Need a bit guidance I think...

shonimac

Hi again!

I don't get a uniform allowance, as I don't have a uniform - I work in a mental health ward and we don't wear normal nurse uniforms, just normal clothes. Haven't looked into any allowances though, didn't know there was such a thing!! Thank you for letting me know! Also, we don't have any vending machines (thankfully) and no access to main hospital, so I have no option but to take my lunch and tea with me (which I try as much as possible to make big batches and freeze in portions).

I'm just really crap with money!

Just been doin some checking too, and it turns out my store card is £900(!) not £400. Shows how much i've been avoiding it all I suppose! I've just paid another £50 onto it this morning.

Why is money such a rubbish necessity lol!!

zarazara

well done for facing up to the debt. throw as much as possible at it,cut out all unecessary expence such as presents,new clothes etc and you'll get on top of it sooner. DUMP THE CARDS. get rid of the store cards.

dancingfairy

Hi - hope you got on o.k at the bank and you didn't let them sell you anything.
df

psychopathbabble

Well done on admitting the truth about the store card... not easy to do I know!:T

A spending diary seems to be the way forward for you... it really is amazing how much gets lost just by 50p here, a £2 coffee there.... lots for you to think about.:)

Hope the meeting went well and you stayed strong!! Those banks can be conniving little beggars!:mad:

dancingfairy

Would definitely get yourself on a better tariff for the mobile pronto - I'm sure you can get unlimited minutes for under 30 pounds a month. Shop around and then phone your phone company up and make sure you get put on a decent package - and one which matches you usage - there's no point having gazillions of texts unless you actually use them when what you need is minutes (and vice versa). The reason for shopping around is so you can say ' well x,y,z company would only cost me x a month so you need to match or better it'. Even if you are mid way through a contract you can usually get them to downgrade a package or 2 apparently. That would be an easy saving for you.
But I agree - a spending diary is the way to go.
I also think getting a fresh bank account with no overdraft available and then getting all your bills paid out of there and wages paid in there is the way to go - then you can set up a standing order to pay off a set amount each month - the trouble is if you keep the account you've got you run the risk of them a) cancelling the overdraft b) increasing the overdraft fees c) helping themselves to your pay cheque to pay the overdraft or credit card as they are allowed to do this - at least with a fresh bank account with a different company that's not owned by the same people you will at least be in control.
df