I Keep Spending Money I Don't Have

Elle00 · 22 July 2008 at 8:24PM

It's getting to be a bit of a b***er to be honest.

You'd think I'd just stop doing it really wouldn't you? But no. My bank balance hasn't been black for about three months now. I'm not even severely overdrawn and could clear it in a month - but I seem to be somewhat lacking in the self control department at present.

Any advice?

maninthestreet · 22 July 2008 at 8:26PM

Elle83 wrote: »

It's getting to be a bit of a b***er to be honest.

You'd think I'd just stop doing it really wouldn't you? But no. My bank balance hasn't been black for about three months now. I'm not even severely overdrawn and could clear it in a month - but I seem to be somewhat lacking in the self control department at present.

Any advice?

File for bankruptcy??

CoD_2 · 22 July 2008 at 8:31PM

leave all cards at home? or freeze them? only carry cash?

warwickroadroad23 · 22 July 2008 at 8:33PM

Don't bring any cards or cash to work, it's the only way.

I was the same. Few quid on a sandwich here, few quid on this there... Did not seem much money but it all added up.

Now, if I do not have cards or money with me it means I have to purposely come back to the shop if I want something. By then the desire has usually gone away and I realise I never really needed/wanted it anyway.

Elle00 · 22 July 2008 at 8:34PM

maninthestreet wrote: »

File for bankruptcy??

Why on earth would you say that?

Arlen · 22 July 2008 at 8:38PM

Have something to aim your spending at, big screen TV, new car, holiday whatever and focus on stopping the money you dont have and when the debt is clear and you have saved for the thing go out and pay for it in cash.

When my earnings got cut in half when I switched jobs (24k a year after tax van driving or 13k a year working in IT) I kept spending and ended up in a similar situation. Only having a goal kept me in the black.

SuziQ · 22 July 2008 at 8:42PM

Get yourself onto oldstyle, use the demotivator on right of site and factor plenty of no-spend days into the month-and stick to them. Write down every single spend,no matter how small so you can see exactly what you spend on/patterns etc and do as Arlen says-focus on the end-game!

Now,if I could only follow my own advice................................!

Elle00 · 22 July 2008 at 9:26PM

SuziQ wrote: »

Get yourself onto oldstyle, use the demotivator on right of site and factor plenty of no-spend days into the month-and stick to them. Write down every single spend,no matter how small so you can see exactly what you spend on/patterns etc and do as Arlen says-focus on the end-game!

Now,if I could only follow my own advice................................!

Ain't that just the problem though? Sticking to it! I know all the OS tips - I just seem to be completely incapable of exerting any self control of late!!

I'll have a look at that demotiver thingy now thanks.

Thanks above posters for the other handy tips too, definetely going to try leaving the debit card at home.

Horace · 22 July 2008 at 9:33PM

Keep a spending diary - so you know where you are frittering your money away. Draw out say £50 and make it last a month or more - when its gone its gone.

The Oldstyle Moneysaving board is full of useful tips on meal planning etc so that will help you cut down on your food spends. Take a packed lunch to work because it is cheaper than buying a sandwich.

Good luck.

tara747 · 22 July 2008 at 9:37PM

I keep buying little sparkly things in Accessorize... they may only be £2-3 each but it all adds up! Must stop. Also buy multi packs of biscuits/choc bars etc - more MS than buying individual bars but maybe I eat them more quickly! I really must stop.

elantan · 22 July 2008 at 9:54PM

i started an online spending diary bit on my diary ...only thing is from when i started it i seemed to spend a whole load more ....i found the having a goal and aiming for it helped me a bit ...need to think of a new goal now ...good luck with figuring it out i think different things work for different people i'm still struggling