How to enjoy life on a budget

maman

Some really good ideas sammy and it'll help that you arent going to miss going out much.

I'd suggest you and your DH keep a spending diary. Write down everything you spend so that you know where your money's going. You can then review weekly or monthly (or even daily!:eek:) to see if there's anywhere you could cut back. I've found that just keeping the diary can be a good deterrent/accountability to overspending as you're reluctant to 'spoil' it with wasteful items.

Siebrie

In addition to my earlier reply I would like to suggest that now is an excellent time to volunteer your help to any friends and family moving house or tackling diy projects. Free of charge, of course. You will learn valuable lessons and can call in favours once it's your time to move.

dan958

Write down all your outgoings, and then make frugal savings in certain areas, so you can have extra money to spend on things you enjoy.

I don't eat out, and I do pretty well on my grocery shopping, but all this gets added to my savings (which at the moment is goign towards an emergency fund, but after that it will be saving for things I enjoy)

trailingspouse

There are lots of ways to reduce your entertainment budget -



Meals out - if you're out about once a week, reduce it to once a month. If you're out once a month reduce it to 'special occasions only'. You don't have to have all three courses, the veggie option is usually cheaper than the meat option. Or you can have a 'meal out' at home - set aside an evening, plan what you're going to make, cook together with a glass of wine in your hand, serve it properly on the table, light candles. Leave the washing up until morning.

Takeaways - again, reduce the frequency. If you generally get pizza delivered, buy some for the freezer and just pop them in the oven instead (a lot cheaper, and quicker than waiting for delivery). If it's Indian and Chinese you like, you probably don't need as much as you buy. One main course and one portion of rice is more than enough for two people. You don't need the rice and the naan - choose one or the other.
Going to the pub - drink less!! Going to the pub isn't expensive - it only costs a lot if you drink a lot. Make that pint last all evening if you have to.

Cinema - reduce the frequency. This has the advantage of making it feel like more of an event. And just buy the tickets. You don't need to upgrade to the fancy seats, you don't need the popcorn.



And when you wobble (as you will, from time to time) think to yourself, 'Do I need this more than I need a deposit for my house?'

GreenQueen

Another thing I remember from doing weightwatchers - if you fall off the wagon, don't let it ruin all your hard work. Draw a line under your bad day, and start again with your plans and good intentions the following day. We all have the odd wobble where we let ourselves down, the secret is to pull it together again, and not beat ourselves up.

It can be easy to say "I spent twice as much as I intended on that takeaway and managed to get through two bottles of wine, so I might as well have that packet of biscuits and the tub of ice cream as well" - perhaps not well worded, but you get the idea...

Prinzessilein

Some good advice given already!

My additional thoughts....

Look at your non-negotiables...I knew, when I was sorting out my finances, that coffee was important to me! (I don't drink wine....but you will grab my mug of coffee from my hand at your own risk!!!!)...I honestly tried the budget brands but they were no good....I finally found a mid-range brand that worked for me.

Make the most of offers...and plan ahead!....Christmas is coming...and despite the fact that it falls on the SAME date every year, you see folks buying madly a day or so beforehand as if it was a surprise! And prices are no at their cheapest on the 24th! (Okay sometimes you CAN get a bargain turkey at the last minute...if you are willing to risk not getting one and having to rethink Christmas Dinner!)...what makes Christmas 'special' for you...what can you happily forego this year?...start planning today!

One answer I give to many questions is...invest in a slowcooker/multicooker....you can cook cheap cuts of meat to mouthwatering moistness with minimum cost and almost zero cooking skills....Think beef in red wine...coq-au-vin.....pork in cider....(not EVERYTHING I cook comes with alcohol...honest!)….and all sorts of (alcohol free!!!!) curry!....restaurant class food at budget prices!

Make the most of your local library...not only for books...but for DVDs and Video Games...much cheaper for a night in than buying a film you watch once- or a game that is not as much fun as the hype suggested!

Look out for introductory offers ...and ENSURE you cancel the moment your first pack arrives!...I am thinking stuff like Hotel Chocolat subscription boxes...check the website...wait for a special offer...when you can get one ( full size box of chocs for a tenner instead of £25) sign up ...and then IMMEDIATELY the box arrives cancel the subscription!....maybe an idea for nearer Christmas as a luxury!

Oh and store cards!...Use them... for example...if you are having a night in instead of a takeaway make sure you have an M&S Sparks card...and register it!....then you get all sorts of offers such as an extra side dish free on a Dine In Special....So the already good value of £10/£12 for Main Course, Side, Dessert and Wine now includes 2 sides for the same price.

And might I suggest a specific account for saving the deposit...you both pay in ….but it is ONLY for the deposit money...it accrues a little interest...and you are less likely to 'dip-in' to the funds!

bit_by_bit

Great ideas above

A few of mine are:

Take simple walks together. Around where I live there are plenty. Look online.

There are also art galleries and museums for rainy days. Until we started going I didn't realise DH like art that much. Had some great laughs and discussions from these.

Cheapest drink at the pub after tap water seems to be blackcurrent and soda. I have done some very cheap nights out on that drink.

Good luck with your plans. Its a great start that should set you up for a fantastic future

Itsjustsammy19

Wow thank you all so much for the replies. I've read all of them and you have got great ideas. I was planning on doing this until we buy a house but it's something I would continue doing afterwards too. More money towards our next holiday then :-)
Yes definitely glad we decided against a new build and save the 10% deposit and buy pre-owned. It will definitely be a financial benefit in the long run

Itsjustsammy19

Oh and I live east of Leicester in the countryside as a few of you asked

lessonlearned

Itsjustsammy19 wrote: »

Wow thank you all so much for the replies. I've read all of them and you have got great ideas. I was planning on doing this until we buy a house but it's something I would continue doing afterwards too. More money towards our next holiday then :-)
Yes definitely glad we decided against a new build and save the 10% deposit and buy pre-owned. It will definitely be a financial benefit in the long run

This is what I do:rotfl:

The money I save goes for treats, usually a big trip. I went to the Amazon last year, Iceland next.

You're not a million miles away from me. You're nearer the coast than me. I'm a Derbyshire lass. :rotfl: