What are your biggest budget busters

[Deleted User]

I have been keeping a spending diary for a while and I always thought I was pretty savvy on the food shopping.

However it turns out I am not in that I am too careful with the weekly shop meaning that I ' top up' shop which has caught me out as it looks like these vary from £4 to £8 about 3/4 times a week.

So the top up shopping has to go as I clearly end up buying things over and above what I actually need so a pint of milk ends up being whatever I fancy when I get there.

Anyone else got a budget buster.

usernameisvalid

I use the corner shop for top ups ( well the petrol station 4 miles from home) for two reasons, A the cost of getting to town and cheaper shops, and B, the prices and lack of goods keep me focused. A loaf of bread stays a loaf of bread, not a basket of bits and bobs

I know damm well if I have to go into town at all in the week, I'll pop into tescos or lidl and boom - a tenner gone

[Deleted User]

yes its the local garage food hall that is my downfall, i'm trying to make sure I keep my tank filled so dont need to keep going to the garage for petrol top ups which is mainly when I get tempted, especially with the £1 bags of chocolate which are my weakness lol.

usernameisvalid

BBH123 wrote: »

yes its the local garage food hall that is my downfall, i'm trying to make sure I keep my tank filled so dont need to keep going to the garage for petrol top ups which is mainly when I get tempted, especially with the £1 bags of chocolate which are my weakness lol.

Chocolates are not groceries :rotfl:

Chocolates and crisps are personal spends here, other then one 6 pack of crisps a week. Anyone wants anymore then that, it's out of their own personal spends, not the house keeping

Soon tightens you when you realise you haven't the money for the highlights you want or that new dress you need for the night out

LameWolf

The only thing that can wreck my budget is if I'm not well enough to visit the shop myself, and Mr LW goes on his own. Invariably he comes back with something I hadn't written on the list I gave him. *rolls eyes*

So now, even if I'm feeling like death warmed over, I force myself to go along, to keep him focussed on only buying what we actually need.

culpepper

same here regarding the Hubs or DS..their 'want anything at the shops?' is really..'do you want anything at the shop I am going to..even if it is only the petrol station?' and that can hurt LOL

[Deleted User]

I suppose I am a bit luckier in that I try to limit myself to two to three shops a month ,this keeps me focussed on needs rather than wants .I only buy whats on my list and rarely splash out.I keep a separate 'happy cash stash' for treats for my DGC .I usually have a bout a £20.00 'float for this which when it gets low just gets topped up from my bank account .keeping cash divided up like this means I only use my food budget cash purse for groceries only.

VfM4meplse

I've just ditched a budget buster: boiler cover. I'll fix it as and when it breaks down.

Although the really big budget buster is Virgin Media

alex21

Wine when it's 25% off but you need to buy 6 bottles. Well, I always feel it'd be rude not to. Still, at least I can drink the pain away!!

NewShadow

For me - it's me

At work - When I make myself lunch, or bring in milk for tea, then decide I fancy something hot from the canteen or a milky frothy latte.

My own worst enemy.

Islandmaid

Kids - specifically DS2 who appears to be spending most of his time either in the bathroom using as much loo roll and shower gel as he can - or with his head in the fridge/cupboards grazing....

Will miss him when he's back at Uni, but not the increased shopping bills:D