When economising would you start with the big stuff or the little bits?

Spendless

Wasn't sure where to put this question but reckoned you guys on here ae probably the best on answering questions about economising.:)

Hubby will be taking a pay-cut from next month. I am job-searching (and getting nowhere!). So we need to start making cut-backs.

I need to start with 'baby steps' for hubby. Would you start by cutting out 1 'biggie' eg the shopping bill or making sure he always takes a packed lunch or would you start with smaller things like stopping having sunday paper delivered (only one we take) and when the kids tire of their after school activities pack them in and not replace with another.

spam.jam

Spendless wrote: »

Wasn't sure where to put this question but reckoned you guys on here ae probably the best on answering questions about economising.:)

Hubby will be taking a pay-cut from next month. I am job-searching (and getting nowhere!). So we need to start making cut-backs.

I need to start with 'baby steps' for hubby. Would you start by cutting out 1 'biggie' eg the shopping bill or making sure he always takes a packed lunch or would you start with smaller things like stopping having sunday paper delivered (only one we take) and when the kids tire of their after school activities pack them in and not replace with another.

hello:D
i have had to make some changes in our house over the years. its much more fun to involve everyone, saving money is good for your whole family. we all have charts, spreadsheets and graphs on the wall, even my 10 year old saves her pennies in a jar for magazines. rally the troops and start small, they will soon get into it and start on the bigger things x

Numpty_Monkey

The shopping is probabley one of the biggest and will have a more imediate affect so thats a good place to start

RAS

Ideally I would sit down together and work out a realistic budget based on your new income. If you cannot do it with him, do it yourself and then I would be sneeky

What things do you control decisions about? You can cut those without him really knowing.

Then find the most cost effective cut amongst the stuff he controls and ask him to cut that back.

makeup

Hello

Personally I would draw up a budget - work out how much you need to save first.

I think it is important to do this together so both of you can see where money needs to be shaved off.

It would probably be a good idea to do a SoA so that you can see where you currently spend your money.

Maybe it would be a good idea to decide with your husband what one thing you can't live without would be. This is different for everyone, I know some people on here have things like regular manicures, takeaway on a Saturday night, Sky TV.

And then work around that. The weekly shop is a good point to start because it is surprising how much you can shave off the shop without actually sacrificing anything. Especially if you do a meal-planner, take advantage of special offers and 'downgrade' (ie. stop buying branded stuff and get the own-label) There is also tons of advice on here so if you decide you want to cut down spending on food shop, kids activities, entertainment etc - just post on here and you will get a lot of advice.

Also make sure you are getting the best possible deal for your internet, phone, gas, electric, water etc etc.

Good luck!

baby_fuzz

i'd start with the shopping and packed lunches - like you said. then I'd spend a weekend getting all insurance, gas, electric etc sorted out (if you ahven't already).
Don't get rid of treats entirely though - as you need them once in a while. (eating out, take aways, cinema etc) Just have less frequently - and then they will feel more like a treat!

Spendless

RAS wrote: »

Ideally I would sit down together and work out a realistic budget based on your new income. If you cannot do it with him, do it yourself and then I would be sneeky

What things do you control decisions about? You can cut those without him really knowing.

Then find the most cost effective cut amongst the stuff he controls and ask him to cut that back.

Thanks for the replies. We won't know the new income until the end of march as the cut only takes place from next month. I'm guessing at £100-£200 less though.

I do the supermarket shopping the majority of the time. Kid related things are usually down to me, eg I have made the decision to send them to after-school clubs such as Beavers, swimming etc and usually as they've tired of one found them another to do. But that is a useful tip thanks, I will just change the things that he has no control over.;)

Hubby's name is on most of the bills (stemming back many years when we bothed owned a house each so we had our own name on the bills relating to our own house) meaning he has to deal with changing suppliers.

RAS

Spendless wrote: »

Hubby's name is on most of the bills (stemming back many years when we bothed owned a house each so we had our own name on the bills relating to our own house) meaning he has to deal with changing suppliers.

Right now may not the the time but get him prepared for that being a major contribution. Also go through https://www.quidco.com or similar.

And if you have stored water, turn the thermostat down to 60 degrees; all you need is a large screwdriver.

Bronnie

I agree the shopping is a good place to start and easily in your own control. I have 'tightened up' on things like insurance, phone etc up on a step by step basis. I personally wouldn't have tackled all these things in a weekend, as you really need to take stock of your personal requirements, read up about your options possible cashback deals etc and make a measured decision based on your individual circumstances.
For example, I've spent a little while sorting out the most effective strategy (had great help from MSE) for me to cut phone bills, involving a change of Calling Plan on the landline to get free evening and weekend calls, cutting out extra services, reverting to DD payment, making use of friends and family discounts etc. A no tie-in contract of £10 per month (to replace the £10+ PAYG) on the mobile, gains me loads more minutes and texts and is now also used for all daytime calls. Little stickers on and by the phone, reminding DD when it is free to use. Also using email more especially for responding to companies, the Council etc . Doubtless, someone will tell me I could have shaved even more off by doing xyz, but the changes have made a significant saving for me but do require a little discipline from all users in the family.

whatatwit

Spendless, do you have access to the bills?
You could use the details on the comparison sites and then just enter the MPAN and supply details if you decide to change. You could still put them in his name, just use your email

Spendless

oK, well a few things are stopping anyway (by chance). I'm taking the kids out of asc at end of month, they are there 1pm a week so I can stop longer at college but the asc is finishing and another taking over and cos hubby pays by childcare voucher we would have to start up with the new company, which isn't worth it as I'm due to finish college at Easter. This does have the potential to cause my a problem during march re getting work done in time, but a combination of asking hubby if he can work from home that day and having IL's on stand-by and calling in a favour from a friend that I've often helped with childcare during school hols should sort it (hopefully!).

DD is packing in cheer-leading, only £2 a week but it's there. Not starting her on anything else though she has made noises about going to art-club, but since she bases what she wants to do solely on what her best friend is currently doing I'll leave that for a while.

DS -I'm taking him out of his junior football team. Was already considering this for non financial reasons but now it's a definate. He will still have violin lessons and swimming (afte easter) both free thru school and I'll keep him in cubs.

Will cancel sunday paper next week. I've taken to readng on-line during week, no reason why I can't do that on sundays too and hubby only skims the paper.

Am probably also going to cancel me having monthly reflexology session. Have to cancel next times anyway due to double booking so will explain situation to her. Understand what people are saying about treats but have several weeks of heavy expenditure coming up and a lot of going out which I'd rather call my treats and do without reflexology.

Between now and end of march I have no end of birthdays, my dad's 60th, my nan's 85th, both my children and my sisters twins.:eek: DS I had already said we would be having our tea at a play-area with his cousins instead of a party. DD I booked her birthday party a few hours before I got this news:rolleyes:

We are also going away for a few days in march already booked and paid for. I have been thru kids activities today and just selected a few to go on.
Once march is thru I have 1 meal to go out on, but that is a set price at a BYO restaurant so can be budgeted for quite easily.

Tonight we are out- again already booked. Instead of getting a take-away at end of night though, looked in freezer earlier saw we had a curry and couple of naan breads, went and got another curry from shop all with hubby's co-operation. He's just told me the mate we are going out with has rang up to ask what time our babysitter is till and will we want a take-away and hubby told him 'we'llplay it by ear' I asked him why he hadn't told his mate 'no we don't thanks' and he couldn't answer. This is what I mean by I have to take baby steps with him (and do most of it so he doesn't notice) or he will just sabotage my efforts.:rolleyes: