*breathes a sigh of relief*

[andrewducker]

I'm crap with money.  Really.  I spent many years spending more money than I had, because I was completely incapable of not buying little things here and there.

I got myself mostly in order about 6 months ago - consolidated my various debts into one, and started paying it off with a large chunk of my income, with the idea being that it would take about 18 months and then I'd be debt free (and suddenly have about £400 a month more to live in than I'd been used to).

I still wasn't managing to live terribly well within my means though.  Take-out and reading material always seemed like fairly small things to pick up, especially when I was tired.  But this time last month I got so fed up with the situation (especially having overspent on things like WorldCon) that I decided I had to just not spend any money on anything frivolous at all.  Any books I saw would have to go onto the Wish List.  I'd have to live without instant food.  I wouldn't go out anywhere.

I wasn't entirely successful, but I was hoping that I'd done ok.  I was terrified to look at my bank balance until today- when it turned out that I _had_ managed to cut a few pounds off my living expenses, and despite a couple of chinese meals, I've at least managed to break even for the month.  Which wouldn't be good enough (I need to _save_ money, not just break even), but seeing as I'm also paying off this debt for the next year, I think breaking even will do me, until I've got that paid off.

Comments

[pisica.livejournal.com]

Well, I think not going out *anywhere* could add stress in and of itself - how about setting aside an amount of money per week that you're allowed to spend on anything you like? (Takeaways, social events, books, whatever.) You're not entirely depriving yourself or cutting yourself off from the universe, but you're also ensuring that you're still living within your means, and you don't have to feel guilty every time you drop a tenner at the Chinese place - or be terrified to look at your bank balance. :)

[andrewducker]

Tried that. It doesn't work. I naturally break rules, so not living in a state of constant terror means I just spend money. If was living in a state of terror if I spent more than £10 then I'd spend around £15 :->

And I am going out - this weekend (probably), so it's not like I'm denying myself everything. I'm jut trying to terrify myself whenever it happens, so it doesn't happen often.

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

You're going to a play tonight... doesn't that count as going out?

[channelpenguin.livejournal.com]

*shakes head* well, you are getting there.

I'm so glad I was brought up insanely frugal (and have had a pretty good succcession of really well paying jobs).

I've never lived beyond my means.

[andrewducker]

The well paying jobs certainly help a lot with that.

But then again, not spending money on books might have been good for me too :->

[channelpenguin.livejournal.com]

books are a necessity, not a luxury!

[taromazzy.livejournal.com]

The Boy WOnder has they old book problem, but has managed to reduce it to non-fiction only and borrowing from our resonably good library for fiction. except fro Terry Pratchet & Chris Brookmyre books, natch.

We only got out of debt this year - on pay day this August we went out for a meal to celebrate being in the black.

It'll come, one day X

[dapperscavenger.livejournal.com]

Gah! I so know what you mean! I'm a spend 'little and often' kinda person too and it really does add up. Adam doesn't - he finds it easy to save and then buys something big all at once which can be budgeted for. I don't know how he does it! I use those little things as pick-me-ups after a hard day at work.

It seems to me that the more money we earn the more outgoings we have. Despite both of us increasing our incomes lately, we still are having a tough time saving. If its not the mortgage its the cars breaking down, or the dog needing the vet, or needing new clothes for work. Bleah.

I think that breaking even is pretty darn good in this day and age.

[dapperscavenger.livejournal.com]

PS, christmas is coming. I would advertise your wish list blatantly.