HELP! Have cut back all I can but am still over-spending!

Miss_Marple_2

Must add my congraultions to the OP for actually doing something about a situation - you have my admiration.

I'm sure I will incur your wrath, however, by adding my vote to the 'For' as regards contents insurance. I pay £120 a year home and contents and given that you alreaady pay approx £6.50 a month for home, the extra £3.50 for contents doesn't seem too massive. 15 years ago it was significantly less than this, so over the 15 years you are looking at, you've probably saved around £500 in total, so it's certainly not thousands.

I just wanted to mention it, even though I realise that you are firm on it and each to their own. I think you've done brilliantly to address the things you have - made me think about my out goings as well ( although the contents insurance will be a must on my list )

mullymessiah

With regards to Curries, check out world Food sections for Curry powder instead of jars or Schwartz packs for example. I know TESCOS are doing Garam Masala (EastEnd brand I think) for 99p but will last for at least 10 Curries. Also, it depends what curry you like, Tesco's do Frozen Leaf Spinach for £1.30 in ready to pan circles that will also do at least 10 Curries!!

sambamamba

Man alive I've just read all this. I`m so glad I can stop shaking my metaphorical fist at the watery porridge eating candle lovers!

Well done OP in all ways. Just a small bit of pub advice I was once given by the life and soul of the office party - if you order sthg & soda in most places you only get charged for the mixer. Can be as little as 20p for lime or blackcurrant and could pass as a long alcoholic drink. Lot less gassy than coke etc too.

Gallo Bros Grenache is a great fruity rose too and only about 9% so kinder to the head, can't remember who the fellow fruity rise lover was apologies.

CROWDOLOGY and One Poll also do really short surveys, less per survey but much less frustrating than long ones.

Allinthistogether

ScrimpingandSaving wrote: »

Erm, I have AVG and it ain't free. It costs over £40 a year.

I need to be careful with my pc as this is my business. I can't scrimp on important things like anti-virus.

Yes did grow a few of our own over summer but nothing really turned out. Will try again this summer.
Yes to cooking in batches, that's what I intend to do with the curries from now on. Plus one meat-free meal every week.

Any recommendations on interactive menu planners? I have found one that seems ok but it's American so the weights are all wrong (how much is a cup?) and some of the recipes are a little unusual. It's also supposed to find the best deals in the supermarket for my weekly shop but it doesn't work in the UK. That would have been very handy.

The free AVG is absolutely fine for business use. been using it for years and it's always given excellent reviews in the computer press.

Allinthistogether

Fruball wrote: »

Hi Scrimpingandsaving

:T:T:T:T:T Well done you for recognising you are overspending and doing something about it now

It's a shame you have taken a bit of a bashing from some people but most of us here are genuinely here to help without criticism.

I recently cut my food bill in half by shopping online and getting it delivered - the £3 (cheapest delivery slot) is well worth the £50 a week saving I make!!!

Tesc0 do 3 for a tenner on meat deals so you can get for example, a whole chicken, big pack mince and 10pk good quality sausages for that which you could probably stretch (or almost stretch) to a week - if you were able to combine that with ald! supersix (mega cheap veggies/potatoes/fruit offer which changes every fortnight) then you can cut your budget a lot.

I wouldn't suggest you cut out your pub trips after your walks - but do them once a month rather than weekly - you can still look forward to them and with the money you are now going to save by the other changes you make, you can afford it

Can you consider halving what you save for the kids - not forever, but say for 6 months, until you have the rest of your budget under control? I totally understand why you want to save for them, but halving would make a difference.

As for other things - the first time I decided to make cut backs, I halved everything, literally. Half the amount of washing powder, half the amount of shampoo (you will be surprised that your hair is still clean even without a head full of bubbles), half the shower gel (still clean!) etc etc... By using half of these things, you are effectively getting 6 months of products a year for FREE I was amazed how this alone saved me money. I now use barely any washing powder (no softener) and our clothes are clean. I only ever wash at 30c or cold too

Your gas seems high to me but I live in a 2 bed house... I have my heating on 24/7 but on low and that has saved me money... Worth a try? Or turn the thermostat down a fraction.

Shloer - I buy tesc0 flavoured fizzy water and they are just as good, if not nicer imo. Usually 3 for £1.

I agree with the others about contents insurance - could you think about getting a quote - in what you save with other things, you can afford it I think - I will not go on about that as I know you don't want to discuss it

Let your DS have his once a week treat of a school meal You are going to be making enough savings to afford that.

S0d giving up the wine I wouldn't! Ald! and L!dl do cheap but nice wines - hopefully you can find one you like...

I have to do the school run now but will be back

Hang in there - you will get there

Totally agree with the above suggestions and comments - well done for having a serious go at tackling the problem. Don't let the critics get to you, you deserve praise and encouragement for your efforts. I can't believe some of the unconstructive and spiteful comments you have been subjected to. I look forward to reading how you're getting on next month. And well done, again!:T

LannieDuck

ScrimpingandSaving wrote: »

My husband has psoriasis. He gets Dovonex and treatment for his scalp. You cannot buy that over the counter any cheaper. It costs around £40 a tube privately.

I know this is going back a bit in the thread, but I get Dovonex on prescription. Definitely not £40/tube! Might be worth asking your OH's GP?

spenceeyftb

You'll be fine with AVG free. It's not something you should be paying for at all.

Use AVG free and Windows defender. That'll keep you safe.

[Deleted User]

What's sthg :huh:

sambamamba

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

What's sthg :huh:

A rubbish abbreviation for "something" but actually meant cordial - must remember that just because I know what I mean in my head that doesn't make it obvious to everyone else, sorry .

Lime, Blackcurrant, peppermint:eek:, my friend`s old fave. But if someone can get whisky and soda for 20p just let me know

[Deleted User]

OP- with reference to prescriptions, if you and/or husband have more than 2 items per month then you'd save money by paying for a Prescription Prepayment Certificate by direct debit (c.£10.50 monthly) which covers all your medicines you might need, regular and one-offs, for one year.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/PPC.aspx