Further to post #31, I just wanted to give an update:
• I won my appeal for PIP against the DWP (they changed their decision before it even got to tribunal) and was awarded enhanced rate for both daily living and mobility. The award is also now 'ongoing' and won't be reviewed again until 2029 (the original decision was only for three years) That means I keep my Motability car and I'm over £260 a month better off with the money that I do see (the mobility part of PIP is paid straight to Motability) as I only received low rate care DLA previously.
• We increased the credit card payment to £1,100 plus interest every month and have just made the final payment today so we have cleared the first £10,000 of debt and we now have no credit card debt at all and actually have money left in our bank account every month rather than being overdrawn
• We still owe just over £19,000 to my partner's parents which we'll start paying back in September. If all goes to plan, we'll be debt free in 19 months or sooner (still no word on the other £3,500 we owe them
but I intend to pay that back too)
• My plan to 'do something nice every month' obviously took a hit with Covid and virtually everything has been rescheduled for next year but at least we have lots to look forward in 2021 and it's all already paid for