What little things do you do to pay off debt/save

iammumtoone

I am really trying to get my debt paid off. I am currently out of work so already on a tight budget and finding it hard to find the money to pay it off.

I just wondered what others do, how do you manage to find the extra to start paying off debts or save?

I am currently

- doing online surveys
- using vouchers and putting the money I have saved into a pot
- walking to town where possible and putting saved car parking fees into the pot
- when pot reaches £15 i take it to the bank
- Set a weekly food budget and trying to be under so I can put the difference towards the debt.
- Selling on ebay

Paddington123

Hello Mumtoone,

nice thread.

I have just started the journey to tackle my debt. I thought about putting the money into a pot I have almost spend. For example if I am out and about at lunch time and I see something I like but then decide not to buy it because I really don't need it that money I then put to one side. Wonder how much it will add up to?

Eyes_wide_open

I'm a recent subscriber to the payment a day challenge. It might only be a small amount but at the end if each month it makes a real difference.

Keeping a spending diary really keeps me focused as I hate writing things in it that seem a waste of money afterwards, like a coffee for £3.

Using stuff up in my freezer rather than going shopping, might be some odd meal combos but I don't care.

Claiming all my expenses I'm owed even if its only a couple of pounds.

Making sure I take a lunch to work - again it feels like wasted money to buy.

Thinking do I need it, or do I want it? In the main only buying what I need ( I do need an occasional treat so a want item does some times get purchased).

Well done with what you're doing xx

quantic

I try not to buy much in the first two weeks of the month, otherwise you end up being skint a week after payday and the rest of the month feels painful. I also separate all my money into categories/accounts - Food, Petrol, Bills, Socialising, disposable... so I'm under no illusion how much I've got to actually spend on what I like or to save. Other than that...

Packed lunches every day, quit smoking, less takeaways and good old fashioned "make do" attitude, we have nice things but we don't buy new ones every time something else comes out. We tend to buy more expensive things but fewer of them and less frequently, they last really well and we spend less in the long run.

Upsidedown_Bear

Hello OP and all :hello:

There is a thread everyday about the small things you 're doing that day to become debt free.
This is today's:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4762253

[Deleted User]

I didn't do it for the purpose of paying off my debts, but not watching live TV meant, I had an extra £12-12 a month left, in my account/pocket.

GlamGirlie

We put all change from my purse and his wallet into two penny pots - one for £1 and £2 coins, the other for the 'rest'.

Last time we opened the 'other coin' pot it has £97-odd in, and the £1 & £2 coin pot (a Terramundi jar) had just shy of £500 in.

We also put any lottery winnings in the jars (sadly never more than about £12) and any other change we end up having in the house eg change from paying the windowcleaner.

GlamGirlie

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I didn't do it for the purpose of paying off my debts, but not watching live TV meant, I had an extra £12-12 a month left, in my account/pocket.

Bob - nice to see someone who is not paying off debt!

LittleMissDetermined

Some good suggestions so far and well done on a good start

I am also a subscriber to the payment a day thread and it has really helped me focus on the 'little extra' I can pay which I would have otherwise frittered.

My spending diary and debt tracker also helps as it shames you into cutting out what isn't necessary.

I don't keep cash in my purse unless I really need it, if it's not there I don't spend it so I either put it in a savings envelope in the safe or pay it into the bank to PAD at a later date!

The biggest help for me is to visit this site every day for the inspiration and kick up the bum needed to keep going. Congratulating those who have become debt free already really spurs me on as I want it to be me!

I hope this helps, and good luck on your debt-free journey

LMD x

[Deleted User]

GlamGirlie wrote: »

Bob - nice to see someone who is not paying off debt!

It's even better than that.

For the first time in my adult life, today I've actually managed to put something away as SAVINGS. :eek:

trixie888

I have a company mobile and used to own a personal mobile just because I thought I should have internet on my mobile all the time. I know it's very handy to have internet all the time specially for google maps and for checking trains and buses but I thought there's a WIFI everywhere.

It saved me atleast 60 monthly (including personal abusive calls abroad). And I did not renew my mobile contract since my smartphone is still functioning well.