Stopping spending

Teacher2

Since I was about 18 my DP, now DH of 40 years, have kept an account book where every penny in and out is recorded and mini accounts are run to take care of future bills. We have a bills' fund and a car fund to take care of future commitments.

We have also had savings accounts in the book for general savings and holidays. Since redundancy and retirement we have not actually been able to put much away but for years we put quite a lot away for retirement and a rainy days.

The thought of being solvent has always motivated us more than spending on 'stuff'. I keep away from shops now I am retired unless I actually need something. I never pay full price for anything but basics either. I buy in sales or yellow stickered items.

[Deleted User]

Am actually debt free but keep a spreadsheet to check annual/monthly spends. Not saying it is completely up to date but I do enter spends every time, monthly sheets with supermarket groc etc on one, cleaning/window cleaning/fuel on another and "other" where I put lunches out/pressie items etc. I fill in after each shop or bank payment and try to keep the annual ones adjusted as and when (phone charges/elec etc) each month. Helps to keep focussed.

getmore4less

One issue with avoiding shopping is you can miss the price low points for stuff you will be buying anyway.

Regular price watching of the things you need over the next few month can save loads if you catch the cheaper prices.

Knowing the low price of regular buys and the frequency of those low prices so you carry stock to cover the gaps.

Small savings on some items but things like clothes and bigger bits you can save a bundle looking ahead for what you need and price checking regularly.
For each category work on stretching the money allocated.

If schedule permits RFQS shopping can be very productive once you capture the times your shops reduce stuff.

sazaccount

Storeit wrote: »

Wow you actually "froze" your own credit card! That's amazing! I tried using an envelope system for expense and spending and it sort of worked. Luckily I've managed to avoid most of the issues with debt around credit cards.

yes I froze it this was a few years ago and it did really help stopping the small mindless spends and made me more "aware" of what I wanted to buy

FireWyrm

I locked myself out of Amazon. I literally barred the URL on every device I could and removed all the payment methods so if I did want to buy something - I had to go find the card and put the numbers in all over again. I also have a timer and a list these days. Anything I want goes on the list and if I still want it when the timer runs out and Amazon unlocks, then I can get it guilt free.

Poppy1984

Unsubscribed from all the shopping website emails. I was a huge shopaholic especially when those sale emails would pop into my inbox. Removed all Shopping apps from my phone and logged out of all shopping sites. Shopping was my hobby and therapy but not any more

tallyhoh

I had a job I hated so worked out how long I had to spend behind that desk to pay for purchases, for example a new blouse worked out at 2 hours.

Now if my boss had said work for 2 hours & I'll give you a blouse??