The Great 'Tricks to stop yourself spending' Hunt Revisited

daydream_believer_2

I have always been very careful what I spend...hard to believe I know when you look at my debt, but this was caused by trying to keep an investment property abroad that was in serious negative equity! Consequently everyday bills (elec, food, petrol etc) went on credit.
Now situation with property is sorted, just left with the debt to pay! But I was finding it a little too easy to put stuff on CC, so now, cards cut up except 2 'emergency' ones that are locked away.
I too have physical envelopes with all my bills written on, to put the money in.
I also now have a spending diary, where I write everything that comes in and everything that goes out. I have found that by doing this, I just don't want to spend unless I really have to!

Tabby

Sometimes when acting disorganised and lazy, when I open the fridge or freezer and can't immediately identify a meal...my first thought it to go food shopping. What I have tried to do instead is make myself think creatively and use up as many ingredients in my cupboards as possible...until I am contemplating eating a pot noodle in the back of the cupboard. Then I go shopping. (When I am acting organised, I bulk cook and freeze portions). Tonight I made a mushroom risotto using leftovers that was quite nice!

minicooper272

For many years, I have found myself getting into a habit of going into town or going to a shop somewhere for the sakes of getting out of the house. I've gradually been replacing it with free or cheap alternatives.

Visit the local library - somewhere to walk to, somewhere warm to sit in winter, free books and something to do when you get home. Something similar can be said for museums and churches/cathedrals if you have them nearby.

I've been buying food from the local market place - takes longer than the supermarket, so fills time, and less temptation, which means it's cheaper.

I also pay for a gym membership. I know it costs money, but I don't have to shell out any cash for each individual visit, so I do view that as a free way to get out the house.

I am now working on addressing my final mass expenditure - socialising. It doesn't need to be as expensive as it often is!

juno

Join the Lunch To Work challenge, and take your own lunch to work! It saves so much money as you're not buying expensive sandwiches and meal deals.

jelliest

sharon-d wrote: »

If I just need a few things like milk and eggs I go to my local organic farm shop. The individual items may cost more but I am not tempted by all the offers that I don't need if I went to the supermarket. I definitely spend less this way.

Bonus! You get the organic stuff as well, and also help local businesses! I used to do this too, using my excellent local shops, when I was on my own. Not so feasible now with toddlers in tow though! But it was more fun and cheaper than trailing round the supermarket because of not getting sucked into extra purchases.
I also stopped buying milk for a while (substituted soya/rice milk with long shelf life) so only shopped in the supermarket every couple of weeks. This also saved money (even though the substitutes were more expensive).

XRAT

I work out how much things really cost.., out of disposable income.


For example, if I earn £1,000 per month but necessities such as rent, food, travel etc. cost £900 then my disposable income is £100 per month.


Divide that by 4 weeks (£25) and 40 hours (£0.625) So a £1.25 bar of chocolate is going to take two hours work.., for two minutes pleasure (and that includes the time to unwrap it!!!)

Peng_2

I have found using the local milk man has saved a lot of money by cutting down how often you need to go to the supermarkets- you can swap one food for another when you run out but you can't do without tea!

Wirral_guy

A trick I learned years ago when very very poor:

Go shopping but with no money on you. If you see something you like you then have to go to the bank to withdraw the money and then back to the shop to buy it. Surprising how many items aren't worth the bother!

I know it's harder nowadays with debit\credit cards but maybe leave your money\cards in the boot of your car for a similar delaying tactic.

I still try to make a mental list of what I want as I go along and then go back to buy the items. It's surprising how many things you can't be bothered with after half an hour!

Dave

roms

We have a strict budget. take out cash for our budgeted food spend, personal spends, etc. If the urge is there then check the wallet to see if we can afford it!

We are leniant in that we can borrow from future months, but we keep track of it so that we pay off our 'debt'. Seems to work but not alway easy!

craftyali

I just have credit cards now for their 0% balance transfer offers - some fab ones recently - and they do not live in my purse! Having to use my debit card really makes me think about whether I can afford/need an item.
I am so addicted to paying off my debt ASAP, that I get excited about the start of a new month so I can work out how much extra I can pay off the debt!