Joined 31.05.16

Poor_Single_lady

Please don't write to me to tell me that im not taking it seriously or that im not doing things properly. It is really difficult and I know people are trying to help but at this early point in my journey these messages are not very helpful. For someone further down the road a kick up the bum is probably more useful.

I know using my credit card is not helping the situation but as im paying off my overdraft first credit card usage right now is a necessary evil. Its not a long term strategy its just until I have paid off my overdraft because being in your overdraft is the most stressful bit because its much harder to keep track of what's going on and you really can lose track very easily and get charged a lot of money in fees and feel very disheartened. Im not using it lightly or stupidly. Im just using it until I have spent a month completely out of the overdraft.

This week has been expensive and hopefully the rest will be less so.

louby40

I totally agree about the overdraft. It's so hard to see your budget when you're in the red! That's my aim to get my overdraft gone

[Deleted User]

Overdrafts are the devil PSL.

Get rid of that first then worry about the CC's.

This is your journey, people can offer advice (preferably in a nice way, manners cost nothing!) then you can choose if you want to take that advice or not.

By the way I used my CC's the other day to buy theatre tickets for next year :rotfl:

Dxxx

reality_check

Have you cosidered a cash transfer from a credit card? I did this to clear my overdraft, paid 2% on £2000 which was basically about one months fees and the difference having no overdraft and seeing your wages in the black really does focus you.... Not sure if this is possible but always an option.


Just to join in on the card topic lol I don't think £2.50 a card is much?! I really like those 5 dollar shake cards but at £6ish I think I will stick to my £1 M&S or Next do nice cards...but I am sure you know this!


Keep going, you're doing fab! Slow and steady wins the race xx

Poor_Single_lady

Thanks for the help and kind words. I did a balance transfer to pay off most of the overdraft last month but not all of it. So this is the first month I've been out of it in a few months. From next month going to concentrate on the credit card which isn't 0%.

I know this wont sit well with everyone but I do 100% need to add to my work wardrobe which will go on the credit card.

Today spent £5.80 in tesco. And £2.50 extra tube journey not in budget.
Going out for lunch tommorow (I know but its hard working in central london and never going for lunch with anyone). Work is stressful and lunches out make it easier. Not mse friendly I know but I do think its important. 2 or 3 of these to go before payday.
No plans tommorow, Thurs and fri evenings or weekend. Can not wait! xxx

Poor_Single_lady

The cards thing is funny. When I thought about it I think I really like card shops. They are full of love and well wishing and I think this is why i use them. I will make it a priority to go to card factory but I have to go early because ours is really tiny and full of people blocking up all the tiny isles so I have been but never purchased. I will re-try. Xxxx

KxMx

I think most Card Factory shops are like that PSL :rotfl: You can usually squeeze round a single person but if a buggy is in there, forget it :rotfl:

The till staff in mine do work really hard to get everyone through & keep the line moving so that is a plus.

reality_check

Work clothes are an essential, in the ideal world you would have a clothes fund that you put money into every month, but if we all had spare cash to do this for every essential in life we wouldn't be in debt!


My diary started in January and I think between Jan-April I was kidding myself on that I was on it, cleared off something like £600 in total despite paying off £1000 a month....because I kept using the cards again...


I know it is hard and when you do need things you put it on a card....I cleared off one and cut it up, froze the rest, took them out my purse and it was only with doing that I haven't added to them as I simply don't have them and my debt has come down more in the past few months and stayed down.


I don't want to come across cheeky and demotivating but maybe you could try keeping them out your purse to avoid spending?! I know things like food, petrol, travel etc are essentials to living and if after all your bills you can't afford them then obviosuly use the cards...but it does make you think twice about do you really need new work clothes or could you get by with what you have and try set money aside for a few months then buy them.....


Just throwing my own experience out there, but I am still learning so feel free to ignore me lol xxx

elsien

Poor_Single_lady wrote: »

Thanks for the help and kind words. I did a balance transfer to pay off most of the overdraft last month but not all of it. So this is the first month I've been out of it in a few months. From next month going to concentrate on the credit card which isn't 0%.

:T

Poor_Single_lady wrote: »

I know this wont sit well with everyone but I do 100% need to add to my work wardrobe which will go on the credit card.

Have you done a scoot round the charity shops? And before you say it, I used to dislike charity shops and some are dire, but if you can find a good one in a decent area there's stuff in there that's recent and practically new. That's where a lot of my work wear comes from nowadays. (Although I am also lucky enough to fit into Tesco school uniform clothes which tends to sort out the trouser side of things.:o)

I hate card factory with a vengeance - I get card rage in there with the crowds. I begrudge paying over £2 for a card but then I look at the cheap cards and some are ok but some just don't seem right for who I'm looking for. So I tend to spend a bit more on them as well. While chuntering under my breath about what a rip off they are.

[Deleted User]

elsien wrote: »

:T
Have you done a scoot round the charity shops? And before you say it, I used to hate charity shops and some are dire, but if you can find a good one in a decent area there's stuff in there that's recent and practically new. That's where a lot of my work wear comes from nowadays. (Although I am also lucky enough to fit into Tesco school uniform clothes which tends to sort out the trouser side of things.:o)

I hate card factory with a vengeance - I get card rage! I begrudge paying over £2 for a card but then I look at the cheap cards and some are ok but some just don't seem right for who I'm looking for. So I tend to spend a bit more on them as well. While chuntering under my breath about what a rip off they are.

I love charity shops!

Dxxx