Nearly at 20k mark - need to keep focused

autumn2012_2

If I can start cutting back on my food bills that is where alot of money gets wasted - a coffee here and a pizza there etc. Its not an excuse and its ridiculous that I struggle to cook etc. After my post yesterday I have cooked our dinner in the slow cooker today :-) - Its pay day on Friday so Im going to do the food shop. Does anybody have any ideas on nice meals on a budget.?

LJB290

We've fallen off the wagon recently too and think we might be congratulating ourselves on being so good for the last 10 months or so. Now we've fallen off - it seems harder to get back on it again.

Slow cooker meals are fantastic for those who don't fancy cooking after work etc. There are so many recipes online. I like to prep meals early and pop them in so that I dont have to think after a long day at work.

I guess allowing ourselves little treats every so often is better than blowing the budget big time every few months.

Makalu

Goodness knows if this advice will help at all but here goes. I've experienced this in the past where I've been saving and paying off debt like mad and feeling great to blowing loads all of a sudden on random things that I want but don't necessarily need. I have realised that for me its because I get so focussed on my debt I forget to treat myself or without sounding self indulgent I book myself in for hair extensions and buy tons of clothes (which I justify because they are in the sale) I now buy something nice for myself once a month and still put lots towards any debt if I have any and I can afford it. I have also picked up a tip on here which is to round payments off as much as possible, so if I owe £2333.34 I might pay £33.34 or £3.34 and it all adds up. I agree with MiMi66 above with looking at what worked for you before. Good luck ps sorry if I am repeating what others have also said, I only had time to quickly scan through.

fatbelly

autumn2012 wrote: »

Im nearly at the 20k mark (down for 26k). We have been paying things off and down over the last 18m and we were doing good however this last month I have lost sight of my goals and started spending again. I know its ridiculous but Iv bought a patio set, new kettle and toaster and a holiday just this month. Iv started eating out alot also which is alot of money when added up. Should I start putting money away in a savings account and pay off a lump sum or pay small amounts off so I dont spend?

6k in 18 months is good going - you are clearing debt at 333 per month. But that still leaves 5 years to go. Have you run your situation past someone independent like National Debtline to make sure your strategy is the best one in your circumstances?