Stop frivolous spending and save more

Loveactually

So ended up spending £27.00 yesterday for some top up shopping. Hopefully a NSD 2 today 

downshifted

Good luck with your plan. One of the best things I did was keep a spending diary, just write down everything you spend for a month or two to see where the money goes, you will almost certainly find some areas where you’re spending unnecessarily.
Looking back at your first post I’d also say that as a grandma I’d advise against giving your daughter everything she asks for. Yes, be generous if you wish and it doesn’t interfere with your long term goals, but no one gets everything they want in life, and some things are more valued if waited for. Building in some resilience is important, you don’t want to raise a child who expects to get everything do you? How do they learn patience and perseverance if they always get everything they want? 

I’m sorry you didn’t get many treats as a child though, were they just being horrible to you or couldn’t they afford it? It’s all a question of balance isn’t it. You certainly have the best of motives for saving and I bet you will be successful 

Loveactually

Thank you so much for your advice downshifted... I am trying that with my daughter now 

regarding my parents yes they could not afford it so I can’t blame them for not providing me any treats. 

Loveactually

Only 3 NSD this week must try harder next week. at least I avoided the take away this whole weekend and enjoyed some home cooked meals 

Loveactually

Next week Is DH birthday so will definitely be some extra expenditure

downshifted

So long as you budget for your additional expenditure you will be fine 

Blackcats

Well done on avoiding the takeaway.  Sometimes it's a nice treat to have a takeaway or eat out - (and I did that a LOT!) but it can be a bit of a let down.  Since starting on my more frugal journey and because of lockdown I've come to enjoy the whole home cooking experience much more.  I do sometimes buy ready prepared meat from the butcher - this week I bought a beef stir fry which was delicious - the beef was so tender and I made 8 treasure fried rice with lots of bits and bobs from the fridge and freezer.  

enthusiasticsaver

Looking at your spending you do not seem to be over frivolous. Saving £200 in an ISA for your daughter and helping your parents out by giving them 20% of your income is admirable but only possible I guess because your husband pays all the other bills.  You still have a decent chunk of your money left every month so I would perhaps watch the top up shops as that is usually where people, (myself included)  overspend.  I tend to try and get creative towards the end of our shopping week to avoid doing the top up shops altogether.  Do you meal plan and use a budget supermarket like Aldi or Lidls to try and keep the food spend down? 

I would also advise against giving your daughter everything she asks for.  In my experience children who have grown up with this sort of parent have difficulty adjusting to being financially independent as adults.  Asking her to wait or save up for something will help her manage her money better when she is older. Good luck with your savings goal. 

Loveactually

Blackcats said:

Well done on avoiding the takeaway.  Sometimes it's a nice treat to have a takeaway or eat out - (and I did that a LOT!) but it can be a bit of a let down.  Since starting on my more frugal journey and because of lockdown I've come to enjoy the whole home cooking experience much more.  I do sometimes buy ready prepared meat from the butcher - this week I bought a beef stir fry which was delicious - the beef was so tender and I made 8 treasure fried rice with lots of bits and bobs from the fridge and freezer.  

Nice suggestion at the end of the week I also make have so much bits left in fridge I just make some pasta out of all that vegetables and my daughter loves it. 

Loveactually

Thank you enthusiasticsaver ... I have now got her a gohenry card now with fixed budget. She can only spend £5 every week not more than that. I am also doing my shopping early morning or late evening after she is in bed.