*** Living beyond my means - My diary ***

PeachPickle

Fair enough!

Can you downgrade your mobile tariffs at all? I know they sometimes let you do that even if you're still within contract

cmjohnson_86

Apparently not, But im going to ring them tommorow and talk with them. Thanks for the advice

PeachPickle

Very polite of you to not call it useless advice Good luck with the calls

gallygirl

cm, nothing to add as you don't have a lot to sort out - you're v lucky you'v e seen the light so early.

good luck with the interviews, and hope your gf's job goes well. You're right not to let her pay your debts off - but let her treat you occasionally!

good luck x

Imelda

Hi cm,

Congrats on realising your debt early on!
I just wanted to add that perhaps you could keep on a couple of shifts in your current job when you start your new one, you work long hours as it is and so you won't miss the time. Also beware the temptation to splurge once in a better paying job, try to stick to the same budget you have now, use the extra to pay off debts and once they're gone you should be able to put money aside to treat your lucky girlfriend!

cmjohnson_86

Tuesday 18th July 2006:

Today I got up feeling a little more happier after everyones ecouragement and advice.

I then had a phonecall from someone telling me that I have got an interview for a job I applied for a week or so ago, which is great news as I cant wait to change my job. So I decided to go up town and meet my gf on her lunch break, I also had to buy a shirt and tie for a few the job interviews that I have coming up. I bought one from TK Max for £14.99 reduced from £22. Little expensive but looks really smart on me

Also got my first mystery shopper assignment come through today, for August which im looking forward to and will be extra cash . So all in all its been a good day for me, gonna sort my room out in a minute seeing as im in a good mood. Time to start sorting my life out now

What I've spent today

£2 bus fare (GF Using my bus pass to get to work)
£14.99 Shirt and tie

(Gf bought me a cheese and onion pasty from greggs, how nice of her)

I feel if you keep thinking positive then things will start getting better!

Thanks again for everything. Feeling really happy today :T :j :T :j


CMJ :beer:

xela_17

Just wanted to add to the congratulations from everyone about how mature you seem trying to sort out your debts. My sister is also 19, at uni and spends money like there's no tomorrow. She has failed her first year but has already spent the maximum student loan, two overdrafts, a grant and money from parents and she's not at all bothered. :rolleyes: Another three years of racking up debt to go. :eek:

So keep on doing well. Any luck with changing the tariffs on the contracts? £100 a month is a fortune on phone calls, especially when you seem to see your gf every day.

cmjohnson_86

Havnt managed to ring them yet, Going to in a bit. Gotta tidy the house up for my mom... She'l bloody mona otherwise. Anything for an easy life

Hopefully your daughter will realise before she gets into too much debt that living like that isnt good. Have you shown her this website?

Dead_Eye_Jones

cmjohnson_86 wrote:

I did have my Sky subscription off for about 2 months and found it REALLY boring without it, have downgraded it from £42 p/m also I cant cancel my contracts as it would cost me too much. But am NEVER getting a contract again once these finish.

My thoughts are the following, I found it easy not to spend by ensuring my time was occupied by other interests, I turned into a bit of a computer geek. Now I notice you are looking for IT work so it is clear you have an interest in this area. Id suggest spending more time in geek mode, start looking into areas that interest you, get mysql and php onto your PC, start putting together a website based on a hobby or interest, or an interest of your gfs. The combination of databases and webtech are a nice way in to the industry, start building up a portfolio. Check out the free MS Express tools, get coding up some apps to solve everyday problems.

Straight away you wont need to watch TV anymore, I guess you already have a PC and net conn.

You need to be serious about this, start setting priotirties. Now is the time to decide, do you want a career? A home? A family of your own? Or do you just wanna get !!!!!! and have a laff? For many of us it is a choice, sure some lucky peeps can have it all, but guys like you and me cant. At around your age I decided I wanted more out of life and knuckled down, got saving, I learnt to have fun the good old fashioned way, built strong relationships with people who liked me for me and not for how much I spent.

Best of luck chap, anythings possible, it just takes time and work, but its always worth it when you get there .

cmjohnson_86

Thats sound advice Dead_Eyed_Jones. Will definately be looking into how I can Occupy my time more effectively and without spending so much money. I am still considering where my career lies though, I am hoping to get into the IT industry and have a interview on Friday for a trainee position, I need to get something like this to start building on. Because until now I didnt know where I was heading apart from depression and debt, but with all this advice im being given I can finally start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully start a new and successful career. Thanks again.