Joined 31.05.16

GoingToDoIt

Hi PSL
I think it's worth remembering that you are working in one of the worlds top cities- and you seem to work in a city/corporate environment. I worked in public sector and charity, but in central London, and whilst there is a bit of that, it's nothing compared to private sector. I bet many people are not even from London originally. I had a bit of a LBM about this working close to the city the other year.
London is the main draw for people who can afford to move there and have the right brains and background to make it. There's a lot less self made and self funded young people in the city than even 10 years ago, a hell of a lot of them now had money/connections to get there. It's simply too competitive and expensive for a lot of average people to bother, especially if they have uni debts.
We naturally compare against others, you are comparing against the top 5% in the U.K. Really. I'm 3 miles from the square mile, everyone wears high st clothes, designer bags are rare, but not absent!!! The odd polished graduate breezes through for six months before moving on to better things....usually in the city. You're in a really unusual situation if you look at it that way. Plus I bet that few or none of them have bought a place on their own. I've worked with people who claim they are independent but their parents pay their phone bill, credit cards etc. And they complain they can't afford a mortgage - well they aren't looking at 1 bed flats in rough areas.

coastalchick

well said goingtodoit. When I lived in London I bought a maisonette in Tooting (broadway end but in reality, mitcham, literally next road was tooting). Got a 100% mortgage and borrowed the fees money off my parents. Not many people wanted to live there as it was quite rough, but I couldn't afford more than a studio flat in the nicer areas (clapham, balham, wandsworth etc) and I wanted a little bigger in case I needed to rent out a room so plumped for tooting. Haven't lived there since 2004 but kept it and rented it out. Now its worth a mint and likely to increase because it's started to become more desirable. Though I now (only started this year) have a good work pension (they pay 7.5% of salary in and I pay 5%), that flat is my pension. Will own it outright age 50 (11.5 years) so after that rent will be pure income plus will always be able to sell if want to get capital out. Guess what I'm saying is those who decide to buy, rough area or not, are going to be better off than those who p1ss it up the wall on clothes, cocktails, handbags etc. So, PSL the fact you have even got your own place should keep you warm at night!!! x

Poor_Single_lady

Thanks Coastal and Goingtodoit. It is really good to have bought somewhere especially on my own. My ex-boyfriend bought a flat we lived in and when that all went wrong I was homeless so I think there is a lot of security in being on the property ladder independently of anyone else (at least on paper). It's just not plain sailing when the washing machine breaks and the ceiling leaks and the electrics blow up.
But I am lucky to have the help from my parents which is kind of why i feel way more guilty about being in so much debt.
Also I am going to take the credit card out of the freezer just for travel costs and pay them off before end of month so won't pay any interest. Then put it back in the freezer.
I'm not going to organise anything social on top of current commitments.

This week-
drink out tonight, Tesco shop (small),
Sunday- minimal costs
Monday eyebrows
Tuesday low spend
Wednesday low spend
Thursday low spend
Friday - off work and pub, furniture coming
Saturday low spend, furniture coming
Sunday low spend
Monday pub

Going to keep flat tiday and clean and read books and watch films. It's just over 2 weeks to payday. The next loan payment takes the loan under £1000 mark which does make me feel like the end is in sight for that one albeit another 6 months away.
Starting to think 2017 is the year things are going to change. Need to stay strong and resist the holiday invite/guilt not going. Will be hard but this is the important time to stay on track.

Things to do
No carpets
No holiday
No handbags
Refuse work nights out (and wonder how others afford)
Wear all the wardrobe
Get shoes reheeled
Food plan
Eat from freezer
Stay out of John Lewis till December
Plan for expensive treats in January (not before)
Be at home more
Drink less
Eat better
Shop in primary
Shoo in Poundland, savers, pound world and discount toiletries shops
Use points cards
Change sheets more often
Sort out wardrobe
Get rid of unwanted furniture items
Look into costs for new doors in flat
Have more lie-ins and more Down time
Read more
Go to cinema more
See family more
Spend less

Stay out of overdraft as much as possible, limit creditcard use to travel only and pay off at end of month.

Poor_Single_lady

It's not going too badly but it could be better.
Spent a bit on food recently and bought some work clothes. Also had a few nights out and drinks with a boy which adds up. I'm not sure we are compatible but he is lovely and lots of fun. And seems to be a bit tight with money which is firmly on my unattractive list, but could be just what I need.

The furniture that came yesterday is lovely and the rest coming later today. I am really pleased with it and it makes a massive difference to the flat.
Going to do some cooking and tidying today. Keeping it low key after far too much drinking.
Glad to be off work for a few days and have no plans today. Family tommorow and then London with friends Monday.

Work Tuesday-Friday. And some social in the Calendar. 11 days to payday. trying hard.

louby40

Wow, getting under that £1000 mark is a great feeling! You're doing so well PSL! Enjoy your long weekend!

Poor_Single_lady

Not long till payday. Spent too much money socialising this month. In May I am going to try and be completely alcohol free. I'm not sure if this is possible. We have 2 work parties and 2 family birthday, But I would like to go whole month not drinking.
Not very much in the calendar so far. Hope I can stay at home a bit. I've tried to cut down on socialising and cut right back but it's not easy.
Cooked lunch for tommorow and then plan to eat something small in the evening but sometimes I just come home starving. It was a bit of a battle not to go to the chip shop for dinner.
Finding managing my money very tough- but I do think that being antisocial will help. And also you don't need as many outfits.

I had another date with the boy but I don't think it is going to go anywhere. We do seem to be just too different. He also seems to take life SO ridiculously seriously. Like life is this big quest of constant improvement. It's like he is joking but he isn't. And possibly it's me that has got it wrong with my 5 credit cards but I just don't think life should be so serious and intense. I think having some fun things is quite important. And sometimes just reading a book and eating junk is ok even if you're not out running and improving yourself.
I'm hoping things will get easier and I will get the money sorted.

Poor_Single_lady

I meant to say Thanks Louby. Getting there slowly. xx

[Deleted User]

Och that's a shame you don't think it is going to go anywhere, but at least you are out there meeting people.

You never know when the right person is going to venture into your life.

I'm also finding it tough to make my money last the month.

I am on holiday next month then after that I am gonna attempt to stay in as much as possible up until Christmas.

It's a drastic action but I feel like I need it!

Dxxx

reality_check

Join the alcohol free way of life and keep me company! It is always hard when the good weather comes and the beer gardens come calling xx

Poor_Single_lady

I am Reality. I am so over alcohol. I will join you staying in Dolly. Starting to kind of feel like I am over men as well. So not going to think about that for a bit.

This is my current list and plans.

Mbna x 2 total balance £8,800 at 0%
paying £100 per month. Interest rate going up in June for some of the balance so need to keep an eye on this

Sains £3,200 at 0%
Paying £100 per month

Both of these 0% deals end before I will pay off in full but this date for both is quite far off.

Halifax £1750 at 0%
Paying 1% so £17.50
14 more months of 0%

Lloyds £1850
Paying 1% so £18.50
36 months at 0%

Loan £1070
£153 per month till November

HSBC paying off in full each month
Overdraft to be used as little as possible and paid off each payday with aim of closing for good in near future.

Parents - payments suspended

Very £100 at 0% to be paid by august at £25 per month.

That is everything at the moment. It is strange having a credit card I pay off in full each month. I have never done that before. Once the loan goes in November It will be easier to keep out of overdraft but obviously it will be Christmas which brings its own challenges.

waiting for payday now to make payments and plans. xxx