what a time to get tight!!

JeDi

Hi, I have the same problem handling money. When I have it on my bank account they just fly away from there. here is how I solved it (not something finansial advisor would advise but works for me):
1. Set up a savings account with charges for taking the money out without prior notice (very important: no card should be attached to this account or you may end up taking the money out and going on a shopping spree)
2. When you get your paycheck, first thing to do is to transfer the money you want to save to that account. Do it before paying any bills, any credits, etc. You need to decide in advance how much money to put into your savings acct.
3. If you're serious about getting out of debt give your cc to your partner or any other responsible adult (I haven't done this yet, because my husband would never give it back to me )
4. Pay right away anything that needs to be paid (bills, mortgage, etc.)
I know this may seem wrong, but I think it's important to get into a saving habit, even though I still have small credit card debt, so, again, works for me. Now I feel a lot more secure financially

thegreenone

I order from A&C each week, their veggie boxes, milk (which I freeze), cheese, bin bags..... If those boxes are helping you with healthy eating, wastage and ease - I would say carry on ordering them. Add in a whole chicken and another joint, may be gammon - have two roasts a week and use the leftovers for another nights dinner and hopefully some lunches too and you'll save enormously. It has to be right for you to start with otherwise you won't stick to it. If you do have A&C's recipe boxes plus a fruit and veg box and milk/eggs, you will still come in under £100 per week. Massive saving on what you are paying now. Still too much, before anyone blasts me, but a huge saving on now. Then work on reducing it further.

EssexHebridean

redbreast wrote: »

I know I spend way too much on food etc. I shop at Ocado and get weekly Abel and Cole deliveries as well as the odd trip to Sainsbury's to fill the gaps. I like food and cooking. I do meal plan but I guess I must plan extravagant meals. I like to buy free range meat and try to eat exciting, healthy food (though I need to lose weight too so that's not going so well) so I can't see myself buying huge quantities of really cheap meat. I'm trying to think of yummy, healthy vegetarian meals so I can buy good meat only a few times a week.

We spend around £150 a month. Our meat is locally sourced/free range and comes from farmers markets for the most part. Eggs are ALWAYS free range - I'd go without rather than eat battery. If you're buying good quality meat then try reducing the amount of it you eat - and yes your plan to reduce eating meat to just a few days a week also works well. For some people online shopping works well - I'm guessing that for you it doesn't as you don't see it as real money going out - try switching to shopping at a regular supermarket (no, not Waitrose!) for a while, write a list of what you need, (not want), plan your spend and take cash. Before you go, pull everything out of your cupboards and take a look in the fridge and freezer, then see just how many meals you can make from what you already have.

Don't assume that all those on here saying you can cut your spend down dramatically on this bit of your budget are shovelling cheap ready-meals into their gobs - it's simply not true.