Need to stop spending

Shineyhappy

85 pounds a week is a lot for 3 people!! Where do you shop? OH and I spend 25 pounds a week and that includes all cleaning products, food for work, toilettries and an occasional bottle of wine.

I think a lot of this does depend on how quickly you want to pay off your debts but 66 pounds a month on nails seems crazy to me. Is there any way you could learn to do them yourself?

I didnt see anything for MOTs, car repairs, toys for the kids or clothes for them or family outings.

If I were you I would start a spending diary so you can see where all your cash goes.

supersavershal

If having your nails done is something you really enjoy have you thought about having them done by the beauty students at the local college, they are overseen by a qualified teacher and because they are being assessed they do a really good job.I have my hair done there and when im feeling stressed have a massage or a facial, it costs very little.
You have to have some nice things in life or it would get you down.This is about money saving not money stop spending.

LizTaylor_2

Another thing - I have a whole section in my website favourites list of shopping sites and I browse them for fun! Then of course I spend.
I just deleted them.:T

chevalier

well done on the deletion! good going. Baby steps but that is what will get you to your new debt freeness!
chev

LizTaylor_2

I just went onto my bank account online and have sent money to Next and Monsoon to clear my accounts and I have also paid off my A&L card from my savings too.
Now to set up higher payments from my other CC which is on 0% at the moment.
I just need to stick to this. I guess that's where you guys come in.
I have a change jar too for anything over 50p plus £2 coins - but I pinch from it sometimes for parking and school lunches!

Shineyhappy

When I was a student I worked in retail and on lunch breaks I would spend what I earnt! I looked back over old bank statments and I asked myself why did I bother working when I blew 80 quid in HMV, 20 quid in Next etc?

I did find though that when I stayed away from the shops and magazines I didnt actually spend all day thinking about what I could buy and what I wanted and the longer I stayed away from the shops the less I enjoyed going shopping. Now I hate being squashed in towns and malls and am happier going out for the day than going shopping. I think we all forget how much money the shops and brands spend on advertising and there is no way Coke would spend 2bn a year on advertising unless it was making them money!

(Land_of)_Maz

Re the nails, i stopped getting mine down a while ago and once your nails recover from the shock it's actually quite nice to sit at night with a glass of wine and do your own nails.... (only the one glass or the results can be rubbish!)

Another tip is to make it a monthly thing... i guess £66 is twice a month? They must love you!

To make my acryllics last longer i used to use a fine emery board to smooth over and blend in the gap then paint the gap with clear polish so that part of the nail is as shiny as the rest. Or paint over the whole nail in a colour for the second half of the month, after blending the rough edge in. That disguises it well.

Edit: if the nails break at the tips, and that's the reason for fortnightly, just go shorter for the second half of the month, file them all down as they give up!

Try it, it totally works and will half amount of time you need to go.... therefore half the money!!

And if you are anything like the rest of us, you probably have tons of lotions, potions and polishes you can use up to treat yourself in between! I get my DD to give me hand massages all the time! Child labour! but she loves it, lets her feel like a grown up!

(Land_of)_Maz

LizTaylor wrote: »

I just went onto my bank account online and have sent money to Next and Monsoon to clear my accounts and I have also paid off my A&L card from my savings too.
Now to set up higher payments from my other CC which is on 0% at the moment.
I just need to stick to this. I guess that's where you guys come in.
I have a change jar too for anything over 50p plus £2 coins - but I pinch from it sometimes for parking and school lunches!

Go and write a letter closing both Next and Monsoon right now, that way you can post the letter today while you are strong! by the time it gets to them and they act upon it the balance will be zero'd. if you wait until you get statements saying zero to close them, you might not get around to it or might be feeling less strong.

Sorry for hijacking your thread! will bog off now, wish i could take my own advice!

LizTaylor_2

Mazz3374 - your replies are so good
Yes I get my nails done 2 times a month. It used to be twice every 6 weeks but its gradually crept up. I am going to put a stop to it. I have gel overlays so they just grow out a bit really - I will take your advice and fill in the gaps myself.
My bathroom looks like a display in Boots I have so much stuff. That's not including the drawer full of lipsticks and sample sizes!

mrs_pokemon

Hi ,it is hard when you are spending to make yourself feel good.you have done so well to admit it.
You know it will not make you feel good in the long run because you will end up in debt.
Everyone on here is marvelous
and i am sure you will get lots of support.
Why not try the grocery challenge on the oldstyle money saving forum.
i am trying it for the first time this month.I have saved over £100.
Have spent £300 on groceries for 2 adults ,3 children and a very big dog.:D
I think giving your children pocket money for helping with chores is a great idea.
I am going to give it a try with my 8 and 6 year old.