I can't stop spending! Getting disheartened

krustylouise

I do use that when DD sees something on an advert and just days "mummy please can I have that?" (She's 5) and he doesn't actually want it, I explain that Mummy would have to work X amount of hours. Shame I forget this when I get the impulse to spend though! I do wok hard, I don't have any family so don't have alot of support with DD and I know I deserve treats now and again but when it leaves me with nothing in the bank until tomorrow and no emergency fund and no savings I feel guilty and stupid.

krustylouise

Does anybody know where there's a good budget planner that I can print out? And does anyone have a suggestion about "treat" amount perhaps a percentage of my earnings or a set amount a month?

Thanks

matttye

krustylouise wrote: »

Does anybody know where there's a good budget planner that I can print out? And does anyone have a suggestion about "treat" amount perhaps a percentage of my earnings or a set amount a month?

Thanks

Fill out an SOA:

http://www.stoozing.com/msoc/soacalc.php

There's no easy way to stop spending money; just ask yourself do you want a massage or do you want a house and learn that you can't have both

trying_to_stay_afloat

Hi
I know where you're coming from, saving a small amount sometimes seems pointless but it does add up.
How I manage my treat money is work out a weekly budget for everything then at the end of the week put whatever is left into a pot and that is my guilt free spending money.
It's a great incentive for coming in under budget and I enjoy spending what's left.
Good luck, you will get there in the end.

krustylouise

Thank you very much

prettyplease

Hi krustylouise,
I like you dont have the answers but just wanted to say dont be hard on yourself. I think its partly single mum syndrome. We get lost without the children around and think what can I buy them and allow so little time / luxuries for us... and dont even get me started on impulse spending...
There is lots of great advice on here and Im slowly picking up what works for me and trying not to be too hard on myself.
I have no answers just an appreciation of what its like. Writing it down is really powerful though so I think you will get there xxx

krustylouise

PP thank you SO much I really appreciate your post and its comforting to know you can relate to me. It's hard isn't it? You always want your children to be happy. I don't have family and am clingy towards DD and she is me too, so this week was always going to be hard but had to be done for us both.

prettyplease

No worries - its human nature for some of us anyway!I like TDmums idea of maybe allowing £50 for luxuries and saving £50. Its almost a reward.
Im setting myself a weekly budget from next month - a general post bills and debt repayment budget and if there is money left at end of week I will be treating myself. Without shame.
Its not everyones way but I think you have to work out what works best for you x

bbh30

Set yourself a weekly budget for little spends. You could always look for second hand or even freecycle stuff for your daughter. We have a trampoline but I was very lucky we were given one for free for my kids.
I am amazed at how much I have been able to spend when Ive put my mind to it. Aim to have as many NSDs as you can and then transfer a couple of quid a day into your savings account as well as one big payment- it all adds up. The one thing I have learnt is that the pennies really do add up to the pounds. I don't take my purse to work or anything with me, and I dont go near the shops. Remember, shopping is not a hobby!!!

krustylouise

Yes I agree, I know it sounds silly afte forking out for a massage but "treats for myself" don't sit well with me. Even if I go to a cafe for a coffee I think "this could've gone towards our savings for a rainy day" or "DD's whatever"

I put some things on eBay to sell and some of them sold today, I made £16.42. I know it's not a major amount but its something and I'm going to try and find more things to out on and hopefully have a constant flow of things for sale. I'll keep the money earned in my Paypal account.