THE FUTURE IS ONE BIG CHALLENGE AFTER ANOTHER for 3Dogs and friends ..... PART 3

A question about : THE FUTURE IS ONE BIG CHALLENGE AFTER ANOTHER for 3Dogs and friends ..... PART 3

It's that time guys - time to start a new thread - PART 3

For info, Part 1 of my Diary is here and Part 2 here. Those diaries dealt with how we got into the problem we were in, and how we came to get help from MSE/CCCS to deal with the debt we werein, and still are in, and I thank my friends on here for their fantastic support during that time, which really kept me going, especially with my Mam in hospital for 3 weeks and in the Continuing Care Unit in a care home up in North Tyneside since 10th November 2010

You can find Part 1 of our Challenges Thread here
You can find Part 2 of our Challenges Thread here

I started this thread as, from the start of 2011, Mr 3Dogs and I took a different look at how we approached everything, and, so, we set ourselves several challenges linked to our individual/joint debts, budgeting, spending & saving, raising extra funds, getting to grips with the house and garden, our diet and exercise. In other words, our whole way of life

You will find my list of challenges for 2011 in the post 2, and those of Mr 3Dogs in post 3. I have brought my challenges up-to-date and will continue to update them as the year goes on, reflecting on how well, or otherwise, I do in the challenges I had set. Others also set there Challenges and you will see how they are getting on with them too. I would still like to invite anyone to set their challenges too, on a single post which they can update as the year goes on - that way we can encourage and support each other along the way, with lots of back-slapping for successes and (((hugs))) when things don't always go as planned

We've made such lovely new friends during the time this thread has been running, and hope to make many more as time goes by, after all, friends are just strangers that you haven't met yet, aren't they?

So let's get this show on the road ...................................

Best answers:

• THE CHALLENGES OF 3DOGS: (Updated 12th May 2011)
  1. DRO - all my paperwork is completed and accepted ready for submission by CCCS just as soon as I pay my Ј90 fee - so that has to be my first challenge of the year - paid fee, DRO submitted 12th Jan, granted 13th Jan 2011 so DFD 13th Jan 2012 All contact from my creditors has now stopped - no letters or phone calls 4 months gone, only 8 months to go
  2. BUDGET - to set out a full budget and stick to it - properly!! - withdrawing exact money for food shopping/dog food and only using that in the week - no more sneaky topping-up from other bank account This is working very well, am really pleased with it, and with myself Has been more difficult lately with reduced income but we are still getting there, I think Need to get accounts up to date to check on this
  3. SAVE - set up a separate account to put aside money for annual and occasional spends such as heating oil, vet bills, van repairs/MOT/Car Tax, clothing, dentists/opticians, emergencies, etc - opened eSaving a/c with Nat West and going to transfer a set amount to it every month to cover these expenses. I am also running a 'Piggy-Savings' which is money left over from weekly grocery allowance, any other bits of cash which comes my way - I currently have Ј9.97 after 3 weeks This has all come to a halt with reduced income and going up and down to visit Mam in the home, but must get this back on track
  4. EBAY - I haven't done any eBaying for over 4 months now, so I must start it up again, especially as we have so much stuff around the house to sell on there - have started to sort some things out and check selling prices, but no sign yet of me actually listing anything, which I need to do very soon for extra money Listed a pair of trainers and made Ј46 and a perfume gift set for Ј13.50, but gotta do some more Still not done any more - MUST START NOW
  5. SURVEYS - again, with the ill-health of my Mam up North, I have neglected my online surveys so have to get back on top of them and do them regularly. Plan is to claim the vouchers as they become available to put away for Christmas 2011, whereas the one's that pay cash (BACS/PayPal) will be put into savings pot - now keeping more up-to-date with surveys and have joined another site too Had one P1necone Survey, so Ј4 to savings account I've started doing surveys for one hour a day and enjoying it, in fact I have done another Pcone survey tonight so Ј4 for me
  6. CASHBACK - get back into using cashback sites too, making sure that I claim any cashback going on quotes, insurance, purchases, etc and, though they are fewer of them around these days, to so some Daily clicks too to boost the amounts - made some purchases through cashback sitesЈ150 received to date
  7. HOUSE - to declutter and decorate the bungalow - these two have to go together as we can't decorate until the mountains of 'stuff' is out of the way. Selling on eBay will help, but so will being ruthless with what we have - if we haven't used it in almost 3 years since moving here, we don't actually need it, so it can be eBayed, car booted or taken to charity shop/tip - nothing done yet really which is getting me down DITTO Mr 3Dogs has done some decluttering while I have been away this time - inspection tomorrow
  8. GARDEN - it's a mess, as we haven't done very much to it at all in almost 3 years since moving in - tidy it up, keep it tidy and use it more - nothing done here yet and that is getting me down also DITTO Mr 3Dogs has made a start on the front garden while I have been away - inspection tomorrow
  9. SLIMMING - I joined Sl*mm*ing W@rld in May 2008 weighing in at exactly 19 stone at 5 ft 5 ins. Quite quickly at first and then much more slowly, I got that down to 14 st 7 lbs making a loss of 4 st 7 lbs which I am delighted with, but lots more to lose, so must get on with it, especially after putting 6 lbs on over Christmas!! - 2011 lost 3, gained 2, lost 2.5, gained 1, stayed same, lost a half pound - so far in 2011, lost 3 pounds which is better than nothing but still not got rid of that Christmas gain!!!!!!!!!! Still up and down - currently on 4st 6 lbs lost
  10. EXERCISE - due to arthritis and other health problems, I haven't been able to exercise as I would like - but things have improved with my arthritis as I have lost weight, and, touching wood as I speak, I am in a much better position mobility-wise than I was, so must start some exercising to aid the weight loss. We have a Vibration Plate which you stand on to exercise and it magnifies the effects of your movements, so must get back into the routine of using it, as it does work (if my knees hold out!) - whoops, no sign of this happening yet, which is getting me down, which makes me even less like starting any exercise though, in fact, arthritis in hands and neck worse at the moment, as is my sciatica, and I am getting 'funny' dizzy/palpitation spells which are under investigation at docs Right, did a 25 min dog walk today 18th Feb - it's a start but I didn't continue with it - plan to start when I get back home this time
  11. MSE - to be a more active member of MSE. I must get back into this, bumping up the NTN thread and offering support and advice on the DFW forum. I did this when I first started posting, soon picking up pieces of advice and passing them on whenever I could. I did enjoy this and saw it as putting something back into the site, which has given me so much, but, recently, my heart went out of it to be honest, with various things happening on here. However, I must find that zest again, as it helps me to help others, so everyone benefits in the end - still don't feel ready to spread my wings again DITTO - I just don't feel the same about everything on MSE after all the trolling and abuse, especially with NTN, which makes me so sad DITTO
  12. FINALLY - 11 is such an odd number, so I needed another challenge to round it up to a perfect dozen, and I could think of no worthier challenge than to not let things get me down, TO BE POSITIVE and TO BE HAPPY - I am HAPPY with my DRO going through and money side of things, but depressed about not getting started on certain areas DITTO Still getting down about certain areas, namely clutter, finances and Mam's condition, but trying to remain positive, and I am certainly HAPPY with how other things are going like the friendships built up on MSE and the great meets we have had - especially Kit, Andy & Steve coming up to stay with me on Tyneside at Easter
  Well, that's my updated challenges for the year, and there is a lot there to be honest, but I can only do my best, and I do actually feel that they are all achievable, if I set my mind to it
  So, here we go folks ....................................... what about you???
• THE CHALLENGES OF Mr 3DOGS:
  1. DRO - get 3Dogs to review my token payments to my creditors, with a view to applying for a DRO come April 2011 when the rule changes on pension funds come into effect
  2. BUDGET - get 3Dogs to set out a proper budget and help her stick to it – properly!!
  3. SAVE - get 3Dogs to set up a savings account to put aside money for annual and occasional spends such as heating oil, vet bills, van repairs/MOT/Car Tax, clothing, dentists/opticians, emergencies, etc and not moan when she won’t let us take money out of that fund for something else
  4. CAR BOOT – I’d started this under Permitted Work Rules, so will continue with it, and hope to earn more out of it
  5. EBAY - help 3Dogs to get started eBaying again, learning how to do it myself so I can do some too
  6. HOUSE – to declutter and decorate the bungalow – these two have to go together as we can’t decorate until the mountains of ‘stuff’ is out of the way. Selling on eBay will help, but so will being ruthless with what we have – if we haven’t used it in almost 3 years since moving here, we don’t actually need it, so it can be eBayed, car booted or taken to charity shop/tip. I must also get the flooring, that we have had for 2 years, down in the lounge and bedroom
  7. GARDEN – it’s a mess, as we haven’t done very much to it at all in almost 3 years since moving in – tidy it up, keep it tidy and use it more
  8. SLIMMING – I joined Sl*mm*ing W@rld in May 2008 weighing in at 20 st 4Ѕ lbs at 6 ft tall. Quite quickly, I got that down to 12 st 11Ѕ lbs making a loss of 7 st 7 lbs and reaching my target, making it to the Sl*mm*ng W@rld Man of the Year Semi-Finals/Finals in 2010, which I was delighted with, but started being naughty again, especially when the Boss was away for 7 weeks up North with Mam so ill, and I am now 14st 12 lbs and 2 stone over my target weight. So my aim is to get back on track and get back down to target, as soon as I can
  9. EXERCISE – other than walking the doggies, I haven’t been exercising as I should for some time now, so must start some exercising to aid the weight loss and to feel better in myself. We have a Vibration Plate which you stand on to exercise and it magnifies the effects of your movements, so must get back into the routine of using it, as it does work, plus my Iron Gym above-door kit, and TV exercise sessions too – lots to work with there
  10. FINALLY – to work together with 3Dogs to achieve all our challenges, and to not let things get me down, TO BE POSITIVE and TO BE HAPPY
  You may notice a common link to most of my challenges, in that I need the help and direction of my Better Half in compiling this list and in then completing the challenges – in fact, you may have already guessed that the Boss a.k.a. 3Dogs has typed these challenges up for me and posted them – well, she is the Boss after all!!! P.S. remember, she wrote this, not me!!
• Hello & thanks for starting off part 3
• Blimey hot stuff you were quick!!!! What's Susan got that i haven't????
  Yes thank you. As per your instructions here are my new year's resolutions together with an update:
  I have thought hard about this i would like to achieve the following by the end of 2011:
  Health
  1. Reduce my average blood sugars from my HBAlc of 8.6 has got worse 8.9 I have promised dr not to stress as that makes it higher. Am avoiding stress as much as i can.
  Food
  2. Cook food rather than buying processed at least twice a week i have only been doing it once a week must try harder. Am pants at this.
  3. Try to eat some fruit everyday slipping a bit.
  4. Try to drink water instead of Diet Coke (which is used as a toilet cleaner in India according to my dad) on a daily basis. i only have coke when i go out now.
  Exercise
  4. Try to walk to and from work every day unless weather is bad and i have lots of marking done most days
  5. Use flipping trampoline maybe once a week (amended following words of wisdom from Beanielou). did it once. so ashamed. will i ever get into skinny jeans again???? Given up.
  Home
  6. Make my house happy and enjoy it. doing it.
  MSE
  7. Keep posting on MSE doing it.
  8. Try to make people feel welcome on MSE Ok haven't done this for ages.
  9. Save after all my money has gone to builders am saving like crazy
  10. Try to have 12 NSD a month (well we shall see) so far beating targets.
  11. Empty my purse into a change tin every week. using susan's money box now. I emptied it in an emergency 3 weeks ago. 3 pounds in it at the moment!
  12. Start to use vouchers in my shopping i print them off but dont really use them oh dear still not using maybe cos i shop at aldi now and it is cheaper?
  13. Use cashback sites for purchases not made any new purchases
  Fun
  14. Stalk George till i am ASBO'd (can't help it am slightly sozzled with it being new year's eve and all). meet him very soon. scared he will think i am stoopid. Met him on St George's Day he is my hero forever. I am going to stalk him till he calls the cops on me. If you dont hear from me again you know what happened.
  15. Meet my heroes and friends from MSE (you know who you are) am doing this hooray.Meet Porge this week. blooming terrified. 20/4/11 Am still alive and happy.
  Me
  16. Try to be more assertive and put myself first and ask myself what do I want when i am confused I feel a bit more assertive with my dad and i realise that my friend was mean the other week. That is good. Dad realises he has a problem and is being good. Am avoiding one friend for a bit hope it get's better.
  17. Continue to be happy and laugh at least once every day you all make me laugh and i am so happy to know you all. Apart from the odd blip (due to panicking) i am happy.
• Here are my challenges...
  To lose some weight. Eat healthy
  To save money
  Dont buy things that are not needed.
  Put money aside for emergencies, I.e Dentist,
  To download as many coupons/vouchers.
  To enjoy life with my friends and Family,
• Crafti do you fancy putting up your resolutions?
  Where's Beanster?
• Come on in, close the door to stop those draughts, pull up a comfy chair if you can get the dogs off them of course and make yourself comfortable
  Crafti, the reason for starting a new thread when diaries reach about 5000 posts is that, over this length, they become unwielding and take up so much memory - it is for the smooth running of MSE that the diaries, which can go on and on and on like this one have to be limited in length - but that is no problem, as we just open the next instalment and all move over there
• Going to do washing up. Back in a mo.
• okay will dig out my challenges and see how I am doing ....
  Finish stitching County Durham
  Stitch for The Bobster (something Pagany and in Leo colours)
  Lose 10 pounds in weight (okay I need to lose 10 stone but with hypothyroidism and CRPS I am being realistic here!) - (8 pounds down)
  Sort the lounge out (get rid of old cardboard, freecycle some stuff) - done
  Sort the bedroom out - done
  Get books sorted out - done
  okay so stitching isn't happening as my hand is semi numb so I am adding
• finish crochet #1
• crochet another pair of fingerless mitts
• do three new recipes
• Happy shiney new diary
  My aim is to just keep plodding & to try to not get too stressed.