June 07: We are going to finish this thread skinnier than we started it

[Bumperslucious]

Seeing as none of you lazy beyaches are going to start a new one...

can you still appeal natty, or have you done that already?

I think there is a limit to how much they can take off you in benefit repayments as you have to have enough to live on (based on their rates, which obviously isn't enough)

I agree with fairyfay about getting advice first. You might even be able to stop it all before they have chance to work out repayments. Good luck.

I am bored and want chocolate.

Baggins is being very cute though.

and DH is doing the paperwork

Having thought about it, I think its a good local news story. I mean, cocking up to the tune of 15 GRAND! If you get nowhere with them, it might be worth mentioning that you intend to go to the papers.

I'm with you with the chocolate Ria. There's a Twix inthe house somewhere ....

but I am SOOOOO close to moving to the next stone down, only another two pounds...

of course they shouldn't cock up in the first place. It has been a big joke since it started, as is the CSA.

DH is being a pain in the arse now. Why can't he accept I'm always right?

not going to tesco, fuck it we can eat freezer crap, its about all we will be able to afford soon anyway.
DH is ranting, saying that hes giving up work in april now, and that he will finish his degree and stay on jobseekers until we get every penny of the 15 grand back in benefits!! you gotta love him bless him!

ive got a awful migrain again, im suffering from them something chronic atm, going around with 4head strips under my fringe looking like a right div!!

and ive decided we are not having a baby in july, its not happening... im in total denial about the whole thing. we really cannot afford one at all now. my only comfort (as my mum pointed out this morning) we already have the pram, cot and cloth nappies for the new baby, so other than clothes we dont need to spend anything and the baby wont cost a penny for the first 6 months. by them hopefully we will be settled a bit more.

just had a huge row with littlewoods about my bloody catalogue.
i returned the bed yesterday, they are phoning to ask why i stil have 169 outstanding on my account and if i dont pay it now with a debit card they wil be passing it on to a debt collector.
i screamed down the phone for the millionith time, that i DONT owe the money, thats the cost of the bed i have returned. and i wont pay for a faulty item, and then have to wait for them to refund my money back.
i said this was harrasment and i would take them to court if i got one more phone call or letter, and that when this is over they will owe ME 24 pounds in fees they charged for the phone calls (yep they charge to call YOU) so to PISS OFF!

i think perhaps this wasnt a good day for them to call.

ok rant over.

the whole world in trying to get me i swear, im not paranoid.. everyone is out to get me!

natty, won't you be entitled to a maternity grant for the baby? what about healthy start vouchers for you as a PG woman, and for DS & DD being under 5?

It's crap how these things always all come at the same time. we have had some crap times over the years and I can't help but live in dread of something coming out of the blue - it drives DH mad. Hugs, take it easy with your migraine.

baggins is going through a phase of falling off things

this is the thing i may not be entitled to the maternity grant now, cos its based on how much tax credits you get and if they take away my tax credits i wont be entitled anymore. however if DH gives up his job i will be. its a stupid system.
the only upside is that we will be entitled to more tax credits when baby is here so in theory we will pay it off much faster.

we are not entitled to the healthy start vouchers unless DH is unemployed.

so basically, if they take away our money the best thing to do will be to quit working, cos at least i will get income support and my rent paid.
otherwise we have to live on 1200 a month including child benefit, and our rent and council tax is 950 alone. i dont think we could actually live on 250 a month, thats about 60 a week to feed, clothe, heat and run the house. eek.
so looks like we are being forced into unemployment. cos then we'd get like 100 a week and have no rent or council tax to pay.

its SO stupid

you would still get the child tax credit element though? I wouldn't have thought they could touch that. You get more child tax credit on jobseekers, but no working tax credit. It is a stupid system. The maternity grant will be means-tested wont it?

this is maybe a bit personal natty, but do you get an enhanced rate for DSs SN? I have a friend whose DS has diabetes and she gets extra tax credits for that. I think she also claimed a carers allowance for him when she first got divorced too. I have no idea how any of it works though, but the system does often seem biased against the people who need the help the most.

yeah it will be i think.

we arnt entitled to anything for tom cos his SN is not fully diagnosed, he doesnt have the label yet.
i have been advised to apply for DLA and careers allowence because they do let a small amount of ppl claim without a dx.
but its a huge form and i need help to fill it in the lady at the center is off till next week.

But if DH quits is he making himself intentionally unemployed? Which could screw you from that side too.

Christ Natty. Its really, really shit.

no because he doesnt HAVE to work, as he is at uni and has exams in may/june so he can just say he stopped working cos it was effecting his studies.

Another quick thought Natty - is there a welfare officer, or similar at Dh's uni? They might have experienced this before and be able to advise you

That's a really good idea Fairyfay. There's usually a hardship fund to help students out as well if you get stuck.

At least that's something on your side. Little comfort, I know.

Hello Ladies

Just home.....we are knackered and sore, but very happy...

Will catch up tomorrow...typical, as soon as I disappear everyone starts chatting

DS is lovely, and am just hoping that he's a good boy tonight as I'm very tired.

Did get my elective CS on Monday in the end....but the idea of an elective is that you don't go into labour first ....anyway, details later....

Thanks for all the good wishes and speak tomorrow x

, I'm so pleased that it went well and everyone is happy. I wish you lots of sleep tonight

some really good advice for you here natty. hope we are helping.

foxy, did the twix find you? I only need to lose more than 1/2lb and I will be into the next stone bracket down. Am finding it hard to stay in the swing of things though after being ill and overly stressed this last fortnight. I have been SO hungry today. If I'd had any tortilla wraps left I would have had left-over fajitas for breakfast

Hi Norty, massive congratulations to all the Norty household and a big welcome to DS. Boys are fantastic (but then I'm biased) Sweet dreams to you all.

I can honestly say Ria a carrot is no substitute for a Twix! Today has been tricky, but I have stuck to my points.

I think (hope) that when we see one less stone on the scales, it will be a huge motivator!

a carrot is no substitute for anything other than another carrot.

Hello all!
Many Congrats Norty!!!! Well done! Hope you have a nice sleep.

Off to catch up ..

Oh you lot were so chatty earlier!!
L has hand/foot and mouth (my diagnosis). She had another febrile convulsion (her 3rd) on monday - my friend called 999 - so we went to A & E. But i reckon it was the pre cursor to this virus.
Any one else have any experience of it??

Sorry to hear about your crappy day Natty - good advice on here though as usual.

Hi JBM, sorry to hear about LO, I noticed your profile on FB. Hope she is on the mend. I no experience of it but temperatures/viruses do nasty things.

Good to "see" you, how are you doing?

up too early this morning. Am filling in time til the school run

wants to get loads done today as am off out on a jolly tomorrow and would like to be ahead before I go

Have a good day everyone, hope the Norty's got a good nights sleep

might pop back at lunchtime