Mr and Mrs K's New Journey to a Debt Free Life.

gien

Good on you Alex for getting out and about and using your 'not working' day for reassessing things. Fresh air is always good -I take the dog out for a walk and always come back feeling better.

For the card, could you ask the bank to put a limit on it so you can't spend too much before it gets rejected. Or if you do need the card for large purchases, then set up a side account that you use for day to day expenditure, with a low limit, and only take that one when you go out. If you need to buy something bigger, then you have to go home and get your 'proper card'.

heartbreak_star

I do a similar thing to what gien suggests...

I have two bank accounts. I transfer my daily/weekly spends into one, and only take that debit card out with me. I found it really works, maybe it's something to try Alex?

And to be fair - we're just glad to see you back and with a little more motivation

Enjoy the fresh air - I'm stuck in a ruddy Portakabin while the sun shines...

HBS x

chevalier

Welcome back Alex.
REmember lists can be your friend!
So wake up
have a good breakfast and a cup of tea.
Take little alex to nursery
pick up food needed for supper in the evening
make at least two phone calls chasing leads for potential work
have a cup of tea
have lunch and another cup of tea
pay a pound of the credit card!!!!! That way you have paid something of your debts today

I was interested that you were saying that little alex will be moving nursery. I was wondering why that was? Especially if it is going to be more expensive. Will Mrs K put in more money for it?

chev

bess1234_2

Yes very disappointing... Was expecting something spectacularly outragous:rotfl:

One step at a time while you build your moneysaving muscles up again, they will be a bit flabby and out of shape now

AlexLK

gien wrote: »

Good on you Alex for getting out and about and using your 'not working' day for reassessing things. Fresh air is always good -I take the dog out for a walk and always come back feeling better.

For the card, could you ask the bank to put a limit on it so you can't spend too much before it gets rejected. Or if you do need the card for large purchases, then set up a side account that you use for day to day expenditure, with a low limit, and only take that one when you go out. If you need to buy something bigger, then you have to go home and get your 'proper card'.

Thank you for the advice. I'm not sure multiple accounts are a good idea for me, I have trouble tracking one personal account which certainly has an enforced low limit and a business account, which leaving the card at home is a good idea.

My problem with cards is the fact I will spend whatever I have even if it is a very little amount, whereas if I've got £100 in cash, I will try to spend as little as possible making sure to leave £50 in my wallet. I am aware it is irrational to think differently about cards but the fact is I do.

heartbreak_star wrote: »

I do a similar thing to what gien suggests...

I have two bank accounts. I transfer my daily/weekly spends into one, and only take that debit card out with me. I found it really works, maybe it's something to try Alex?

And to be fair - we're just glad to see you back and with a little more motivation

Enjoy the fresh air - I'm stuck in a ruddy Portakabin while the sun shines...

HBS x

Thanks.

It may be something for me to try when I trust myself a little more with cards. However, I don't think that is quite yet.

What on earth have you been doing in a Portakabin today? Today the weather has been somewhat changeable here.

chevalier wrote: »

Welcome back Alex.
REmember lists can be your friend!
So wake up
have a good breakfast and a cup of tea.
Take little alex to nursery
pick up food needed for supper in the evening
make at least two phone calls chasing leads for potential work
have a cup of tea
have lunch and another cup of tea
pay a pound of the credit card!!!!! That way you have paid something of your debts today

I was interested that you were saying that little alex will be moving nursery. I was wondering why that was? Especially if it is going to be more expensive. Will Mrs K put in more money for it?

chev

Hi chev,

Thank you for your reply.

I unfortunately missed you list today though had a function as best I can on one hour of sleep, as you can guess I'm not sure "functioning" was really the word for it. However, I am hoping that a decent night's sleep is forthcoming this evening and I shall have the type of day you describe above.

The paying at least £1 per day from the debts is a good idea, too.

My son is likely to be moving nursery to prepare him for school the year after. Though as my wife and I still have not agreed where to send our son whether this happens or not is still questionable. As for Mrs. K., she and I are not on the best of terms.

AlexLK

bess1234 wrote: »

Yes very disappointing... Was expecting something spectacularly outragous:rotfl:

One step at a time while you build your moneysaving muscles up again, they will be a bit flabby and out of shape now

Thank you for the support, Bess. Yes, need to get back into the MSE routine.

As for my diary entry, sorry I shall amend, just because I know you love to hear every detail about my pen collection.

"Monday 4th August.
Dear Diary,

I confess that today I did something that could be deemed as extravagant to you mere MSE mortals but will bring me joy for all of about five minutes and a certain smug satisfaction that I have something of rare beauty and absolute exclusivity.

Summary:
-£5,740,000 Fulgor Nocturnus (Erm, I've somehow bankrupted mother and father in the process but it is a very special pen, I'm sure they will understand).

Yours Faithfully,
Alex."

AlexLK

Tuesday 5th August, 2014.
Dear Diary,

Well, there was no early night last night and my first day back to the grindstone has most certainly not been an easy one. However, I am pleased to report I have not managed to spend almost £6,000,000 on a pen, can't even spend £600 on one at the moment unless it's to move on at a profit.

On the plus side, I have managed to earn a few pennies and spend the evening out without spending a small fortune on food and drinks, driving may be the key from this day forward. Debt wise today is no different to yesterday but I think I may try chev's suggestion to pay a very little amount each and every day.

Apologies for yet another uninspiring entry.

Summary:
-£4.00 Groceries.
-£35.00 Present.
-£7.00 Drinks out.

Yours Faithfully,
Alex.

heartbreak_star

Bah, stop apologising

I actually work in a Portakabin at the moment, it was supposed to be temporary but is still kicking around in place of an extension

It's funny - I am with cash like you are with cards. If I have cash, I'll just fritter it away, but as I log onto online banking every day, I can see exactly what I've spent on a card

HBS x

AlexLK

HBS: I hope your new office / lab(?) will be up and running shortly.

I can see that online banking is an advantage to using a debit card for everyday purchases, if I could trust myself a bit more not to be silly I think that is what I would do too.

bess1234_2

Oh yes, much better :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: