Never have money - want to cry

BWZN93

Amie_007 wrote:

I know you said not to mention the £70.00 payment for youre religion, but..........

I don't understand why a particular percentage, is recommended, surely any payment should be gratefully received, income permitting.

Is there no way that this could be reduced so that in the short term you give yourself a little bit of breathing space and a chance to get some other debts paid off, then restart with the payments when you are more financially comfortable to do so.

Sorry - I don't want to offend anyone, but i just don't understand the reason for the percentage/recommended amount?

I was wondering the same to be honest, as my mum used to say - Charity starts at home! I simply couldnt fathom giving away a proportion of my salary like that, especially when I am on here finding tips to cut outgoings to get myself out of the red, at the end of the day I dont have any income left over once the essentials are taken care of, and we have a few lean months ahead anyway (Both boyf and I just graduated, so no student loans coming in, they have already run out, and wages are taking a while to start coming through - So I suppose you could say we are in poverty!)

Jo xx

skintchick

Ten per cent is Biblical. That's it really.

If you believe, you are called to obey God's rules, and one of those is tithing. I can't do ten per cent right now, but I do what I can and then a little bit more. That way, the theory goes, He will bless my faithfulness.

I know it sounds ridiculous if you don't believe, but it's part of my faith, and although I still struggle with the concept of giving my money away, I have committed to do it, otherwise I am just picking the bits of my religion that I want to follow, and that isn't right.

You can't have the nice bits of blessings and heaven if you don't do the nastier bits like tithing and no sex!!

Willsnarf1983

skintchick wrote:

Ten per cent is Biblical. That's it really.

but I do what I can and then a little bit more. That way, the theory goes, He will bless my faithfulness.

but plainly u can't afford this payment at the moment, u seem very strong in ur religion so can u not forgoe this payment for now untill ur debt free from companies ( ie owe the church in ur head by keeping a record) and then when u can start paying ur 10% and more untill u hit back level again

also god is understanding and knows that u are trying.

i hope u understand what i am getting at

Will

jen_jen_2

holidays - can be done cheap and at no less enjoyment. I am off to spain in march for 30 quid with some other mse'rs, we will stay in hostel and because its planned so far in advance we will get discounts etc
this year have also been off to Norfolk for weekend and going camping this weekend with friends

so remember to plan in advance, might not seem very exciting but it will come around i can pretty much guarantee next september will happen, and as jo says check out the "oldstylers" they are planners and keep their outgoings low without losing out - in fact probably eat better than most.

and dont believe the hype, the fact everyone around you is going on holiday and getting a new kitchen and new car etc etc is probably all on credit and they will have to deal with it eventually, be proud of the fact that you can stick to a moral code you believe in and cause no problems to anyone else. wouldnt let the 0% debt keep you awake, 0% is not really debt is saving backwards

newfunk

My partner and I live in the South West, and everything is sooooo expensive.. When I was employed we were only bringing in £1600 between us, since Ive gone self employed, we have more money. however, the chances of us ever buying a house are slim....I feel for you, as it sucks when you work like crazy and end up with next to nothing to have fun....

newfunk

jen_jen wrote:

and dont believe the hype, the fact everyone around you is going on holiday and getting a new kitchen and new car etc etc is probably all on credit and they will have to deal with it eventually, be proud of the fact that you can stick to a moral code you believe in and cause no problems to anyone else. wouldnt let the 0% debt keep you awake, 0% is not really debt is saving backwards

Totally agree with you about people who are having new this and new that, its all on credit. I used to think, what am I doing wrong, but know I think, we have no debt, everything is paid for and ours, and also we only go on holiday, if we can afford it, and pay with cash, not CC!!

youngandreckless

Hey skint chick,

I feel your pain! I'm on my own now and whist I have a financial arrangement with my ex on our mortgage, it is near impossible to keep my head above water sometimes. I live not far out of london and the cost of everything is ridiculous, thats why it is fingers crossed for my promotion.
All I can say is hang in there, you're doing everything right and it can only get better as you plough through your debt and I feel that you should keep the mentality that if you can get through this on your own, you can get through anything. Thats what keeps me going x

homersimpson_3

firstly wherever they live single people seem worse off. whilst i sympathise, you are luckier than most- you earn substantially more than i do; have savings; have parents who have helped you and live in what at least seems to be a 2 bedroomed property. i have always been (and will always be on present evidence) skint and i've worked alot longer. i don't feel ever like crying. ok here comes the practical suggestions.....
why do you need to spend £35 at the gym? what can't you swim at local pool or use other local authority leisure facilities?
can you sell car and by cheaper one?
if you have savings use a reasonable amount to pay off mortgage and so reduce the interest you are paying - only do this if paying a higher %rate on mortgage than you receive on savings
why can't you work on saturdays and have a life? i still have one! do chores on some (not all) week days/nights and use saturday night/sunday as 'your' time.
get higher paid job (if possible). agreed easier said that done.
if you do rent out room consider consequences first especially loss of privacy. if you have to do it try it for say 3 months.
i think others have covered most of the other things i would have suggested and they're right- there are lots of cheap/reasonably priced holidays around.
don't be too despondent (i know it's hard). take care

mountainofdebt

is what if you gave time to volunteer for a charity instead of giving money?

That way you would still be giving to charity and giving yourself some sort of life as well.

se999

I know you are a Christian, we are too, and were able to tithe until we had children, and then we had no alternative but to feed and clothe our children. We believe we having a loving caring God, who knows exactly what our situation is. As long as the money you would have tithed is used for a purpose in accord with his wishes why feel guilty, is he really bothered if it is to feed and clothe you or someone your church or politics describe as needy or a worthy cause.

One of the hardest parts of being a christian I found was actually learning to accept help.

Is there someone at your church or prayer group you could talk to.

As other people have said time is an important donation, and prayer time is an important donation too in our hectic world.