Going back to Good 'ole fashioned Housekeeping Money!

MadCad

I've read some of those posts on the 'old style' boards and some families of 4 are getting by on £40 a week for shopping....what on earth are they eating? I could have one week out of the month like that (and use up stuff in my freezer) but not every week!

There are some things that I won't cut out, like I won't buy pre-packed processed ham, I'll only buy ham-off-the-bone and such like. I won't even try and swap just to save money, I've simply built it into my budget.

It's the extras like...ohhh we'll have some strawberries (when I have a mountain of fruit at home) and ohh those biscuits are new, i'll try them! The buy 2 for £2 and such might sound like a bargain, but it's still getting you to spend more than you normally would - do you really NEED 2? (it's different with non-perishables that you can keep and use at a later date).

Murtle

It doesn't matter how much you spend, so long as it gets you what you need and is within your budget! I spend £50 per week for 2 adults and 2 cats. That's fine, because it is MY budget just like yours is good for you!! OS is great for seeing how to stretch things etc and has some good meal planners etc. and so much more too, but that would be OT

I actually like the idea of being given the money, but if my OH took it out I'm sure he'd forget to give it to me, so I use the card and receipts, but I have found the fast track scanners in Sainsburys are brilliant at monitoring what you are buying as it shows you the value of your shopping as you go round.

x x

Starry-eyed_surprise

We have switched to money in envelopes for everything - food, kids dinners, petrol etc. It definitely helps. We still have a long way to go but we are getting there. It also helps to stick to a shopping list and if you can to shop with a calculator and add as you go. Also, homemade cakes/biscuits etc are sooo much nicer as well as cheaper (and better for you - no e numbers). OS boards have loads of good ideas. I don't think cash is 'old-fashioned' just more 'real'.

MrsTinks

I agree handing over cash hursts far more than using your card I HATE breaking open a £20 note (don't even get me started on £50 notes!) and will seriously think of using my card instead because I can't bear to hand over an actual note!!!!

The OS board is fantastic and will help you feed a family for pennies if that is all your budget allows If you have room for £120 for your spending money (not really your food budget as you're paying petrol, classes etc out of it too) then I see nothing wrong with it But you might find it interesting to work out how much of the £120 is really food? Just a thought

earwig

hi im just like you and i have my oh give me the money he earns it and i dont it no differance from having a card its still money he has earnt and like your oh he hands over what ever i ask

i to spend around a hundred pounds a week on food 2 adults and two kids but not in one go i spend around 70 in the main shop and another 30 durring the week on papers milk sweets ect i like it this way as i have never run out of cash in the ten years we have been together and also it far easyer to see whats in your purse rather than keep checking the bank

i have treid doing cheep weekly shops but i cant do it i run out of things and end up having to spend corner shop prices so it cost me more so i wouldnt worry about the dark old days they are much better than these days where we cant wait or save for anything and end up having loads of debt just trying to out do each other with the lastest thing i just wish i had learnt this before we got into debt

MadCad

earwig wrote:

i wouldnt worry about the dark old days they are much better than these days where we cant wait or save for anything and end up having loads of debt just trying to out do each other with the lastest thing i just wish i had learnt this before we got into debt

I agree, life was harder when my parents were young but they only bought what they had money for - the levels of credit people can obtain now is frightening - we could have over £100k on credit cards alone if we wanted!

Alot of the time I couldn't tell you where the money was going - but I can account for darned near every penny of it these days and we are so much better off for it!

shelagh

Good on yer Madcad,
I am a post graduate, well paid, professional and I was around when "Women's Lib." was at its height as a movement. I subscribed to the "patronising male", "keeping women in their place" fight back and I am proud to have done so. However, I do feel that the world has taken the "easy stuff" and ran with it whilst leaving the hard to do bits i.e. thinking logically and clearly about the important issues. When I hear women talking about "patronising men" I think: a) get over it, its been done and you missed it and b) look at what is important i.e. a happy family, a long term, respectful relationship and happy, well adjusted adults and children. Scoring points was "old school" the women's movement has moved on and neo femminism is upon us "deal with it"
Sorry if this sounds harsh but I generally just laugh at the "patronising men" comments today however, I realise that the fight is now more often than not with our "sisters"
Shelagh

HazelEyes_3

MadCad wrote:

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

I think that depends on how far back you are looking. My MIL brought up 9 children in the 50s and 60s and was permanently in debt. When the family get together it doesn't take much to get them started on the tales of hiding behind the couch when the rent man knocked, of the cutest kids in the family being sent to ask for chips "on tick", not being able to go to school because their only pair of shoes had fallen apart etc etc. Of course it can soon develop into a version of the Monty Python sketch with each person trying to top the last story.......

I think the biggest difference is that years ago many familiies were in debt and struggled to pay for essentials such as rent, food, electricity, shoes whereas now we think of mobile phones, TVs, holidays, computers etc as "essentials".

HazelEyes_3

ZTD wrote:

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

Personally it makes me feel equally uncomfortable when I read of women "mothering" their OH by controlling their access to money but I think that what is important is that the OP has found a system that works for their situation.

Storm

I think drawing out a certain amount of cash once a week is a brilliant idea - and is the only thing that works for me! I'm getting to the point now in the month where I've got 5 days until payday and about £12 left in my purse - it's going to be tough, but at the end of the day I can't draw out any money until Tuesday morning, I won't be going out, and if I run out of cigarettes - tough!

Note: if my posts start getting strained and horrible over the weekend it's because of the lack of nicotine, for which I apologise in advance!