tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post1930156691710778716..comments2024-03-19T08:35:01.699+00:00Comments on Love my life: Can we tempt you with more dosh?Meanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-50545000236506971292016-02-28T16:20:35.093+00:002016-02-28T16:20:35.093+00:00Well said Ilona! Well said Ilona! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-19314392351204379822016-02-28T14:28:07.820+00:002016-02-28T14:28:07.820+00:00Always good advice.Always good advice.LANAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05946005009680968861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-33698087917959321982016-02-28T08:42:25.883+00:002016-02-28T08:42:25.883+00:00This really should be a newspaper article Ilona, h...This really should be a newspaper article Ilona, have you thought of sending it in to some?Sue Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16463317651625459406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-13624927449403820562016-02-28T08:34:49.427+00:002016-02-28T08:34:49.427+00:00I was offered a credit card the other day when I w...I was offered a credit card the other day when I was in the bank and politely declined. As I've said before nobody holds a gun to your head forcing you to buy stuff, some learn the hard way. The only winners are the banks and the bailiffs. I am currently anti bank at the moment as my bank tells me that the cheque I paid in last Tuesday won't show as cleared funds until Wednesday! Honestly in this day and age where they can transfer millions at the press of a button! Archaic to say the least! <br /><br />Linda xxCrystalMoonCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09903091876032634142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-64527198024297671712016-02-28T08:29:17.734+00:002016-02-28T08:29:17.734+00:00I agree Amanda about the cost of posting Christmas...I agree Amanda about the cost of posting Christmas cards. I stopped sending them after working out that for the cost of a couple of cards I could go and have a coffee and socialise with friends - a much better experience.CrystalMoonCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09903091876032634142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-3494953183983196832016-02-28T01:18:08.212+00:002016-02-28T01:18:08.212+00:00Twenty five years ago I lived in Surrey, came from...Twenty five years ago I lived in Surrey, came from Scotland, only stayed 6 months .Barclays were a nightmare, said I owed them £100. Paid it then forgot about it, they said accumulated £300 interest before I paid, drove me and my mum n dad crazy. Paid £800 interest over 6 months on £100, we couldn't get rid of it!.learnt a huge lesson. <br />Avoidbarclays like the plague!.<br />Every month another bill!.Kirriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03022740555969646104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-51258376136182856592016-02-27T23:24:26.126+00:002016-02-27T23:24:26.126+00:00Some people just don,t understand budgeting at all...Some people just don,t understand budgeting at all!. A woman at work is always skint a few days before pay day, not a penny to her name, borrows off other staff . She has scrounged bus fare from me at end of month, never pays it back!.<br />She had a council house could have bought it for £30000 sold it for £130000, but no she said was horrible so went to private housing association paying £560 a month forever. Was clean sparkly but basically a bed sit I give up!.<br />Won,t ever give her bus fare again, spends hundreds every month on designer clothes. Brags about posh clothes Erm but asks for bus fare and food at end of month!. CrazyKirriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03022740555969646104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-12414513592043003222016-02-27T21:33:35.620+00:002016-02-27T21:33:35.620+00:00Sound advice Ilona.Sound advice Ilona.Jane Reahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02162310024438075843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-12941777664757541732016-02-27T18:51:57.639+00:002016-02-27T18:51:57.639+00:00I have never had a credit card in my life and nor ...I have never had a credit card in my life and nor does my husband. If we didn't have enough cash or had an emergency we would use our debit card which is money we have in the bank, always making sure there is some there for an emergency. We save for what we want to buy. I have never wanted a credit card because you have the hassle of paying it before the interest goes on. I feel it's more simple without one. Not saying anyone shouldn't have one just that for me it easier to know where I am up to without one.<br /><br />Wise words on debt.Carol Caldwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02800245681845689902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-35009795303603763312016-02-27T18:43:31.184+00:002016-02-27T18:43:31.184+00:00I think most of us have had to learn the hard way ...I think most of us have had to learn the hard way that debt is bad news! Once you've been there and struggled, it makes you think twice before repeating it. Mrs LHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17070413740231580278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-62025984488133454402016-02-27T17:16:09.311+00:002016-02-27T17:16:09.311+00:00A very good post Ilona. I think many people fail t...A very good post Ilona. I think many people fail to read the small print and get drawn into borrowing money or buying things on credit because the repayments seem low. What they don't think about is the repayment period and the interest rate. I always prefer to pay cash for something and if I haven't got the cash then I go without. I also save for things rather than thinking I must have it now. KristelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-70362553787050373522016-02-27T15:32:52.378+00:002016-02-27T15:32:52.378+00:00I understand and respect what you are saying. Peop...I understand and respect what you are saying. People cannot live on minimum wage or part-time jobs because there is just not enough money to cover the basics.<br /><br />To me the answer is education so that a person can get a better paying job. Education does not have to mean university. It can be learning a skill like plumbing, electrician or, in Ilona's case, driving a lorry (a truck to those of us in the U.S.)<br /><br />Even education is often easier said than done because someone working part-time or full-time with variable hours (one day 7-3, the next day 3-11 p.m.) would find it difficult to schedule classes to learn a skill. (Retailers are notorious for scheduling variable hours.) I think there should me more apprenticeships where you learn on the job.<br /><br />I was lucky that my parents were able to give me an education so that I could work in a fairly well-paid job. I think it is more difficult for young people today and I really feel for them.Barbara M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06438114347870523265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-86668736845186164142016-02-27T14:37:20.008+00:002016-02-27T14:37:20.008+00:00Very interesting post and comments. I think, as ad...Very interesting post and comments. I think, as adults it's up to us to not get sucked into this merchandiser's dream of 'spend, spend, spend' (didn't Viv-someone who won the pools in the 60s and banked in today's money about £1million have that quote, 'I'm going to 'spend, spend, spend', which is exactly what she did do and blew the lot then ended up poorer than before). My point is, we all have a budget - even the Queen - and some folk can't help being at the bottom of the ladder, no fault of their own, but it's up to us to take responsibility and, importantly, teach the next generation to deal with money wisely. A few years ago, sensibly, my family and friends got together and agreed instead of maxing-out the credit card at Xmas we would give presents of £5-£10 and under, it was fun to use our imagination and very surprising what you can get for that amount. Also we stopped sending cards, partly due to the cost of postage, and some of us give directly to charity instead, cutting out the cost to the card manufacturers. It was quite a relief in January when the credit card bill came in! AmandaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-61818433973577405192016-02-27T13:51:34.720+00:002016-02-27T13:51:34.720+00:00Barclays are terrible. When we were having to sort...Barclays are terrible. When we were having to sort out my husband's finances when he was taken ill, we worked out that the emergency borrowing that was available on his current account was more expensive in the long term than the average pay day loan! <br /><br />Thankfully we no longer bank with Barclays! xxxAnn Hampshirehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1539379379708374/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-13786156166969498312016-02-27T13:16:42.570+00:002016-02-27T13:16:42.570+00:00A very good post Ilona, I hope the people that nee...A very good post Ilona, I hope the people that need to read this read and digest it.<br /><br />Many, many years ago married to my first husband we fell into the trap of consolidation loans to pay off lots of smaller credit card debts,and guess what things came up and we 'had' to spend on the credit cards again, and then his drinking got out of control and I used the credit cards to buy food, then before we knew it we were back to square one but with a loan to pay off as well. It doesn't work, it NEVER works. It's only the day you decide to STOP spending and sit down and work things out that things can begin to get back on track.Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177854521955532744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-49489223098716131322016-02-27T13:15:12.953+00:002016-02-27T13:15:12.953+00:00Wise words. I only have what is called a 'lig...Wise words. I only have what is called a 'light' account - I can't meet the minimum amount of money coming in each month for my building society so my account does not allow me a monthly overdraft (and other perks). I've never been caught out. NatalieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-49207192936481622112016-02-27T12:38:48.018+00:002016-02-27T12:38:48.018+00:00Why do people assume that debt is always incurred ...Why do people assume that debt is always incurred by people choosing to buy fripperies and treats? People sometimes have to use their credit cards to make payments to get transport to work or buy groceries. They don't have a back up fund saved up because there is never any excess to put away. They already live on less money than the most frugal of people choosing to live that way, simply because there is no other way of living as there is no other money to meet their needs.<br /><br />It is very unfair that poverty is often seen as being people's own fault. It really isn't! You need to have enough money coming in for those very basic needs before you can manage it effectively to cover them.<br /><br />Living on little money, within a persons means is easy if there is enough. It may mean that you have to go without some treats. Trying to live when your salary doesn't pay your basic costs (which are already as low as they possibly can be) is a different game altogether. Using a credit card to have a weekend break (because you deserve it) makes no sense. Buying your food in the last week before pay day does and is an act of desperation. There are lots of people who have to do this. Have to or else they don't eat. There is a lack of differentiating between need and want and blaming people who work hard for their inadequacies. <br /><br />Poor people understand budgets more than anyone and work miracles every day and bring up families on a shoe string. People saving for a rainy day and who own several properties on the proceeds (for example) are really not best placed to preach to these people (which some do). It is patronising and worse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-20276038085597746932016-02-27T12:26:07.197+00:002016-02-27T12:26:07.197+00:00My bank was horrified because I took the overdraft...My bank was horrified because I took the overdraft protection off of my debit card. I only use it, when I come to the UK to see my family, and need to get my money out....<br />The girl said" but what if you want money and there is none" in after horrified tone? I replied then I guess I won't spend any.....I REFUSE to play their game. They wanted to charge me $25 A DAY for an overdraft!lyndahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10273483704912191189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-78658708506465478472016-02-27T12:24:26.371+00:002016-02-27T12:24:26.371+00:00Thank you dear Ilona. Sigh...my OH (married 31 yea...Thank you dear Ilona. Sigh...my OH (married 31 years this past January) uses his cc chronically. Mine are PAID OFF end of each month. He has two cc's; the majority of his addiction is on one. I literally forced him (huge rift in marriage for a time) to shred the ATM card after catching him use it after he promised 'I'm not using the cc!' Ugh. That was about six years ago. He's not charging the gargantuan amounts he once did, but the addiction lives. ... He retires soon (few years) and the reality of his folly is the only thing making him pause now. The pause is not the same as NOT USING, but thank God...something. From Queens, NYAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-12553641016284335442016-02-27T12:11:43.047+00:002016-02-27T12:11:43.047+00:00That is a brilliant piece of advice and a brillian...That is a brilliant piece of advice and a brilliant piece of writing, Ilona. As you say, managing your money isn't rocket science. You list all that you must spend in the month, deduct it from what you have coming in by way of income/pension, and then what is left you have to spend. If you then divide that money between the days until you next payment goes into your account, you are left with a daily budget. If you don't spend for two or three days, then that budget will go up, if you overspend on a day, it will go down. This might be a simplistic way of handling money, but really it's just simple logistics. And if only the language reverted to what it used to be before we had 'credit' cards. Credit is actually DEBT.<br />Margaret Pgalanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190356279359463949noreply@blogger.com