A Small Victory

I had some good news yesterday. I finally heard back from the Financial Ombudsman regarding a dispute I had with a credit card company. I had originally lodged the complaint over a year ago and wasn't that optimistic but they finally ruled in my favour ordering the credit card company to write of my debt and reinstate my credit rating. I'm really very pleased with the outcome.
The whole situation had arisen from a PPI claim I had with them following my breakdown and inability to work. Although they were ware of my circumstances and the fact I had a PPI policy in place, they defaulted my account and passed it to a debt collection agency. This was after weeks of harassment and calls at all hours of the day and night causing much distress and anxiety. All my letters and requests were either ignored or disregarded. In the end I had no option but to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman, though I had very little faith that they would see that I was in the right.
So I am proof, if any is needed, that it is possible to stand up to the banks and win!

A turn up for the books...

I visited my mum this morning with my son. I often go on a Friday and we have breakfast there. My mum cooks a mean breakfast. While I was there, my mum asked me to check her lottery ticket. She had tried to check the numbers on Freeview but was having problems. The truth is that despite being shown hundred of times, she cannot grasp the technology. So grudgingly, I brought the numbers up on the kitchen TV and started the check the ticket. As I read across, each number matched those on the ticket. I continued circling them until we had five numbers circled - five out of a possible six. Unable to believe my eyes, I checked and double checked before calling to mum. At first, neither my mum or dad believed me but we agreed I would shoot down to their local store to get the ticket checked. As they aren't on the Internet I couldn't do it there.
Arriving at the store I asked the assistant to runt he ticket through the machine. I could see the look on her face as the winnings were displayed on the screen. She excitedly informed me that we had won £1,076!
I had to wait a few minutes for the store owner to return to the shop. He needed to get the money from the safe.
I returned to my parent's home and gave them the money. Kindly, they let me have £150 and put the same to one side for my sister. Despite their faults which often drive me to the edge of despair they are certainly very generous and I love them dearly.
So, it just goes to show that I can happen to you...