Newbie and in need of advice please

Verbatim

Glad you are doing SO well dolly!

If you have an empty credit card and can trust yourself to pay it off in full when the bill comes in it's worth buying expensive items on it for the extra protection you get if things go wrong/are faulty etc. If you'd end up paying interest on interest for that and other stuff already on it then not such a good idea.

Insane.simon

i agree with Verbatim but i would leave the credit card at home, just to prevent any chance of you forgetting the "do i want it, do i need it?" mantra

dollybeads

Thank you both for your posts, re the credit card, really can't trust myself with that at the moment. But i hope one day (when debt free) i can have a CC with a relatively small limit for emergencies when travelling and booking holidays, and as you say for expensive items as it gives that extra bit of security. But will still need to save in advance so that it can be paid off in full. Another thing I have never done!

It almost feels like I am starting completely from scratch, i have been so surprised at how "new" this all feels. Old habits die hard I guess. But working at it every day.

Have a good day everyone Dolly

Pink-Angel

dollybeads wrote: »

Thank you both for your posts, re the credit card, really can't trust myself with that at the moment. But i hope one day (when debt free) i can have a CC with a relatively small limit for emergencies when travelling and booking holidays, and as you say for expensive items as it gives that extra bit of security. But will still need to save in advance so that it can be paid off in full. Another thing I have never done!

It almost feels like I am starting completely from scratch, i have been so surprised at how "new" this all feels. Old habits die hard I guess. But working at it every day.

Have a good day everyone Dolly

Hi Dolly, it sounds like you're doing really well, which gives me hope! I undertstand what you're saying about mourning spending and things feeling new. I feel lost at the idea of having no CC, and also hope that one day in the future I can have a card and pay the balance off each time.

Hope you have a good day:)

dollybeads

Hi Pink Angel, hope you are ok today?

Yes it sounds really crass to be saying this feels new, but have never not lived without credit before, I have no reason, my paretns were sensible with money, and we had our own bank accounts as children and had to work to earn money to spend, so not sure where it all went wrong. I am enjoying though focusing my attention on saving rather than spending, but its frustrating on days where I can't earn or save any extra! Replacing one set of bad habits with an addiction of another sort now! At least its a good one this time Yay.

Hope you have a good day too, will take a look at your thread in a minute. Dolly

Rock_Cakes

Hi Dolly,

Just been reading your thread over my lunch hour (instead of going to the shops :j). Have to say its great to read your progress. Have started to tackle our finances this year and its nice to know that there are other people going through the same thing. Will use some of the links that you posted, very helpful indeed.

Pink-Angel

dollybeads wrote: »

Hi Pink Angel, hope you are ok today?

Yes it sounds really crass to be saying this feels new, but have never not lived without credit before, I have no reason, my paretns were sensible with money, and we had our own bank accounts as children and had to work to earn money to spend, so not sure where it all went wrong. I am enjoying though focusing my attention on saving rather than spending, but its frustrating on days where I can't earn or save any extra! Replacing one set of bad habits with an addiction of another sort now! At least its a good one this time Yay.

Hope you have a good day too, will take a look at your thread in a minute. Dolly

Hi Dolly, I do believe society today has a lot to answer for. We've been used to getting what we want, when we want it - it's been the norm and I think that hasn't helped. (Look at the financial mess of the country - it seems we are all paying for the price for that.) It is a new way of life, but hopefully a better one. Saving and watching spending are defintely better than spending addictions! Take care x

kevstanley

Hi Dolly

I've just read through this thread, and had to pipe up and say how brilliantly you're doing in tackling your debts. I love the fact that you're honest about mourning spending too. I think lots of us must go through that.

I'm still new at this, and reading threads like this is really encouraging.

Have a good (and cheap, of course!) weekend

Gingerjar

Hi Dolly (and everyone else!)

Know what you mean about spending on the credit card so you'll have "more money" left to spend! If I had capacity left on my overdraft, I used to think "Ooh goody, I've got £x left to spend on me!" I never thought of it as debt that I was paying through the nose for. The only thing that worked for me was doing the cash in my wallet and nothing else thing. I left all my cards at home and operated only on cash to reprogramme myself.

And to be honest, sometimes it made me cry!

Also know what you mean about it all feeling "new". Still never believed in the "old dog, new tricks" thing myself. It is possible to live in a different way.

Anyway, hooray, it's nearly Friday night. I can feel my hand making that glass of wine shape already.

Enjoy!

Ginge x

dollybeads

Thanks everyone for all the lovely posts, it helps so much somehow to know you aren't the only one with these issues, i usually put it down to me being weird. The other really wonderful thing about this site is the ability to talk about the problems, this is a totally new concept for me. up to now I have never ever mentioned to anyone that I might be a really reckless spender. Always being overly generous with everyone, if we go out I feel i have to buy the whole meal and drinks for everyone. No one else expects this i have just set my self up to think if i don't, they either won't like me or will think i can't afford it. The sad thing is, I can't afford it! It is truly ridiculous, but am moving forward and letting others get their cash out for a change, and I have found it surprisingly simple to just say, "sorry I can't afford that", everyone just seems to accept it and say actually neither can they, what else can we do that might be affordable. Its all so simple when you know how!!!

Its all work in progress, and no doubt their will be ups and downs over the coming months, but enormously grateful to all you lovely people on here for your support, it really does make a great difference.

Off now to belated works Christmas party, (cancelled in Dec due to snow). No spend for me, all on the company, and I have the business cards (strange that I can be trusted with other peoples money!)

And defo not buying everyone drinks etc tonight. Free glasses of wine here I come.......

Have a great weekend everyone

Dolly x