as think you must live very close to me from the description!! Well done on the extra work...also a good try wth the food budget - its one of the things I still really struggle to keep in check!

nimbo

hiu, it might not be much help (i've only just signed up to it) but there is s thread somewhere, poss the up your income board... about yougov suveys (takes ages to build up) but also writersshare.co.uk which looks like it might be a good way of upping your income when it is running smoothly again...

the taxis are a good place to cut back if approx half are unecessary, and as for the toileties there is a good freebies board on here, and there are other places that provide them just google them. (they often don't turn uip though...)

there are places that you can sign up to which get you to test products...

have you thought of mystery shopping??? or a second job??? sound like it could be ahrd with the buses, and the fact that you could be out in the sticks...

cutting back (majorly for a while) on the shopping budget, maybe trying to live off the contents of the freezer/ cupboards for a while (whivh is also good for stock riotation...)

would it be worth (after sorting the Council tax) putting money in the bank to stop a similar thing from happening with the bille whaen they finally arrive???

and i'm with you on the ebay thing... try using gumtree, as it's free and the amazon thing is good too, althoug like you i only ever seem to make a pittance... the money might not be as high as it would be from ebay, but less of an outlay...

would it be worth trying a carboot, as there is again little outlay, and getting rid of all that 'junk' in one go is a bonus instaed of all the little trips to the post office, and although again there may be lower prices it's only one morning,and you get all the cash in one go...

nimbo

oh, with the walking to the supermarket thing, take a rucksack, i always find the worse bit the sore fingers form the plastic bags, and it really helps.

(i don't care if i look like a wally walking home):rolleyes:

beanielou

Why dont you buy one wine box a month?
Can I suggest that you actually make a payment to your council tax even though a payment plan has not been agreed.Ths shows you are willing.
Most councils let you pay online.