Anyone save to the extreme?

Jay83

Ok apologies if i am posting in the wrong area not sure where this should go really. I have been saving hard for a house deposit for over 2 years now. And now i think i might be saving to the extreme where i dont have fun but just spend on food to feed myself. Its so conflicting, part of me wants to save as much as i can so one day soon i can my own place but i wish i had more money to spend on everyday things. Like clothes, shoes, eating out more. Im slowing losing motivation and wish i could splash the cash. What does everyone else do? do you balance it out more and not put so much of your pay aside for the future?

Lokolo

Every now and again I don't save and instead splash out. For example, I did this last month. I got numerous takeaways, I went out weekends and spent loads. I made myself a cake, stuff like that.

This month is going back to being a tightwad.

Crab

When I was saving for my deposit, I saved really hard, and barely bought anything non-essential. However, you could die tomorrow, so it is important to live a little now! The chances are, you won't die tomorrow, and need to invest in your future, so do balance it out. I am glad I saved hard and went in with a decent deposit, in a few years I should be mortgage-free as we continue to live frugally, and then all money we earn will be ours. We do still go out occasionally, but view it as a treat. Same for clothes etc. I only buy something if I REALLY love it or need it. Find cheap things to do. Eat out at cheaper places.

welshmoneylover

I'm a right tightwad, it's a trait I got from my father and he's worse than me by not even owning a washing machine!

However, now and again I do splurge out a bit on the odd take away maybe a new jumper or something but only from George, never places like next or M&S.

wilksy007

I've been saving for 3yrs now. Extreme saving for the past 10mths and have almost managed to double my money in that time.

Myself and my GF always enjoyed shopping, so at the moment if we get the urge to spend money we buy something for when we finally get a place.

Milarky

Jay83 wrote: »

I have been saving hard for a house deposit for over 2 years now. And now i think i might be saving to the extreme where i dont have fun but just spend on food to feed myself. Im slowing losing motivation and wish i could splash the cash. What does everyone else do? do you balance it out more and not put so much of your pay aside for the future?

Do you save by having a set amount taken from your bank each month - just like any other 'bill'? When saving is regarded as budgeting ('little and often' etc) rather than 'binging' is becomes less conscious, less stressful and more sustainable as a result. Don't be discouraged by the amount you have saved in (just!) two years - just by making it possible for yourself to have saved consistently, you have passed and important milestone - and the 'miles' will start to pass you by more and more quickly as you contine, you should find.

Jay83

I love seeing my savings increase but i hate that every month i feel so broke!! I would like to just get this out of my system and have a nice month with money and not save but i only signed up to the regular saver accounts afew months ago so my money is tied up for a year. The only other spare cash i have is for xmas and its too close to that for me to touch this.

I love the security that having that money in the bank brings but when you feel like you are living your life as a hermit is it all really worth it? :S

welshmoneylover

I save $h!t loads of money per month, yet when I check my online current account balance I actually feel quite poor!.:o

Pathetic aint I? lol :rolleyes::rotfl:

thumshie

Most regular savers allow you to alter the amount each month. you could adjust one months deposit to the minimum -£25? - and splurge on the rest, only down side is if you enjoy yourself too much you won't continue saving the subsequent months.

ses6jwg

I am generally careful with what I spend but I do splash out sometimes and treat my family.

But for example when we go to the supermarket I always insist on buying "own-brands" and things like that.

The way I save which I find to be effective is to use my 0% student overdraft which i have for another 2-3 years.

Every month I get paid I set the balance back to £0 - anything above that gets put into a savings account. I get about £1300 a month after tax, and end up putting around 2-300 into savings each month.

Then repeat every month, live in 0% overdraft of £1000, pay off overdraft to £0, then anything above that into savings.

Obviously this cant go on forever but its useful while I can.

BusPass_2

I am saving like mad but my weakness is cheap Ryanair flights. They have a £1 sale on today. Malaga, Paris, Milan £2 return. Stay one night. Try to pick up cheap accomodation.

I am lucky. I pay for these out of my overtime so it doesn't impact on income or savings so I am able to achieve two goals, save and spend!

Otherwise I am regularly on the Money Savings Boards for everything from menus, to shopping, to finding money, saving, what small debt free wannabe things have you done today etc etc.

I am in front of the game but still get a thrill from a freebie or cheapie. I can't ever see me going 'top of the range' It's a state of mind now rather than a series of actions.