Life without credit. Week one

ms_london

Well done John!!

I stopped using credit because I couldnt get any more, and eventually the bank took away my debit/cheque guarantee card, infact, for a while I think they took away my cards completely, as I recall having to go into my branch every time I wanted to withdraw money!! Not very good, especially if it was a bank hol weekend - 3 days without being able to access cash!!! Eventually they gave me a cash card, and only 6 months ago they gave me a debit card again (but no cheque guarantee card, and def no overdraft - not that I want these anyway!!).

I am grateful now that they did this, but at the time it was so weird knowing that if my bank account said £20, then all I had was £20. I didnt think "Oh that's ok because I know I can use my credit card/overdraft". This made me stick to a budget, and for the first few months I failed and had to borrow a £10 here and there from parents to see me through to payday (which I repaid) and then a few months on I actually had money left over by the time payday come round again, then I actually, shock horror, started to have savings!! :0)

Best of luck - sounds as though you're doing a fab job.

xx