We`ve got a table lamp and matching ceiling lights that use thirteen G9 halogen bulbs between them. These bulbs cost £7.50 for three at B & Q, and our lamp and lights seem to go through these bulbs like there`s no tomorrow. I thought, sod it, I`ll have a look on ebay...Low and behold, I`ve managed to find a supplier that does eight for £4.99 delivered.
Since I`ve been in my IVA it`s hit home just how much money I`ve actually wasted on many, many things over the years...It won`t happen again.
Last edited by Goosed on Tue Sep 28, 2010 8:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea".
I totally agree Goosed, if I look back to when my hubby was earning his good wage (redundancy then took a job for half salary), I cringe, I wasted on two-three hols a year without thinking a new car every 3 years, the list is endless, we should in fact be financially secure now but it was pure waste.
I've learnt a very valuable lesson, unfortunately I'll be in my 50's before I complete my IVA only wish I'd learned when I was younger xx
Ebay is good, I've just bought a couple of bits that I was going to buy in town and saved a fiver! x
IVA final payment left the bank on the 26th January 2013...looking forward to a debt free future.
We have found a huge difference too and cannot believe what we spent money on before the IVA. Now we are creative with things - bargains from ebay etc. I think this will continue after the iva has finished. x
Its now time to start living and to make some some wonderful memories!
Read my blog at http://flow13.blogs.iva.co.uk/ 'Aiming for the finish line'
I will be 60 when my IVA finishes and hopefully about to retire!
I used to do Ebay beforehand and love it. I shall carry on doing it as well. I've got some stuff on there at the moment which is selling so will give me a bit of loose change to spend.
Must admit that I miss my holidays and that is one of the first things that will be reinstated once I've finised. I'll also be changing the car as well - I doubt we will do what we once did though and get through four in twelve months![:0]
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
We have never squandered money. We buy all our clothes (and the childrens) in sales. Never had a new car. Haven't been abroad for years. At the most we will buy two takeaways a month on a 'special' night (Thursday or Sunday).
I tried a bag of Asda 'value' corn flakes the other day, they were b***** horrible!
I know everyone can cut corners, I'm just not sure which ones we can for now.
Some foods are just as good cheap Imhotep but I agree cornflakes ain't one of them!! [:D]
Yeah I lived at home most of my life and yet saved nothing and do not know where my money went (No car, no Hols, no flash clothes, did not drink, never smoked!!). I have learnt a massive lesson and am glad I have, even though life is hard.
1st payment Oct 2008, last payment Dec 2013. Certificate received March 2015 due to PPI claim.
Some Asda value stuff is fine - tinned tomatoes for example and tinned kidney beans. We also have their cheap tinned tuna and that is ok as well. Their tinned soup is mostly ok and always good for adding to casseroles. Don't forget the mega cheap curry sauce as well, that's quite nice.
Mostly we buy own brands although there are somethings I won't skimp on - we have Branston beans and I do love Kerrygold spreadable butter. It also has to be free range eggs, barn reared at a push.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
We too have nothing really to show for the 'spending' though we have had a few periods over the years of jobs lost, new baby meant things needed, car repairs, house repairs etc., and the cost of living meaning my HK didn't always cover the food etc., and of course 5 week months are a nightmare.
We use a lot of Asda cheap stuff and to be honest I've never noticed a problem, I've always bought shops own brand...esp cornflakes LOL.
Aldi ones aren't bad. In fact their honey nut flakes are better than kellogs, simple because I feel as though kellogs are really hard to crunch and Aldi's aren't
I try to make a lot of my own stuff too, like chicken goujons. Slice a chicken breast and press into breadcrumbs...done !
Spending money is a gift to life...it makes you happy.That's the truth pure and simple;especially if you a girl or lady...no pun intended.
Why does life be just about having the basics as an IVA provides, it goes against the human spirit of been free and development.
Experts say rich kids do well in A** levels, go into top Univ, get top jobs...so isn't that proof enough.
Even if you have no money one should strive for it..it's normal...but spending beyond ones means to achieve that goal....now that's when the whole thing gets perverse. Henceforth, leading to the crisis we are having but there is a way out...THE IVA!
Then start spending AGAIN..the economy needs you.
Last edited by nomoremoney on Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm not rich but my daughter did well in her exams, went to a decent university and now has her degree. Unfortunately, in her chosen field there are too many people and not enough jobs and that is nothing to do with how much money we earn.
I'm quite happy to live a fairly frugal life at the moment.
I will spend again once I've finished, but it will be within my means. I've no intention of getting into financial difficulties again.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I don't think that necessarily 'one should strive' for more money - being happy with life is the important thing. I earn reasonable money, but I'm not striving for more as that would mean taking on more responsibility, which I don't want.
As long as you are living within your means it doesn't matter how much money you have.
I agree that happiness is paramount. I would quite happily have little money as long as I had enough to live on, I could provide the basics for my family and we were all happy and healthy.
At the moment we do pretty well on all three and I, for one, am quite happy.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I always want more but don't want the added hours or responsibility so am content with what I have. My main reason for debt is my hubby's salary was cut by a third and we continued the same lifestyle hence we ran out of credit. I've learnt a very valuable lesson and will not get into debt again by self-induced, however, I can't predict what will happen in the future so I'll never say never. x
IVA final payment left the bank on the 26th January 2013...looking forward to a debt free future.
I overspent from my first day at university when Barclaycard were so eager to give me my first credit card they filled in the form for me and sent me away with a balloon and a £500 limit. I just topped up my income for the next decade...nothing to show for it tho...and my £500 became the thick end of £30k. I did enjoy shopping enormously and am sure I will do again when I have the cash. But there will never be any fun in spending money I don't have anymore. The most depressing thing is asking myself whether it was worth it...NO. Ironically, since my income has increased to a good level I haven't been able to enjoy it because I've been crippled by debt repayments and now the iva. Money may not buy happiness but I'd rather be unhappy in luxury! X
Broke of London, we have quite a few similar experences! i started with a Barclaycard when i started university as well! Currently i earn a good wage, probably the best ive earnt in years and the same as you i can't enjoy it as my IVA eats it up, but just think at the end of this, all that money will be yours! i agree, its the little things which make my day, that trip abroad my OH paid for, the quality time we spend together not shopping! so much better off these days, not in cash but in happiness!
