Sh*t creek - is now in my rear view mirror...!

MovingForwards

Focusing on the grocery budget is the main one. Comparing the cost and amount of shop equivalent to homemade equivalent is the easiest way to see where you can not only save money, but get more for what you do make.

Use the what ifs to drive you, not be driven by them. You know cash works, that's the way forward for you. Don't get caught up in what you've done, focus on what you are going to do.

Even if it takes 10 years to think, ok today I can use my card, it's fine. Hopefully you recognise, or have early warning signs that the urge is beginning to form. Watch out for that and whatever you do, put the card away and stick to cash until it passes.

We are all behind you, every step of the way 🤗

Irenadler

Cheers for that Babs, its amazing how easy it is to let those pennies stream through our fingers....

With me, its emotional spending, or, trying to block out those emotions with buying stuff...or eating stuff... If I know I can't mindlessly do that because I only have a set amount for things on the list I can't let those driving forces out. So far I have steered away from the shops even though I have a list because of wobbles. 

Incredibly, after properly checking what I have in the freezer I know I only need 5 things for this coming week. Now all I have to do is stick to those 5 things....

MovingForwards

Allow yourself one special shop a month, two months, quarterly, but only take some pocket money and not your debit card. Plan what you need, not what you want.

Freezer audit sounds like it worked. How much do those 5 things cost?
Only take out enough money for them and your fruit / veg / other bits. That way you know it's a set budget and none of this "oh, I will grab chocolate, ice cream, biscuits, crisps while I'm here". You can't, because you won't have enough money on you.
It's all about training and learning, takes a few times, may have a hitch along the way, but bounce back and try again 🤗

Irenadler

Much appreciated Babs, I am bobbling off to price those up....

savingwannabe

I listen to everything Babs says to you Ren as it is so useful. This week am going to only buy the basics of what has run out for food and try not to waste anything this month as money is tight. I have a list of 6 things and will only buy those but will buy some nuts as a treat. 
Well done on opening up your account and the journey into town. You have just reminded me we have a library but i havent been for ages due to work. I must visit. Really well done on your PA earnings. Fantastic news. Have a good week my sweet.

MovingForwards

All we can do is try and help one another, offer suggestions, hints and tips. Picking out what we think might work from reading all the diaries. What helps is knowing our food budgets are roughly the same and we all like bargains 😁

Irenadler

savingwannabe said:

I listen to everything Babs says to you Ren as it is so useful. This week am going to only buy the basics of what has run out for food and try not to waste anything this month as money is tight. I have a list of 6 things and will only buy those but will buy some nuts as a treat. 
Too right, Babs is my oracle/guru/mentor/holds me by the hand when I am freaking out! And basically pulls me out of the odd tail-spin with her 'Calm down woman!' approach, ha!  
Well done on opening up your account and the journey into town. You have just reminded me we have a library but i havent been for ages due to work. I must visit. Really well done on your PA earnings. Fantastic news. Have a good week my sweet.
Aw, thanks Swan, that's very kind of you, keep those legs frantically swimming, you might feel you are swimming against the tide, but you are definitely getting there! Hope you have a brilliant week too, me duck!   

I have proudly researched my list of groceries, and know I can keep the price under the £20, going to toodle off to the supermarket and avert my gaze from 'bargains'....

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

Allow yourself one special shop a month, two months, quarterly, but only take some pocket money and not your debit card. Plan what you need, not what you want.

Freezer audit sounds like it worked. How much do those 5 things cost?
Only take out enough money for them and your fruit / veg / other bits. That way you know it's a set budget and none of this "oh, I will grab chocolate, ice cream, biscuits, crisps while I'm here". You can't, because you won't have enough money on you.
It's all about training and learning, takes a few times, may have a hitch along the way, but bounce back and try again 🤗

Defo doing this - I am even (gulp ) stopping buying the ingredients for raw brownies, using them up, and then I am going sugar free totally. It doesn't work for me just buying a little treat, or, just one thing, because then the cravings kick in and one treat becomes three, and the snacking gets worse... and then the comfort eating, and then the backside spreading, and then the GP finger wagging, sigh....

So, nothing sweet on the list, and no carbs like crisps either.... just (urgh) healthy food/whole food like veggies.... it really does make a huge difference to the budget....

MovingForwards

☺️☺️☺️☺️ you know how to make a grown woman blush!

I've not tried this myself yet, but it's possible to make vegetable crisps at home. Thin sliced veg eg carrots, spuds, parsnips and any other root veg you like, pop in the oven and leave to bake / crisp up. Potentially, the peelings from your veg could be used up this way, unless you scrape them rather than peel.
-- coat them in spice or salt before baking, or have them as is.

It's the 'treats' which do end up costing loads. Although, homemade cake / biscuits can go in the freezer, bringing one out to defrost at a time. Something to contemplate in the future when compulsion has been tamed.

Use fruit instead of sugar for the sweetness, cutting sugar right out may have the effect you are trying to avoid. 

I use herbs instead of salt when cooking, aside from my chippy night 😁

Irenadler

He, he, sorry Babs...

I have thought about it, making crisps I mean, but, that's as far as I got! I think I will have a go, once the bum-spreading is reduced a bit...

I did contemplate only making sweet treats, that's why I had a go at the raw brownies, so that if I want anything, I have to make it myself as it is cheaper. This is.  Just. So. Weird. Some of the ingredients I bought today were frozen fruit and fresh fruit,.. do you have a crystal ball there Babs? I was anticipating sweet cravings, so, thought of natural sweet things as replacements....

Crikey, we must have synchronised brain waves or something.... 

Ok. Safe to say I did resist spending and stuck to list, apart from a roll of sellotape for 40p. This was because I wanted labels for freezer meal containers, to avoid freezer mystery meals & was on the list, but couldn't find any. I am being more money saving by using scrap paper I have at home stuck down with sellotape... I took my £20 note and only spent, drumroll, £14.43! 

I finally realised how much more enjoyable just getting what I need is. I still have change, I have not ruptured myself carrying it home, it was a lot quicker to put away, and I know what I am doing with it! Care of use it up meal plan... 

I then tipped up the handbag and scraped coinage out.... now in the stash cash jar! New total in my signature. Time for the dance - I am congoing around the lounge, up the hallway, round the kitchen, freaking the dog out, and back again....