CheapsKate's Money or Her Life

ZTD

CheapsKate wrote: »

You're right of course ZTD, I wouldn't need anything like that much. I just plucked a rough figure out of the air, typical of the somewhat lazy casual approach which has dogged my financial history.

I CAN add up, so wonder why I'm so resistant to doing it? One reason is I've always rather kicked against authority, and see careful adherence to 'rules' as undesirable, dull and swotty.

So are you the sort of person who'd dress and look completely different from everyone around you?



And would you end up looking the same as everyone around you?

CheapsKate wrote: »

However, I am now viewing my free-spirited "I am artiste" stance as being harmful to myself (and certainly my bank account). I do have a glimmer that it's actually OK to work to a budget and do a bit of financial planning without fear of turning into an iron-knickered speccy swot. (No offence to glasses wearers - the only reason I don't wear mine is because nobody ever looks wrinkled in my beautiful myopic world, AND the house never needs dusting.)

Not thinking about the future doesn't mean you're a free-spirited rebel. If it did, then these would be the anarchists of the animal kingdom

CheapsKate wrote: »

Is it not having any debt? Yes, although that's psychological - an aid to feeling in control I think

Not at all. If you have no debt, then you are not beholden to another. That goes beyond a psychological "buzz" of being in control, to being a practical ability to make any decision you want without needing the permission of another.

CheapsKate wrote: »

What I suspect I need is not more money but more organisation and planning. Lordy, have I entered a parallel universe and is that really me speaking?

Why do you think the universe should have any say in what you think?

patman99

Didn't want to read and run. Good luck with your challenge. This time 2 years ago, I had a steady job and £12k of debt. In the last 24 months, I got laid-off when my employer of over 16 years closed and moved to France, had cataract surgery, paid-off 2 credit cards and re-gained employment (all be-it on a temp. contract that has just been extended till the end of the year). The one thing that really concentrated my mind was 'how long can I survive on benefits before the cash runs-out?'.

I actually made it through by the skin of my teeth and have only recently dipped (for 1 week) back into my overdraft due to several bills coming-out at the same time.

I need to replace my car, but instead of doing what I would have done in the past and breaking-out the credit card, I've decided that I will save-up and when I have enough money and a perm. contract then, and only then, will I invest in a replacement vehicle.

I reckon your target of £10K in 6 months is a bit opptomistic and would suggest you either revise your target amount down, or increase the time. When you finally reach the target you can always increase it.

CheapsKate_3

Hi Patman, thanks for dropping by. Wow - your story is inspirational. I would also guess that there's a lot of graft behind your achievements.

You could be right about my optimistic target. Especially as I'm a bit wary of taking on too much extra work as that definitely became a real issue for me earlier in the year. However - we shall see. The main goal for me is to take charge of my finances, and as long as that's going in the right direction that's the key result I'm looking for.

Big birthdays tend to spur people into action

ClootiesMum

Hi there,

I've read that book too - but I never calculated the money - way too scary...
I read on the other thread you were in Scotland - cold here, innit. I'm in Fife - anywhere nearby?

CheapsKate_3

Not too far away ClootiesMum - Perthshire/Angus border! But it's cold here too!