NC as I don't want this linking to my regular username
Also, NB this is a thread to get my worries out of my system and perhaps get some advice and NOT a money begging thread, although I know MNHQ will post their usual cautionary advice - which I appreciate.
So... I have fucked up. May not be a massive thing to some of you but I am £400 overdrawn. It's crept up slowly slowly over the last year(?) or so. With the OD being easy to increase each time.
My husband, I think, may be suspicious of me getting into debt.
The way we split our finances is as we have always done it.
I get paid, work out my outgoings for mobile phone contract etc plus an amount to spend on what i want for the month. The remainder gets put into the joint account and DH draws from that for the bills we have. Historically they were set up in his bank account and we couldn't be bothered changing them. He also adds to the joint acc if he has money surplus above bills and his spending money but this doesnt happen often as ALL household bills come from his account.
We have always worked out money this way. I know it's a MN no-no to have separate accounts but thats how we work.
Anyway... recently we discovered when we decided to swap electricity suppliers that i have a carp credit rating. We weren't sure why and I looked into it. Turns out in cancelled a direct debit in 2014 for a phone contract and the last 2 bills went unpaid. Not a massive amount - £40 or so pounds. And as it will be written off my credit file in 2 or so years, it seems silly to pay it off.
Anyway... I went to renew a phone contract this year and couldnt get one with a new supplier in my name. For the above reason.
We have a decent amount in savings which has come purely from my husband being very good with money and savings. He is a saver. I'm a spend thrift.
We have paid for a few things this month which we wouldn't usually treat ourselves to. Husband messaged this morning when at work saying that we need to be careful as it appears we have't saved much this month. The £300 or so which would normally be saved has been spent on the afore mentioned items.
I am now panicking incase husband aska about my bank account. He's already asked if i was getting into debt sand i said no.
I have borrowed £200 from my Mum and will pay a further £100 of on payday on Friday.
So my questions are....
How do you manage to avoid the temptation of an easy, cheap overdraft?
How do I get rid of this guilt I am carrying? I cannot tell him because I feel, put simply, it would be the end of our marriage. Do I just pay it off and forget about it?
How do you budget and not get into such a bloody mess?
And finally, if you've read this far... thank you x