The 'Save 12k in 2014' Thread!

CDotX

daztan wrote: »

Hi folks,

I have just found this thread, but I am wondering how people save?

I have my wife on me on a strict budget but would love to save to afford a good holiday and or new car.

Are people cutting back, or finding cost cutting options or something else?

Many thanks in advice for your help.

Yep,

For me I have to have my DD's leave my account soon after pay day. Like many have said, it really does prevent you from spending.

On top of this, a new thing I have just started doing is emptying my loose change daily into a sealed pot. Thanks Tiglath

Lunch made at home is an easy way to save a bit of cash. I buy lunch once every 2 weeks or so

I am also trying not to drink for 6months (Crazy I know!). 25days in, all good so far!

:beer: <- Water, the only beverage :cool:

wilf55

morning all really not managed to get myself into gear in january although am sort of going to restart in feb had some outgoings that i didnt expect but proved that potentially i could have saved ...and also taught me the need for a rainy day fund seperate from savings etc etc

these have now been factored in

i havent really got much to sell but was thinking of trying to sell some of my craft stuff will only bring me small amounts but will also clear clutter i need to make making money a hobby again! and spend more tv time doing surveys etc which i used to do
also think im going to start doing some more comps and things lay off stuff like facebook twitter and the like and be more productive with my time and energy

have started knitting again and am partway through knitting myself a cardy be able to turn down the heating and reduce the cloths budget! RESULT haha will update in the next day or two but will be miniscule if anything

keep going all good luck

nat21luv

For me I do both, I've cut right back and I've increased my earnings. This month I've been eating out of the freezer and cupboards, only buying fresh food as and when needed. So far I've only spent £31 for 3 of us and 2 kittys very happy with that indeed.

Lomcevak

I am also trying not to drink for 6months (Crazy I know!). 25days in, all good so far!

Well done, I'm trying three months; haven't succumbed yet but have been struggling for the past week!

EeeJay

I've just transferred another £250, so I'm declaring my January total...

#55 January total of £500/6k = 8%.

I'm not counting the side challenges in this total, so I'm a wee bit ahead of my target! It's really quite inspiring to have so many other people sharing their plans for saving. X

Duke203

Just shy of a grand for this first month. Looking forward to getting this much higher through the year :-)

dizzybee

Just popping in to update,not been around much has been working over time,surveys and selling any thing that's not nailed down.still away to go but my January totel saved is £1100.Feb will be tight has all overtime has been stopped.

CDotX

Lomcevak wrote: »

Well done, I'm trying three months; haven't succumbed yet but have been struggling for the past week!

I'm glad im not the only one trying this one out. I figured it's worth a try. Good to test inner will power every now and again. Saves a quick buck too! :cool: Keep it up! :cool:

Nut97

Good to see that everyone is doing well with there goals! Only be £1000 this month for me however I've had a pay rise of £3.2k, so hopefully the overtime will be looking a lot healthier and help with the £12k goal!

sparrer

daztan I save by having short term goals working toward a long term one. My short term goals for this year are

Change as many products as I can to saver brands provided they're as good as named brands, I won't substitute value for cheap, and so far Mr M (my nearest sm) and @ldi are doing themselves proud.
No clothes buying this year, I have two wardrobes and two chests of drawers full. If I can't find anything to wear I should be ashamed of myself! I might want, but I certainly don't need, new clothes or shoes/boots. I have over 40 pairs of those so can find something for all occasions.
At least three meat- or fish-free meals a week. I never use meat substitutes which are often more expensive than fresh meat. And I don't understand eating a look-alike sausage or chicken fillet if people are vegetarian? Roasts/'bolognese'/curries etc using veg, pulses and so on are surprisingly tasty.
This year I've changed my utility provider and fixed for 4 years, and my media company reduced my cost by almost 50% after my telling them I was leaving.
I only shop when I go out for other reasons. Wednesday evening is Mr M and the ys shelves. They usually have a whole cooked chicken for 70p, a wholemeal loaf for 9p, a variety of fresh veg for under 20p. On Sunday mornings it's @ldi for their 6 for 49p veg, 4pints of milk for £1, and whatever other needs I have.
Speaking of going out I recently had to buy a newer car which has an mpg gauge, so I've slowed down to a more sensible speed and am getting on average 43mpg. Very pleased with that, my last car only gave me 30/34 mpg.
I empty my purse every night putting equal coins in savings and back in my purse. £1 for you, £1 for me etc., if there is an odd number it goes in the pot and I always have some loose change for car parking etc. I spend loose change first as once a note is broken into it's gone.
Lots more little things that I can't think of off-hand but there are plenty of ideas here from the others to give you a start.

My long term goal is New Zealand in early 2015. On that basis the above changes are all helping little by little.
hth