Bagel cost me $39! Going cash only

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2002
Bagel cost me $39! Going cash only
5
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 11:22am

I am angry at myself. I lost my checkbook and recreated one and forgot about a $12.00 gas transaction. I am cutting it too close because I am so broke. Now a chain reaction of $111 of fees and I am now in the negative. Sick about the wasted money. Bank won't help because I got them to reverse fees last time (when it was actually their fault for not posting my direct deposit that morning but they don't see it that way).

This is a low point but a turning one. I am going to CASH ONLY!! I will keep $15 in my wallet at a time. I have no credit cards but that is enough to get me to work and back and a few dollars if I need something. (I will bring my checkbook in case of car trouble and a co-worker and I keep a $20 emergency fund at work).

CCCA starts this week! I am relieved and excited.
Friday is payday and back in the positive in account day.

I had a long discussion with bf this weekend. He is very financially responsible and his dad is a loan officer at a bank. (how embarrassing - my credit is pitiful). I told him that I am not a spender anymore, but struggling with the weight of old debt. He was going to try help me get a 0% loan but I told him no, I am a credit risk and I will just chip away at my debts with what I make. He said when he gets back in town we will put everything I owe on paper and come up with a good plan. I told him every dime I owe. I told him if we get married, for a few years I cannot get my name on a mortgage while I am rebuilding credit. I wanted him to know everything, know what he may be getting into. We have no secrets about everything so I decided to lay it all out finanically too. I am actually so happy and relieved.

Some perspective for me - I read an article about a high schooler who has no legs. He has nothing from waist down. I cannot imagine. My issues are small. I have my health. Thanks for board. It is wonderful. I put a celebration icon because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 12:37pm

Doesn't that "aha!" moment feel good??!! Congratulations on being so honest with your BF. It's painful, yes, but at least it's all out in the open.

Kathy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Wed, 11-16-2005 - 12:39am
Hi, IDP. Congrats on having that heart-to-heart with the BF. Better now than later. I am so jazzed about your "can-do" attitude in the face of obstacles. You can only look upward, my friend. Cash is a good thing. Just keep track of spending. You can do this! See if you can put a modest amount in the savings--either at work, or your own account. For emergencies only. Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2002
Wed, 11-16-2005 - 10:38am
Thanks for the support! I am excited to be at a turning point but scared. My biggest bad habit is floating - oh, this debit purchase run as a credit won't clear until tomorrow. Then it gets to be two days before payday, etc. I figure its for gas and food, so its ok. A bad habit!!! I am going to start putting each days budget in a daily envelope. Some day I will start a savings account, but I am behind on so many bills that I cannot right now. Oh, I hope someday I can be on the other side remembering these days as lessons learned unstead of still being right in thick of it!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Wed, 11-16-2005 - 3:04pm

Good for you!! I'm am so happy to hear that you told your bf everything. If the two of you decide to get married down the road, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that there are no secrets. It sounds like he's being supportive also, and that's a great thing too.

Pat :-D

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Wed, 11-16-2005 - 7:14pm

I wanted to jump in here. I lurk here alot. We don't have much consumer debt but student loan debt. I am sooooo guilty of the floating thing too! Ugh and have I gotten burned. I haven't done it in a while because it stresses me out so much that I would rather stress about not having any money till payday rather than stressing about that check posting too soon.
Just so you know you aren't alone and hang in there. Sounds like you have a great plan of action. Good luck!

Heather

Heather

 

 

 

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