Living within my means?

DrSqueeze

I find a good way to save some cash is making a food shopping list and then pricing up the items. Then, in the shop, try to get the goods for 10% less. Shop around different brands, look for small savings on each item, buy slightly smaller quantities of meat etc. Anything saved goes in a tin, then back into the bank.

cuttingbackisitfun?

OMG I cannot believe the responses that I have received its amazing!!!!!

I am ok if I read this site everynight and I am hoping that now I am joining it that it will keep me in line, I budget every month so I know exactly what goes out and when but was starting to use the dreaded credit card again and also opened a store card.

Pay day today, woo hoo!!!!

Also, on leave today and doing something totally not MSE at all but had a great deal paid in cash a couple of months ago so don't feel too bad about it today.

I can pay all bills including well over paying the CC which is nice and store card will be cleared and then cancelled. I have a very busy few months with lots planned but all budgetted for - a weekend in London is the killer I have put £180.00 aside for that am staying with a friend and hope to bring as much back as possible to then go off the CC but still want to enjoy my weekend. I got a fab deal on a coach there £11.00 return going fri night and coming back sunday afternoon - train was £60.00!!!!!!!

cuttingbackisitfun?

Right I have posted my SOA so bring it on!!!

I am also going to post on Old Style to see if it is realistic to have an £80.00 food budget for the month (inc cleaning items, loo role etc) for all meals and snacks also need to know what I should be buying to get in at this budget!!!!!

timbstoke

£80 for a single person is tough, but definitely doable. It does involve some downshifting - I've started to discover that Tesco Value stuff is in many cases as good as the big brand stuff I used to buy. Also, Iceland is fantastic for cheap frozen stuff - £20 a week can feed you easily from there.

cherylypop

Hi,

I have also found living to means a massive challenge. I no longer live on my own so things are easier but when I did I think I had a similar sort of income/mortgage ratio- which is hard work! A few suggestions I have found helpful alongf the way

1) I'm sure you have probably mentioned this already but if you have a spare room you could have a lodger/students to stay (I didnt catch if you have a spare room-only skim read-sorry if not an option) to increase income.

2)Being strict on yourself with budget-taking cash out at certain day of week. I took out how much I could afford (think it was £50 £60 a week for absolutely everything-clothes, spening money, food, cleaning products) each week-leaving debit/credit cards at home. Meant that if I saw smething i wanted but didnt need I could get it if I spent less on some things, or sapending less one week to have a 'rollover' the next-and therefore motivation to buy tesco value rather than name brand things, or shopping round-like going to savers for cleaning products, aldi, or local greengrocers for fruit and veggies etc.

3) Planning meals and writing lists of what needed form shop and sticking to it so no mouldy food in fridge (I was extremely guilty of this)-bathc making and popping things in freezer (also means nice homecooked food without hassle later on)

4) Being honest with friends/family about money situation. I foun when I did this quite a few friends wanted to save money too so we made a habit of friday nights in with nibbles, dvd or natter. And family-around birthdays and xmas telling them you dont want much but also cant afford to do much munitarily in terms of presents. I think people understand once they realise that your not just being 'tight'. After doing this I didnt see some friends as often-the ones who want to go out all the time-but now a few years later theyre doing a whole lot more sitting indoors as theyve realised they need to live to means too.

5) Cooking dinners for friends-not many poeple wikll say no to a dinner they havent had to cook-and most will return the favour at some point.

6) having to say no to people and miss out on some things sometimes-holidays etc etcIf you cant afford it you shouldne be doing it-no matter how guilty someone else is trying to make you feel about it

7) Taking up a sport/hobby . This would not necessatily be particularly cheap but could save money-I play hockey-takes up most of my saturdays in winters, and wednesday evenings so stops me from spening money going shopping on my saturday etc. Also means i feel less inclined to go out on a saturady night as ive had a pretty busy day-also is a different circle of friends. Usually sports clusb etc dont want to charge a fortune as they want people to join-and can kick some of the mid week/weekend boredom that used to lead to me spenind money on nonsense.

8)Getting a second job-for a few hours a week-or on an ad hoc basis-gets you out the house and a bit of extra money in pocket-and not spending money!

9) Finding some sort of way of getting to do things but for cheap-e.e. being a volunteer at festivals-free, get better acommodation/showers and get to enjoy a bhit of festival-without the £200 ticket and all the rest of it.

Anyway sorry for rambing-Ive found these things have helped over the last few years. I hope that helps a bit and good luck-better to try and tackle the debts now as they dont get better by themself.

cherylypop

After all that I remembere one more thing:

-Charity shop shopping-for clothes-nothing better than wearing something new, getting compliments on it and knowing it only cost a couple of pound in a charity shop-I didnt enjoy it a first but get to know where the good charity shops are and get some real finds-and less liekly to see someone else wearing it too.
-Book/dvd swapping-with friends/family/people at work, and a I believe there is also a wesbite online to swap books with

sibles

I think CherylPop said it - being honest with friends and family, I know it can be really embarassing (believe me, I know!!) but if you have close friends you can be honest with then I'd definately confide. My OH and best friends are really good about helping me stay on track, and we do try and do more "frugal" things.

I don't think anyone mentioned it, but you could look at mystery shopping? I don't know a great deal about it, but you can get reimbursed for meals out and get a small fee, there is a thread somewhere

Also, stick with it! Everyone here is so encouraging and helpful

Good luck
B xx

cuttingbackisitfun?

Thanks guys much appreciated, lodger is a no go as I have a 1 bed flat.

Friends are aware of the issue but not family and I do not want them to know about it.

Saying no that is the hardest word in the world for such a short one, part of me needing to knuckle down is due to a holiday I have agreed to go on that I really, really want to go on so i want to live within my means pay off debt and have a few quid for the holiday which will be nice.

Just done a weekly shop £20.00 was my budget and I came in at £20.10 thats breakfast, lunch and dinner in for the next week, plus some dinners to go beyond that along with what was in the freezer so I feel quite pleased with myself.

I am due to drive to a friends on Sunday £35.00 fuel I have been offered a lift but turned this down me thinks I might have to re-consider the offer as my car wouldn't start today and whilst ok now not sure I want to drive too far in it at the mo tbh.

I am getting there but very slowly guys, your advise and encouragement is invaluable. K x

saterkey

I have just looked on my local college website at the part time courses and they have a lot of free tasters in September, book from now on, maybe look at your local one.

I joined a local animal charity and for a small sum i have gone to a skittles night and a pamper evening, helping out and being involved means that you can go on your own no problem.
Also go to their monthly meeting, where you go through an agenda, have a cup of tea and chat, a raffle and get to know a few more people.

I recently looked at the nhs to lose some weight and my local council has something called lifestyle link where if you weigh over a certain amount and are eligible you can get free vouchers for weightwatchers and slimming world. Another free night out meeting people and hopefully getting healthier.

Also whilst at the NHS she also mentioned free exercise classes that were available to all, alot during the day but still you have to ask around its amazing what you can find to do.

I also do a lot of competitions and have won lots of days out for the family recently and the theatre. My latest is a david lloyds 3 month family pass for the summer, which includes outdoor pool and free classes so thats what we will be doing over the next few months.

Look at the Woman and Home website, the forum part, they have walking groups, book clubs and supper clubs all around the country, you just pay for your meal or drinks etc.

I have a cousin that breeds puppies, every few months we go for a cup of tea and a munch. I also had a lovely morning with the homing lady at the animal charity, cup of tea and cake and a bunch of kittens for the morning what could be nicer.

best of luck

DrSqueeze

cuttingbackisitfun? wrote: »

Just done a weekly shop £20.00 was my budget and I came in at £20.10 thats breakfast, lunch and dinner in for the next week, plus some dinners to go beyond that along with what was in the freezer so I feel quite pleased with myself.

Fantastic, impressive shopping! :beer: