Surviving on tight budget

Many work organisations offers discounts for their employees. Of course it depends of the company you work for , but I just found out that there are discounted vouchers available for me & my family. Also, again, depends where you work, but there are staff shops. For the commuters, I am not 100% sure but many organisations helps out there also with discounts!..just ask your rep or hr, would be so surprised how much saving you can do!

Pet owners & lovers! (That's ME!)...get creative. If you can't afford toys (which I must admit are expensive for pets), make something yourself!

Stolen idea from my lovely friend Rach - make a ball for your pooch out of used socks instead of chucking them out! Anything "chewable" for a dog is a bliss ☺.

Also take up crocheting. Making your own scarf, hat, ect..is not only creative and practical, but also soooo good for your own welbeing in getting peace with yourself. ..it takes stress away ☺

Visit library as Lethe (if I'm right) suggested. Many books on the shelves to choose from for your liking.

I guess if you won't look you won't find so best to shop around & get creativity going! ☺

S&B xx

Hi SB28.

I could give all my tips but its sort of deeper than this in a way. Its about a new relationship with money and realising that what we think we want and what we need are two different things.

Its about getting a financial checkup and the debts can only be paid back at an affordable rate. Modern life isnt easy for most of us but as you know gambling was never really the answer to that.

I just worry that threads like this make us look a bit sad. I just realise I cant have everything and I cant afford the expensive things. In the same breath why would I when a cheap bottle of beer goes down a treat or good wholesome food which I can afford.

I do have some nice stuff and I do save for some nice stuff. The mind boggles with what I could have bought with the money I threw away by gambling

I have nice shoes but I started realising that there are all sorts of markets for new looking barely used boots and items.

Im loving frozen mixed veg to bulk out a tasty tomato and basil soup but I have a thousand savings ideas like that.

More importantly Im learning who I am and I dont need a £120 pair of trainers to prove who I am or enjoy myself.

Its hard for most working people but its a d**n sight easier being gamble free.

Best wishes to you all

Thanks for the feedback Joydivider,

Sad or not, I'm afraid this is reality we need to accept.. I'm not saying tighten your belts till you can't breathe, I am saying, find the more affordable way to live/ survive.

Besides, in my observation, this thread opened more when few set of eyes realising how people on the other side of the fence has to live cause of our actions. Sad - yes...reality - yes.

I appreciate all the feedback. For me this thread helped & even if one other person found it useful, my job is complete ☺

You're right. Us CG need to change the outlook on the money. & if you look a little deeper between every line posted on here, It shouts out the appreciation of what we have no matter how small/ little it is.

Tip to stay warm during this weather: put as many layers as possible, wrap up, the heat of the body will do it's course. Hot water bottles can work a treat all day/ night long! Beautiful invention I must add ☺..also - drink hot tea, hug that cup like no tommorow as it generates warmth for your body (& soul ☺)

Xx

Joydivider i know what you mean about getting back to almost re-learning the use of money on yourself is important in recovery. However, some people have ended up in a position of having to max out a tight income even once the gambling has stopped and its not always possible. I had to do that for 5 months myself.

More than this, encouraging something like cooking that can be done healthily and to a budget can help in recovery. It can take up time that has been used to gamble in the past, promote healthier eating habbits and save money, all of these "normal actions" outside of the gambling world.

I know we have to be careful and understand the use and reasons with money but you can still save money and live a better life. That money for EG can be used to do other things to entertain ourselves without having to find additional funds. I think we all just need to be mindful of the reasons we use to cut back in certain areas but doing so can be beneficial.

All the best =)

Very sad to learn that Sandra has left the diaries. She gave me a lot of support and good advice whilst her humour always brought a smile to my face.

Hope she enjoys peace, contentment and happiness.

Wishing her well on her gamble free journey...stephen x