Need a good talking to..

jayarr_2

Hi
I'm just coming to the end of the 2nd week of my month, and its looking like I'm going to go over

I've got £3 left over and altho I dont NEED to go shopping, there's a couple of things I could really do with-new mop-cats been sick in the night, and have no mop to clean it up-its not still there, but it'd have been much easier to clean floor than on my hands and knees..also want to give microfibre cloths a go..

I have spent on things this week that strictly speaking I didnt need-2 packs of the chicken fillets that are on offer in asda, so thats £8, gone from budget and unlikely to be eaten this week

Ive been doing really well with homebaking, making muesli slices, and muffins for in packed lunches and quite enjoying doing this

In the freezer I've got enough salmon fillets for 2 evening meals for next week (for 3 of us), 2 packs of chicken fillets-at least 2 evening meals next week, possibly with some left overs for lunch..and also I made a big batch of chilli, so thats another tea for next week..so in theory, Ive got 5 meals there already, with a little jigging around-son wont eat salmon, so try and use that on evenings when he's eating at gf's, and the chilli wont be eaten by daughter, but ive got some chicken dippers that she'll have on that night..

I'd really like some friendly words, as a student with no income, I feel guilty going overbudget when it doesnt feel like it's 'my' money I'm spending..last month I started going off the rails and never got back on track...am I really doing as badly as I feel I am?

Lillibet_2

No you aren't doing too badly. In fact it sounds like you are doing quite well, you have meals for much of next week out of this weeks budget! You just need to remember that when you go shopping next week. EVEN IF IT'S A BRILLIANT DEAL IT'S A EXPENSIVE WASTE OF MONEY IF YOU DON'T NEED IT!!! Make a list of exacty what you need, breakfasts, snacks, drinks, the whole kin 'n' caboodle. Work on the basis that you will use freezer stuff for the most part, write a ruthless meal plan. Don't buy anything, even if it is on specail offer, unless you need it & it's on your list. I find it helpful to price out my shopping list (rounding up) in advance so that I can see if my spending goes awry before I get to the checkout. When you're back on track & a bit more confident you can play around with your meal plan & list in the supermarket to take advantage of deals within your budget, but for now be strict in order to get back on the wagon! If you think you are likely to fail just take enough cash or walk so that you have to carry stuff.

With the hankering for mops, microfibre cloths etc, just remember these are wants not needs. OK a mop would be a big helop, but you got by without it didn't you. Work these things into your weekly shopping list as long as the budget is there for them, one item a week maybe. Better still, if you have time, look around locally for best prices etc. That way, you are satisfied that you will be getting one soon & you won't be spending over the odds for it when you do get it.

Finally, pat yourself on the back for recognizing that you are slipping & taking steps whilst you are still £3 under budget & not £3 over:D We all have our bad months, sounds to me like your bad month is as good as some peoples' good months so really well done you:T

squeaky

So if you hadn't bought the chicken fillets you'd be in budget? But miss - you have essentially "banked" them or the money, for next week. As you have banked some other chicken and some salmon fillets too.

If you've got stuff available for a following week, then you don't really need to take it out of this week's budget (take it out of next week's) or, just don't worry about it. You know that without the extra stuff (which isn't going to waste because you'll be eating it next week) you would be in budget. Wouldn't you? Own up and say "Yes squeaky".

I treat my budget as a guideline because I want to take advantage of special offers that I know I'll use later...

..blah blah blah...

..nice...

..so don't beat yourself up. You're close, and you've got extra meals squirrelled away that you won't have to pay for next week. So there

gwinnie

Hi jayjarr, i think you're doing really well. Those chicken fillets can be frozen for next month, so I'd take take them off next month's budget!

I've got two dogs so I sympathise on the mop. But my family have always considered mops unhygienic because they're slow drying and trap bits that germs can grow on. Plus they wear out, so are costly over time. I just swoosh the floor cloth around with my foot -- great exercise for the inner thighs, too! Alternatively, the old-fashioned string mops have a long life but I would disinfect them in a mild bleach soloution after each use, especially if you have pets.

flufff

Stick your mophead in the wash with some cheap washing powder.Ive a dog and cats and mine comes up superb.They simply unscrew.Worth a go x

jayarr_2

thanks..and 'yes squeaky'..!

i thought i was right buying special offers that i cn 'save' for following weeks, stuff that i'm guaranteed to use, the chicken etc-i get through at least 1 pack a week, and these are about 25% bigger for same price..

might see about going shopping with my mum and not spending-unless its a mega bargain- BOGOFs etc-but only things that i will def use, just as a way of spending time with her before kids are off school for the summer

thanks again

tawnyowls

Good idea - if you go shopping with your mum, you might be able to take advantage of other offers too; for instance, if you see a special offer on a product that you can't freeze, but know you would use if it was half the size, how about going halves with mum? Similarly, the bigger the packet of rice, pasta, etc, the cheaper it usually is, so you could buy a big one and split it.

kirstyreanne

gwinnie wrote:

I just swoosh the floor cloth around with my foot -- great exercise for the inner thighs, too!

My auntie uses a swiffer mop to clean her floor, but instead of buying the expensive wipes to clip on the bottom, she just clips in a cloth. When sh'es finished she can just wash the cloth in the machine & re-use.

Hope this helps somebody.......

SusanCarter

I don't think you're doing badly. If you bought extra chicken this week then you won't need to spend as much next week so it'll average out. Also I notice you only spent £50 last week so surely that means you actually have £23 left from your budget as there's still £20 from last week. Perhaps you are being too hard on yourself by trying to stick to a weekly limit. As long as you average out over the month so you haven't gone over the monthly budget I think you've done well.

:T :T :T :T :T :T

jayarr_2

Thanks for that, I ended up going to meet a friend for coffee, and while I was out popped into local £shop and spotted some microfibre cloths-10 for £1, been keeping busy with those this afternoon..
looked in my 'food' purse while i was out, I'd thought I had £3 left, but infact Ive got £7, still works out as £3 tho cos the other £4 are in £2 coins so theyre going in my saving bottle..
Just got a weetabix cake on, first one didnt work-asked husband to turn other one off in '5 mins'...50 mins later he remembered....

irchy_mum

Jayarr, I think you've done well.I find that if I can stick to my budget 'great' but there are times when bargains are to be had (because they might finish the next day) and therefore you have to be flexible and maybe spend a bit more than usual.

My tip is to go onto the supermarket (say Tesco) website and check out all the deals,then I can do a grocery shop and price it up and know exactly how much it's going to cost.

Saves me from overspending.;)

Jo x:A