Countdown from £28k...

ryanm8655

Haha, yeah I suspect it probably is a test...not even sure it's open ha. There have been a few subtle hints...

Yeah, I think so...the debt hanging over me was a major issue back then...not a subject I wanted to broach ha.

Yeah, will review how things go on the 0% card front. If I got one it'd just be for usual spends, not for spunking on takeaways etc. But not decided...I'll have a think. See where I'm at on payday.

The lidl back home was good, was one of the new ones though so had everything basically...really good bakery and wine section. I didn't actually make it there as ended up working until 7 and by the time I'd cooked etc. it was too late. I've booked another sainsburys slot for next week as I've got a voucher to use. Popped to the sainsburys local and got bread and a few bottles of wine to restock. There's something wrong with me...was looking at the prices and grimacing as noticed all the wine is about 50p more a bottle in there versus online ha. Makes a big difference when you're shopping in there all the time though I guess ha. Feels like I'm going too far though, will be drinking water in the pub next

Order the toilet seat and toolkit. Will add up totals when I next do a financial refresh, think I paid an extra quid for quicker postage ha. Tools were £14.99.

As I say bought some more groceries (bread and wine), think it came to about £28 (entertaining again and need a bottle for Sunday) but used cash from my wallet that has been sat there for months ha.

Sarahwithlove

I'm not sure about the 0% card I wonder whether it will get you back into bad habits again? You have a good amount of disposable income at the moment and are spending alot of it and I worry having another card to just put your spends on isn't good for budgeting life as it just keeps building up and you look at your bank and see there's enough in there to cover it without really thinking about how some of it should be for saving up for future. 

enthusiasticsaver

If you are considering a 0% purchase card just to maximise the Lisa I am not sure I would go down that route given you seem to be spending quite a bit and are newly debt free, just gone back to independent living  and realistically you wont be buying a property for a while.  It is easy to slip back into bad habits and think oh I would like that but cant afford it so will stick it on the 0% card.  Before you know where you are you may be back with thousands on a credit card. 

alt80

It’s open mate - supermarket basically lol. Wife ordered a few bits a week or so back sparking tea - really nice actually should try it. 100% it’s a test mate - don’t get her anything and I guarantee no second date this is a woman we’re talking about.

Go down the 0% route, you need to make sure it’s not for stupid stuff. I think you’re doing really well tempering the spending mate but agree with @enthusiasticsaver could be a temptation though tbf if you’re concerned about 50p on a bottle of wine you probably aren’t going to go mad and the other stuff you’ve bought you needed for your flat can’t live with a broken toilet seat forever and no bedding. Water in the pub though ha FML you’re not that hard up I don’t think. 

stymied

Please don’t take too many gifts (flowers) that then have to be juggled on the walk!

Kakiste

Hi @ryanm8655 delurking to say well done on becoming debt free and also on your move to London. I'm about 18 months off clearing my debt so I'm living vicariously through the lives of MSE's strangers!

I personally wouldn't get the date anything for tomorrow. I personally would find it a bit weird if i got a present on a first date just because it happened to be valentine's day. Though I have been married for 8 years and havent been on a first date since i was a teenager so I'm obviously not up on current dating etiquette. 

Bargainhunter30

Do you want to take a gift? I'd start as you mean to go on, just be yourself. Don't be fake and dont assume all women want the same thing. I find chocolates, flowers and crap presents a waste of money, especially when they double in price for valentines. I'd much rather have something thoughtful and definitely not expect anything on a first date. I'd also expect to pay for myself. Being yourself is the best way to see if you're right for each other.

lantanna

Bargainhunter30 said:

Do you want to take a gift? I'd start as you mean to go on, just be yourself. Don't be fake and dont assume all women want the same thing. I find chocolates, flowers and crap presents a waste of money, especially when they double in price for valentines. I'd much rather have something thoughtful and definitely not expect anything on a first date. I'd also expect to pay for myself. Being yourself is the best way to see if you're right for each other.

Amen someone who talks sense!

ryanm8655

ryanm8655 said:

Completely agree ha. Ignoring the money, someone who expects a tacky gift on a first date turns me off ha. Maybe I’m just cynical...

just remember my mate I used to live with, second date he spent about £500 and planned this itinerary for the day. Very nice thing to do but it can only go down hill from there ha.

Completely agree ha. Ignoring the money, someone who expects a tacky gift on a first date turns me off ha. Maybe I’m just cynical...

just remember my mate I used to live with, second date he spent about £500 and planned this itinerary for the day. Very nice thing to do but it can only go down hill from there ha. What do you do for a birthday, spend a grand? Ha.

enthusiasticsaver

As presumably you don't really know your date that well if at all then buying a gift seems a bit weird. £500 on a second date is way over the top unless he is a multi millionaire and money no object.  Even then it might make some dates feel a bit strange about accepting that much being spent on them by a virtual stranger. I know it would make me uncomfortable.