Help Please!!!

morg_monster

About the money diary - you just write down every last penny that you spend (and what you spend it on). One warning though - it can become an obsession! It is useful to record how much you are spending on each part of your budget.

If you are already not eating too well it might not be the best idea to try and cut down any further. No point buying a load of Value stuff if you won't eat it.

I agree with CAFCgirl - maybe you need to try and get things together a bit before trying to cut down on things - eg the smokes - they are obviously a crutch for you at the moment but it is the most obvious way to save money, until you don't need them I don't see how you can really save any more money. I know you only have £1.x left over each month - but as long as it is a positive amount at least you aren't sinking for now, just treading water.

Applying for a new credit card will put a credit check on your file - if you haven't had one for a little while it isn't a big deal - and if you already have a bad rating this probably won't make much difference so it might be worth a try. Or have a look at your credit rating first by going to one of the agencies (i think it is only £2) , maybe it isn't as bad as you think. A 0% card would at least give you some breathing space.

As for your non-environmentally friendly colleagues - they sound like a right bunch of sour faced boring old meanies.
Is there any chance of you getting a better paid job? Since they sound like a load of losers anyway... can't be doing your emotional state much good.

Jessiepig

Sorry I have to agree with others everyone wants to help you but every good suggestion you have found an excuse for. The people here can only help you if you are prepared to help yourself and accept help.
Sorry its harsh.

BargainHunterCat

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the support & guidance :T It's really been a boost for me.

I'm going to shop around for some cheaper fags (not much of a concession I know, but it's a start) and I just remembered that Lidl sell those tinned tuna salad things for about 80p which I know I will eat at lunch time - although I'll stink the office out in the process which actually makes them even more appealing ha ha!

I'm only temping job wise at the moment & I'm on £7.69/hr. I need to earn more but I'm not really qualified to do anything, and being an awkward girlie I love running my own business! At job interviews I've been unsuccessful basically because I have chopped & changed somewhat and they're scared I won't stay if they give me a job.

I've just become a Mary Kay consultant and I'm hoping to supplement my income with that too. Does anybody have any get rich quick schemes they'd like to share?!

BargainHunterCat

Jessiepig wrote:

Sorry I have to agree with others everyone wants to help you but every good suggestion you have found an excuse for. The people here can only help you if you are prepared to help yourself and accept help.
Sorry its harsh.

Yes, excuses come easily, but I am taking it all on board

funkymonkey

let me give you some lunch ideas!

i bought a mini cool bag from M&S for £2 and some of the gel freeser bags.

in it i have:

sandwich with home made bread and somthing like lettuce and salami from lidl

1 small banana

two small sealable pots (99p from sainsburys) - one with grapes and cherries and one with rasberries/strawberries/blueberries

1 small 200ml carton of orange juice from lidl

i small chocolate bar from lidl

total cost per day is aprox £1.20

all my fruit is from my local market - get three bags of fruit and veg a week for £5-7

use lidl for everything else!

it can be really cheap and healthy!

Mike_St_Helens

OMG ... FM takes a luxury buffet to work ! Beats my manky cheese and pickle, cheese and onion, cheese and cheese.....

CAFCGirl

i have jam Mike, so it could be much much worse!

funkymonkey

OMG lol its not a buffet - im just trying to show that for not too much you can get a decent packed lunch! sometimes i do cheat and take a knob of bread from an old loaf and a tin of heinz soup!

Mike_St_Helens

Heinz !! OMG, its like a Big Brother Luxury shopping budget .... LOL.....

I went through a phase of cheapo cupasoups with cheapo bread ! (lost weight on it mind... but my breath suffered !)

ZTD

Mike_St_Helens wrote:

I went through a phase of cheapo cupasoups with cheapo bread ! (lost weight on it mind... but my breath suffered !)

Dr. Atkins would be proud.