Hi all
Well we went to the debt debate, hubby and I, and what an enjoyable day we had. We left home about 11am and our train was at 12. We arrived on time after nearly getting chucked off the train due to our tickets being wrong, ours had midland something or other and they should have had virgin on them even though our seats were reserved, which helped to show we were on the right train. Why me, it always happens, I had already had a load of trouble over the phone booking. Still the chap was nice and agreed it was rotten service by virgin and said no more. We got to Euston and then went outside with the map i had so very carefully researched and laminated. No use whatsoever as we didnt know what the name of the street was. We showed it to a station worker and he didnt know either, but then told me the tube station at Euston was inside the train station and I didnt need to come outside anyway. Next bit, what a pair of idiots trying to get a tube ticket, everyone knew what they were doing I was looking at the screen thinking what on earth is zone 1 and 2. So yet again another kind station worker pressed the buttons and showed us what to do to get to Leicester square. I couldnt get over how narrow the platform was, scary, I can see how people can get knocked off and this wasnt rush hour. Two stops and we were there.
We found the courtrooms easily, only thing we managed without being led, lol. Emma T sent a text and we arranged to meet her, then debbie (soulgrowth) rang and her taxi driver didnt know where she wanted. Twenty mins later we had met and all was well.
We met Andy inside and we were introduced to Dominic from the forum.( Great Guy)
The debate was really interesting and Andy and Melanie did us proud, being a shy little bunch we went to the back and managed to avoid the cameras. I think there is a quick flash of my hubby on iva tv. You sit at the back to avoid being on telly and then everybody in front of you wants to ask a question or make a point. lol .
We had a lovley glass of wine or two after and Debbie, Emma and I planted ourselves rather strategically near the nibbles and nibble we did. The one waiter kept coming back, he must have felt sorry for us poor hungry souls. We were joking they would be able to tell we were in an iva because we were having our dinner ha ha.
Had a lovley chat to Melanie, hubby was providing the drinks. We spoke to Gill Hankey ( I think thats right) and she is so nice as well. Just as we were leaving Melanie introduced us to Andrew Graveson. We had a joke about him being grey haired and sitting behind his desk. He is nothing like that at all, quite a handsome young man.
Anyway, as we had a little time to spare before trains we had a quick drink outside a pub with emma and dominic and returned back to Euston.
Got on the train, you can guess my luck no reserved seats and I had a moan to the train manager and like a good chap he put us in first class for the journey home. A whole carriage to ourselves free vodka and coke, ham sarnies like doorsteps , smoke salmon coleslaw (which was horrible) sorry, and we had two pieces of cake and two big bananas and not forgetting the pretzels, and best of all it was free.
Thank you very much virgin train manager , my first time first class. Hubby acted the total idiot that he is( he always makes me laugh) and waved liked Prince Charles out of the window at people. He really enjoyed it, and that was our day at the debt debate. We got home about 1045 a long day and a very tired pair, but well worth it.

Frugal friends

Frugal Friends in Portsmouth, was a great night as always. emma T very kindly offered to collect and take me. We had a great journey down it didnt seem long , we talked all the way. The hotel room was super and clean and comfy. We went to meet Debbie and had a quick sandwich and before we knew it it was 7 and we had to run back to the hotel and get changed quickly. Everyone was there John and Gwen, who so kindly hosted the evening and provided food for us all, Andy and Bev, skippy and dave, Teresa and Shaun (trees)Debbie and Dave who we had met in the pub before and another couple, steve and Lin, who hadnt posted but now have (reggiestirred). The meeting was as relaxed and pleasant as always. A natter about different aspects of iva,s the insolvency register. A lovley meal, and we finished about 1130pm.
I sleppt really well. Guess what Angie had a big brekkie in the morning. I love hotel breakfasts, and very nice it was. Back on the diet now and looking forward to my lettuce leaves in a bit . Back home by 2pm and a super time had by all .

Iva Update

Not a lot happening in our household, you will all have read about the heating saga , all ok now and seems to be no damage. Our 6 month review is at the end of this month, as our company does this and all is still well. I will update if there are any changes, but I doubt there will be.

Good luck to all with meetings in the near future and for those just embarking on the journey to debt freedom.

Well hi again.
I thought it about time I wrote a bit to my blog.
I have to say thank gooodness there have been no major disasters in the household lately, except for loss of my lovely big koi fish dyson ( anybody confused we called him dyson cos he went round the pond hoovering all the food up), the other fish I said I would report on and they are all present and correct, the pond is just about starting to clear enough to see their shapes moving. I maybe I shouldnt speak too soon.

I had a lovley evening at the frugal friends meeting in Birmingham, saw my mate Lily, and met Melanie for the first time, Emma t, Pixie, gavin and Donna, Paul, Andy and Bev, John Tegg, and Gwen. Martin, soulgrowth, another Gavin. I think that is everyone. A really nice evening, as it was the last time I went, lovley chats, food which was greatly received Melanie thank you, regardless of Basil and his troups lol. Please ,nobody be nervous of these meetings they are very relaxed, and so nice to meet others in similar situations, and put some faces to names. Birmingham city centre shocked me a little, very busy and I have to say not pleasantly either. It isnt the main going out bit but rather scary whilst waiting for my taxi. I only got approached twice, but I was ok , one chap wanted busfare as he had lost his mates and another I think, slightly worse the wear for standing up, but very polite and no problem I just said I only had my taxi fare. I wouldnt open my bag where I was. I felt quite safe though , as I know the cameras cover all areas around there, and the police are very sharp with trouble. I did jury service and I sat on a case in the city centre, and they showed the chap that was in trouble, all the way around the city for over an hour and didnt lose him once, talk about big brother, but reassuring all the same. Another venue will be needed for next time me thinks. At least one of the other hotels with its own carparking.

I am going to go to the debt debate in London and hubby is coming as well. I havent been to London since I was about 7 I think , when I went with the school, only thing I remember was the planetarium and the smell on the underground stations. It will be a nice day out for us as we are on holiday from the end of that week, well hubby is anyway I am still waiting to hear if I can have my holiday.

Our iva is still running smoothly and we are still saving every little penny we can. Weigh ins on the forum for our little weight loss club is working, except as a few will have read for the giant mixed grill my hubby made for me last night, such a good boy, and the wonderful chinese he is taking me for next saturday for our anniversary, 22 years he has had to put up with me. He will know about the chinese when he reads this after I have finished. ha ha hint hint.

Lots of lovely people joining the forum, Beans on Toast, who I secretely call sausage sandwich, another Ang, loads, quite a few accepted iva’s in recent times as well, so nice to see people get through the stress leading up to their meetings. Hopefully there will be many more the same celebrating in the future.

Lots of pickies of all the furry creatures you all love, and a special mention for Harry, who adopted Skippy and Dave recently, a very lucky boy. Congrats on your discharge too
skippy xx .

I shall stop here I think as there is not much else to report. just good luck to all from me.

Just a slight update following from my review.
My new account manager rang me within a couple of days as promised,a really nice girl, its a little unsettling when you get used to someone and they leave, but thank heavens she was very helpful and put up with all my usual questions and lack of understanding at times. We went through it all and she was happy to include the rises in everything, rent, gas and elec, me needing glasses, so I was a happy chappy. All the rises at present are being offset against the overtime. So at reviews they are reducing it from the overtime and wage rise ,though non existent with the nhs, and then we pay the 50% .
I am on holiday at the moment (nearly 2 weeks) fantastic. I am doing just what I want, mainly nothing. I always say I am going to sort this and clean that and usually dont do any of it. When working permanent nights its so nice to go to bed at night, sleeping in the day is never the same, and the dustbin men with their silly talking reversing thing,( we live in a close and they reverse all the way up ) every thursday all I can hear is “vehicle reversing ” bleep bleep 1st the paper then the rubbish then the plastic and then the green stuff, recycling is having a very negative effect on my health. They will get a few bleeps from me one day. lol Usual moan over.

I have to mention poor shazzles who has been waiting all week for a result on her Iva I do hope today goes well for you either way you will find a solution because you want to. Good luck fingers crossed.

Great news for shazzles, it was agreed as I wrote.

Well got my report back for my annual review and thankfully there are not changes to payments. Our overtime we have paid in monthly, so nothing owing. Our report now says creditors will be getting 34p in the pound instead of 32p, again this is due to the overtime but we have had the other 50% and that is a huge help towards emergencies and the odd bit of fun. Waiting to hear about the I and E as there were some rises in rent and utilities, but my account manager has left and a new one will be contacting me in the next few weeks and hopefully the rises will be offset against overtime.

Many thanks to Andy and iva.co.uk for the blog of the month prize. I am going to save the vouchers to get some new clothes hopefully if the weight loss continues.

Good luck to all those starting on their way to being free of debt, and to those who have meetings soon.

Well, I thought I would write a little for christmas.
How fantastic to see all the positive, proud feelings coming from everyone, at being able to manage christmas without credit. Yes, it has to be more frugal, but I see a lot of us, myself included, putting so much more thought into our gifts. I think because they have to be more economical, we have put more thought into making the present right for that person. It takes more forethought in saving from your budget, but I have done it by getting one a week and looking online for the cheapest deals, a few have been bought from ebay, food a couple of extras each week for couple of months, used nectar points saved for the year to buy my meat, and most of all I have not bought the silly things which are usually still in the cupboard next year. My only problem now is convincing my brain that it is done and there is no more to get. All the presents are wrapped, I just keep sitting here thinking what have I forgotten. Still less than a week now and if I have forgotten anything I am sure I will remember just as the the shops close.

Something else we managed. I had a little moan on the forum that my poor old washing machine was sounding rather sick. I decided ,as others advised, to wait till after xmas in the hope there would be some good deals in the sales. You can guess it wouldnt give me one more week. I am sitting here waiting for a new one to arrive. The old one splurged oil all over huibbys work clothes, mind you as a lorry driver it didnt make a lot of difference to them. Sooo, bang went the contingency fund again, but my husband said to me “how many times have we had a major appliance break and and actually been able to go to our savings and pay cash” ? NEVER !! So though a bit of a bashing to the savings, how wonderful not to have to get on the phone and try to find some credit to replace it.
Adding this bit after. I need to rant. Machine bought and paid for, £19.95 for a two man delivery, company rang me and arranged for this morning. They asked if there were any steps, I said yes about four low ones with wide two foot treads. You can guess one man turns up ” cant bring it up the steps on my own, you should have told them, it needs two men” I DID tell them and I paid for two man delivery, hubby had time off to put them in, I got up at 730 to wait as instructed. He then says ” well if your husbands here he could help me I dont mind” No, he is in bed after driving all night, no he has had a heart attack previously I dont want him to do it, no I paid for a two man delivery to do it for me. I asked him to wait while I rang the company, no point he says, I’m not doing it and there isnt anybody else, it will have to be tomorrow. I have one more delivery in birmingham and one in wolverhampton and then I’m finishing cos i have a funeral to go to I’m not coming back, it will have to be tomorrow. Merry xmas I said, no need to be like that , yes there is . Your not the only one this is the third I couldnt do. Oooh I feel so much better for knowing that. This little chap drives round all day, not delivering the things he is supposed to and getting paid at the same time, Please can I have one of those jobs. One simple question WHY DID YOU DRIVE OUT OF THE DEPOT IN THE FIRST PLACE !!. It has to be on my sheet that there are steps, does he not have the sense to know that a 60KG washing machine is too heavy full stop regardless of steps and needs 2 men.
He went , I rang the company, all apologies, they will have to do it tomorrow. How nice I can get up yet again at 730 when I am ill and wait all over again ! I rang wilkinsons shop where I bought it, and they are dealing with it , not their fault they are being done as well being charged for 2 men and only one being sent and giving them a bad name also. Anyway I feel a bit better for that.
Another update it is the next morning. I got my £19.95 delivery charge back. Indesit rang me to say it is being delivered between 11 and 1pm and then they rang agan to say it is being deliverd between 1130 and 2pm. So no need to get up early or dressed, they arent coming till 11, or maybe not, yes true to form 845 and they are knocking the door, I am not dressed, still its here and there are two men, all good. Now get this, one carrries the tumble dryer in his ARMS and the other on his OWN brought the washing machine, the only help he had was to lift it over the backstep, he brought it all the way himself, up the steps. Thats the end of my washing machine saga.. MIND YOU I DONT KNOW IF THEY WORK YET !!!!!!! Lol

Anyway, my annual review stuff has just gone back. Just payslips and proof of any increases. Creditors have had a fair bit extra with overtime already paid, not much change to our I and E just a rent rise and I now need glasses. I also queried the rise in petrol and asked them to increase if applicable. So thats it I am just going to enjoy xmas and see what happens. I will update with the result of the review.

Dear All have a lovely xmas and a fantastic credit free year. xxxxxx ANG

Hi all
Thought I would give a bit of info in case others are interested in trying one when they come up again.
Well following on from the last disaster of a holiday, this one looked like going wrong as the night before i spent 4 Hours going from one hospital to another with hubby who had developed a terrible pain in his eye. Decided to go to the local Gp unit and they then said they thought it was urgent and sent us on to the eye hospital. I thought, oh no not again, but luckily it was being caused by the blocked tearducts he already suffers with and some drops and ointment set it right.

So the cost of the holiday was in total £60 for monday to friday. The sun charges £9.50 but it is for a minimum of four so we had to pay £38 plus a £4 a night surcharge and £4 each for club passes. If you had booked the same caravan it would have cost double this amount.
We went to paignton in Devon as I knew the site and that is where we always go for the odd night if poss. The site was lovely, fantastic pool for the kids though we have none, play area and indoor wacky type warehouse for them. There was entertainment every night. The caravan was huge three bedrooms all the modern stuff and well equipped, only thing we took was our linen. No extra charges for heating or electric. So that is it really, a good break for £60 plus food which we took from our budget and a bit to spend. To be honest you dont have to spend a lot. We went for walks, ate fish and chips on the beach , and being a pair of olduns we had a kip in the afternoons. Very relaxing and hubby thouroughly enjoyed it. He had so earned it he works so hard.

10/10 would and will definately do it again.

and the best thing of all nothing else went wrong.

Well, we have just had our two week holiday and whatever could go wrong did. We were not going anywhere as an iva does not give you the funds, but we were quite happy to have a couple of weeks with no work and to do a bit of decorating and tidy the house and get rid of any clutter.

It started well my birthday on the monday, a lovley meal with all the family, the next night was the forum meeting in Brum. I met Lily at the station, we got on straight away, got to the hotel Andy was there to greet and Gavin and his wife were there also, and then Dave the bear came, lovley. The meeting was really enjoyable and nice put faces to people, we had a good discussion and so the hol was going well.
Next day my little dog took ill and at 2 in the morning we had to take her to the vet and lost her. The cost for the 15 mins that we were there was £203.09, taking advantage of people at a low point knowing they will pay anything to save their beloved animal suffering. I appreciated all the supportive comments on the forum they were so kind.
Oh dear from then on it was just downhill. We started to do a bit of decorating the next day, it put the house in turmoil as you have to empty everything all over the place but we quite enjoy doing these things together so ok. Then my grandaughter who is 2 went down with a stomache bug, poor little might but she managed to give it to us both and everyone she had come into contact with. So second week mon tues and wednesday literally in bed, hubby in one room and me in another as I was much worse than him and didnt want to make him more ill. The only upside is that we didnt eat anything for most of the week and saved on food , I am still struggling to eat now. We had to cancel the lino being fitted because we wernt well enought to move the furniture out. So we rearranged for the thursday and the lino arrrived on time to be fitted but not the right one. I had to go back to the shop to show them which one again, never mind they put it right. Then the two of us spent two days trying to finish the room feeling terrible we did five minutes work and then had to sit for 20 mins to gain enough strenghth to carry on.
So decorating finished by the sat of the second week. Great. Back to work on monday not much else could go wrong, that is unless you have a daughter in Ibiza and she reads her ticket wrong and misses the flight home!!! 19 years old got 40 euro’s left between them, mom and dad in an iva and no credit card to pay for flights to get them back. Got cash in our backup savings, not much use. Soo luckily son in law, older daughters other half paid with his company credit card and I have to give him the cash £272. The only problem left is to get them back from leeds as that is the only flight avaliable. Bear in mind this is all happening at 11 at night, everywhere is closed only thing I can do is to go to birmingham new street and pay for the tickets for them and I cant do that until they are at leeds station and that will be at 4 am. British rail eh, cant pay for tickets over the phone and let them just collect them in leeds, no they have to be one end, me the other to pay, and then they ring each other to say they are paid for and they will give them the tickets. Another £70. They are home now, we are dead on our feet and going back to work after the worst holiday ever.
So just to recap we have had two weeks holiday spent £550 nearly our total savings, and spent most of it grieving, vomiting and panicking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy days.

The point of writing this is partly to get it out of my system but also to let others in iva’s know that a contingency fund, if you can build one, is vital as in an iva there is no credit to go to. Though this has set us back, as our car is on its last legs, we will start again, but at least it was there when we needed it. My daughter will pay us back but I know it will have to be in bits and drabs, she is not well paid.

I hope the next post I make is much more cheery as we have another hol in october and for that we are going on one of the cheap sun holidays, maybe I will just lock myself in the caravan and wait for the twister to hit. LOL

by aguise

In the beginning

 

“ How much do you think we owe ” hubby said ” oh I suppose if we added everything it would be about £30,000, probably less”

 

I had always dealt wi the finances. None were hidden from him, but the house was rented and was mine before we married and as before I had dealt with everything.

Between us we have four children, two of mine,  one of his and one of ours. We both had custody and both received nothing in support from our ex’s, no maintenance , not even their time we did it all.

All our money was ours, only a joint account, wages both went in and we just about lived.  The debt built up bit by bit never any extravagance, holidays at mums in devon,  just a new cooker, kids uniforms, christmas with four children, not cheap but never over the top. Food bills as the children grew, I would shop and people would ask if I was shopping for a month. no I would say just a week. I wonder how we got to this point but there was always something that we needed, nothing lasts long with four children, cheap carpets, new washing machine, two loads a day, big bills.

The usual story, have a loan, then a credit card, easier to pay for the kids clothes with a catalogue, the phone rings  ” have a loan, you have nearly finished the one you have and you can restart it and have a bit for yourself, there must be something you need ” THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING WE NEEDED !  Why not, we work hard, we earn enough to pay.

Life with debt

 

Suddenly the realisation that all we do is pay.  We work and then we pay, we dont go out, the kids have all left and we are still paying.

Hubby does huge amounts of overtime, I juggle  bills, pay this now and the other next week, cut down on shopping, dont buy clothes I’ll manage on what I’ve got. Hair needs cutting, I look like stig of the dump, but it will wait it will have to wait, I have to pay the bills.

Two years ago its nine o clock at night and I am sitting on the wall outside the hospital smoking a cigartette, numb, The nurse had just said ” I would like to tell you everything is going to be alright but cant. The next 48 hours will tell if he gets through that then we can relax a bit “

Hubby had a heart attack. He can’t have I thought, its a mistake, he’s a young 50, never ill, no warning , nothing , fine one minute and not the next. All these thoughts went through my head, please make him alright , was I going to be a widow in my forties?  was it all the extra work he had done to keep paying the bills???

He got through , an operation, six months off work, no overtime, more credit to survive and then I start , thyroid, gall bladder eye op. Time off.

 

Realisation 

 

Hubby kept saying ” we have to do something “  He is back doing overtime and I have increased my hours and all we do is pay and suffer.  “It will be ok ” I say  ” we are managing”   he says ” but will we be ok if I lose my overtime, it keeps being said at work that they are trying to cut back, a few blokes have lost it already. “  A shiver runs down my spine ” we’ll be fine” ( liar ) I just have to pop outside and bury my head in that great big pile of sand.

An iva whats an iva ?, look it up on the internet. No we dont need that, Hubby keeps asking and saying we need to do something and I keep putting it off. If we just get throught the next five years we will be ok. I said that fifteen years ago too !

A chat to a friend, a moan about always having no money at the end of the month, he says ” I know what you mean. ” I said”have you seen those tv adverts about writing off your debt ” he said ” oh yes, an iva, I know all about iva’s I have one.”

Two days later hubby rang the company our friend recommended. A two hour phone call. The solution not one but two iva’s, not joint but single expenditure and one monthly payment for both.

The same question we started with ” how much do you think we owe”  ” about £30,000 ” Now we dont we owe £52,000 and have nothing to show for it.  17 CREDITORS !!!

 

The IVA

 

Fantastic, Jo to ring with any queries, direct number. Bank account sorted. Both took a day off work to sort all that was needed, rang for final balances, copies of bank statements, p60’s, cancelled debits, put all the needed over to the new account. I left the bank loans to default as directed. To that point we were up to date with the bills. All paperwork straight back, wages changed to the new account. Dont pay the creditors any more, your payment to the iva will be about £560. That cant be right I thought, but my expenditure was accurate. In the couple of weeks whilst the proposal was being drawn up the creditor hassle consisted of just one. Fourteen calls in one day, I’m low, have just had my gall bladder removed, off sick and being tormented by just one company. I sat and cried. Next day I decided no more, if they wanted to harass me I would do it to them, each time they rang I would ring them and complain to their manager. ” I can assure you we are doing nothing illegal ” she said ” I beg to  differ, if you read the tellecommunications act, continuous calling, not answering, cutting me off mid conversation, causing upset and distress is illegal ” She went quiet. No more calls.

Rep came to see us went throught the proposal, not £560, it will be £442 (32p in the pound), even better.  I’d written loads of questions, she answered every one. Checked that we had explored all options which we had. Four weeks later and the day of the meeting, hubby is confident, me as usual pessimistic and quiet. I did all the housework, as I suggest to all on this day it keeps you busy and passes the time. Eleven o clock comes and the nerves kick in, the longest hour I have ever known. 1215 the phone rings, iva approved , ususal modifications and we scraped through with a 78% vote. Our major creditors the banks did not vote. Hubby keeps saiyng how relieved he is. I dont know how I feel yet, it took a while for it to sink in. Total from first call to acceptance 7 weeks.

A big thank you to Freeman Jones and all their staff.

 

The Forum

 

During my search for info on iva’s I came across trhis forum, everyone was so supportive. I just read and sat every night reading, not saying a word, but gaining support through others. I wanted to say I had  my meeting that day, but still didnt post. I knew everyone, skippy, lily, scardekez, debtdummy and neverending the now Andy Davie. A  BIG  THANK YOU to you all, you helped me so much you just didnt know it.

Got brave one day and decided I wanted to help and support, even if just to answer someone and say hello whilst they wait for a reply. Look at me now, first thing I do in the morning and the last thing at night.

 

The Present

 

The whole point of this blog is to let people suffering with their debt know that in the right circumstances, with sensible expenditure an iva can be life changing for the good. Its not easy, but staying within your budget, doing overtime if you can. Ok you pay 50% over to the ivas, but you keep the rest, before every penny went on bills.  We still do overtime for this reason but if it goes we can still manage, the pressure to do it is not there now. Before the iva we paid on average 7 to 8 hundred pounds on debt alone and this was done with overtime. Now no worry, no stress, no BILLS through the letterbox, I  loathed the poor postie before now he seems like quite a nice chap, though we see much less of him.  Hubby is so happy, he feels a huge weight is gone, I feel happier, we are happier.

A few tips

 

An iva is not the right answer for everyone, make sure you explore all your options and understand everything.

Dont pay upfront fees unless they will be returned should the iva fail, get it in writing.

Get a good company, ring around a few it costs no more than a phone call, be honest about your situation , you wont shock them.

Include all debts its easy to miss one.

Make sure you include everything in your expenditure, prescriptions, pets, household insurances, dental. Little things add up and can put pressure on an already tight expenditure.

Dont accept unreasonable modifications, larger payments etc unless you are sure you can manage.

Understand everything if you dont ask again and again until you do.

Keep your company informed of any changes that might affect the iva.

Overtime and pay increases bonuses etc , dont wait for review and a huge bill, keep them informed and they will alter things if need be, I pay mine each month, yes my preference, but it gives me contact with my ac manager and saves me having to save  it. My half we save for extras that might pop up. We even took the grandchildren for a night at the seaside, it was better than any spanish beach, because we saved and paid for it.

Do a spreadsheet, keep track of everything.

Accept that you will pay as much back to your creditors as you reasonably can, because thats the whole point of an iva.

Look forward to making that last payment and the freedom to having your income back.

One more tip NO MORE CREDIT. Take pleasure in knowing you saved and paid for it your self.

IF YOU ARE IN DEBT AND STRUGGLING DONT BURY YOUR HEAD GET HELP AND ADVICE IT IS THERE

I will continue to update this blog as we go on. We are six months in and all is well. I have just sent everything for my six month review and will update as soon as I hear how it went.

 

Ang

 

 

 

Six month review

Well my six month review has come and gone with no changes to be made. I think it is more of a check that you are paying the right amount and extra overtime payments etc. Had a few emergencies brakes, exhaust for the car, telly bit the dust, but the extra overtime has made the difference and helped us survive them.
I just keep thinking to myself when we reach the end of the tunnel how much better life is going to be. Even though at present it is still better without all the worry we had six months ago.