Debt-free in 12 months?

LEWKI

Hi Count...this is awful. What a bunch of idiots to contact your boss?!! I dont know what you can do but please let us know what happens. I am about to have a 3rd interview with a competitor of the company I work for and I get very nervous that my current boss will find out.
On the bright side you have piled into your debt, so good luck with everything

betti911

I've read through your diary with interest. You are doing really well.

I don't do employment law but out of interest why did you hand in your notice for your current job? They couldn't have made you leave. Is there any way you can go back?

Jvic28

count_rostov wrote: »

have started to claim back a council tax over-payment and bank charges. Natwest are keeping us informed, but Alliance and Leicester are ignoring us so I need to read Martin's article on what to do next.

So we still have lots to do on our debt free/wedding/baby journey! Over the next month I will:

• Chase up bank charges

Just a note, the banks are currently able to put all these claims in hold until the case is finalised. You can start the ball rolling by sending off the letters but don't expect any refunds until the case is over.

x

count_rostov

Thanks for your replies. Betti, the thing is that of course I told my boss I had a doctor's appointment when the interview was so I was caught lying about the hours I was working. There's not really any way around that.
Realistically I couldn't have stayed anyway as there's no way I'd ever get a pay rise / advancement / career investment out of the company after such a balls-up. The long notice period at least gives me time to find something else.
Jvic - I was about to post on the bank charges forum. Do you know what to do if the banks are just not replying to my letters?

Jvic28

count_rostov wrote: »

Jvic - I was about to post on the bank charges forum. Do you know what to do if the banks are just not replying to my letters?

You should read Martins Article on the left. What stage are you at with the letters. If you have statement all you can do is put in your request for a refund and wait until the case is over. Banks probably won't reply until then and if they do reply until before then it'll only be to tell you that your case is on hold until after the court case is decided.

If it's credit cards though you can proceed as normal following Martins Article. The Credit Card reclaiming process is not on hold.

x

count_rostov

Last night my fiance caught a sea trout. Yum, so we can have a delicious feast tonight and pretend we're really flush! The hens are still laying well so I will make mayonnaise, and we've got new tatties and salad from the garden. Fit for a count!

count_rostov

Euch, it's all bad news at the moment. We've just found out that it will cost more to put my fiance's pick-up through an MOT than the vehicle will be worth so it will have to be sold for parts. Nightmare as he needs this for his business. He's looking into leasing options as pick-ups depreciate so quickly, especially if they have heavy commercial use, so it seems stupid to invest in another one. His business is turning over enough money that this will probably be viable, but it's still a blow.
I've still not found another job although I've had a few interviews. It's pretty demoralising, but I suppose something will turn up. I've been thinking about going self-employed in what I do now (marketing and copy-writing) but we're due to remortgage at the end of next year and even though we will have about 70-75% LTV I don't think we would get a good mortgage on two self-employed incomes. Or even any mortgage!
I'm thinking about taking my engagement ring off if I get any more interviews, maybe I'm frightening future employers about potential maternity leave costs!
The good life has been going better than our financial/employment situation, been catching lots of delicious mackerel and trout, had the first crop of tatties, carrots and soft fruit, and gathered quite a lot of mushrooms which I dried. We also have another broody hen sitting on 12 eggs.
Anyhow, I was paid this week and our debt is currently:
1 RBS c/c 0% £1050 £974
2 RBS c/c 0% £2448 £2289
A&L overdraft 4.00% £1421 £1437 ooops
A&L c/c 0% £2925 £2798
Dad 0% £1100 £950
Career development loan 0% £1904 £1619
RBS overdraft 19.05% £768 £287
Total: £11, 616 £10,354
I've also decided we need emergency savings so we have £140 stashed away (baby steps!)
Our debt actually started at £13,607, before I started keeping this diary so I have managed to pay 24% of the debt off since March. I know this is a good achievement but I'm feeling a bit flat about it. I suppose the first few months of debt busting are quite fun, in a wierd way, and then it just becomes a really boring slog.

count_rostov

So, this lunchtime I resisted temptation to cancel £100 of my hard work by buying some 'essential clothes' in the Toast sale. They were so reduced! They were so bargainous! Thank goodness there was a glitch on the site and it didn't let me change my delivery address. I've come to my senses now. I definitely do NOT need any pretty floaty dresses or suede mocassains. I live on a croft and rarely remove my wellies. Whew.

lisasdiary

Hi you have inspired me your seaside life sounds fantastic and your electricity supply is very cheap!!! I live in lancashire in a nice village but unfortunatly no sea for muscles ect , could you give me some tips for growing veg ect. Also how much room do you need for chickens hens??
Have you booked hmoon yet?
Have you got any money saving tips on household?
And who is your internet with?
Thanks Lisaxx

count_rostov

Hi Lisa, our electricity is cheap because only half of our house is wired and currently we have a fridge, washing machine, radio alarm and 5 working lightsockets! The electrician is due to come in the next few weeks to wire the rest of the house. Aah, the joys of renovation, at least it's cutting down on our utility bills. Our internet was dial-up AOL as we're in a non-broadband area but I've cancelled it as it was soooooo slow and I just use it at work instead.
We let our chickens run around the garden and into the fields. They go really far but I'm sure would be just as happy with less space as long as they have something to scratch. I would imagine that 2 square metres per chicken would be plenty but if you're interested I would contact the Soil Association and see what they recommend for organic chicken farming.
It's a bit late to start growing anything this year, but you can start planning for next year. We've had lots of luck with broad beans (so hardy), carrots (I know they're cheap to buy so it seems silly to grow them but they are so much tastier) and also salads which grow really quickly.