Going back to Good 'ole fashioned Housekeeping Money!

MadCad

A lot of my money goes on supermarket shopping - far more than is really necessary. I was with my mom recently (who's in her early 70's) and every week since she married, my dad has withdrawn 'x' amount of cash and handed it to her as 'Housekeeping Money' each Friday.

I have recently adopted this as I found I was going through over £120 a week on just food (we are a family of 5). Hubby now has charge of my debit card and withdraws £120 a week for me which also has to cover fuel (I use about £60 a month) and things like shampoo and other day-to-day stuff.. If I need any extra for kids clothes etc then I just have to ask - but I've really found a difference around the supermarket.

I used to wander around popping pretty much anything and everything I fancied into my trolley. Now I HAVE to keep a check on what I'm buying and I've cut out lots of 'nice to haves' and saved myself 1/3 on my weekly shopping bill!

I've also sorted out my freezer with a big list on the front with the contents listed.

It's AMAZING how much you can save just doing this!!!

Willsnarf1983

so ur spending £105 per week on food/day to day stuff for a family of 5? thats still quite alot...have you looked at the moneysaving old style board?

Will

MadCad

Willsnarf1983 wrote:

so ur spending £105 per week on food/day to day stuff for a family of 5? thats still quite alot...have you looked at the moneysaving old style board?

I don't think it's bad at all - it includes my fuel, kids swimming money, nappies, etc and not just food. We eat a huge amount of fresh fruit and veg which doesn't come cheap these days.
I will have a look at the old style board though, thanks!

vivaladiva

Housekeeping money (as in cash) definately makes a difference - as does shopping once a week and not picking up those little extras.

climbgirl

I like the idea of having a set amount of cash for the food, entertainment etc, I use this myself and it works well, keeps me within budget. And if you're not disciplined enough to stick to it yourself, then having someone control the cards/cash can be a good idea.

But I just find the whole idea of hubby giving his wife some money each week to run the house so patronising! Let's not hark back to all the old-fashioned ways.....

ZTD

climbgirl wrote:

I like the idea of having a set amount of cash for the food, entertainment etc, I use this myself and it works well, keeps me within budget. And if you're not disciplined enough to stick to it yourself, then having someone control the cards/cash can be a good idea.

But I just find the whole idea of hubby giving his wife some money each week to run the house so patronising! Let's not hark back to all the old-fashioned ways.....

But if the OP was a man, would you still find it patronising?

MadCad

Well they were never in debt like most people are today!

summerday

I save lots on food now that I shop at Lidl- because it's a smaller supermarket there are far less unnecessary items for me to buy, much easier to stick to the bare bones and cook from scratch.

D&DD

I too went back to cash rather than card for my shopping money etc and it really does work.I followed the purse system they have over on the old style board (separate purses for shopping,hubbies petrol/spending,bills) it might help other people to take a look at how it works.

MadCad

climbgirl wrote:

if you're not disciplined enough to stick to it yourself, then having someone control the cards/cash can be a good idea.

But I just find the whole idea of hubby giving his wife some money each week to run the house so patronising! Let's not hark back to all the old-fashioned ways.....

It's not really a case of not being disciplined, it's just that it's too easy just to be reckless in the supermarket especially with 3 kids in tow and being in a rush. I could stick to it myself for the most part, but I fear that there would be an occasion when I just felt too stressed to bother and then blow the budget. I could also leave my card at home - but as most people who have been in debt know - it's just too easy to pop it back it back in your purse. I want a sure-fire way of ensuring I keep within budget at all times.

Besides, why is it patronising? In our household my hubby IS the head of the household. It also teaches our children respect. Hubby would always provide more money if I asked without questioning it

COOLTRIKERCHICK

hi.. madcad......well done in finding a way that suits you and your family.....

i started getting money out of the bank once a week on hubby's pay day.... and i would try and cover food... petrol.. electric...etc... but found that i have slipped back into using the cards again.....

it is hard to disapline yourself....especially if your having a poo week.. or an unexpected bill school trips etc....

you post has now kicked me in the butt to try and work out a realiastic amount of cash i need everyweek... not just a figure that i wish it was.....

plus its a good idea to give your cards to a person to hide from you.. as it is so easy as you say to slip it back in the purse 'just in case'....

i dont think its being old fashioned... or anything... it something that suits you and your family...and is helping you stay within your weekly budget....

well done......:T