My very scary SOA

SarahNeedle1872

Well done LellyLion, what a great start!
Can't really add anything that hasn't already been said, except maybe start a spending diary to see how much money you both spend each day....

Well done, and keep us updated

Sarah x

dumpy

Sorry I'm another one who will say "wow that's a lot on food and stuff".

BUT when you cut down do it slowly. There are lots here and on the OS board who do the weekly shop for much less but don't try to cut down from 200 to 35 in one go, you'll find it impossible and you will probably give up.

So set yourself a target and gradually lower the amount you spend. You'll find it becomes a bit of a challenge.

I used to spend £60-70 and look at the fridge and think "I've got nothing for tea"!!!

Now I spend about 35-40 and I've meals for the week including packed lunches all round. We hardly waste anything and we eat much healthier food. I've even lost weight (but some of the biscuit receipes on the OS board are getting this back on for me!)

So tiny tiny steps and start bringing that amount down.

mrsspendalot

I agree with Dumpy's advice

We are a family of 5, with one in nappies. I used to spend £375-400 a month on shopping. We then managed to knock this down to £250 a month, and now we only spend £150-200 a month and we eat better than we did before! Gradual changes will not be noticed as much.

lindens

Hiya
Just wanted add my support, and say along with others, there's alot of room for improvement, and you've done tha hardest part which is writing it all down and then coming and posting on here.:T
I used to spend loads at the supermarket, but after reading everyone's advise on here did a storecupboard challenge and couldn't believe the amount of tins jars and packets that I had accumulated. I did a list and we ate for 2 weeks:eek: only shopping for bread and milk, just out of what we had in the cupboards and freezer.
I now loosley meal plan, but don't beat myself up if i don't end up sticking to it every day. It has cut down my wastage and my bills have gone down. One thing I have changed since meeting my OH is ignoring the use by date lol - within reason. And definately the best before date, sometimes by years:rotfl:

Cazzdevil

Lelly that's a fantastic start, well done!! You'll start to think about things in a slightly different way from now, you start getting the urge to check the price of almost everything before you buy it and you're always wanting to make sure you're getting the best deal.

But that's a good thing

Yorkielass

That's fantastic news - well done! look forward to hearing how the shopping goes!Yorkielass!

debtfreewannabee_3

Good News Hearing From You Hope That Keeps On Going

Burlesque_Babe

might be worth joining the Supermarket Challenge on the Old Style board.

Give yourself a budget of x amount starting on 1 September. If you are spending £200 a week at the moment on shopping/popping out for a loaf etc, try for £150 a week and see how you get on. Then for October reduce to £125 and November £100 etc.

Eat everything you have in the house first. Empty the freezer, cupboards, fridge. Then go shopping.

Try buying everything Value for just one shop and see what you like/don't like. If you don't like it then buy the Tesco own brand the next time.

Meal plan by doing a simple table, 1 column per day. Put the breakfast, lunch, dinner next to each day and stick it on the fridge.

Only buy what you really need when you really need it, you'll get the amount down in no time.

Lellylion

Right then... Finally managed to get the Snowballing site working, was having problems this am.

I feel much more positive now - Snowball Date Feb 2012. (Luckily we are pretty well paid so can afford £1400 a month to pay of those debts)

Have already managed to cut out £65 a month, just by changing suppliers and cancelling unnessesary policies.

Why didn't I come to this site earlier.

Will let you know how the first month goes.

Thanks for your help

Lellylion

chivers1977

I guess you have a Woolwich mortgage reserve / Mortgage Current Account. If your balance is £21k over the term of the loan you need to pay £92 per month towards the capital (£21000 / 19 /12) and cover the interest at whatever rate that is charged at. Therefore you will need to increase your payment slightly at some point to achieve this. Just to let you know - I work for them so know how it works!!