Proper Skint!!!

oreo7504

I've started to change my thinking too & started really thinking about what I need. I'm now being to really hate spending money

bathgatebuyer wrote: »

After I've paid my bills. I'm left with about £190 each month to pay for petrol - about £90 a month - and groceries so it is definitely possible to get by on much less than you are at the moment. I can't promise it to be comfortable, really it isn't and it requires a real change of attitude. The biggest change I had to make was the attitude change. Instead of thinking, "I want that", I now have to ask myself, "Do I need it?" I now actually find spending money quite distateful - I really can't stomach spending anymore!!!

It is possible - I've paid off about £30K of debt in just over 3 years and I've lived off that small amount of money for 3 years. Just remember why you're doing it, and accept that things have to change particularly the way you spend money, otherwise it will not get any better.

spartan59

With reguards to shopping, is it possible to eat a heathy diet while money saving?

I buy value cleaning products, own brand nappies wipes etc. But I don't want to eat rubbish full of sweetners and additives etc which is what makes up the bulk of value foods. Chicken nuggets with 5% chicken!! what is the other 95%???????????

Fruit and veg doesn't last that long, although I have now started to sort out a veg patch in my new garden but they won't be ready until late 09.

I do buy own brand products just not value, which has led to a reduction in our weekly shop by about £20 a week.

Pips_Mum

spartan59 wrote: »

My wife isn't the most moneywise of people and won't entertain shopping in cheap supermarkets as she feels you can't do a full shop in those and to a certain extent I agree although I have tried. I know many on here will disagree with that I think you have to admit that if you do your complete shop for the family in aldi etc it is through money saving rather than choice.

Hi Spartan
Well done on your LBM and the changes you have made so far.:T

I am on Maternity leave too, I am still getting some salary from my company but that is due to stop soon. As everyone else has said we manage on far less than the £950 surplus you currently have, work out where that is going and life will be much more content for you.

I went and did my FULL shop for 2 weeks+ in Lidl yesterday and got it all for £41. I know if I had gone to tescos or other supermarkets it would have been at least £20-£30 more due to the distractions of other products. I spend around half the time in the shop too, I get my list I tick the things off, pay and come home! When was the last time you or your wife went into one of the cheaper shops? You may be pleasantly surprised.

As for your wife not being the most moneywise, well neither was I to be honest but needs must sometimes and it soon becomes a habit and I actually enjoy now seeing my debts come down.:j

Good Luck

Jvic28

spartan59 wrote: »

Fruit and veg doesn't last that long, although I have now started to sort out a veg patch in my new garden but they won't be ready until late 09.

We leave the fruit and veg out of our grocery shop and get it from the market every sunday. For a few pounds we get a big bag of fruit and veg which lasts all week.

bathgatebuyer

I suppose it depends on what you mean by a full shop. My weekly diet consists of casseroles, home made pizza (I prefer home made as I can control what goes on it), stir fry (cook with water, not oils), vegetable soups, omelettes, baked potatoes, chilli and the like then I think Lidls and Aldi more than suffice. Meal planning helps as it means that you can work around buying specific foods in bulk and making sure you use them without things going to waste.

horsechestnut

Look on threads for money saving tips. e.g. Stardrops for cleaning products.
You don't have to buy everything at Lidl/Netto/Aldi, just the things that suit you. I only go once a month to Lidl and stock up on things that I use. See thread for items that people rate. And remember that not everyone has the same tastes!!!!
Do you have any Museums near you? These are often free and children like them. You can take a packed lunch with you.
If the weather is suitable, what about a walk?
Rent a DVD if the weather is bad. Or share them with your friends if they have ones that the children have not seen.
Often children like to "help you do things" like the garden or clean the car. They just want to spend time with YOU.

spartan59

I've just done my shopping online to prevent any impulse buys!! came to £80.61 so already £10 under weekly budget!!

I am going to invest that £10 in the make as much money from £10 challenge

spartan59

I think I really need to have a look at my shopping list because I can't see how everyone gets everything so cheap. We plan our meals and only buy what we need.

Wife is preg again so sometimes doesn't feel like eating due to morning sickness but other than that we eat everything. it must be all the fresh produce I think, but I can bring myself to eat cheap cuts of meat etc everyone must of seen Jamie Oliver!!!!

I think rather than play around with the shopping budget our main area for concern is where the rest of our budget goes!!! We should be able to comfortably spend £360 a month on shopping while still smashing our debts

spartan59

Just checked how much our car is selling for on Ebay and they are going for between £4000-£5000 which is at least £500 better than a dealer so hopefully we can pay off my credit cards, freeing up £200 to pay off towards overdraft a month.

That will also mean I can cancel those cards!!! Leaving my natwest card for emergencies!! It has £10000 limit and is empty.

spartan59

Another no spend day for me today. I am going to try to push out till next monday with out spending a penny.