Tips and Quick Questions on “How To Start Being Old Style”

JulieGeorgiana

dom300186 wrote: »

i thank you for all of your honest replies, i am glad i gave my partner my bank cards and i told him i cant do it to us anymore spending money when i dont actually need too, i think being frugal at this time and defo in my future is key to not get in trouble again.
i made a spag bol last night so instead of chucking it in the bin ive made chilli out the rest which means hardly any cooking for me tonight.
ive just made some hand wash cause we had non left, which means i dont need to walk to the shop to get any which also means im not tempted to get anything else.
I think last night i thought this has to stop now!! and whilst im off im going to spend my time doing bits round the house to keep me busy which should stop me spending.

That's a very good start! Good Luck and keep us posted on how you are doing...!

miecherox

Iris_Blue wrote: »

I think the issue here is yourself , buying things no matter what it is.

I'm sorry Dom I totally agree with iris blue, you're asking for help to stop spending and you're beginning to recognise that you're spending for no reason but your solution is to spend more. There is lots of advise on here but to change straight away is a hard task (I know).
It brings me out in a cold sweat to leave my bank cards on the shelf at home... What if? always springs to mind. What if despite having half a tank of fuel I run out on the 3 mile school run? What if I get into town and suddenly need a drink or remember I need milk?

All real fears when you're used to the security of a piece of plastic and all totally avoidable if you just plan.

Work out how much you need a week - EVERYTHING - I include childrens dinner money, fuel money, football money, pocket money and groceries and put it in envelopes on a Sunday. I do not take any more money out in the week. What is in my purse has to last. And despite being down to only a bit of milk some days and a bit of washing up liquid we've survived so far and are on the long road to spending recovery.

Good Luck

Linda32

Hi, Lots of help already offered, for what its worth, saving can be addictive as well, even just saving a few pounds every few days or so, it does mount up

I echo other posts in not making soap, as you have to buy the ingredients so you don't save anything. I buy either basic bars of soap, which are between 13p - 23p for 3 or 4 bars, depending on which supermarket you use. Or cream bath /value soap, whichever is cheapest, dispensed into ceramic dispensers, it looks nicer

I would imagine making you own soap only works out cheaper if you originally paid £2.00 a bar

Rather than bulk buying as that involves spending, try the lower prices brands, but only when you've already used up what you have.

The Grocery Callenge is very good, try having a look at that. I've really saved alot that way.

Iris_Blue

miecherox wrote: »

I'm sorry Dom I totally agree with iris blue, you're asking for help to stop spending and you're beginning to recognise that you're spending for no reason but your solution is to spend more. There is lots of advise on here but to change straight away is a hard task (I know).
It brings me out in a cold sweat to leave my bank cards on the shelf at home... What if? always springs to mind. What if despite having half a tank of fuel I run out on the 3 mile school run? What if I get into town and suddenly need a drink or remember I need milk?

All real fears when you're used to the security of a piece of plastic and all totally avoidable if you just plan.

Work out how much you need a week - EVERYTHING - I include childrens dinner money, fuel money, football money, pocket money and groceries and put it in envelopes on a Sunday. I do not take any more money out in the week. What is in my purse has to last. And despite being down to only a bit of milk some days and a bit of washing up liquid we've survived so far and are on the long road to spending recovery.

Good Luck

TBH I think you've hit the nail on the head. It's a bit of plastic, not REAL money and that's why it's so easy to spend with it.

It's scary stuff.

JulieGeorgiana

miecherox wrote: »

It brings me out in a cold sweat to leave my bank cards on the shelf at home... What if? always springs to mind. What if despite having half a tank of fuel I run out on the 3 mile school run? What if I get into town and suddenly need a drink or remember I need milk?

I remember this feeling! Now I will walk the 3 mile school run without my purse...!!

FatVonD

I'm actually worse with cash than I am with a card, if I have cash in my purse I'm far more likely to spend it on little impulse buys (or a takeaway, I can resist them when I know they'll make an extra charge for paying by card.) If I only have a card I can't use it for anything under a fiver so I don't carry cash at all (me and the Queen )

I recognise a lot of myself in you, OP, you need to find something else to give you the 'rush' that spending gives you, have you tried ebaying? (Selling, not buying!)

dom300186

i have had ingredients left from over christmas for soap making as used the caustic soda cold process method wich takes about 6 weeks then its ready to be used.
this morning i just grated some normal soap i had left over and made hand wash, so in future il be doing this.

JulieGeorgiana

FatVonD wrote: »

I'm far more likely to spend it on little impulse buys (or a takeaway, I can resist them when I know they'll make an extra charge for paying by card.)

This was me too!

takeaways the big 'treat'

Now I have the 'takeaway secret' and make my own (and I have a slicer which shreds the salad fine) and whenever I think of most takeaways I would rather have my own... they make me feel better (physcially, not as lathargic) and it's the best thing i've ever done.

You can batch make them so they are ready when you want them!

I think in the last 6 months we've had 1 takeaway! Used to be at least once a week!!!

And the preparation takes less time then waiting on a pizza to be delievered!!

HTH

miecherox

JulieGeorgiana wrote: »

I remember this feeling! Now I will walk the 3 mile school run without my purse...!!

OOoooooo You are so good walking! I love to walk but the thought of dragging four kids aged between 9 and 3 to school fills me with :eek: We're moving in a few weeks hopefully and the house we're buying is 1.1 miles away from school - no excuse at all to use the car. And no I will not have my purse in my pocket!!!

djjunk

Dunno if it would help you but before buying I always ask myself "Do I really need it?"