Are You Like Rosie

squeaky

Smiley_Mum wrote:

does anyone use cash anymore?

I do. While I pay my monthly shop by card I then draw a set amount of cash to buy consumables and my pocket money etc. I can count how much I've spent that way. I never knew what I spending when I used a card a lot.

When it's gone - it's gone. I used to run out regularly. Now I shop a little more wisely and definitely have (almost) stopped impulse buying.

The reason I say almost is that if I spot a bogof or a good reduction on things I normally use (but don't actually need right now) I'll buy it and store it away.

Iona_Penny

Here Here ! Squeaky. Using cash so much more is the one major reason my budgeting skills have improved. Sill use debit card for once a month shop from Tesco online ( speak as you find - I cannot rate them highly enough) and for petrol and then TRY to use cash for things.

When our debts were spiralling out of control we had (and still do have ) £1000 O/D which as I do the budgeting I thought of as our money! This month its gonna be about £450- not gone but decreasing. Cash in a supermarket makes you only buy what you went in for and now I support the local shop more coz although it's more expensive per item you don't buy xtras.

ceegee

I use my credit card for everything I possibly can and pay it off in full each month. It is a Goldfish card and I get "points" which I can redeem for Asda vouchers which go towards my grocery shopping. I am not in debt, just got 8 years left on the mortgage (I understand that the word "mortgage" comes from the French words for "debt" and "death"!). I keep track of every penny I spend by entering everything into a 59p cash book. I am an exceedingly sad person!:o But it shows that a credit card can be good if it is used properly. It also means that my money stays in my bank account for longer and earns me a couple of quid each month. :j


Who is the Rosie in the thread title, BTW?

fushiafluff

I wish I could go for it too but I'm so embarassed that I am in this mess !

ceegee

Although I am not in this situation, I would imagine that it would be great to have the financial advice, but not in full view of millions of viewers, some of whom would be friends, family, neighbours etc :eek:



Also, I gather that when you are on telly, you look about a stone heavier than what you really are :eek: Vanity, thy name is ceegee...

MSE_Martin

If you're interested why not give rosanne a call and talk it through - until (and if) the camera's are there, there's nothing personal

Edinburghlass_2

Rootsie, fushiafluff and Catbalu, go for it. No need to feel ashamed and put off by remarks made here. I too am probably asset rich and cash poor but by using MSE to its fullest potential you will soon find out how to manage your cash to best advantage

coggie2k

I feel some people are being a little over judgemental here.

I am not sure where I and my Fiancé fit in the UK class system, I know I have a good job and good income that is more than some but less than others.

My frown is due to the responses complaining about those who get themselves into debt.

We both attended university with the thought of a better job and a better standard of living, well all we have is an overpriced rented house in a bad neighbourhood, and lots of dept. Neither of us wear designer, except from outlet malls, we both drive, but one car was £500 and I maintain them both myself as this is the only way I can afford luxuries like Tesco shopping.

Then looking around at those less fortunate than me, I live in a mixed housing estate with housing association tenants, and low and behold I cannot afford shiny BMW's or 4x4's unlike those less fortunate than me.

Perhaps wealth is relative and debt is a fact of live in the new millennium. I agree some people are very silly when it comes to debt control. But I currently looking to buy a house, the most suitable for myself and my family is over £200k. So I feel I am left with no choice than to be in large amounts of debt. Am I being selfish and self absorbed by this?

Perhaps I should get a council house, something I would never be allowed as I have a job, then I can buy it under the right to buy scheme for a very reduced amount and not have to be in debt?

I think, going on the purpose of this website, that we should praise those willing to take the step to debt management and reduction, rather than ridicule them for having debt and why stoop to the level of comparing the UK lifestyle with that of third world countries, I presume that you are all giving every spare penny you have to charity to resolve the malnutrition? Whilst on that subject a large reason for famine in third world countries has been proven, the corrupt government and leaders of those nations. Money is being siphoned into the pockets of the rich.

Sorry for the rant, but is this site not here to help everyone not just those who are able to stay out of debt? If so this site would have no purpose?

meanmachine_2

Coggie, why are you suddenly attributing comments made about Rosie Millard to yourself? I think Millard is damn lucky to have FOUR properties, two incomes WAY above the national average and yet still seems to think she's hard done by. Don't you?

Having read your post, I think you're sensible and your aspirations are modest.

If' we're no longer allowed to pass judgement on people with huge debts, then we might as well close this forum down. Because, if being in debt isn't a problem, or sometrhing to be avoided, then no help is needed.

Millard doesn't have a problem. She's been trying to flog a property in Hackney way above its value, finds she can't and refuses to draw her snout from the trough for long enough to realise the property price is barmy. If she lowered the asking price on her property she would suddenly have at least half a million pounds in the bank. Oh, but then she wouldn't have anything to write about or complain about.

I don't think anyone who is looking to buy their first property, and finds themselves in debt as a result is in the same boat as Moanie Millard, do you?

Bargain_Rzl

ceegee wrote:

I use my credit card for everything I possibly can and pay it off in full each month...

(rest of post snipped):j

Who is the Rosie in the thread title, BTW?

I presume that would be the journalist Rosie Millard, who was moaning in the papers a couple of weeks ago that she is £45k in debt on credit cards. Other journalists proceeded to point out that she deserves no sympathy at all, given that she and hubby have a property portfolio which massively outweighs the debt!

From what I've read on these forums, the moneysaving world seems firmly divided into the "I only spend cash - that way I can't be in denial about my spending" and the "I spend mainly on cards so as not to withdraw £10 for an £8 item and waste the change" camps. I'm the latter. I used to be a "buy on cards, pay off every month" girl, but now I'm in the 2nd month of a 12-month 0% on purchases (Sainsbury's Platinum) card - the credit limit of £3500 will keep me going until early autumn at least, and will allow me to keep my unspent salary in savings until I have to pay it back. I mentally tot up any spending over the course of a day, and spend 5 minutes a day updating my cashflow spreadsheet, including uncleared items as a separate category so I don't end up thinking I have more money than I really do. I only keep cash in my account for direct debits, minimum CC payments (obviously), bills (a monthly cheque to my flatmate who has all the direct debits on his account) and £10-£20 a week for odds and ends (like the morning paper, beer money etc - stuff that can only be paid in cash).

Funnily enough, I've never seen credit cards as "free money" or "not real spending", like some do. If I carried a lot of cash, though, I am sure I would be tempted just to fritter it away.