Anyone else sick of scrimping all the time? Should I just blow it & get a credit card

twinklybev

I'm just re-writing my shopping list for the 3rd time down to absolute essentials only, my iron exploded last night, the council tax & water rates & gas have gone up again & my car has packed in!!!!

How do others stay motvated when they're always scrimping? Getting a bargain is fun but scrimping every day's another matter? We're not saving for some massive luxury like a new car, holiday abroad or pay the mortgage off early, designer gear, just to get by. We already pick up as much as possible from car booties, eBay, don't buy stuff unless we need it but feel like blowing it & getting a credit card - we don't have one nor any loans or overdraft. Is there any point staying out of debt no-one else I know seems to & they don't seem to stressed about it & can swan off skiing to boot in this rotten weather!

Any advice from others appreciated, maybe things'll look rosier over a bottle of wine ! but that's another £4-£5 gone then!

catewithers

twinkley,

I totally understand where you're coming from - it's so hard when it's a struggle every day to get by. But please please please take it from me that it's a million times harder dealing with the consequences of debt you can't afford to service. It's simply not worth it.

I'm not suggesting that all debt is a bad idea and if you're disciplined enough to have a credit card and use it wisely then fine - I'm clearly not disciplined enough to do that so i would always err on the side of caution these days. Think long and hard about what you want and how you would pay for it in the long term and whether you can genuinely manage your finances adequately enough to have a credit card/overdraft/loan etc.

Make the best decision for you, rather than being influenced by others - like me - who may have been irresponsible with money and are now or one day will be paying a very heavy price in terms of the consequences, financial, mental, emotional and physical.

Good luck.

themaccas

Hi twinkleybev
There is a lot said for being debtfree, I envy you right now - no loans, creditcards, there is every point of staying out of debt I promise!!! I don't have much constructive stuff to say really other than hang in there however tough things are right now, debt will only make things worse.
hugs
x

twinklybev

Thank you , any suggestions for cheap treats or free leisure stuff to reward for my & hubbie if we don't blow the budget each week?

Storm

Are you on Pigsback? If not go to the freebies board & read the guide there - you can build up PiggyPoints just with click throughs, and then get vouchers for a range of things including meals out & the cinema.

Free things to do... check out the comps board for cinema tickets, go to your local tourist information office & see what's free in your area in the way of museums etc & how about mystery shopping? If you can get a restuarant one you get to go out for the night & get your bill reimbursed!

embb

The thing is you can scrimp and scrape too much! It's ok being thrifty but you have to allow yourself a little luxury/blow out now and again, my advice would be: instead of getting a credit card (they're from the Devil) why not save a bit, or if you already do, put some towards a 'blow out day' it will lift your spirits and give you something to look forward to.

I think the feelings your having right now are passing feelings, I get them too, like 'it's just not worth it'. It is! Try and keep focused on the positive ie: debt-free (how many people would like to be in your boat right now ) and try and enjoy it

Cheap treats: A DVD and popcorn night in? A walk in a nice park/beach with a bag of chips? A romantic night?

flowerofscotland

How disciplined would you be if you got a credit card? If you were sure you would pay it off every month then you can get freebies or cashback by putting your normal spends onto a card. Martin has an article about this but the golden rule of course is always pay off in full.
I use a Marks & Spencers card for my petrol and various other budgeted spends and get M&S vouchers periodically which I can either use for treats or to buy presents.

Have you joined Pigsback? Even without spending money it is possible to get points for shopping or leisure vouchers - there is a thread on the Freebies board which tells you all you need to know.

Have you got a Boots advantage card - again good for treats provided you are only buying your normal things at Boots.

It's tough but you are really in the best place being debt free as I am sure you know if you have read some of the threads on here.

Unfortunately it is much easier to get into debt than get out of or stay debt free - wish I had been as sensible as you.

Emmzi

Bev,

my top tip from last year is get a £10 tent from the supermarket next year, then you can have loads of breaks away for a few quid... or only the cost of petrol if you are brave and fly pitch! But then you will know you have some sort of holiday to look forward to and, being the great outdoors, it's bound to be healthy and educational!

If you want some budget suggestions do feel free to post it

Other than that,, redefine what you measn by treat! Someone taking time to do something for me is always better than having money spent! Pigsback, Quidco also... and my fave day out of a fiver to blow any way you want.. I cvan take 5 or 6 hours looking at things before deciding...

Bewitched2761

Nay Nay thrice nay to the credit card, they are the devils spawn!
Budget irons are £4-5 in tesco and are good
you may be need to have a mini blow out now and again, buy the bottle of wine then everything will look rosier!
your doing so well you should be really proud of yourself!

southernscouser

Go on. Get a credit card. Spend as much as you can! It's great fun! Until the bill arrives and thats an extra thing you can't afford to pay! But thats alright coz you can get a loan with a lower APR and monthly payment! Result! :beer:

But you still want to buy things! The credit card! You can afford to pay it off coz the loan is cheaper so you've got money spare. Only you don't pay it off! You need the money for that night out! Oh well there is always next month!

Fast forward a few years and welcome to my world and £34,000 of debt! :eek:

Go ahead and spend! Trust me you won't feel any better about things! :doh:

GirlRacer_2

Well said SouthernScouser. Think we've all been there with the posh Iron, the new car, the widescreen TV, then comes the reality and the sleepness nights, next comes the creditors calling and hassling you day and night and all because one credit card turned to two then three then a consolidation loat etc etc etc get my drift.

You are so lucky to be debt free. Keep it that way it'll be worth it.