Learning how to stick to a budget...

ovoreo

Make your budget realistic. So even if your savings/debt repayments start minimal you can build it up. You can always improve. Why not head over to the old style money saving part of the forum to pick up tips on how to change your behaviour. When my debt was at it's worst one of the things I did was take a packed lunch to work - it saved me £18 a week! :-o shocking when I look back! I also turned my frugal plans into a bit of a challenge (no spend days, trying to increase my credit card payments month on month, etc). Good luck!

theoretica

Birthdays and some socialising do not come by total surprise. Part of budgeting is looking ahead and noticing that lots of birthdays are coming up so maybe cut down on the socialising. Give yourself a reasonable budget and save in cheap months so you can afford the expensive ones.

Look at past bank and cc statements to see where your money have been going.

canidothis

Although I do check my bank online nearly everyday I find that it never really gives a true figure, but checking does avoid being caught out. What I have found works for me is to use my mobile phone and each day key in on the calendar the amount of money I have left and also if I spent any of it what the balance would be - I always have my mobile with me but know that I would get frustrated if I used a notebook and pen as I would never know where it was!! good luck

thriftymoo

They are really helpful tips, thanks for sharing!

DanielleR

Wow. There are some brilliant tips here and some great advice. Thank you so much. I'll have a sit down this weekend and plan everything. I think the best way to overcome a lot of my extra spending is to take cash out once a week and when it's gone, it's gone.

I'll write a more detailed message when I get home as I'm at work at the moment!

Thanks again!

dancingfairy

I think having a set limit for presents is great - you might want to have a limit of 15 pounds for friends but if it's a big birthday/wedding then maybe allow a little more.
Also if you have an entertainment allowance of say 30 pounds and you don't go out much one week then you can roll over the spare for the following week - especially good if you know you've got some big parties coming up for weddings/ big birthdays etc as you generally tend to get a bit of notice of big things
df