That guilty feeling...

AnnaV

Have to say that since coming on here I have managed to spend a lot less money, and as my bank balance is still looking quite healthy I have got rid of that horrible guilty feeling I used to get, always related to money (spending too much).

Spending is such an easy cycle to get into, but it seems really hard to get out of. However coming on here and seeing all these ideas has made it not just easy, but fun as well! And I'm not missing the things I haven't bought.

I know a lot of you will know what I mean as you are here to help pay back debts. The one that makes your stomach jump up to your throat and the blood rush to your cheeks...

Curry_Queen

I know exactly what you mean Anna, and I now get more joy out of not spending, or shaving off pennies/pounds where I can when I do need to buy something than I do from spending it.

The amount of money this site has saved me this year has been phenomenal, and living on benefits makes it all the more crucial, but it's now got to the point where I've saved so much that I'm in danger of losing my benefits as a result :wall: ... although the expenses I'll face in moving soon will no doubt take care of that and will see my savings account dwindle to zero again

AnnaV

Curry_Queen wrote:

... but it's now got to the point where I've saved so much that I'm in danger of losing my benefits as a result :wall: ... although the expenses I'll face in moving soon will no doubt take care of that and will see my savings account dwindle to zero again

That's awful! The government really doesn't like helping people does it? I can't believe they can do that. It really doesn't make any sense at all. :mad:

AnnaV

Was also going to say it's making me realise that there is so much pressure from marketing and advertising for us to buy useless things. From perfume to car ads we are made to feel that this will make us better than we are.

Feels good to be beating them all by say 'No!'

Curry_Queen

AnnaV wrote:

That's awful! The government really doesn't like helping people does it? I can't believe they can do that. It really doesn't make any sense at all. :mad:

It's not good at all but I guess it only happens in a few rare circumstances as they don't expect you to be able to live on less than they provide for basic living allowances (although this site proves that you can if you're prepared to change your way of life somewhat)

I do get slightly more than the average due to disability allowances, which is what has enabled me to save up the last year or so, but even so you wouldn't think that they could take that money away again if you don't spend it straight away, but that's the government for you :mad:

It gives people no incentive to save for future events though and just to spend every penny they have, which to me is a total waste and you shouldn't get penalised for saving, which could ultimately save the government money in the long run

For e.g. because I'm moving to a bigger property than I'm in now, I would probably be eligible to apply for certain grants or whatever to help with the cost of moving and extra furnishings/carpeting etc but instead I can use my savings to pay for those things if necessary, so I'm saving them money!!!

carol_a_3

Curry_Queen wrote:

It gives people no incentive to save for future events though and just to spend every penny they have, which to me is a total waste and you shouldn't get penalised for saving, which could ultimately save the government money in the long run

The same thing happened to my daughter, she's just graduated with a massive student loan debt but was a "sensible" student not out drinking every night and managed to put away some of the loan in a savings account. She signed on for job seekers allowance during the summer and was penalised £9 per week because of her savings. They said it was "income" where can you get £9 a week interest on £3500? The ones that spent all their's will get the full £45 per week. Anyway she's got a job now so no harm done. She's just got to pay back £12,000!