Do you have financial worries... Ok. I'm not asking for anyone to be?

Question

specific.. but I am wondering because it kind of surprised me just how many ordinary people struggle every day to keep on top of things.. including me.. I've had to take out a £12000 bank loan to go to Bar school .... and you sometimes feel as if you exist solely to pay work and bills...

Also is this something that occupies your thoguhts a lot - bills.money, etc..

p.s I do have one child as well whose birthday coincided with Xmas..!!

Answer 1

Everyone has financial problems and worries that result from either stupidity or intelligence. Credit cards are a stupid way to get yourself into trouble, right? But you, like me, took out money for a really good reason...school. In the end you wont have this to occupy your brain. And yes, I very much often think of all those bills...its good that we do.

Answer 2

At one time no, four years ago. Not rich but the basics and enough to save and have some extras. I got "down-sized" after 20 years in an economically depressed area. My kids are now 15 & 13 and their Dad lives here. I'm part of the struggling middle class in America these days. Their Dad doesn't care. Minimum wage doesn't do much for the bills and keeping a house over our heads. It is hard to keep up when there are days you feel everything will just collapse like a house of cards. But love & faith will see me through.

Answer 3

Thankfully not now, although I am by no means well off. I have had to struggle in the past and I know how stressful it can be, especially with so much pressure to buy and do things you really can't afford to, particularly saying no to a child when they want what their friends have got.

It's very hard to say no, and to live your own life. Don't be ashamed to admit you can't afford something and be proud to be individual. Explain in simple terms the situation to your child. He or she will understand. You are obviously trying to better your situation, keep that in mind.

Work out a budget and stick to it but allow yourself a little pocket money each week however small. Turn shopping and cooking into an adventure - my children are now experts at finding bargains, and in making something out of next to nothing. And when you do go shopping make a list.

Answer 4

I think we all do one way or another. It seems that the harder you work these days the less you have. I work two jobs, one full time and one part time in a bar simply to maintain a standard of living. Although the more we earn the more is taken away, tax on this and tax on that. My Council tax goes up and up and I seem to get less and less for my money, the rest of my bills creep up at a higher rate than my pay! And the government are talking about adding more tax to use your car and this and that. It drives me crazy it seems that the people who work are doomed to a life of getting by while those that dont well get stuff handed to them on a plate... It so unfair that I have to budget for a trip to the dentist yet have worked even through Uni from 16 and never calimed a penny.....? May be we should all stick together and make a stance, close our bank accounts and refuse to pay our bills until the Government sit up and take notice, we live to work and belive me that is all I do!

Answer 5

i try not to let it interfere with my thoughts too much. it does bother me on pay day every month when i have to surrender over 70% of my wages and wonder if i'll ever have a social life and a bit of money to spend and enjoy. i will be debt free for the first time in ages at the end of January next year so i'll be truely happy then.

I think a lot of people worry about money a lot more than they should, there're more serious things to think about probably.

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Answer 6

I have come out of uni with a lot of debt. I am now paying it off, whilst also paying stupid money to live in a one bedroom flat in London with my girlfriend, as well as normal living costs. I'm on a half-decent salary but I still struggle to survive each month and wont be going on holiday for a while.

I worry that I'm going to run out of money, or not have enough to pay my debts off each month. Seeing as I already have a bad credit rating, these are things that can affect the rest of my life. It sucks but that's just the way it is.

The worst thing you can do is pretend it doesn't exist. It will always be in the back of your mind and will eventually stress you out. Make a detailed budget and stick to it. I always found this hard to do but you must be disciplined. Include any debt repayments, rent/mortgage, food (supermarket shopping and going out to eat), socialising, and a miscellaneous amount which can cover those unexpected costs that take you by surprise. If you have debt then make sure you talk to the company you owe the money to regularly to keep them updated on your situation and make sure everything is OK. If you can't make a payment one month then tell them, dont just ignore it.

Doing all of this will help to reassure yourself that it is all under control and you will stop worrying about it.

Answer 7

I envy those who have answered with a no. It's amazing that there are so many "lucky" people who can pluck money out of thin air when their washing machine and dryer need replacing at the same time and they also have car trouble. This happened to me this year - am still recovering from the £800 it cost me!!!!

Answer 8

Yep - my husband has his own up and coming business, I'm not making as much as I'd like to, and we have a baby on the way... Ack!

Not sure how we're going to manage...but I'm sure we will...

then I go in and see a lady dressed in grubby sweats at the Checkout line at Costco with 2 42 " plasma TVs, 3 MP3 players and 5 Canon Digital Cameras (Christmas presents, I'm sure...), and I wonder "How the HELL can she afford all that??"

Yeesh!

Answer 9

Yep! who doesn't these days, especially when you've got kids! At least your loan is for something worthwhile and will pay in the end.

Answer 10

All day everyday!! Out of debt though next year! Yay!!