London Socialite Sees The Light

clippy_girl

hi LG!

can smypathise with friends wanting to go out, mine always winge when i say i cant afford it! problem is i usually give in and just take money from my 'debt' account to pay for it! my biggest downfall is weekends away- i cannot say no! i think it would be different if i had no money other than wages but as i have a lodger and do mystery shopping i keep dipping in to the money earmarked for debts! i managed to say no last week but missed a good night i am definately an up your income girl rather than a cut back girl!

LondonGirl252

Hi CG!

Glad you can relate! I've started using other excuses as if I say i'm unwell that's accepted immediately, whereas when I have recently tried to say I can't afford it, I get put under such peer pressure "oh it'll be a cheap night" - no it wont. Or "it's only a few drinks, whats the harm" etc etc that's the hardest and I find myself getting really stressed.

My social pot is looking reasonably healthy but it has to stretch a long way over the next few months so I'll have to be extra strict with myself.

I've been browsing the up your income board this morning as it would be a huge help

turbo.jet

It's not easy is it. I went for dinner with friends last week. I ate like a sparrow and the girl opposite me (who's LOADED) had 6 starters and heaps of mains. I loudly announced we weren't splitting the bill evenly and motioned to her pile of food. Everyone laughed and when the bill came, guess how it was split? (and by whom!) I was p1553d off and am still not over it. OH said 'you should have said something.' I bl00dy did!!!! Grrrr

LondonGirl252

That's really not on... I'd have been furious too but if you make a huge deal out of it you look tight or like you are causing trouble.

At a work lunch a few months ago I had eaten sparsely and chosen water instead of wine to cut costs, I knew how the bill would be split so I made an excuse I had to rush back to the office before the bill came and left enough cash to cover what I had ordered! LOL!

I'm really anxious about the xmas season coming up, I have so much in my diary already that I know I'm going to have to be careful but one or two events at least may have to go... the work ones are the worst. Unless you have a really good reason not to go, you're bullied into going. Then once there you must drink. A lot. If you try to get away with soft drinks (like i would to save money) then a huge song and dance is made of it. So unless I can afford them I'm going to begin making up other arrangements to get out of it!

It's hard saying this as I am a social butterfly and love going out but this is what has gotten me into this mess and I guess I feel twice as strong now that I won't let it ruin my progress.

Another bug bear today is money saving in flat sharing, I came back from a walk into an absolute sauna, no exageration. Then it transpires my flatmate had cranked the heating up to dry her washing!!!! After I commented it was unbearable she has turned it back down, our heating bill will be horrendous at this rate. I also found out today my other flatmate has been using my washing tablets for his clothes washing!

Even more reasons to get this debt paid so i can save up for a deposit on my own place one day in the distant future.

On positive notes, I have been out and got a good deal on some mince and a few bits for the spag bol and so that is now simmering away happily. There's blooming tonnes of it so it will keep me going for a while!

Going to spend the rest of the day revising...

ms_london

LondonGirl252 wrote: »

Another bug bear today is money saving in flat sharing, I came back from a walk into an absolute sauna, no exageration. Then it transpires my flatmate had cranked the heating up to dry her washing!!!! After I commented it was unbearable she has turned it back down, our heating bill will be horrendous at this rate. I also found out today my other flatmate has been using my washing tablets for his clothes washing!

Even more reasons to get this debt paid so i can save up for a deposit on my own place one day in the distant future.

Going to spend the rest of the day revising...

OMG, this is totally how I feel, I have had it up to my eyeballs of sharing and my housemate eating my food, using my shampoo & conditioner, not cleaning, leaving lights on, leaving the gas on - ETC ETC ETC. :mad::mad::mad:

I am in the process of saving for a deposit and honestly cannot wait - it does make me more motivated.

Sorry for the rant

ms_london

LondonGirl252 wrote: »

I think I can safely say too much of my credit is alcohol related! i used to jump on whatever band wagon was passing and dance merrily into whichever bar was highest choice that week. I'm also too generous and would pay for poorer friends - MADNESS!!!

It became normal certainly to bring out the mastercard.

Those days are happily over!

xxx

Same here. I gave up drinking almost 4 months ago though due to health reasons and have saved SOOOOO much, it is amazing (and great not having a hangover) xx

LondonGirl252

I'm with you ms_london! Leaving lights on is another huge annoyance of mine in this house.

Every evening, arrives home from work, switches bedroom light on then doesn't go back in the room until bedtime!!! ARGH!!!! I'm going to start switching it off myself.

LondonGirl252

I bet it feels great to not drink and save all that money, I have certainly cut out a lot of alcohol recently and have lost a few lbs... x

ms_london

LondonGirl252 wrote: »

I'm with you ms_london! Leaving lights on is another huge annoyance of mine in this house.

Every evening, arrives home from work, switches bedroom light on then doesn't go back in the room until bedtime!!! ARGH!!!! I'm going to start switching it off myself.

:rotfl: yep same here, also another one which I can't understand is leaving cupboard doors open, or never picking up the post. But mostly its the nicking my food and stuff, I understand about being on a budget, but there is no need to pinch things. GRRR.

Giving up alcohol has been great, but has made me a social outcast at work, not that I am bothered to be honest, but people do think you are either weird or a recovering alcoholic.

LondonGirl252

The joys of flatsharing hey!!

Yeah I can understand that, I always end up giving in or just opting out... I am made to feel stupid if I say i have £x and that's it so that's why I'm drinking coke, as i have discovered recently, it's easier to tell a little white lie...