Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Bit of a mystery solved..........

For the past week or so every time I passed the dining room, I swear I could hear sobbing or crying. Very puzzling if you ask me. Finally I figured out where it was coming from. I tracked the noise down to my purse and discovered it was my credit cards crying. I mean the poor things were distraught when I pulled them out of my purse.

So I asked them what was up and they told me, they thought I had abandoned them, as I haven't used them in a couple of weeks. I was actually taken a back by this, as one, I didn't realize I hadn't used them and two, who knew credit cards had feelings?

So I sat down with them patting them on their heads, mind you it could have been their bottoms? And I told them, that yes I still loved them, yes I get great pleasure in using them, but I thought they needed a well deserved rest with all the exercise they have been doing these past few months. So I was giving them a break, not sure how long of a break, but a well deserved break.

That settled them down a bit, although my MasterCard wasn't as thrilled as the rest of them, as he gets used the most. Hopefully they'll all survive during their rest, I know one thing, Mr. Bank Balance will be a happy camper, as he gets a bit fatter!!!!

Seriously though, I have actually stopped using my credit card's, although as I said before the one I use the most is my MasterCard. I do have some bills charged right onto my credit card each month, as its easier and I can get the points. So I will never ever have a zero balance on my monthly statement, but at least it will be under $100.

One goal I have for myself this week, is also to do an inventory of the freezer and pantry, to see what I have in there, and hopefully eat out of them over the next couple of weeks, therefore reducing my grocery bill.

All this is going towards reducing our outgoing money and increasing our bank balances. I want to increase our emergency fund from 3 months living expenses to 6 months living expenses. That is a big goal, but is achievable if we put our minds to it.

How are you getting on with your money saving goals?

19 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for the smile & chuckle :) We don't use our CC's anymore - well there was the one exception when we had to buy a new washer & dryer but it's a deferred payment plan. I don't even like using my debit card unless it's at Loblaws so I can get PC points.

Ginnie said...

arhh poor old credit cards. Least yours are still alive most of mine got cut into small pieces and thrown away. I am so cruel!!

Caroline said...

Thanks for the laugh. Thanks for the seriousness. Sometimes I think your blogs read my mind.
Good One Gill

The Good Life in Virginia said...

i would like to say i am as dedicated as you to cutting expenses. i know i have enough in my freezer and pantry to make meals for weeks on end...and only need to supplement with produce and a few dairy items. now do i do that NO...bad me. i actually am shocked when i return from the grocery store and realize what i have and how much it costs. needless to say i am on a path to change the way i shop for food...lol.

as for my other shopping...find it difficult when new cloths cry out "BUY ME"...now do i need more new cloths...well, that is a tough one to call. it will be a tougher sell to curtail my clothes shopping...lol.

QuiltedSimple said...

Too funny! At least yours are still alive to talk - we cut ours up a year ago and have been credit card free since.
Kris

Susie H said...

Our CC's are also on a bit of vacation right now! Like your idea of dining from the freezer and pantry - i need to be doing this more, and CHECKING it before i make the next week's menus. That'd help :)

stitchersanon said...

I have just discovered your blog and am glad I did. I am 'that British woman' in Ireland and we have been cruncing that credit as well. I now have no CCs, apart for one emergency one which hibernates during the winter. We are now fairly debt free and when we moved here we even had a multifuel range fput in so our heating and water comes from coal and wood...more efficient and a darn site cheaper than oil!
I think counting the pennies and wasting less benefits all, especially in Southern Ireland where food is on average 26% dearer than the rest of Europe!
lol
gaynor

CannedAm said...

Good for you!

Although, I did think you had a ghostie for a minute there :)

Janet said...

We are also trying not to use credit cards. We have paid off one, and only owe about $100 on the other. We also have a set amount taken from our checking account and put into our savings each week. And we make an extra payment off our mortgage every month.

the happy quilter said...

The Jamie Oliver book has lots of recipes which I would probably make for the family rather than stuff that is too fancy. Shop around though, I paid £10 from The Book People who sell direct to work places, the cover price is £25.00. I would rather have spent that on a meal out.

Good luck with your money saving campaign.

Diane at Crafty Passions said...

I think more people are giving the cards a little rest,I only use mine on holidays, then pay them off fast when I get home again.I got caught once in my life with those darn things its too easy to use them, much too handy you can get yourself in a pickle very quickly.
I don't owe a penny to anyone and I will remain that way.((My goal))
Diane

Gill - That British Woman said...

glad you all liked the post. Also thanks for your ideas as well.

Gill

Voz do meu Coração said...

his blog this magnificent, with all these beautiful pictures that I love. Congratulations.
Besides all the good things you can learn here.

cheshire wife said...

Amusing post. My cards don't seem to mind not being used - well they have never complained.

I spend in fits and starts depending on whether or not I am working.

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Gosh...you are so organised Gill! I think I need some lessons :-) So I'll come back for more...

Evelyn said...

My credit cards haven't been used in about 3 years, I wish I had one for emergencies like my broken car this week. We aren't eligible anymore but hope to be someday! evelyn

Sandi McBride said...

I'm still laughing over your boohooing credit cards! Luckily we paid off everyone of ours before I retired so I COULD retire. Now if we don't have the money for it, we don't need it. I've canned everything I could from the garden (beans, peas, carrots potatoes and tomatoes) and that helps a lot. But I'm sunk when I hit Lowes! I love that store, lol! Sounds like you're doing the right thing in this day and age, and I say good for you!
Sandi

DeniseinVA said...

Great post Gill, I wish I had time to pop in this morning before I went off to work. Oh well, I had a good chuckle tonight.

Tea Time With Melody said...

This cracked me up. Great.

{{{SIGH}}}

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