Not having credit cards as a safety net

Toomuchdebt

That's sort of what I'm doing-I have my money all coming into one account,I have standing orders set up to go out weekly to 3 banks-one has my direct debits coming out for telewest,gas and elec,O2 phone and dog insurance,the second has my home insurance and Barclays loan and a small overdraft,and the third has an overdraft I am clearing at £5 a week and also has the rent payment coming out and the Housing Benefit going in.I do have 2 savings accounts but dont plan to use those until my debts are cleared.I have one other bank account so am wondering whether to transfer any surplus to it instead so I don't spend it,or whether to just leave it in the one I get my payments into so as to have a safety net there.

seven-day-weekend

Toomuchdebt wrote:

I am sticking to my budget but just have this constant feeling that it's not enough.

But it wasn't enough when you were using plastic.

You're doing great, don't be scared, you'll feel so much better when you've lasted the month.

youngandreckless

I feel the same, except mine is my overdraft. However as I am way back in it again, I've finally accepted that it may be there for "emergencies" but it will always give me an excuse to get more in debt. So, I am now reducing it every month in order to force a budget. It is a bit scary, but its for my own good.....

southernscouser

As long as your budget is correct and you stick to it there is no need to worry!

CAFCGirl

Cut up the credit card!

I've got a direct debit to mine and account numbers on statements, so that if I have the extra, I can make overpayments!

I used to think to myself, when the end of the month was nearing, I'll put it on the credit card and pya it off when I get paid, and I never did and the credit card debt went up and up!

Now I've cut them up in a moment of blind MSE panic, I cant fall back on them, when it comes to things like grocery shopping!Which is where I seemed to be spending it all!

Toomuchdebt

CAFCGirl wrote:

Cut up the credit card!

They've all been cut up for about 3 weeks now

CAFCGirl

my apologies, confused myself during OP!

Is this the first month you've done the budget without the now cut up (well done you ) cards to fall back on, maybe you just need to live through the fear, and then you'll realise you were worrying for nothing perhaps?

littlestar1981

Toomuchdebt wrote:

They've all been cut up for about 3 weeks now

I cut mine up... then put the pieces back together so I could see the number and pay my holiday over the phone.

I've had to give the pieces to my mum!

savvykaz

Hi angelsam1984 - nothing to do with this post, but who was Roxy (in your sig)? This made me feel sad!!!

Toomuchdebt

littlestar1981 wrote:

I cut mine up... then put the pieces back together so I could see the number and pay my holiday over the phone.

I've had to give the pieces to my mum!

I cut all mine up and mixed all the pieces together and put them all in this plastic envelope-no hope of putting them all back together

Yes it's the first month since cutting them up and doing a budget so I gues I am still uncertain that it works.