Any budget tips??

Mrs_Sparkle

Oh yes, I think we can all identify with feeling ashamed to say we haven't got any money. Especially if people know you're earning an ok salary- my friends must wonder what on earth I do with my money.

Fortunately we have got a few skinflint friends too (not in debt, just horribly good with their money) so they understand what it means when we say we want to do something cheap together.

lynzpower

I agree.

I dont equate being skint with not being a nice person. In fact some of my debt was probably run up ( ok, I KNOW it was) from buying rounds of drinks on credit cards and other equally ridiculous behaviour. When people come to my flat, they can eat what they want drink what they want and I generally cook from scratch anyway so the value ingredients are hidden away if that makes sense.

Im sure I will be throwing a party with plenty of "free booze" for them when im debt free, so until then they just have to put up with it!

heybigspender2006

I'm always ashamed to say I'm broke it kills me when my best friend invites me to his gaff for a few beers then a trip down the local and I have to refuse I earn a good 5k more than him and he doesn't really get what I use it all on!

lady_fuschia

I think most decent folk are OK about you being frugal if they know the reason. If you try and hide the fact that you're paying off debts or whatever, yet feed them stingily when they come round and try and avoid getting the rounds in they assume you're being miserly, but once you're open about it, most people seem to understand. Anyone who doesn't is probably not worth trying to impress to be honest!

louise30_2

Hi Imelda

Try not to panic. This happened to me in my first couple of months of money not spending. Don't give yourself a hard time, you will in time learn to budget even for the unexpected!

dottyanne

Hi

I'm now just over 2 months into budgeting and am still playing about with it all the time - its ahrd at first especially if youre playing catch up to find the money to pay current bills/debts/plan for the future - it should sort itself out over time - good luck

dotty xx

bargainbetty

Imelda,

I'm glad your mum has said she will transfer the money, but do yourself a favour and make sure she has before you go.

I had a mate do this to me once, and while she said she would pay the money in, she never actually did. She had got so used to me lending her little bits (and sometimes large amounts) here and there, that she didn't think about paying me back. I worked out she had borrowed over £500 from me, and decided I had to ask for a bit back, just £20. She stood there, with a brand new pool cue in her hand, wearing a new pair of jeans and said she couldn't give it to me, as she needed it for her bf's chinese that night.

I have not lent her money again. I know that's kind of bitter, but we can't subsidise other people when we are struggling ourselves.

Good luck honey, I am sure you will get things running smoothly soon x

Imelda

Thanks everyone!

Some good news, my mum has transfered the money into my account (actually put in £30 so I am £1 up!!) and my friend popped round last night as she has just got back, with £30 for petrol and a bunch of flowers for lending her the car (I didn't even have to ask, we've known each other for 20 years and sometimes I am sure we're telepathic).
Thanks for all your replies, I don't think I would have had the nerve to ask for the money outright (esp from my mum). I am going to save this thread so next time it happens I can read it and be strong!!

lynzpower

YAY :T :T

Of course you can be strong, you owe it to yourself.

Maybe you can say to your mum that when you are debt free the pair of you can go for a pamper on you, but until then you wont be paying for anything for her, the sooner your debt free the sooner you can go and have a lovely time together, which you are looking forward to etc etc.

Try not to doubt your freind, she sounds lovely