Reformed shopaholic? please can you give me the benefit of your advice

Anglea

It's been ages since I've been to the sales CL so haven't seen the wreckage that is left.

Enjoy your evening, it sounds relaxing. I'm about to get changed now. Bye

Anglea

Hi again just spotted the new post. Ziggles, I know what you mean about changes of plans, I have probs too. However, it was a FWB so I'm surprised LOL

enjoy your time at home in your pj's

ziggles50

Ooh CL i totally refused to go anywhere near the town today. I cannpt abide messy shopping and hoards of people.
I'll go midweek or even mid january when there is a respectable, organised rail in the corner of every shop. I am not really much of a shopper, never mind sales shopping. I see it i research, i buy it online preferably with cashback damn the reductions next week, or even next door!

P.s eastenders last night- i literally wanted to climb in threr and smack every one of them!

Mischa8

Hi

Just came across this thread. I used to have credit cards (which I moreorless maxed out) and a Next Directory catalogue account too.

I tend to do what a few people here do, buy stuff to cheer myself up, stockpile 3 for 2 beauty products etc.

Also, I went from about 2 years ago earning £10K then £5K more than what I currently earn so now, I really have to stretch money. I tend to buy stuff when I'm bored.

However, in the past year, I've:-

• taken out a loan to consolidate CC - this has a much lower interest rate.
• Ebayed some stuff and looking to do more.
• Don't use CC's at all, cancelled. I do have one but this is in a cupboard and won't ever be used.
• Tend to use debit card if at all.
• Got less scared about looking at bank statements online.
• Looked at credit report and found it was actually quite good as I pay stuff back.
• Starting dressmaking course in January.
• also - now I don't buy books, just magazines and even then, cut out the weekly one now, and got given Kindle for Xmas so won't need to spend what, if the little I do spend, on books.
• also thinking about holiday of lifetime to Australia so saving for that.
• reduced overdraft right down and try not to use it at all.

Are there any other tips? How best to save if paid monthly? I used to find it really easy when being paid weekly when temping, I'd just shove £80 or so into my savings account every week and it didn't hurt, seems to hurt more now monthly, but maybe I should transfer what I would spend on beauty items/clothes/extras every week into savings account?

any ideas/opinions appreciated.

NGlady2

Evening ladies -

WELLLLLL

I have to conclude i've been pretty naughty in the sales - and yes there is an awful lot to return that I have brought and decided against.

I must include a purchase on Xmas eve from the newlook sale - I was so cheeky, on the tags, there was a penciled price on there, so I took it to the till and said 'oh I suspect these might be going in the sale on boxing day' eye lash flutter later and the man discounted them for me lol.

So - -

Four tea dresses £44.99 - I had a £25 newlook voucher aswell, so cost me £19.99 -

I have decided only one of the dresses is suitable, so i need to return the other three.. but newlook policy states you need to exchange. . . So I am going to do this on a day out on Wednesday as im going to the city with a big newlook so ill sort that then.

Next sale - I didnt go at 5am like originally planned. I set my alarm clock and everything, ended up getting there about 9:30 lol

The stupid changing rooms aren't open on bank holiday and it was so busy so I ended up just buying tons and tons with the intentio of returning whatever isn't right. So - in total I spent £300 - I felt light headed lol.

I have ended up keeping for deffinate £4 pair of leggings LOL

and potentially a £30 leather hangbag. I am still trying to decide whether I am keeping the bag though - I do love it, I had some new leather boots from santa so it would be lovely to have a nice bag to go with, but I do have a lot of bags. Think I may keep it

Also spent £22.50 in Debenhams. A gorgeous floral shirt dress and 2x packs 5 knickers worth something like £54 in total, so that was a bargain.

Cant forget my £260 order on Next - I just went through the website basketing everything, with the intention that whatever isnt suitable will be returned.

Also brought a 2x lovely dress from Debenhams on Xmas eve. Which need to be delivered and tried on: Link for you to have a browsie!!

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_103020514905_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7Etxtred+herring+dress

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_002010591013_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7Etxtorange+butterfly


I don't even want to reveal how many returns ive got to do :S

• Newlook
• Monsoon
• Dorothy perkins

I apologise

I can't afford to keep half of what ive brought and I really need to stop doing the whole 'lets just buy it and try it on at home' routine. My back is starting to hurt me when I carry heavy stuff on, and my rooms getting a pigstye its getting too much for me.

I have a bit of a budget for xmas sales this year - ive lost a little weight so I am treating myself to some nice new bits Ive saved up for a couple of months, i.e i dont buy dinner at work anymore - saving £4 a day, and save it to treat myself with.

From January though - that goes to debt payment

I have a big diary ready for lots of jottings - bring on 2012

ziggles50

HAhahaha- OMG NG- wait till Anglea sees this list! Boy you went crazy out there- exactly what i fear so i don't go in the first place!

Welcome Mischa8!
I'm sure you do all the usual stuff already and i agree i used to be a lot better off and saved a lot more when i earned less but was paid weekly.
I just have a lovely budget sheet i got from Frog and tick off everything and send money off to savings accounts etc. on payday so i know what i have left. I also keep little money bags for cash expenditures like food, entertainment etc. so when it's gone it's gone!
The others on here are a lot better at hins kind of stuff so hang on for them.
Woohoo on the dressmaking course. You can do people's alterations if you feel confident enough- i know i find it hard to get a proper job done and so end up binning/charity bagging a lot of stuff.

NGlady2

Ooo that financial sheet sounds really good Zig, dont suppose u have a blank one?

ziggles50

Hey NG
Not got one here- not got my own laptop- but mine have been thoroughly !!!!!!!ised.
Frog had like 3 sheets in a workbook with like personal, shopping etc.
See if she will kindly send you one if not i'll send you mine tomorrow.

Zx

Frogletina

Anglea wrote: »

Hi FR

Hope you get everything together in time today. I wonder if you are regretting inviting your neighbour, I think you probably are.

Good Luck.

It was fine this morning - I pushed a note under my neighbour's door nearer one o'clock to say that I was ready to receive visitors - lol

She appeared after about 20 minutes and had a coffee with me while we exchanged our Christmas day tales.

Nearer 2, my first visitors arrived. Although I had invited my son and daughter in law, because he had not been well I was not expecting him so was surprised when they appeared (they kept it a secret), some of the family knew they were coming.

It ended up with 11 being here for dinner which was a copy of the Christmas dinner I do - but only 8 chairs at the table. I got a bit stressed as I was dishing up the dinner - everyone taking over and confusion as to who was not eating at the table, and who was sitting where. Next time I will set a seating plan.

Last of the family left at 9.30 - phew. Then I did the last of the washing up

Frogletina

ziggles50 wrote: »

Must go dad's demanding drinks be put on the table for supper- parentals, what to do- can't kill 'em and can't forge their signature at the bank :-)

I expected ex to pay for the Champagne which I took yesterday. I usually ask him to buy it as a contribution to the Christmas meal, but he didn't give me the money for it. He did have some of the Champagne, but said he didn't like it and hadn't had it before. We all worry about his memory.