False impressions

kiwigirl

My car is 99 plate Audi, and my colleagues comment "you must be loaded you've got an Audi" a few times, my car has only been in garage 2 since I've bought it, it's sailed through it's MOT's and after the latest trip to garage should do again soon! Especially if I take it to guy who's just done repairs on it

One colleague is still paying her loan off on her 51 plated Clio, buy's lunches every day, complains when she goes to get her car tax for £96 for 6 months! Her car is always in the garage - probably doesn't look after it! She's always skint too.

My brother has a 12 yo Renault 5, which cost's more to insure than it's worth and repair, he also wears jeans which he bought whilst he was a student - about 15 years ago - he saves money not having a haircut either (probably on shampoo if I'm honest!) I dread to think what his house looks like as after 5 years he still hasn't finished decorating the room he started to remove the wallpaper :eek: I was actually asking my mother to ask him what size jeans he wears as I've got 2 new pairs I was going to sell in a car boot and give them as Christmas present as I'm fed up of seeing the jeans every 6 months he comes home! He does however have a several gig Ipod! Never buy's any Christmas / birthday presents / mother's / father's day presents, so I'm starting to think is he in debt or just not spending his money! :rolleyes:

joeblack066

I'm a single Mum, but due to complicated residency arrangements, and a history of DV, my ex claims the Tax Credits for DD, annoying especially as he doesn't work so can't get WTC which I could. He buys next to nothing for DD so I have to try to budget it in, he shares his house with his 25 yr old son so doesn't have to pay the bills by himself as I do, so consequently I work full time and am always broke! My friends ALL have so much more than me, but they know my situation, and are all very supportive. People who react badly to my general lack of cash, I don't think of them as friends! I sit here in 2nd hand clothes, but I'd rather do that than be getting into more debt!! Just remember that most of those people with al the branded stuff etc, they just haven't had their LBM yet!

frugalpam

lindens wrote: »

Actually I used to act like some of those people above, until I had my LBM and started coming on here. We bought a new car a caravan, had takeaways (yes because we were lazy or disorganised) etc etc. In fact it took 2 LBM to get me to see the light. Menu planning and storecupboard challenges were the best things that happened to me, that and meeting my OH. He hates debt of any kind and saves up for everything. He only uses his overdraft for when his DD;s are out of synch with his weekly pay, so it's only for a few days. SO between those 2 things I am not like that any more.
And now I am starting to look at friends and colleagues and their lifestyles and wondering exactly how they are paying for all this stuff - cc's usually!!

Before my LBM I used to spend money like there was no tomorrow. Nowadays I get a buzz about saving and being able to throw money at my debts. I wandered round Tesco this wet, boring Sunday afternoon seeing various bits and pieces I would have bought at one time - nice picture frames, towels, make up etc. I'm indoctrinated nowadays with the 'yes I want it but do I need it' thought that always jumps into my head as I pick it up
Yes I'd love a new car but just don't need it.

Pam

ZTD

Nobody ever says that to me...

I either scare them - or you lot are infinitely more stylish than I am...

Seaxwyn

This site has really opened my eyes to how widespread the problem of debt is.

I used to assume that people with nice houses / fancy cars/ longhaul holidays were filthy rich - now I wonder how they are paying for them.

frugalpam

Seaxwyn wrote: »

This site has really opened my eyes to how widespread the problem of debt is.

I used to assume that people with nice houses / fancy cars/ longhaul holidays were filthy rich - now I wonder how they are paying for them.

I used to be just the same way.
Even if I could afford to go out and buy a brand new car, I'd be pretty cheesed off at the thought of how much it had depreciated in value once I had driven it down the road, away from the showroom!

The one thing that really naffed me off recently was reading how Posh had spent £100,000 on Becks for his birthday.... that would've cleared my debts, enabled me to do up my house and quite a few other things :eek:
Maybe I'd better change careers and go into singing :rotfl:

Pam

ZTD

frugalpam wrote: »

Maybe I'd better change careers and go into singing :rotfl:

I wish she did some singing too.

If you want to spend like her - marry a rich footballer. Easy.

skylight

We are constantly being tapped for cash from in-laws. They think we are loaded.

Yeah right. I have 7 mouths to feed/clothe/house etc. She has 2.


"Another holiday?" - Yep, Tesco Deals
"Another handbag??" - yep. M&S survey vouchers.
"Another pair of shoes" - yep. Charity shop. Never worn.
"Decorating again" - what? first time in 9 years.
"New Sofa?" - Yep - Tesco deals
"More No7 stuff" - Yep. Pigsback vouchers

Adam Ant once sang "Don't drink, don't smoke - what do you do?"
I money save.

frugalpam

ZTD wrote: »

I wish she did some singing too.

If you want to spend like her - marry a rich footballer. Easy.

Well, looking at her constantly miserable face, it's not doing much for her.

Pam

PS Don't think my fella would like me if I traded him in for a footballer - not that I'd ever part with him!

SuSu1871

Another appropriate song... money's too tight to mention!!

or is that too obvious??

Oh, it's taking my focus off my college work now because I'm trying to think of more money-appropriate songs!