Best way to budget and reduce costs with no job, only savings and credit card??

pj123456789

I have recently graduated from uni (mid 20s) and moved back to my home area. I live with my partner (also graduated from uni) and we are paying a lot of rent and bills etc using savings and credit cards. We haven't got jobs yet so that limited us with getting finance for the white goods, so had to buy etc and I wouldn't want to apply for a new credit card to change to a lower rate because I don't have a job yet and it might damage my credit rating.

I feel trapped and in limbo whilst I see my savings go down and my credit card increase, and yes I have just received a letter saying my credit limit will be increased. I know its a trap - I don't want to use the increased limit at all - I just want to keep it for emergencies and I will be using my saving to reduce my current balance...but I have no income at the moment.

I am really having trouble with budgeting - this last month has been expensive and not normal what with the move, so I cant really use that as a reference.

This has become a longer post than I intended, but my mind is a mess with this and I can't straighten it out. I think my main question is...

How do you budget when you don't have a specific income? When you just have your own savings/credit card and therefore, although not unlimited, can be a little flexible/stretched....

You-kip

Best way to budget and not use your credit cards is to get a Job whether its full/pt time.

ColdIron

Find a job, any job at all. It will transform your financial situation

Gromitt

Well you know your outgoings per month and you know your savings, so divide savings by outgoings and that's when you can live until.

If you want to stretch that out you need income, even if that involves stuffing letters into envelopes.

anoncol

Get any old job if you cant get a perfect graduate job.

sweetilemon

I agree with looking for any job while you look for your 'proper' job. Something like a waitress would hopefully mean you can eat at work saving on food & heating when your at work. Apart from that, just really limit spending. Double check with yourself before a purchase, do I NEED this item or is it just a want? You may WANT a tumble dryer/big tv/dishwasher etc but you dont NEED them.

If you can't get a job, maybe volenteering that you could maybe gain expences/lunches etc from. The more your out the house the more you'll save on electricity etc.

I would maybe look at a realistic basic living costs, look at how much savings you have and set yourself a maximum daily budget eg £3 a day for your pocket. Plan each day with the minimum spend and keep a note.

sweetilemon

Oh and check gum tree before buying new items!