Cash not Card

Magentasue

tesuhoha wrote: »

I find cash difficult because Im not very good at totting up the total of what I have spent as I go round the shop. I find it much easier to do my food shopping on line as you can check how much youve spent and you can go back and change any impulsive buys. The temptation is not so great either. I just buy enough milk and stuff for the week so we dont run out although we sometimes run out of fruit. I find the most economic way to shop is once a week and then just getting through the week on what youve bought without visiting any shops.

I can see that - I always round up to the nearest pound so £1.69 becomes £2 in my head. If it was £1.39, I'd twin it with something else and call it £3. I can keep a track of whole numbers for a trolley full and I always come out with change. Milk is a problem for me because, although I have a big fridge, I can only store about 30pints and that's not enough for a week.

tesuhoha

My husband thinks I should use cash as thats the way we used to work, and I do like the idea. I might start doing it again if things get much worse. However, the online shopping is working for me at the moment.

My husband brought it home to me last night about how much things had changed with us. We had fresh shelled peas with our lamb chops and as he podded them and put the pods in the bin he reminded me of how we used to make soup with the pods, how we used to boil up chicken bones, make bread pudding and bread and butter pudding from leftover bread. Im not as good at moneysaving as I was years ago. This throwaway society has got to me but I will be going back to my old ways I think - when I get some time....

Mariel

My 'cash only' plan has been temporarily scuppered - both cashpoints were out of order and the girl on the till said you're only allowed £50 cashback. I didn't know that, not really a fan of cashback as it iakes too long to show on your account. I'll have another bash tomorrow.

LameWolf

I use credit cards, but each purchase is meticulously recorded on an Excel spreadsheet, and the money allocated to pay for it. I pay the card off in full every month, and have in fact never in my life paid interest on a credit card!

I also run a similar spreadsheet to keep Mr LW's finances in order.

Sweet_Pea_2

At the beginning of the month I work out the budget for the month and then withdraw a months worth of cash in one go. I even work out what change I need and withdraw it from the Post Office, (do get a few odd looks withdrawing 36 pound coins and 7 50p's etc!) then I sort it into labelled moneybags and stick it in the cash box at home. Then when I go food shopping I get some cash from the food envelope and if I'm going to the hairdressers I get it from the hair envelope etc. Its very anal and laborious but it works for us! Also I feel a bit smug paying for things in cash! It helps me stick to the budget, I try never to use debit or credit cards although there is a bit on the visa each month, this month its my car insurance and OH's MOT, (which have been budgetted for) it stops me putting impusle purchases on the card.
I started to use cash because although we clear our credit card each month, I found I was using this months salary to pay for last months impulse or not budgetted for items, so always a month behind if you see what I mean. By using cash I have been able to "catch up" and stop the impulse purchases.

trigger2

I agree with many comments made here. I've recently gone back to just withdrawing cash from the bank & when its gone its gone, it certainly makes me think about things when I'm out shopping "Do I really need it ?" etc & I've also stopped the impulse buying of things that are on offer. What I do is write my shopping list online to price it up, then I take that amount of cash with me (& preferably no children !)

regards

trigger

lilac_lady

I tried every method of sticking to a budget but always failed until I changed to a weekly cash amount. It really concentrates your mind when you shop as you don't want to be embarrassed at the till if you don't have enough money. Don't take your switch or credit card "just in case". That doesn't work!.

maman

Very thought provoking posts. I use my Asda credit card which gives vouchers for Christmas and also 2p a litre off fuel. Obviously not everyone has access to the same shops/markets. What interests me though is if you take a budgetted amount of cash out with you, doesn't that stop you making savings on reduced/special offer items?

moanymoany

I find cash difficult. What I do is have a Tesco Clubcard plus account. Each month I have a certain amount paid in and it is used for all food and petrol.

It works well - and it gives double points.

moanymoany

I find cash difficult. What I do is have a Tesco Clubcard plus account. Each month I have a certain amount paid in and it is used for all food and petrol.

It works well - and it gives double points.

You can keep receipts and phone to find out how much is in there.

I do my main shop on the internet and dh pops in for milk and fruit top ups weekly. With meal planning it works for me.