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Why is every month such a bl**dy struggle?

9 replies

aragon · 15/11/2005 09:38

Am so sick of struggling every month to make ends meet. Am green with envy at some friends we know who seemingly have money to burn (he works in the money markets and you should see their house). Meanwhile we are struggling to pay rent (can't even afford a mortgage). The house we're in is fantastic and I count my blessings when compared to some others and I know I should be grateful but today I am not - just fed up as yet another bill has come in and I can't begin to think how we're going to pay it. We haven't yet paid the rent this month which we should be able to pay next week, plus DS nursery costs while I work, plus the electricity bill which should have been paid last month but wasn't cos we didn't have the money.
We've "cancelled" Christmas except for small token gifts for people. DS has his birthday on 20th December and then Christmas five days later but thankfully is still too young to know about money and possessions and will be happy with anything colourful which comes out of a box.

I know I'm not the only one out there in this position. Hubby is self employed which is fine when the money comes in when due but not when he's owed money and ends up waiting weeks for it - he doesn't earn a huge amount as it is.

To make matters worse the bloody Tax Credit people have (for some reason known only to themselves) had him down as claiming jobseekers allowance since February (?) and have evidently overpaid us so I am just waiting to see how much we've been overpaid by and how they are going to take it back.

Fed up today as you can tell - tomorrow I'll be okay and count my blessings again (healthy, happy nearly 3 year old, a roof over our head (even if it IS rented), warmth, sufficient food etc - hey I'm feeling better already.

Would be nice just for once though to go shopping and think "to hell with it all" and be able to spend, spend, spend.

OP posts:
Bibiboo · 15/11/2005 11:36

It's crappy isn't it?! We're not rich, we're not really poor either, but we're not living within our means, and I hate being in debt. I'd cleared both our credit cards until Christmas came along and I haven't even been excessive with spending there.
Any lottery winners out there who want to shre with us?! If I win, I'll share with ouy aragon.

Bibiboo · 15/11/2005 11:37

but then there is the question, should I be wasting random £1s on lottery tickets?!

TwoIfBySea · 15/11/2005 19:35

Aragon, those friends who seemingly have money to burn are usually using credit cards and getting into serious debt. Very few people actually have loads of money to spare.

We rent too, couldn't possibly afford a mortgage and money is tighter than a ...nevermind.

I have days like that too where I grumble and moan (am very good at that as DH will testify) but I have seen what kind of debt "well off" people are in and am thankful we don't have that hanging over us. And the Tax Credit people are useless, typical government but fingers crossed that they haven't f*ed you up too much.

Go get your DH to buy you the new Phillipa Gregory book about your namesake and cheer yourself up!

margyfargy · 15/11/2005 19:37

You are lucky it is only every month - I am a single parent student and my income is quarterly (termly), and I don't have credit cards!

gigglinggoblin · 15/11/2005 19:39

have you thought of putting phone/gas/electric on direct debit. much easier and they also knock money off

sorry, nothing much more helpful to add

kalex · 15/11/2005 19:41

Complete hijack, but A NEW PG Book, called what? and is it out in paperback. Love Her.

and yes hate the fact that I never have any money and xmas is going to be a poor state of affairs in this house

kalex · 15/11/2005 19:41

Complete hijack, but A NEW PG Book, called what? and is it out in paperback. Love Her.

and yes hate the fact that I never have any money and xmas is going to be a poor state of affairs in this house

TwoIfBySea · 15/11/2005 20:03

Can't wait until I get mine as I really enjoyed her other books too Kalex!

The Constant Princess by Phillipa Gregory

Behind the Palace doors

One of the UK?s best-loved names in historical fiction, Philippa Gregory, returns with a passionate and sumptuous novel that tells Katherine of Aragon?s fascinating story, including her life before she married Henry.

While the history books describe Katherine as the barren wife of a notorious king, Philippa Gregory here paints a fuller and far more satisfying picture. After being betrothed to Arthur at age four, Catalina, the Spanish Infanta is forced to adapt quickly to the foreign customs of first Tudor court. Then when her studious husband dies, she is left to forge a dynasty, devising a plan to marry his sunny, but spoilt younger brother Henry. However, to do this means telling the greatest lie and holding to it?

Philippa Gregory proves yet again that behind the apparently familiar face of history lies an astonishing story: of women warriors influencing the future of Europe and of an untold love story which changes the face of a nation.

aragon · 16/11/2005 07:52

The new PG book sounds fab. I am married to Henry VIIIth (honestly -that's his job) so could be good reading.

Feeling much more positive today - no credit cards now thankfully so at least what we do have is ours.

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