Should itsthelittlethings spend less on coffee?

enthusiasticsaver

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893158#Comment_81893158

It sounds like you need a dopamine hit. Can you not visually make something to see the debt come down like colouring in a chart or something? I know not quite as exciting as receiving a parcel but a visual reminder of debt coming down can act as an incentive for those who need a reward system? Taking photos and exchanging them certainly sounds interesting

enthusiasticsaver

I do not know if you have ever considered whether you have ADHD but this is one condition that usually means you need constant dopamine hits. My daughter and son in law are both ADHD and say that impulse buying is something they both can fall prey to but they have learnt to restrain themselves by choosing other ways. Exercise is one, mindfulness is another and healthy eating. Visual rewards as I said earlier is another one. My daughter uses journaling and this can be a great way of keeping on top of finances either by aiming for a NSD or by making debt reductions or saving additions. Dividing the debt up into £10 or £20 chunks and making up a visual wall and colouring in bricks as the debt reduces is a common way of incentivising paying off the debt.

As others have said you have a massive advantage in having no mortgage or rent although I think you do have a service charge to pay. There is a blog called the Frugal Cottage where the blogger uses budgets and cash envelopes to keep on track. If you can get the bad habits under control and stop or at least reduce the impulse spending you will soon get rid of the credit card and overdraft. It isn't huge but if you fail to get on top of it and the debt increases it will be much harder for it to be cleared. Having a budget is key and you can build in treats like the odd coffee.

LzzyIsGod

One trick I used was to take my saved card details off my phone so to actually buy anything I have to physically go get the card out my wallet. Really helped curb any impulsive purchases (especially pesky Am@zon which is far far too easy to quickly order stuff with a simple click).

Anything big I think I want but dont necessarily neeeeeed I stick in an online basket and wait 24 to 48 hours before looking at it again. Its surprising how waiting makes me realise I really don't need it at all.

Mands

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893435#Comment_81893435

I'd buy nothing that way. Having to go and track down my wallet and find the card? Not happening.

I was recently selected to take part in an EU-wide data gathering exercise. Failure to comply was a potential 2000€ fine and 6 month's jail time. So I reluctantly complied, accurately. But I also spent precious little money for the 2 weeks as I resented having to document it.

So, for me, a spending dairy would work as I don't want to record it. Just like an eating diary results in lower calorie consumption.

warby68

If you aren't ready to go cold turkey on the online treats (and it does seem that you aren't) you could start with setting yourself limits in amount and frequency. Perhaps make it a weekly (rather than monthly) cap so it is never too many days before your next allocation of money is due. You probably need to find some lower cost items that give you joy as well. For me, its always a book. I love love love a shiny, never opened before book. I know the charity shop ethos is strong around here for books but someone has to stock the charity shops in the first place. That's where I come in lol.

Your food choices do seem to be on the expensive side relative to income too and I do think you could do something here to help overall. You seem convinced you don't overspend on food but I suspect I'm not the only one who disagrees.

LzzyIsGod

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893706#Comment_81893706

🤣 limiting buying stuff was kinda the idea. I was in debt and needed to control my spending - it was just an example of something that worked for me.

Mands

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81893876#Comment_81893876

Yes, I understood! But in my case it wouldn't limit it, it'd reduce it to … zero.

I have read your diary. I love your diary 😍

itsthelittlethings

Just enjoying a morning coffee. I’m a bit embarrassed to say I’ve set up a side hustle. More details if I ever make any money from it.

I’ve put a few things on Olio and Facebook to sell. No bites yet.

I’m going to spend the day doing things off my to do list and waiting for Olio (free) collectors. Also picking nail polish off as mine is very chipped and I don’t have the funds to buy any remover or the wish to spend another day being rebellious at work with chipped polish.

I have a reasonably easy week coming up next week. Thank goodness. With the added bonus of payday. I’m sorry about my sad existence and glee at finally getting some funds.

itsthelittlethings

I’ve made myself a new spreadsheet called Master Monthly which I’m going to use alongside the Google Sheets budget template. I’ve split fun money up into 5 chunks of £55 each, with non overlapping dates. I’ll also try to record all other spends.

itsthelittlethings

Update on the sprinklers - they are not fitting them on the top floor. My beautiful flat stays beautiful.