The Secret

All is well, very well in fact. Last Thursday as reported in my last post I was dreaming,I didn't realise it but I was positive dreaming, visualizing my family on a warm sandy beach.

On Friday last week I bought The Secret by Rhonda Byrne started reading it this week, on Saturday I received a letter from Abbey/Cahoot confirming I had been mis-sold my loan insurance and they were refunding me over £2000 !

Now I'm not about to book tickets for the four of us on a fully inclusive two week holiday in paradise, but I am starting to think this positive attitude is something to be taken more seriously. Yes I wrote and instigated the action on the PPI claims, but I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think I stood a chance.

It's an interesting book, many have claimed it's mumbo jumbo and that the quotes by empowering figures such as Winston Churchill are taken out of context. It's not the easiest book to read, very repetitive, and the layout is unusual, but it has me thinking and feeling good things.

Reminds me of a poem:

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will—
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can never ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
but soon or late the man who wins
Is THE MAN WHO THINKS HE CAN!

I'm happy today.

I Want.

As most PF bloggers are aware want is different to need. A 15 minute trip around a supermarket with my youngest is a prime example of want and need and not something I willingly do anymore !

I want to start another Open University course, but more importantly I need to. The children are getting older, there is more time and space for us as adults, but selfishly I need to acheive something for me. Even invest in me. Torn between a techie course or a social science course, the difference in cost will probably sway my decision.

The jewellery extra income will kick off for me after Easter I have been very busy planning, designing and yes spending on materials. Just discovered www.etsy.com - what a great place !

As for reclaiming my PPI with Cahoot, their first response was a 9 page letter from Abbey, the parent company, including a 14 point intrusive questionnaire asking everything they already know and not relevant to the claim. Second letter going off today.

I'm maintaining a positive frame of mind, even though the car will have to go in this week, I'm expecting a £300 bill, I'm staying close to my budgets, maybe not close enough, no extra snowflakes this month.

Smile !

It happened ! I received the refund on Thursday. First thing I did ? Paid £1500 off my debt and put £100 in the EF. Now I have control, I'm not letting it slip away. Yes I have a credit balance too, just a small one, but that's my buffer until I get the momentum going.

I am going to invest in my plan for creating extra income. I will have to invest in some components for my jewellery making, but that will be minimal because I am determind to make it work this time.

Thanks for all your comments, I've had five days off from work as it's half term, so am feeling refreshed and positive for the weeks ahead.

Patience

I didn't have a great day at work yesterday, sort of puts you off kilter. I loathe office politics, why can't people be open, wasting energy moaning and bitching brings everyone down, I seem to be the sounding off board. Anyway, enough negativity.

Still waiting for The Bank That Owes Me to come through with the PPI refund. A few phonecalls last Friday and they had lost my paperwork, thankfully I'd sent it recorded and royalmail clearly states my acceptance was delivered. They've promised a bank transfer, so we shall see tomorrow morning. Meanwhile Cahoot aren't forthcoming with any paperwork, so they are due another phonecall.

I've not made any debt progress this last month, although I'm not going mad spending, I'm coming to the end of my mealplan and the cupboards are decidedly bare, this is the tricky stage where I'll find myself shopping daily. I seem to be on hold whilst waiting for these extra funds to come through.

Can't Keep It To Myself Anymore

Right, perhaps if I blog about it it just may happen, way back in October I blogged about reclaiming my PPI from a well known UK Bank - see this post . First letter they said no, I challenged their decision as I know I wasn't given the option to take this without the PPI product included. In January they sent a letter not admitting they were at fault but had decided to to refund my premiums and interest.

This is pure estimation but that works out at approx £2,200. I have to estimate it as they didn't quote any figures or advice how or when they were going to pay. Included in the the letter was a form to sign that no further action would be taken regarding this claim and return within 10 days, I duly returned it by recorded delivery. However I didn't include a covering letter (to be honest I've run out of ink !) Now a little research on a few consumer forums and I should have added a letter advising I would appreciate the funds being repaid to such and such account within a stipulated time frame.

If they don't reply by todays post I think I will phone and follow up with letter (have to be hand written ugh!) I'm taking control of this situation now, because it's my money.

Secondly now I've paid Cahoot off I shall start the same process with them. (And buy some ink in the process!) If you don't ask you don't get.

There I've told you now..if you build it they will come :)