Loved life a wee bit too much!

mrs_robinson_3

Hi BTD! Sorry you've had a down day......

But I think putting away your cards is the best possible thing to do - the level overall will only come down if you can stop spending on them, otherwise you're treading water effectively. I was the world's worst - spending on stuff I didn't really need, and then at the end of the month - gosh, no money left, will have to put that essential petrol on a card etc....you get the picture. And so did I, eventually.

I've commented before that you're so generous, always talking about what you've bought for others - could you change this a little, so you still give, but give your time, or do small things like make a cake? I've been doing that since I started this DF journey, and people really love to receive something you've put time and effort into, or to take some time out while you babysit etc, for instance.

As you said, you're only 37 (lots younger than me!), lots of time to turn this round...and think of all you've learned on the way too

You will get there, I know

Mrs R

mum2one

Mrs R - think you got your age wrong, ur only 21 and a bit xx

In_my_dreams

You're absolutely right, you're only 37, the debt will be gone in a few years and then you have the other half of your life to enjoy it all.

I thought last night I have been in debt since I bought my first house when I was 22, that is 13 years of not being able to relax about money :eek:

Onwards and upwards and all that!

macgirl

I think Mrs R has a good point. You could use your generous nature in other ways that don't involve spending money. Then your money WILL stretch to buying groceries etc.
At first this will feel like you're being tight fisted, but you can't afford to be so generous (I know - I was that woman). Chin up xx

mrs_robinson_3

Mum2one - too kind. If I knew then what I know now....I'd have an even better time!!

Mrs R

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Hi all and thanks so much for your kind words and good advice. :grouphug:You all mean a lot to me and we have never met lol!:rotfl:
When i had my first lbm last March i cut my present buying right down. I will stick to it this year also. I will take on board about giving homemade cakes etc good idea.
I am better today just did shopping on line (never done before) its £5.50 though so may not do it again! But prob saved on just putting list in and sticking to it!
And guess what i had my body shop order back and i had a free body butter coconut with thanks to my friend who ordered £22;s worth if you spent over £25 you had b/butter and also because my friend had such a succesful party she threw in a lemon soap a body buffer and a essential room oil :jand guess what christmas presents? NO NO NO for me for a change!!!:rotfl:
Chicken fajhitas and wine tonight (now why was i down ha ha!):):)
btdxxxx

mum2one

BEAT_THE_DEBT wrote: »

Hi all and thanks so much for your kind words and good advice. :grouphug:You all mean a lot to me and we have never met lol!:rotfl:
When i had my first lbm last March i cut my present buying right down. I will stick to it this year also. I will take on board about giving homemade cakes etc good idea.
I am better today just did shopping on line (never done before) its £5.50 though so may not do it again! But prob saved on just putting list in and sticking to it!
And guess what i had my body shop order back and i had a free body butter coconut with thanks to my friend who ordered £22;s worth if you spent over £25 you had b/butter and also because my friend had such a succesful party she threw in a lemon soap a body buffer and a essential room oil :jand guess what christmas presents? NO NO NO for me for a change!!!:rotfl:
Chicken fajhitas and wine tonight (now why was i down ha ha!):):)
btdxxxx

Thats brilliant news about the body shop items, and a freebie treat.

You said home made gifts, what about mini hampers, you could theme them, or my "tightwad tip", I brought some cello wrap on ebay (what florists use), and wrap the items up in that with some ribbon looks more expensive.

The other tip, is little things, for a mix and match, say you didn't want all the Body Shop stuff, eg the soap and the room oil, then add some tealights, shower squidge (39p or 49p Home Bargains), or Poundland there 3 for £1 in a set......

Other things look for Boots offers, presently spend £5 get £5 off No7, what I did was split my shopping (get 4 vouchers), then done mix and match
Nail polish - £6.25 -only paid £1.25
Mini brushes £6.50 -only paid £1.00
Eyeshadow £9.- paid £4.00
Make up remover wipes/ cleanser 4 in 1 £6.50 -pd £1.50

So in theory a £28 present, Ive paid £7.50 - put that in cello wrap, and I still get the points. xx

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Thanks mum2one, you are a genius.xx

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Good afternoon everyone, i did my tesco shop online this week nice novelty!:p
May do it once a month for large shop??????? Anyone else do this?
I had ds's school photos back and have not given them out to granparents as they came with christmas cards so i have grandparents christmas cards sorted!:T.
We had snow here yest and so cold today i have heating on!!!!!!!!!! 9that was after a jumper socks and cardi!!!!!:eek:
Ds school trip letter came home yest £12 so had that in purse as friend paid me body shop money. At least school trips are sill cheap and not at the age for skiiing yet by that time i will be debt free!!! (i will i will i will!):A:A
COME TALK TO ME ALL!
BTD

mum2one

BEAT_THE_DEBT wrote: »

Thanks mum2one, you are a genius.xx

No probs at all, I shop throughout the yr, saves a fortune,

My top tips
if your on pay + go - always topup at Boots, 4p back in pound, then save the points till sales, if your willing to take a chance, wait for the 75% off, (I do), ok, theres less choice, but this time we got £400 worth of stuff for £100, that was all paid for by points and some vouchers earnt from surveys.
Literally kitted out all bdays and gd half of xmas.

website I use
www.halfcost.com
there are some gd bargains in the £1 lines, also they add new stock on a Friday, its 1 50/50,but I always work on the basis that we all have different tastes.

Top sales site (wouldn't expect it to be)
Lloyds Chemist, they knock upto 75% off, this Jan I picked up Boys car raceing set, reduced from £18 to £4.50.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2160839
thats the link to the xmas thread that I put the challenges on, the idea is to spread the work through the year, whether its a 5 min or 30mins job, once a month, and everyone is so friendly, we all swop bargains, tips etc, there are a lot of pages, but of you go to the 1st post, theres some links on there to parts throughout.

The more money I save at xmas, goes 2wards holidays for me+ dd. xx