How do you explain that you can't afford to go out

Barbeduk

Even though I'm no longer in debt I'm still broke and have finally put pride to one side and tell people straight I can't afford it. Everyone has been fine about it.

billinghamfan

I wish I knew what i know now a few years ago.

And we are off to Ireland in August.

janey183

I agree with oldtractor, just say "cant afford it" and if anyone questions "but its only £xxx" say "yes, thats £xxx I cant afford"....its simple, its liberating and it makes people stop and think!

quantic

What you earn is almost irrelevant to a certain extent, the number that matters is your monthly "profit" or in other words the total you have left after all of your bills, food, travel etc are paid for.

Example:

1) Person 1 earns £1500 a month but has £1400 in bills per month, they have £100 spare.

2) Person 2 earns £500 a month but has £100 in bills they have £400 spare.

Explain to him that after paying for all of your responsibilities you have X amount of money spare, and that you need to spread this over the entire month. Its easy for people to just assume that because you earn the same or more you should have more money to spend, this is rarely true.

BlushingRose

I can imagine, living in Billingham, or (Wolviston?) is very much in the middle of no-where and even when there IS a bus it goes all round the moon and costs the earth.
A night out in Hartlepool, for instance, doesn't have to be expensive - have tap water for every other drink or something perhaps.
I know though, there's not a lot to do nearby unless it's drinking, or the cinema (and then it's buses again, or petrol if he has a car)

billinghamfan

I don't live in Billingham (billingham is an author) I live in surrey.

reallyAnnoyed_2

Tell him "You may fancy going to Oceana, but I can only afford McCluskys - on student nights."

Ok joke aside, talk to him and explain that you have your debts to deal with and it will take you 3 more years to pay off. you want to bring that debt free date closer, not kick the ball further away.

BlushingRose

billinghamfan wrote: »

I don't live in Billingham (billingham is an author) I live in surrey.

Ah, fair enough.
Shame really cos I know that area quite well lol

jules888

BlushingRose wrote: »

Ah, fair enough.
Shame really cos I know that area quite well lol

I know it too,though live in Yarm!

BlushingRose

jules888 wrote: »

I know it too,though live in Yarm!

oooh, posh :rotfl: