Spent £527.67 on alcohol, takeaways and eating out in last month.

williewonder

I seriously need to cut back on the alcohol and takeaways. Going through my bank statement doesn't come as a great shock for me as I know I'm spending too much. This is month after month. How can I break this cycle?

BestnamesRgone

But on your thread dated 1st March you state that you don’t drink alcohol?

williewonder

BestnamesRgone said:

But on your thread dated 1st March you state that you don’t drink alcohol?

I won't be drinking on holiday.

Robin9

You are having to earn nearly £10,000 for this spend - incentive enough for me.

Angelica123

williewonder said:

I seriously need to cut back on the alcohol and takeaways. Going through my bank statement doesn't come as a great shock for me as I know I'm spending too much. This is month after month. How can I break this cycle?

You might find some of envelope banking useful either by using something like Monzo with pots or have a separate account for this spending. Decide how much you are willing to put in that pot and then once it's depleted then no more takeaways or dining out until the next month when the pot is repleted. 

elsien

For those not aware, Williewonder lives in supported living and has a financial deputy to oversee his money.
This same question has also been asked before.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6474959/how-to-stop-spending-money-good-idea-or-bad#latest

It’s not a finance issue as such. It’s a lifestyle and a mental health support issue. Bear that in mind when answering. 

What happened with the suggestions in your previous thread? 

noitsnotme

How much overseeing does this financial deputy actually do?  They don’t sound like they’re very effective if they’re allowing a vulnerable person to spend that sort of money on takeaways and alcohol regularly.

sausage_time

Similar to @Angelica123, what about tracking what you spend as you go along?   Set yourself a budget for the month, measure against that, and stick to it.  Might be more effective than looking backwards at the previous month.

Muttleythefrog

For sure this is not a simple money saving enquiry which it could appear. This is complicated I think as others are involved in helping you with money and your care. It is unfortunate that support doesn't seem to be preventing what could be damaging behaviours or longer term health issues.

I'm trying to think psychologically from your POV based on what is in my mind for various threads. I do think getting out is probably good for you.. and socialising.. including the getting out for coffee with staff who support you. Do you know what... perhaps just tweak the behaviours... while alcohol has some significant attraction (certainly in the very short term) and takeaways too... maybe you could continue this behaviour but with changing the substances. Pubs often will offer alcohol free drinks and of course soft drinks.. try to reduce the alcoholic ones which are likely to cost more. For eating out.... choose some healthier options which again may end up cheaper... think salads, baked potatoes, pastas... society seems to offer up more of these takeaway options than perhaps in past.

So I think possibly you can have your cake and eat it so to speak... I know you want to save but I also understand you fear not spending the benefit money. So perhaps just a shift in emphasis of what you consume and try to maintain that social activity. Possible? Oh and also... if you're mobile (walking) (sorry my mind is all over place at moment with potential cancer threat so I forget your particular range of disabilities) try and build in significant gaps between venues... mix things up like walks in nature or even just sitting in a park watching the ducks go by.

Grumpy_chap

As others have said, the OP needs to prepare a budget.  This may be with the assistant of the financial deputy.
The amount spent on meals out can only be assessed when set against other spends and whether it is resulting in financial suffering / forfeiting essentials elsewhere.
IIRC, the OP has written previously about holiday planning and mentioned they take a carer with them.  Does the cost for meals out including having a carer with them that the OP also pays for?  A need to pay for the social expenses of a carer accompanying the OP will effectively double the cost of every meal out.

happyhacker

I started saving by slowly introducing healthy foods and leaving out processed. After a while you get used to going healthy and leaving out the bad. It grows on you. Needs a bit of thinking but give it a go. This time next year you'll be alc and processed food free (well almost)!