How do you keep to your budget?

complimentschemistry

Hi there,

I've recently gone into a DMP and am on a very very tight budget - and struggling. Could anyone give me some tips on how they keep to their budget and how they resist the temptation to buy things they shouldn't!

Thanks in advace

pepe2008

Unless you INTEND to spend money dont take any out with you! If you are serious about your Debts then you should have already chopped up the evil Credit cards and so removed that particular temptation.

complimentschemistry

pepe2008 wrote: »

Unless you INTEND to spend money dont take any out with you! If you are serious about your Debts then you should have already chopped up the evil Credit cards and so removed that particular temptation.

My credit cards are "safely" chopped up so not going to spend there! I find it really difficult to take a tenner out of the cash machine and not buy things. It's a terrible and silly thing but trying to break the habit!

pollywoggle

:A I work out meal plans and shop on line for them, not forgetting lunchs and a couple of treats.
The only thing I go in to a shop for in fresh :Afruit and veg,

Usually my shop is about £50.00 for three people, 1 dog, 1 cat and guinea pig including delivery.:j

Last week I thought I'd be brave and go into morrisons to shop and it cost me £90:eek:, I can not stick to a list, so needless to say I won't be doing that again.
I bulk up things like chilli with extra tin of tomatos and kidney beans.
I have also found that it's cheaper to cook from scratch, and if I add a jacket potato to a lasagne meal then I get two portions instead of one so lasts two days.

So for me the answer is to stay away from the actual shops and do on line:T:T

Tixy

Are you keeping a spending diary? whilst that is in theory only recording what you have spent I actually find it helps me not buy rubbish if I have to declare it in writing in my little notebook.

complimentschemistry

Thanks Pollywoggle (love the name btw!) I think I'll have to do that as I can't manage to stick to the list either :S But it's when you run out of something and need to pop into a shop and get ONE thing that you suddenly find loads of other things you "need"... but I'll try bulk buy things so I know when I'm running low rather than just running out!

complimentschemistry

Tixy wrote: »

Are you keeping a spending diary? whilst that is in theory only recording what you have spent I actually find it helps me not buy rubbish if I have to declare it in writing in my little notebook.

Ironically, I bought a notebook today and this was one of the reasons I posted, thought I was wasting money. But apparently not, as now I have a great reason to use it! Thanks for the idea

pollywoggle

I know what you mean about things you "need", when you run out of say milk, just go to the corner shop with only the money you need in your hand, rather than your purse.

Tixys right about the little note book and write it in, easy to look back a realize how much "stuff" I've bought, the odd pound here and there soon mounts up.:mad:

niccatw

CC - I know what you mean about the popping in for one thing! I have to leave my purse and cards at home and only take the money I need for said thing - and perhaps enough extra for a cake if I'm feeling generous .

Otherwise before I know it I've spent a tenner and am thinking of getting cashback too!

I also can't do change pots (other than coppers) that I can easily get into or I just raid them for things I don't always need or for public transport or car parking!

Essentially this means I end up playing a game with myself - how long can I hold off before I have to go and buy it!

The NSD thread is really good to help you with this as you pledge how many "No spend Days" (NSDs) you are aiming for each month and see if you can stick to it. It helps differentiate between those things you really need and the things you actually just want. This month's thread has "mandness and "may"hem" in the title, if you want to have a nose.

debrag

pepe2008 wrote: »

Unless you INTEND to spend money dont take any out with you! If you are serious about your Debts then you should have already chopped up the evil Credit cards and so removed that particular temptation.

I was always told to take some money with you for emergencies

niccatw

debrag wrote: »

I was always told to take some money with you for emergencies

It probably depends where your heading. If I was going to work or visiting family or friends, I'd leave money at home as I know some-one would be able to help me out temporarily in an emergency.

If I was driving some distance or in charge of kiddies (I don't have any of my own but aunty to plenty - though not necessarily by blood) then I'd have an emergency back-up.

If I'm popping to the shop, my only emergency is likely to be my sudden need for something sweet .