What are your biggest budget busters

caronc

Biggest budget buster for me is "just fancying" something and adding it to my online shop when I have a plethora of foodstuffs already in the house. I'm better than I was but...........:o

mcculloch29

I do have a partial cure for "Just fancies" . Visualise how what it is that you fancy looks and tastes. Picture of yourself swallowing it. If it's something sweet do you actually feel little bit sickly now? Do you really want it that much? If it's an ingredient, where does it fit in to your meal plan?
Sometimes a treat is justifiable, don't be too hard on yourself either.

caronc

mcculloch29 wrote: »

I do have a partial cure for "Just fancies" . Visualise how what it is that you fancy looks and tastes. Picture of yourself swallowing it. If it's something sweet do you actually feel little bit sickly now? Do you really want it that much? If it's an ingredient, where does it fit in to your meal plan?
Sometimes a treat is justifiable, don't be too hard on yourself either.

Seldom sweet stuff for me in the "just fancying" dept more I've not had xyz for ages why don't I get some... it does get used (eventually) so though although budget busted money's not wasted IFYSWIM I'm finding the freezer/cupboard challenge helpful in focussing on using things up but you're right the odd "off-piste" purchase is just fine it's just reining it in for me

kboss2010

My worst habit is popping into my local co-op on the way home to get a sandwich or sausage roll. I need to stop doing that or take a snack with me for after work because I'm spending a fortune! Silly really when I take my lunch to work with me to save money.

VfM4meplse

kboss2010 wrote: »

My worst habit is popping into my local co-op on the way home to get a sandwich or sausage roll. I need to stop doing that or take a snack with me for after work because I'm spending a fortune! Silly really when I take my lunch to work with me to save money.

The trouble with Co-Op is the RTC / YS temptation on bakery goodies. Hardly budget busters, but not good for me.

I haven't gone into Co-OP for months now because of it.

grunnie

I do one big shop a month and also order beef etc from a online butcher. My downfall was the top up shops. A trip to Mr T for milk and I could easily spend £10 + so now I hand my OH a £1 and tell him to bring some milk. He is the one you uses milk as I am dairy free.
We are on a basic pension so not much money to waste but still manage to save for holidays. That coffees to go and cake etc just get saved for our day out once a week.

Dharma_Bunny

Not planning ahead for packed lunch/picnics and having snacks to hand for when me and the kids are out and about.
I'm pretty good at keeping our water bottles with us and full, so never buy a drink, but we end up in the newsagents at the bus station far too often. I've started the Grocery Challenge this month to help keep on top of that!

Mr_Singleton

Just been renewing some cycling kit and it's surprising how much it all adds up to.

trailingspouse

There are entire aisles that I no longer go down at the supermarket - crisps, fizzy pop, ready meals, confectionary. It makes for cheaper (and quicker) shopping.

Zola.

The top ups hurt us too, normally happen on Thursdays. Started slow cooking more for evening meals, and lunches are cooked for 3 days on Sunday, come Thursday we either get creative or else buy.