The penny has finally dropped!

andrea1968_2

It took me a long time (and even longer to admit it) that I cannot go out with either cash or debit/credit cards in my purse. No matter what good intentions I go out with I find myself stood in a queue with something I think I need or something I really want.

The problem is I could do that 3 or 4 times a week and still really need or really want things. I cant window shop or think Ill just spend £?? because I would spend over that.

I've tried to cut down the number of times I go ''shopping'' because I know that I don't have the willpower to come home without goodies.

If I do see anything I leave it at least a week and then if I really cant live without it I'll go and get it but just take the right amount of cash - and if its gone then it wasn't meant to be anyway.

I realised that I want to pay my debts off more that I want/need that lovely pair of jeans and I know that I have to do it this way as its the only way I get myself on the straight and narrow.

My names Andrea & I'm a shopaholic !!!!!

catmiaow

I find if I have cash on me I spend it so I carry very little cash if I can help it!

I also find if I need something to get cash out the day before and leave my purse at home so I can only spend the cash, I am terrible at impulse buying!

sara86pink

My downfall is pay day, once I've been paid that first weekend is usually celebrations and then the odd shopping. Rest of the month I can be really well behaved and have no need to shop, I just need to have that frame of mind for when pay day comes.

I'm hoping with the new flat, because it is more money a month (still very manageable) but going from cheap house share where everything is split 4 ways, its just going to be split 2 ways, this should make me more aware every month and to be extra extra careful with money. Especially because we're going to Barcelona in Sept and I want spending money!!!

Ames

In that case I'd suggest opening another bank account. As soon as you get paid move all your wages into it, then transfer money back across to your normal one every time you need to spend, or a couple of days before bills are due etc. Having to go online and do the transaction should make you think twice because it's not worth the faff. I had to do it for a few months and it really worked for me. You've got to be organised though for the bills, or leave the money there to cover them and be disciplined not to spend it and then move the money later. Unless you have your DDs coming out straight after payday.

sara86pink

I do have 2 accounts with my bank, but they make it so easy to transfer, literally one click and money is back in my account.

Luckily, all our flat related bills are all being taken from the joint account which is with a whole new bank. So we both put a certain amount in a month and then let the DD's come when they please. We are also paying for all our food shopping out of this account too to keep things simple.

The money left in my account is for my personal DD's and anything else left over is going towards credit card and spending money for my holiday in Sept.

I just have to wait and see how much our bills are going to be for the new flat... So impatient!!

Lirin

I have two bank accounts- one which all my pay goes into, and debits are paid from. The second I specified I wanted no withdrawl book or ATM card (got a strange look for that one), and it's for saving only. As the bank's now reduced it's opening hours, and they're frankly terrible now, it ensures I can rarely touch it!
My work is nice, and would happily let me out if I need to withdraw from it- I try to put in £50-£100 per month.

missworks2jobs

I do this too, £10 here, £20 cashback its lethal! I try ask "do I WANT it or NEED it, can it wait". Also i've started getting cash out of the ATM at the start of the week £30 (£15 for weekly bus pass) £5 for my pub quiz night with the girls (its my only social event and I drink pop cos its cheap...plus we have the potential to win some money). Then I have £10 spare for any stamps I have to buy for work (I claim this straight back from petty cash). Then I leave my cashcard at home the rest of the week!!! So if I do have any emergencies I have the £10 just incase, but dont tend to dip into it because I think to myself "oooh I need to hang onto that for work's post". I shop for all my essentials on the weekend with hubby (he has the car - so I get use of it on wkends for such shopping trips) who helps demotivate my buying more than I NEED, and he helps carry the bags :0D.

sara86pink

I've just had an extra expense come out which I was not expecting at all!

My laptop has been broken for ages and the OH's friend said he would have a look etc but never got round to it. At work, my manager said to our IT dept that his laptop wasnt working and they had a look and sorted it out so I mentioned mine to them and they said sure bring it in.

So, they did the work etc and now they just came up to me demanding £50 for it... Now this is another of my downfall as I am quite naive and didnt think to ask if they would charge me. Hind sight is they are an external company and we are one of their clients so obviously I would get a charge of some sort.

I didnt know what to say! I said I didnt know I had to pay and my manager laughed saying of course you do, the laptop is fixed so I couldnt say no so I had to give them around £55

Luckily, I spoke to my current landlady and she said that when I move out next Saturday she will have my deposit and extra rent I'm owed in cash so she can give it straight to me so that will be enough time to pay for everything I need which is lucky.

I promise (and you are all witness to this!) that once I move into my new flat (17th July) I will be much careful with money. I promise to question everything to avoid surprises, I will avoid shopping and ATM machines so close after pay day and I will keep on top with every single payment.

Money stress has also triggered off my IBS which managed to keep away for a couple of years and my lord am I in immense discomfort and pain! I want my bed

sara86pink

And another expense!! Not long after my last post, my stomach was really playing up to the point where it was so painful I was thinking this is very extreme IBS so I left work and went to walk in doctors who told me I got an Urinary Tract Infection and because I havent noticed it has aggrevated (spelling?) my IBS so drugs dont work and its now given me a bad tummy

So, I now have to buy some antibiotics and some medicine for my tummy but I've taken the day off work so am going to chill and maybe start a little packing to get ready for our move.

When will the spending money ever end??

Happytogetdebtfree

Hi and welcome aboard. All the best on your dfw journey. And good luck on the hous move 17th July. Hope the uti settles and the stomach bug eases, ) take care x