Tidying up the mess

BabyStepper · 13 July 2018 at 4:43PM

Thanks for the support purplemumof2. Thanks also katsoocam for the tips about spreadsheets. That's helpful.

I've had more stuff from the banks today. After the first round of telling me my credit limit was being lowered, we are now onto round 2 where they all write to me announcing they are changing the terms and conditions of my credit agreement. So far I have heard from Lloyds and now Halifax. I will wait with baited breath for Santander to drop a letter through the door. Even though we have decided to go credit free, it is still alarming to think I couldn't get credit if I wanted it. And what about our mortgage?! I didn't even think of that!! For the 59 millionth time this week I'm thinking I should pay off the Lloyds card first before Hitachi. I don't think I can follow simple instructions of smallest to largest, I'm going to panic myself into a big confusion.

And breathe...

BabyStepper · 14 July 2018 at 5:55AM

I'm in a panic again, just realised our emergency fund is possibly not safe as its in a savings account with the same bank I have a credit card and overdraft with. They could 'offset' this at any time. I need to move this, OH has a savings account we could use, just wondering what's going to happen when they notice my regular wage is not going in there every month, though I do put my smaller wage through that account.

This is terrible. I had no idea the banks would know when I left my job. If anyone has any experience of this I would appreciate some info and advice.

indigowarrior · 14 July 2018 at 7:17AM

Hi BabyStepper,
I dont have any advice about savings but wanted to say hello. Another DR Follower here

. Been on this very slow journey for 18 months and now starting to make progress.

Kitten868 · 14 July 2018 at 7:37PM

I need to check with husband is not what you expect to hear from a bride you're right. Maybe it's for their daughter? My shoes were always bought by men which made me cringe but I'm sure were perfectly normal transactions.
Get your list of random stuff that comes up x

BabyStepper · 15 July 2018 at 6:07AM

Hi Indigowarrier and thanks for stopping by and for your support. There are so many DR followers on here it's amazing.

I spoke to OH about the cards yesterday and we did some research and properly read the changes to terms and conditions. Turns out the worst they can do is increase my minimum payment up to double what it is now and when I make an overpayment, still take the minimum payment later in the month. This is manageable as the minimums are small and we have extra cash so could cope with an increase. If they call in the debt I'll just need to ring them to come to some agreement,and if they closed the accounts then so be it, I'm not using them again anyway. It all feels much better today. I'm just going to keep an eye on the statement to see what they are up to. I've also changed my priorities in paying them off, Lloyds is first followed by the other 2.

The wedding dress buyer didn't get back to me, have to assume she doesn't want it, thought that was too easy. OH is still to paint his bike but will maybe do that today. Almost all my invoices have been paid. Monday should be a good day for the emergency fund and the start of babystep 2.

BabyStepper · 15 July 2018 at 6:10AM

Hello Kitten 868, ooh yes their daughter, hadn't thought of that. Maybe I should stay hopeful she'll get back to me. Thanks for dropping in. It's good to know there are others on my side.

Savertobe · 15 July 2018 at 10:29AM

The whole checking thing is common I think - I do the same even though I no it won't make any more money appear and spending the same time looking extra hard for a job would make more sense.

I get the Dave Ramsey thing for you just be careful to note any UK/US legal differentiations around debtors.

Good work on changing mind set thoughhttps://images6.moneysavingexpert.com/images/forum_smilies/action-smiley-033.gif

BabyStepper · 15 July 2018 at 11:38AM

Savertobe...lol...if I spent as much time looking for extra work as I did checking bank accounts. I'd be in much better shape!

Good point about the legal differentiations. I still have found nothing to tell me why the banks would know that I'd left my job. It's very strange. I've listened to a lot of podcasts and read a lot of diaries on here and have yet to hear of that happening to anyone else. I'd counted on everything being fine with the ccs as long as i made minimum payments.

Oh well, off for an mse style picnic today to enjoy some of this sunshine.

BabyStepper · 16 July 2018 at 6:41AM

We had a lovely picnic yesterday and spent an afternoon in the park. All within the food budget so that was good. This beautiful weather really helps keep the spirits up.

OH made a big thermometer wall chart with all our debt on it. We included the mortgage and practically had to have a lie down looking at the total...£203,000. We can colour in sections as they get paid off. We've put it on the inside of the wardrobe door so that family and friends can't see it when they come to visit. Talk about hiding your debt...

My biggest invoice has not been paid today, I'm very disheartened but I know things can go more slowly as people take annual leave and things just get left. So still haven't managed to top up the emergency fund. Frustrating. Also my dress buyer has disappeared. And OH is yet to paint his bike.

Another week of trying to generate more work, and so many people I need to speak to are on holiday. Could this go any slower?

GlendaSugarbean · 16 July 2018 at 6:50AM

Love the idea of the thermometer, sounds like you are both on the same page which is great :T

200K sounds a lot, but plenty of people have that and more on a mortgage alone. I'm sure it's doable.

Tidying up the mess

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