Newbie and a spendaholic overeating carer!

Overeating-spendaholic

19lottie82 wrote: »

Ok the £300 on basically what is entertainment is HuGE! But I think you know this. Reduce this to £100. Draw the cash out at the start of the month and when it's gone, that's it!

Also £400 a month on food for 2 adults and a child is a lot. Do you meal plan? You should be able to cut this down to £300 very easily. Possibly even £200 if you're really dedicated.

When are your phone contracts up? They are very expensive. As soon as you're out of the minimum term go sim only / payg, no more tying yourself into an expensive 24 month contract just so you can have the latest handset!

It's ridiculous, the whole thing is embarrassing and beyond a joke and considering the level of debt, the work that needs doing in the house we could really do with being sensible.

One contract has 20 months left, the other 10 - all about the latest technology isn't it? Not!

Thank you

Overeating-spendaholic

xJOJOx wrote: »

Hi

A thought on the mummy meetings. I am a very active in mummy meetings. I am a single parent and really enjoy meetings up with other mums. However, it doesn't need to be expensive. If meeting for coffee we always go our local spoons, quiter during the day and a re-fillabke coffee is 0.89p and you can keep topping up til about 3! They don't tend to mind if you bring juice for little ones if it's in a childrens bottle (some places don't may not be the same though) doesn't need to be a expensive coffee shop, it's the company. We also have play dates at each other houses, we will do a few sandwiches etc but as we take it turns it so not just one person taking the expensives. Then there's lots of free toddler groups around, again we all meet up at them. When the group are doing something more expensive I tend to decline, no one is offended and they know I can't afford it. If they are truly your friends then will be more than happy to swap the expensive coffee. You don't necessary hAve to say your in debt, you can just say your saving etc

Spending less money, doesn't mean living less

Good luck xx

Thank you, wow some good ideas here, wish I had a understanding not so stuck up bunch of mummy friends! I will definately approach the subject, a couple of them know that I would like to do work to the house well it needs doing so I might use that as my excuse! You do so well, thank you for the inspiration

Overeating-spendaholic

When_the_going_gets_tough wrote: »

Just to add to JoJos comment - my cildren are now grown up but when they were little all our meetings were at each others houses/parks or other free places. It is actually a LOT more fun for the children if they can run around and play and use toys and books - I do feel sorry for children cooped up in pushchairs in coffee shops.
Try encouraging your friends to try this - you might all have more fun and it will be free.

Thank you for your message, we don't just sit in coffee shops - it's more play centres and farms occasionally. I will speak to them though but I know a couple of them will go out only because their husbands do night shifts so won't have anyone round.

rising_from_the_ashes

Overeating-spendaholic wrote: »

I lack financial dignity, I'm rubbish with technology, I eat far too much and am on the larger side thanks to the endless unhealthy habits for both thighs and the purse!

You're me!

One thing - I really do believe overspending is an addiction like any other - I still struggle with it and probably always will.

January was supposed to be a 'lean' month (I knew there were going to be a couple of big vet bills on the c/card bill etc so wanted to spend less than normal) and .... OMG I nearly had a heart attack when I opened the envelope and saw how much it was! (even after taking huge vet bills etc off!). I am aiming to do much better this month!!

Well done for getting to grip with things, good luck ......

Overeating-spendaholic

LannieDuck wrote: »

If you still have things to sell and are disillusioned with ebay, try a facebook selling group. If it's baby stuff, you could also see if there's an NCT sale near you to sell at.

Thank you for the tip, I need to research I bit more of ebay, see if partner can open an account. I am not on facebook, totally not with the times.

Overeating-spendaholic

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

You're me!

One thing - I really do believe overspending is an addiction like any other - I still struggle with it and probably always will.

January was supposed to be a 'lean' month (I knew there were going to be a couple of big vet bills on the c/card bill etc so wanted to spend less than normal) and .... OMG I nearly had a heart attack when I opened the envelope and saw how much it was! (even after taking huge vet bills etc off!). I am aiming to do much better this month!!

Well done for getting to grip with things, good luck ......

Thank you and it's heart warming that I am not alone. Well at least you know your aim, that's really good. It is an addiction and what with the over eating I am doomed. Good luck with you leaner month!

Overeating-spendaholic

So I sat down with a pot of tea earlier and pen and paper! I generally want to change, I looked in the food cupboards and they are full, I looked in the freezer and its full but when I looked in the fridge its nearly empty so need to do a smaller shop but normally I would do a full on shop and add to the cupboards and freezer. Not this week!

On my list I have put some small things I want to start with before pay day at the end of the month - I want to include

- meal plan to work from next month
- realistic budget plan to include allocated entertainment
- check out the sites recommended
- go have a look in aldi
- find free things to do and if I loose a few mummy friends cause it's to cheap then so be it
- not buy any one else lunch a coffee or anything - tell myself it's the house fund (and extra towards the debts)

I feel a bit embarrassed by all of this and way out of my depth but 2015 is going to be a changed year!

clippy_girl

hello,

If you don't use facebook i would recommend gumtree to sell as its easy to use and totally free. you just post an advert, people contact you through the site then they can collect it or you can drop it off. they pay you in cash so its really good if you need money straight away. i think people set up alerts if they want certain things as usually within minutes of me posting an ad someone responds. its also really good at getting rid of free stuff as well to save you the hassle- i got rod of loads of scrap wood and carpet instead of having to take to the tip!

Overeating-spendaholic

Happy weekend world! Woke up feeling very determined today, looking forward to browsing the new Aldi today to see if it will help with my savings!! Need a couple of fridge bits so feel there's no better time as today and good opportunity to try their stuff!

I have downloaded YNAB from the App Store for free and had to download drop box too - this is very scary territory for me as I am awful when it comes to technology! Just hope it's all ok and the right one! Will be a sit down with a pot of tea moment to go through it! May try to get the partner to take little one out to the park or something just so I can concentrate if not it will be sit down this evening and read through!
Thank you for reading!

gfplux

Overeating-spendaholic wrote: »

So I sat down with a pot of tea earlier and pen and paper! I generally want to change, I looked in the food cupboards and they are full, I looked in the freezer and its full but when I looked in the fridge its nearly empty so need to do a smaller shop but normally I would do a full on shop and add to the cupboards and freezer. Not this week!

On my list I have put some small things I want to start with before pay day at the end of the month - I want to include

- meal plan to work from next month
- realistic budget plan to include allocated entertainment
- check out the sites recommended
- go have a look in aldi
- find free things to do and if I loose a few mummy friends cause it's to cheap then so be it
- not buy any one else lunch a coffee or anything - tell myself it's the house fund (and extra towards the debts)

I feel a bit embarrassed by all of this and way out of my depth but 2015 is going to be a changed year!

Write this list down, date it and put it on the fridge door. Check daily how you are measuring up to your own plan.