The Great "Self Discipline" Hunt

Uniscots97

If you need something why not see if its available on Freecycle? I needed a new fridge and a lampshade. I had given a lot away on my local Freecycle so thought I'd ask and I got them. Saving to me (as I had priced what the items would have cost me) 210 pounds!

pragmatista

Someone I know, who hasn't very much personal money at all, asks herself the simple and definitive question:

"Am I going to die if I don't buy it?"

Works wonders. :j

barbelbasher

My wife & I try to be a "Zero Hero" at least once a week, i.e.
Zero spend for 1 day
We're also going to try this with alcohol - but go for 5 zeroes a week - only problem is - I haven't told her yet !!

Kadeeae

whitewing wrote: »

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.

Congratulations on your current monthly spending of just a little over what you used to spend in a week!

This is almost where I'm starting from, about £80-£85 a week and there's only the two of us and the dog!! You've really inspired me, now and hope that in a few months time (baby steps for me ) I'll be where you are now, or less would be good too. It's all a bit overwhelming atm, but am starting this next week with a menu plan which I've never done.

Any suggestions you might have would be appreciated!

Yakyb

one method i use that works pretty well is if you want/need something i.e. a sandwich for lunch i will go to the ATM and take out the nearest value i can to that amount

i.e £1.50 sandwich i will take out £10

then once i have paid i will put all the change in my trouser pocket.


when i get back to my car if i sit down with the change in my pocket it will fall all over the floor so before i get in i take the money out of my pocket and put it in the ashtray (there is a good use for them!!!)

then when ever i go out i leave my wallet (hidden) in the car and just take a couple of quid from the change with me its amazing how long it will last when you think right i have £2 in my pocket i need £1.50 for lunch i cant spend anything at the end of the day when you get back in your car take the 50p and put it in the ashtray

works for me.

another one that works is if your going on a day out and you weigh up how much money you may need and you think you will need say £40 take £30 instead. every time you need to visit the cash machine take out £10 less than you need should i be desperate i always have a couple of £ in the car from my change.

Princess_Jane

I have a weekend job to help with my debts and this has also cut down my spends as I can't go out on Friday or Sundays, and am usually too knackered for a shopping or a big night out on Saturday.

I was the world's worst for impulse buys, so now I try to put down whatever I am salivating over, and take a few deep breaths.

Mics_chick

Now we've realised that we've got literally NO spare cash at the minute if my OH thinks he wants something he 'immerses' himself in it by reading everything he can find about it on the net including looking at items for sale on Ebay - he says after a few days or a couple of weeks he's sick of it so he doesn't want it anymore...:T

marciekandthefunkybunch

*only pay cash
*when trying to decide if you should buy something think do you NEED or WANT (almost always want as we actually need very little)
*have a shopping day out just round charity shops (amazing what you can buy and you still get the shopping buzz!)...or car boot sales.you can still do "lunch" too if you take advantage of lunchtime offers.

TurnaroundSue

Apply to go on Big Brother and if successful you might be lucky and not spend any money for 13 weeks :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

whitewing

Kadeeae wrote: »

Congratulations on your current monthly spending of just a little over what you used to spend in a week!

This is almost where I'm starting from, about £80-£85 a week and there's only the two of us and the dog!! You've really inspired me, now and hope that in a few months time (baby steps for me ) I'll be where you are now, or less would be good too. It's all a bit overwhelming atm, but am starting this next week with a menu plan which I've never done.

Any suggestions you might have would be appreciated!

Thank you. I've only just read your message. One thing that I do to help manage this (as it's still the early days and I'm not growing my own veg etc yet) is to just buy enough fresh fruit/veg for the start of the month. This is then either made into something and frozen or eaten fresh. For the rest of the month we use frozen or tinned fruit/veg. I used to be a bit snobbish about it - never used tins for anything - but now I'm versatile. Quite often make crumbles with tinned blackberries, apricots and peaches mixed together. Very nice.