advice needed -newbie saver

reisse03

hi there, i have spent most of 2009 with no money left at the end of the month and was looking for some advice because i dont want t0 spend 2010 the same way.

reading these forums over the past few weeks have helped but i really want to kickstart it now.
here is a rundown of things, any advice is appreciated

im a single mum, with 2 jobs. altogether my income is about £1700 a month. SAving is totally doable but i am still skint.

I have just finished paying off my car which was £199 per month so that will be saved immediately and i have reduced my car insurance by £14 a month by switching when policy was up.

Here are my outgoings (monthly)
£270 rent
£82 council tax
£80 gas and elec
£240 petrol (i know its a fortune but i travel 3 hours daily for work)
£150 food
£50 mobile and broadband (that is not adjustable)
£24 gym membership (this is discounted through my work from £39)
£42 car insurance
£9 life insurance

these are more or less the only essentials so i cant tell you where the rest of my money is going. We did have 2 holidays this year, one abroad, so that was a big chunk.

THis year i am going to start writing everything i spend down and only take cash out, leaving my debit card behind
how does this sound

trying_2_b_good

GOOD LUCK! I'm a newbie saver too, so no real tips, for you yet! I'm starting to write everything down and categorise it - how much I spend on car, house, phone, clothes, beauty, entertainment, food, gifts...

Then month by month I'm going to try to reduce it! You will probably be shocked to see how much you spend on entertainment and clothes - I know I was!

Oh - and set challenges! Like no new clothes until your ISA is full...

Hardup_Hester

The only advice I have is to move money from your current account to your saving account on pay day, that way you can't be tempted to spend it.

goldenstar2k9

Try setting up a standing order each month to a savings account, even if its just something as little as £20 to begin with and then increase thiis by as little as £5 a month and your savings will soon grow. just becareful who you bank with, you cant trust anybody these days.