What's Your Best Money Saving Tip?

want2bmortgage3

it might be expensive but tastes nice! food and drink is one thing i currently wont try and save money on, i will only buy what i want and feel like.. i hate the thought of forcing myself to eat/drink something i dont like coz its cheap. being veggie helps

nethesi

I agree about the car - we've always avoided it, apart from 2 months in 2006 when we borrowed one, and it shocked me how much we spent on it, even though we were being lent it for free!

You don't need to live in a big city, either we used to live in a small town. You do need somewhere to buy day to day items, like bread or a reliable milkman, to live reasonably close to work (or near good public transport) and to

In the future I predict that very few families will have their own car, probably those that live in rural areas, the very rich, people with mobility problems, and those who really like driving! I know a few people who I think will always want/need a car, but actually I reckon for many people it just doesn't occur that you could manage without.

Having said that having small children also might mean a car is desirable... not something I've experienced so far...:p

Other than that the spending diary, I would totally go for - I actually record every penny OH and I spend in an excel spread sheet, which means we always know exactly how much we have left (every few days I check against the on-line bank for any discrepancies). Definitely makes you focus.

Also I agree that everyone has things that are their treat that they wont compromise on. Mine are having nice holidays, or at least interesting ones (see my signature!), visiting friends and family who are scattered round the country and the charities that are important to us and having a meal out together every month, and decorating our house. Actually that seems like quite a lot that I'll spend my money on! But I think the point is that all the money you spend should be money you've decided to spend.

Also I think if you have a partner being together on it is vital. We have a small (£20!) amount we spend each month without reference to the other, and apart from that we decide everything together. Not that we are strict but just the fact that we are open about money stops from ever having been an issue - I find it amazing that money is supposed to be a common cause of arguments for couples.

fluffysox

some good tips, spending diary really helped me clear my student overdraft within a few months of graduating. Got a real sense of acheivement from writing down that I'd only spent 23p on a stamp etc. Makes you think about spending. With you all on the car issue, we got rid of the older car (mine) when we bought a house. We kept the newer one because my work is hard to reach directly by public transport, my OH gets train. Looking into setting up a car pooling system at work to reduce petrol costs at the mo. My parents were very frugal with money when I was growing up so porridge was often for breakfast- but we always made it on the hob. Again went back to this at Uni, while living on pennies, and made it the night before so all I needed to do was warm it. Haven't made porridge in ages and never tried it in the microwave though and it sounds much easier so I'll give it a go- love porridge with honey or chopped dried apricots.