How to stop living like a queen first half of month....

maman

sheramber wrote: »

It boils down to self control.

That's exactly right!


What I'd suggest is having one hugely frugal month where you don't spend a single penny that isn't essential bills and the least you can to eat healthily. That way you'll have a buffer to start the new month.

-taff

Find a hobby that doesn't costs anything and do tht every time you're tempted to go shopping...and don't shop online.

Try YNAB too.....

springiness

onlyroz wrote: »

£10 a day is £300 a month :eek:
That's a lot of money for discretionary spends. For myself I take in a packed lunch four days a week and treat myself to a lunch out on Fridays. Saves a packet.

What do you mean by discretionary spends? Do you mean fun stuff, clothes/takeaways/lunch out?

I am trying to get it down but that has to pay for all food, other shopping (cleaning products, toiletries), petrol, etc.

It doesn't include regular monthly payments (rent, mobile, insurance, etc).

ska_lover

springiness wrote: »

What do you mean by discretionary spends? Do you mean fun stuff, clothes/takeaways/lunch out?

I am trying to get it down but that has to pay for all food, other shopping (cleaning products, toiletries), petrol, etc.

It doesn't include regular monthly payments (rent, mobile, insurance, etc).

Sorry to chip in, but if you are getting all of your food, three meals, all petrol, it is not really so bad.

Tonight,just my evening meal cost £6 (for the family) so in comparison not so bad. sorry if ive got hold of the wrong end of the stick.

It is just a different way of looking at things than say , I would think to myself, I spend £150 a month on petrol, rather than working it out daily

also to add, amounts spent are comparative to earnings, so £10 a day may seem a huge fortune to some , however if you are earning more then it may seem a very small amount

Primrose

Pay your "left over" money into a savings account at the beginning of each month and then you won't be able to spend it. Not having it will hopefully get you into some better weekly budgeting habits.

pogofish

Budget, budget and budget some more!

You will be surprised how quickly you can turn it round when you appreciate the day to day costs and the consequences of not sticking to it.

Proxima_Centauri

Pepperoni wrote: »

And living off nothing for the second half of it!

I'm not going into debt in the second half of the month or anything, just end up having spending withdrawal and sometimes still spend - on non essentials, so entertainment, clothing, etc, but take the money out of money I'd hoped to save etc.

Just looking to see if anyone has any different ways they handle their money to make sure they don't buy everything they need / want at the beginning of the month and then try and survive until the start of the next month before doing the same again....

I could have written this post!

I will follow this thread with interest, as I have similar problems. But generally, looking around the loans and debt free boards on this forum, people seem to be saying that not being able to save any money is either because you simply don't have enough coming in, or that you need to rein in your spending habits.

I am planning on keeping a spending diary from next payday, so that I can see exactly where the money is going.