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

baby_fuzz

Bronnie wrote: »

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.

Agreed - I meant more to take the time out to check all one's finances are in order, and I find that the only time I get to sit down to research all the available options, is the weekend.;)

Spendless

Just thought I'd post a few updates. Kids are at holiday playscheme today to use up my credit. Bit of a pain as I don't actually need them in childcare this week but in a 'use it or lose it' situation so enjoying the peace whilst I get my housework done!

Cancelled reflexology that was £25 a month.
Cancelled sunday paper delivery £1.95 a week-£7.80 for 4 week month. Hubby was only skimming paper and reading football news and I've taken to reading on-line.

Childcare vouchers stop this month the 'face value' of the vouchers is £56 not sure how much it will work out at that we save.

newlywed

I wrote a list out for OH.

All the things we could cut out and how much that would save a month (along with the amount of how much we overspent each month).

I gave him either/or choices. He decided sky had to stay, so other things went instead.

Gradually, as you keep chipping away, the things that seemed "big" aren't that important and you realise you can survive without them.

Spendless

newlywed wrote: »

I wrote a list out for OH.

All the things we could cut out and how much that would save a month (along with the amount of how much we overspent each month).

I gave him either/or choices. He decided sky had to stay, so other things went instead.

Gradually, as you keep chipping away, the things that seemed "big" aren't that important and you realise you can survive without them.

That's a good idea thoughI'll put them in a spread-sheet. Hubby works inspread-sheets all the tme and you can usually get his undivided attention by putting a list in one- even if it's only for the grocery shopping.:rolleyes:

Also forgot to say we took both kids to see what size bike they needed for their birthdays next month. We have ordered dd's half price at Tesco and we had £10 of clubcard vouchers that expired this month to use up (found under floorboards at xmas!) which netted it down to £30:T though had we waited 1 more day I got another £9.50 of vouchers in the post- ho hummm

Didn't find anything suitable for ds though. He'll be 9 and needs a 20" bike.

Pippilongstocking

Hey there - this may or may not help - not sure how old your kids are.

I gave my kids the choice of making up their own pack lunches so we drew up a list and I get a couple 'treat things' for thier lunches (which have now fallen by the way side as we now bake on a sunday - no need for shop bought bikkies) and we have no cartons but funky juice cups for school with 'proper' juice in them.

I have saved £15 quid a week on this - (its about 1.50 a day for school lunches here)

DD takes a wee flask with home made soup or pasta in it cos she likes a hot lunch.

All the wee bits add up.

I also write a cheque for guides, piano and everything once a month or once a term - then its paid for and its out of the budget.

Also been ploughing my way through the 'saving pennies thread' its fantastic and will have you in stitches and they all help you save a wee bit......
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=826963

Goodluck with it all - ignore my rambles if they aren't relevant!!

Much love to you x

Pippilongstocking

ps do you use your local 'freecycle' for stuff???

I look there for just about everything before I hunt off and try and buy stuff.

8/10 times freecycle comes up trumps.

Spendless

cheers for the tips:beer: hadn't thought about freecycle.

The kids are 9 and 6 next month. Eldest has 'hollow legs' and I've found a packed lunch on the few occassions he's had them have cost me more.£1.50 a day here too. Youngest has a packed lunch that doesn't seem to cost me anything extra as she has a small apetite and I can normally assemble her meal from items we already have in. They both have a tendancy to announce they are 'starving' the minute we walk thru our front door- and we live 2 minutes from the school so it's not the long walk home doing it! Baking on a sunday for the after school times and to add to dd's lunchbag sounds great-thanks.

will have a look thru the oldstyle thread.

Pippilongstocking

Great - I just gave away my DS age 9/10 bike (cost us £170) on freecycle and just advertised DD bike.

I pay the kids things monthly/termly to save me getting out a 'tenner' to give DD £2 for guides etc - it has saved me a fortune - money just evaporates in this house.

My dd has hollow legs - its scary - DS eats like a gnat even though he's 2 years older than her.

OH also has a 'treats' budget - for beer, choc, biccies, ice-cream etc - when its in his budget is amazing how much less he puts in trolley - doesnt take long then he was retrained......

beanielou

spendless~Just wanted to say that I think you are doing so well.:T