Need fresh eyes on my budget!

honeybee1234

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81952918#Comment_81952918

I swapped to online pots because I found it a bit clunky when I needed to pay for something online that I had the money for, but it was in an envelope. Unfortunately what I've found is it's been easy to dip into when the kids have asked and I'm short in my personal account and other pots. It's all trial and error I think, finding out what works best for you so worth giving it a go, for sure.

ArtyJ931

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81953285#Comment_81953285

I’m already finding this. Still experimenting with the best option

Spendless

Just having a catch up. Glad I found your thread again, Id forgotten to bookmark it.

Sounds like your making really good progress.

We pay my DD's train fares home. Shes a student in London, we live 3.5 hours away because we pay though we are 'in charge' of when it is (date/time) in order to secure the best price. Glad youve now had the convo with the older ones over costs.

I love my monzo pots. What I do with items that need using up, is move them.to the bottom.shelf of my fridge. Somehow it makes it easier to see what needs creating into something first.

joedenise

That's a good idea moving food to the bottom shelf of the fridge for use it up stuff.

honeybee1234

This morning is grocery shopping, then a brief visit to the hairdresser for a fringe trim. Grocery budget is going well, I have £50 budget, though I think I'll come in under this as the boys are at home this weekend and the menu plan is using up some freezer stocks and cupboard stocks.

I did deliberate over the fringe trim. I have a LOT of hair, and as I had my hair last cut in February, my fringe is long and thick and has kicked out in a Charlie's Angels style at the bottom! The hairdresser is charging £15. I have the money put aside, so I'm going to do this and see if it's worth it or if I reckon I can tackle it myself next time it needs doing. Historically I have neglected my hair due to struggling to get out so I have resolved to be on top of it more... I'll see what I think later!

janb5

I was wondering if you have any local hairdressing/ beauty colleges near you and then you could book in to have your hair done regularly ( and supervised !) for a cheaper rate?

foxgloves

I don't know whereabouts in the country you are, Honeybee, but as a comparison (I'm towards the top of the East Midlands), & I pay £13 at my local salon in town for a dry trim. My hair is shoulder length so that covers trimming length & re-layering, which she has finished in about 15 mins. I think that is very cheap tbh but the salon owners say they charge the sort of prices they'd want to pay themselves.

Could a friend trim your fringe for you in between salon cuts, perhaps? During Lockdown, my partner trimmed my hair with my dressmaking scissors! Only the length though.....no way was I asking him to layer it!

F x

Mands

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81958227#Comment_81958227

May I argue for keeping the hairdressing in the budget?

I wonder if it's one of those line items where the benefit outweighs the cost. Going out to the hairdressers is something you are willing, mostly, to do when other places are not accessible. So that £15 is about way more than getting your fringe cut. It's really about expanding your comfort zone.

Haircuts and coffee and cake on the highstreet are doing a lot of heavy lifting for you. Maybe that won't always be so, maybe that wouldn't be the case for other people. But right now they hold extra weight.

KxMx

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81958448#Comment_81958448

I tried this once, they took two hours for a basic straight cut (wet, then had to spritz me repeatedly after the wash), didn't go back as found it way too much of an ordeal energy wise.

MFWannabe

I would also argue for keeping haircuts in budget

Self care is really important and should be allowed for imo