Money saving and getting husband on board!

milliemonster

FBaby wrote: »

I find this post quite upsetting. For one, I don't think saving is about having to. By definition, you could always say that it isn't a need. However, doing so doesn't make it pointless, if only for the fact you never know what might happen tomorrow and might find yourself very relieved to have a bit of money aside to go through difficult times.

I also find it hard that you would judge your parents the way you do. I understand that they have taken it to an extreme if you never did anything, but maybe they thought that family time together was worth much more than what money could by. Your mum might never have enjoyed the money she saved which is very sad, but it sounds like your dad is, despite I'm sure wishing he could do so with your mum. OH and I are investing a lot for our retirement. We are both conscious that it could be all for nothing, but at the same time, I see how it has paid of for my parents who are living the retirement dream, a nice house long paid for, nice cars, fantastic holidays, taking on new activities, treating friends and families. They've been retired for 14 years, loving every second of it and so far, no health scare. Considering the average expectancy age is getting close to 80, I don't think considering retirement is such a bad idea, at least not for everyone.

Im sorry but you misjudged what I meant, by saving we never did anything, I mean we never did ANYTHiNG, we didn't have family time either, my dad had his own business so worked constantly, mum was very strict in her routines and would spend all week cleaning and gardening and evenings in front of the tv, dad would get home late at night and he would usually be working most weekends, Wenever did things that were 'free' like going for walks as an example as mum just wouldn't do stuff like that, we didn't have 'family time' as you call it. Any spare time she had would be used to support her mum (my nana) by taking her shopping.

I agree there is nothing wrong with preparing for retirement, but to forfeit everything else in life? Sorry, no, and whether life expectancy is almost 80 or not is irrelevant to me, none of my family have reached their 80s, me and my husband have our pensions, have a mortgaged home and enough savings to fall back on should an emergency arise, the rest is getting spent on having a good time and enjoying life with our kids while we are you g enough and fit enough to do it

Anomaly100

Rest assured no one is going without in my family. We're very fortunate and I'm very aware of this as is my husband.

We've increased pension contributions to reduce tax and to keep more child benefit. We're overpaying the mortgage for many reasons. To get it cleared so we can save/spend the money on other stuff. Ideally I would like it cleared so that its gone by the time the eldest might be thinking about university.

We have done a budget for 2016. So each month we put money aside for holidays, christmas, MOTs etc.

I think its been interesting every one asking why I want to save. Its made me think about it when I really hadn't before. There is an element of worry for the future no reason to but I'm an anxious sort.

I do think its partly also because I see us as wasteful. I know I can't change the past but I want to start trying to ensure we reduce waste.

Part of the waste is food. I hate cooking and the kids are really fussy so food does get thrown out. We're not so bad as the families on those TV programmes, no branded stuff and husband is actually a really good cook so we're not eating ready meals; but I know we could do loads better. I'll look at the old style boards and I might also sign the kids up for school dinners.

Thanks for all your comments its made me reflect in a way I hadn't before.

getmore4less

Anomaly100 wrote: »

Rest assured no one is going without in my family. We're very fortunate and I'm very aware of this as is my husband.

We've increased pension contributions to reduce tax and to keep more child benefit. We're overpaying the mortgage for many reasons. To get it cleared so we can save/spend the money on other stuff. Ideally I would like it cleared so that its gone by the time the eldest might be thinking about university.

We have done a budget for 2016. So each month we put money aside for holidays, christmas, MOTs etc.

I think its been interesting every one asking why I want to save. Its made me think about it when I really hadn't before. There is an element of worry for the future no reason to but I'm an anxious sort.

I do think its partly also because I see us as wasteful. I know I can't change the past but I want to start trying to ensure we reduce waste.

Part of the waste is food. I hate cooking and the kids are really fussy so food does get thrown out. We're not so bad as the families on those TV programmes, no branded stuff and husband is actually a really good cook so we're not eating ready meals; but I know we could do loads better. I'll look at the old style boards and I might also sign the kids up for school dinners.

Thanks for all your comments its made me reflect in a way I hadn't before.

When you have loads of disposable after allocating to essentials and the wants it is very easy to let things slip as you never run out of money.

I think it is a good idea to sit down at least once a year and challenge everything.

Look at all the regular spends and see if you are getting value for money, mobiles, TV, internet, utilities, gyms etc.

Same with the day to day,

Food if there is a lot of waste why?
What could you buy that won't go to waste,
Is it just buying too much(often goes with eating too much)
Are you buying stuff but then choosing to eat something else(I do this if there is a choice steak/sausages the steak wins every time)

Often it is not about saving money just getting better value.
make a list of the things you throw out and buy less/none of them for a while.

Stop buying things the kids won't eat or don't buy alternatives so they have no choice(harder).

If/when old enough give them a budget to meal plan with guidelines on healthy stuff. if they can feed themselves within budget to an acceptable level they get to keep the spare.

My food habits changed when I left home at 17 and had to pay for my own food.

There will be other things where money just leaks that you get little or no value.

a spending diary/annual totals can often find them.

again don't always think about saving but redirecting, better holiday, smaller mortgage...