OMG How stupid could I have been ???

raq

Mrs_Sparkle wrote:

Just a word of warning from the experienced! You say you have no major debt but then list under £10K on credit cards, car finance and finance on a sofa... I used to think I had only minor debts too but didn't realise I was on a slippery slope. Well done for getting your lightbulb moment BEFORE you get any deeper and I wish you all the best for clearing it all and curbing your spending now.

By the way there are a lot of us here who can totally sympathise with the non-identified spending... I've been there myself and cannot believe how much I used to waste at train stations, in airports, at work, quick trip to Tesco's... you name it- I think my Switch card was slipping out of my purse and spending money by itself...

i ALSO AGREE. There are so many people out there who think the same that £10k is small. if only#

miggy

Hi Empty Purse,
well done on getting your LBM, I wish you all the best as you start taking control!
What really helped me was planning a menu (nothing fancy - just based on what we might typically eat for a couple of weeks or so) and doing as few shopping trips as possible. Make a shopping list and stick to it.
You can get an email which shows what the special offers at various supermarkets are if that will helps - I'm really sorry but I can't remember what it's called. Someone might know.
Make sure your larder is well-stocked - milk and bread in particular, and with an emergency stock of basics so you don't go out for takeaways on a whim. I would suggest mince, onions, potatoes, herbs, carrots, favourite spices - adaptable things. You will come up with your own version if you don't already have one. Don't forget non-foods - loo roll, paracetemol, washing powder etc!
Also be aware of supermarket tricks (many and varied) and go in armed - not hungry or thirsty and with your list and possibly a calculator in hand!
Challenge yourself - how low can you go?
Best wishes
Migs

steve700

miggy wrote:

Hi Empty Purse,
well done on getting your LBM, I wish you all the best as you start taking control!
What really helped me was planning a menu (nothing fancy - just based on what we might typically eat for a couple of weeks or so) and doing as few shopping trips as possible. Make a shopping list and stick to it.
You can get an email which shows what the special offers at various supermarkets are if that will helps - I'm really sorry but I can't remember what it's called. Someone might know.

Is this what you mean, Miggy?

http://www.shoppingoffersalert.co.uk/

cathybird

Hi empty purse, congrats on the lightbulb moment, I used to fritter away loads of money too and had no idea where it all went. It's so easy to do. I agree with the spending diary idea and also your set pocket money idea each week is very good - there's a useful weekly thread on here called the Sunday to Friday challenge that is helping me stick to a budget, if you wanted to check that out. I agree that £10K is quite a lot tho - is the sofa 0% finance for ever (if you don't mind my asking)? And do you know the interest rate on your credit cards? They can be hugely expensive things even if you feel that they're under control (well I know I used to :eek: :eek: and how wrong I was ...)

miggy

steve700 wrote:

Is this what you mean, Miggy?

http://www.shoppingoffersalert.co.uk/

Thanks.
That's not the exact one I used but it's very like it - sadly some of our local supermarkets closed so it's not really worth it on a day to day basis for me but if you have a choice of supermarkets and favourite items you buy time after time, it's worth a look.
Emptypurse, how's it going?