In these hard budget testing times what do you STILL spend money on that isn't an essential?
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We've all discussed how we're cutting back on food bills, buying cheaper brands, switching lights off, using the car less etc, but what have you not cut back on, or given up, perhaps at the expense of something else? I guess the answer for some will be smoking, but I'm interested to hear what else gets itself to the top of the 'priority' list.
Responses (5)
Well Lillie I complete financial statements with people on a daily basis and I find that people will always prioritise those minimum credit card repayments, simply to keep that 'line of credit' open, even though they are digging themselves in deeper every month.
Next comes the Provident £50 a week at the front door ( cannot upset the Provvy lady! ), that 'must have' car loan and that £70/month Sky bill.
I interviewed some people a month ago whose smoking bill was £13/day which equates to £400/month ( although they couldn't see the maths! ). I saw them again last week and they stated they had no intention of giving up the fatal weed as 'it got them through each day'. How sad is that?
And as a result of their addiction, their debt situation rises by hundreds of pounds every month. How do you solve a situation like that?
Ah Wendi I must confess it would be hard for me to give up my tipple during the weekend.
As most of you know I'm partial to the odd G&T and a glass of wine and I definitely won't compromise on the quality.
In fact it will be a dark day indeed when the Lillie household dries up.
In my case, wendiew, books...I have a serious book addiction! But I rarely buy a new one, mostly second hand from charity shops. :-)
Sky T.V .... but reflecting perhaps not as my husband would drive me mad if he did'nt have a reg dose of Sky Sports which coz he is watching now I am on this site . The weekly bottle of wine is essential!
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Unfortunately Snoopy we can't, our company deals with some 100,000 new clients a year and the number who want something for nothing and aren't willing to make necessary cut backs like this is unbelievable.
Wait for them to get a CCJ and watch them come running, bankruptcy is the only thing that will ever give them a release if they are in that situation - as you will be aware. Only thing with bankruptcy is good luck telling the IP that you want £400p/m for smoking, they'll just say no and if you don't pay we'll deduct it through attachment of earnings.
And good luck to them sustaining £400p/m on cigs when they can't get credit after being made bankrupt... some people need a good shake to wake them up if I'm honest!
Now then Snoopy I'm Lillie and this question was asked by our dear Wendi, I hope you don't have this trouble with 'all' the blondes in your life.x
Yes again you have raised some very salient points.
Hi, Lillie, as you know the G&T (and the wine) are not drying up in this household. I'm a blonde too and I also smoke - will Snoopy ever speak to me again, I wonder?
But we have no debts and, if we had a financial problem, we would obviously cut down on the non-essentials like food to feed the drug habits. :-)
Likewise, Feline! Well, except that I'm a fiery redhead! And, thank you for that comment, it's just put a massive grin on my face! :-)
Apologies Lillie, I had just been sent an email inviting me to join 'Cougar Dating' and I didn't know whether to go for a lie down or succumb. And of course, I should have got the right name but it's not always on the tip of my tongue lately.
Anyway, it makes my glasses steam up and as we all know, you can't be optimistic with misty optics .....
More tea, vicar?
LOl, now Snoopy go and have that lie down and succumb to those cougars !!!
Ha Feline yes of course you must get your priorities right, gin first then take it from there..
Thought provoking!
LOL about the gin girls, think of it as medicinal, on balance everything is relative!