The Great "Self Discipline" Hunt

MSE_Martin

What's it all about?

Learning to spend within your budget is an important part of life, whether you're in debt or just trying to avoid it. Yet that doesn't make it easy or fun most of the time.

So, this week I'd like your top tips on controlling your spending. When there's something you really want, but you know you shouldn't buy, what do you do to keep the urge at bay?

PLEASE CLICK REPLY TO POST YOUR SUGGESTIONS BELOW

My starter for ten

As I often write I have two MoneySaving mantras that you should say to yourself before buying it. Which one to use depends on whether you're skint or not.

IF YOU'RE SKINT

Do I need it?
Can I afford it?
Can I find it cheaper anywhere else

IF YOU'RE NOT SKINT

Will I use it?
Is it worth it?
Can I find it cheaper anywhere else?

Kaz2904

Is it 1: Useful or 2: Beautiful?

hypno06

I have stopped having the ability to pay - leave all debit/credit cards at home. Only take the cash you absolutely need with you and don't have a cash card with you to take extra out of the hole in the wall. That way, however tempted you are, you have to walk away in the end.

mrsmortenharket

One good tip regarding a potential purchase, work out how long you'd have to work to pay for the purchase.

Lisa

Sailorgirl

Don't go to the shops.
Window shopping is dangerous and must be stopped! Avoid temptation!

missylou_2

If am being totally honest I still apply a technique that is a bit of a hangover from my student days...Is it in the sale?...If yes then I will probably buy it if it is reduced enough for my liking....if no, then I wait for it to be in the sale!!! :rotfl:

catshark88

Focus, focus, focus on what you are trying to pay off or save for. Your purchase will seem less tempting when compared against what you REALLY want!

whitewing

We - partner, son & myself - really love celebrating birthdays and Christmas with lots of 'little' presents wrapped individually as surprises. But by the time we'd trailed round the shops buying loads of stuff over a period of time, we used to find piles of stuff in the cupboard that we'd forgotten we'd bought. And most of it was tat anyway. So now we have a 'wish box' each. Throughout the year, we write down things we want and put it in the box as and when (eg book review from a magazine). Sometimes very specific and sometimes more general. Then two or three weeks before the birthday, or mid_nov for Xmas, we open the relevant wish box and see what's listed. (To keep the element of surprise, we don't look at our own wishes, and we are allowed to put wishes in other people's boxes). Then we get a selection of the items on the list according to what's available and the budget. We also can get ideas for freebies - last year one of son's suggestions for himself was a day without any household chores! It's great because:
a) we can ban son from talking about his birthday (has to be in his box) until mid Oct - not until Nov but wants to talk about it daily from about Easter
b) my memory is really bad so it's always a surprise because I'd forgotten about it
c) if you change you mind, just write in another note saying 'I don't want xxx after all'

whitewing

Now, I also:
a) aim to go supermarket shopping just once a month (I used to go Fridays after work so always spontaneously bought alcohol and Tesco Finest because I deserved it, and a book because at their prices it was better value than a magazine!). Buy just bread and milk in between. Working so far but only our second month
b) set a budget, take a calculator and add it up as I go along. Yes I am that sad!
Used to spend £100 a week. Now approx £120 a month + extra bread/milk, but will adjust this as we get used to this process. This alone has had the biggest impact on my spending for years and years.

hypno06

The snowball calculator at www.whatsthecost.com has a "treats" calculator. If you put the amount of the treat you want in the calculator, it will tell you how much extra it is going to cost you in interest payments by not using that money to pay off your debts instead!!

Makes you think twice about spending!

stevesless

Everytime i open my wallet i have a list of my debts listed next to the money compartment. Once i see how much i owe, the wallet is swiftly shut!