How much do you live on per month?

Nixxx

Lucy1010 wrote: »

You know what? You are all right! Why should I suffer for the rest of the month just because I feel too embarrassed?! I will speak up and I will let them know BEFORE we go out for the lunch... I will say "oh just so you know I am broke at the moment so I can't spend much" at least then I won't be dreading bill time. Thank you all xxx

Sorry to drag the lunches debate, but this is precisely what people should be doing! Be honest and tell the truth! It's when you start pretending everything is ok that you give the impression of being tight. Your friends will understand if you are on a tight budget and will not judge you for it. If someone has had more than their fair share then say something. Do not be embarrassed for being careful with money, shift the embarrassment to those who aren't. There will always be someone who "over eats or over drinks", but they might not even be aware of it.

I have to say that I am one of those people who hate when people don't split the bill equally , but that's because I am not monitoring what others are eating or drinking so I assume everyone has had the same thing . If you haven't then say so, I would be mortified if I thought I was underpaying and not paying my fair share(remember, "fair" is what you had). I also do not think that set menus are a bad idea. They are sometimes value for money if everyone sticks to it. So please do speak up and get rid of any possible bad feeling at the beginning.

Lucy1010

7roland8 wrote: »

If you are seeing them today then tell them now - then its out in the open and off your mind!

Hey 7roland8

I told 3 of them today and the collective answer was "well we always split the bill" so I said I wouldn't be able to make it to which one replied, "let's just go for a drink rather than a meal" I actually don't care what they think now, as you said, they won't be worrying about me at the end of the month when I am broke.

My real long time friends live a distance away from me, it is at times likes these that I wish they were closer, we would never have this problem.

Thanks again x

Lucy1010

joolzred wrote: »

We all could meet up for a MSE meal out one day! We'd all get on well and lots of vouchers to go round ;-)

That would be funny!!

kerri_gt

Lucy1010 wrote: »

Hey 7roland8

I told 3 of them today and the collective answer was "well we always split the bill" so I said I wouldn't be able to make it to which one replied, "let's just go for a drink rather than a meal" I actually don't care what they think now, as you said, they won't be worrying about me at the end of the month when I am broke.

My real long time friends live a distance away from me, it is at times likes these that I wish they were closer, we would never have this problem.

Thanks again x

hmmm....'well we always split the bill' suggests one of a few things;

a) they always all have the same and therefore splitting it equally is fair
b) one (or more of them) are one of those people who know they are getting a good deal out of someone covering their extra side dish/glass of wine etc
c) they are very lucky and are in a position where they need not worry about money and are quite happy to pay for more than they have perhaps eaten

saying that, I did go out for dinner a few weeks ago and didn't have a dessert to keep my bill down (just a coffee), plus I didn't really need one. the other people I was with all had desserts but we still split the bill equally - I guess I should have taken my own advise and spoken up then

ps oven chip recipie here if anyone wants to try it

http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-oven-chips-128985

I find they take a bit longer to cook than it says

Lucy - well done you for speaking up though - think of it as another step closer to being debt free :j

kerri_gt

backinbusiness wrote: »

And I bet your fish and chips tasted a whole lot better!

bib

not to blow my own trumpet but OH says this is becoming one of his favs, and that he hates chippy fish n chips as he finds them too greasy and feels sick after them (think I might have made a MSE rod for my own back :rotfl:)

Lucy1010

Nixxx wrote: »

S

I have to say that I am one of those people who hate when people don't split the bill equally , but that's because I am not monitoring what others are eating or drinking so I assume everyone has had the same thing .

Nixxx, I had never given it a thought in the past but this is why it is a dilemma for me now.

It is because I have decided that I HAVE to be debt free that I find myself now worrying about paying extra for someone's starter, main and dessert whilst I will be limiting myself to a main. It seems that it is only I that has to watch the pennies, the others all "seem" very wealthy to me, well they certainly behave that way anyway.

Lucy1010

kerri_gt wrote: »

ps we've just had fish and chips for friday dinner...not from the chippy though...

Home made oven chips (batch 3 made out of a 2.5kg bag of js basic spuds - bought for 99p, still some left)
haddock in breadcrumbs from the freezer (£2 for 4 fillets at mr a)
beans (£1.25 for 4 cans, approx 1/2 can used)

cost for 2 people approx £1.40 (70p each)..... Cost for fish n chips for 2 last time we went £18 :eek:

Brilliant Kerri!!!

Nixxx

Lucy1010 wrote: »

Nixxx, I had never given it a thought in the past but this is why it is a dilemma for me now.

It is because I have decided that I HAVE to be debt free that I find myself now worrying about paying extra for someone's starter, main and dessert whilst I will be limiting myself to a main. It seems that it is only I that has to watch the pennies, the others all "seem" very wealthy to me, well they certainly behave that way anyway.

Stick to your guns, because for all you know, they are still waiting for their lightbulb moment. Do not let them control your situation, worst case scenario, just don't go. Do something else for your friends birthday. Do not spend more than you can afford.

Oh and please please please, do not feel bad. You don't wan't these kind of friends who are not understanding. You have to do what is best for you!

Lucy1010

Thanks Nixx and to you guys and girls, I definitely won't feel bad about this. One lunch date I can do, but it's two in the same month, just too expensive now that I've had my LBM!

Love Kerri's chips, I could almost taste them!

I have upped my monthly general living to £200 p/m instead of £110... I took some good advice here so thanks for your help! I am putting away £100 p/m for emergencies and paying £500 towards the cc's. I wish I had a fast forward button, I want these debts out of the way! I want my money to myself!

Would love to hear more about how much you guys live on, do you budget less than I do or are you always over budget?

backinbusiness

Lucy

Sounds like you are up and running and planning on beating those debts!

It's a good idea to cut yourself a little slack on budgeting - if it's too tight you end up going over, feeling demoralised and then thinking what the heck, I've blown it anyway - let's withdraw another £20.

With a more generous budget there's a chance of having some left over at the end of the week/month or whatever - keeps the motivation/momentum going.

I aim to save whatever I have left of my £150p/w into my surplus account - it's become a bit of a challenge to see how much I can hold on to!

bib