Stopping unnecessary spending!

[CarlottaJo]

Hi All,

Firstly, I am terrible with money! I don't have expensive clothes/make up/travel habits but I have an uncanny ability to waste money....mostly on things bought with bloody PayPal on my phone, food....I'm terrible for buying breakfast and lunch at work (usually Costa, waste of money) and 'nipping to Asda'. Got paid on 25th this month as usual pay was a bank hol and have already rattled through a fair amount (have paid my bills). I really want to break this habit, starting with a week of no spending! Anyone with me? Xx

[MemoriesOfAnotherFuture]

Yes, I need this- self imposed "no-spend-September" starting today. I'm a teacher so have been off work for six weeks- lunches and coffees out, entry to places for me and my DD... frugality starts now. I get paid the 23rd so similar to you OP.

[CarlottaJo]

I've put a load of stuff on EBay and am going to put a couple of things on local selling sites too. Also just tried (unsuccessfully :( ) to rejig a loan! Next is trying to get a credit card moved to interest free x

[VioletCharlotte]

Hi Carlotta I'm trying to cut my spending too. I'm just like you in that I'm always 'nipping to Asda'. I live far too close. The problem is, I nip in to get some milk and come out with a top, some underwear and lipstick!

I've been trying really hard this month and I'm writing down every penny I spend so I can see where it goes, this does seem to help.

[CarlottaJo]

@VioletCharlotte it's such a bad habit isn't it? I probably do it on my most of my days off and I'm a shift worker so I get maybe 4 days off, even if I spend 10 unnecessary pounds a day that's 160 a month! Imagine if you saved that in a year!!!

[Changerofname987654321]

I think it is such an easy habit to get into. Could you try signing out of PayPal and creating a new password which you can't remember that you store in the kitchen so you have to think about buying stuff.

Now if DH and I can stop having lunch out then I could join you on your challange.

[CarlottaJo]

@Changerofname987654321 that's a good idea! I think I should do that! Food is such a bad one isn't it?! It all adds up to so much x

[wendz86]

I am the same . Nipping to the shop or buying the kids ice creams etc . All adds up . Going to try and cut back this month .

[Oidog]

Yes! I've also over indulged in the last couple of months. I've switched back to meal planning and online shopping to avoid the additional spend when walking into a supermarket. I have an Amazon problem too- changing password is a genius idea !!

[CarlottaJo]

Glad to see I aren't the only one! So far so good today, no shops or online buying! Tomorrow I'm at work all day so need to ensure I pack food (used to be so good at this but I'm rubbish now) and leave my cards at home x

[AWaspOnAWindowInAHeatwave]

Can I join please? I really need to stop nipping to Asda too. And I need to stop browsing the middle of Aldi & Lidl.

[purplecorkheart]

For paypal use a credit card that you have to top. Only top up in the shop rather than online. Handing over money stops a lot of impulse buys

[CarlottaJo]

The more the merrier. I'm about to get a shower and put my pjs on so I can't go and buy any treats!

So, what's everyone's guilty buy? Mine is probably drinks you know, sounds tiny but when you think of how much they add up to, and I have access to perfectly good drinks at home and work that cost me nothing!

[BahHumbygge]

OP, have a read of this book (via your library if poss ) It's written by a financial journalist who decided to go without spending for a whole year, bar a minimal food budget and paying essential bills. She even cycles everywhere, including a holiday in East Anglia. Not all of it may be applicable, but it is inspirational and there's lots of good tips and advice sections on ISAs/savings etc. (No connection btw, just an appreciative reader).

<a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/No-Spend-Year-spend-less/dp/1473652146/?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">//www.amazon.co.uk/No-Spend-Year-spend-less/dp/1473652146/?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

My tips for cutting down the frittering would be to buy a contigo or similar leak proof flask, an aeropress or french press and make your own coffee in the morning. After about 20 days, you'll have recouped your investment
Keep some easy snacks at work like a box of oatcakes and some laughing cow cheese.
Make sandwiches or salad the night before. Tuna, beans, onion, cherry tomatoes and herbs/seasoning takes about 60 seconds.
Keep a loaf of sliced bread in the freezer, a carton of UHT milk in the cupboard along with a tin of baked beans or similar for a quick and easy meal... you're much less likely to nip to the shops to buy the proverbial £35 pint of milk if you have the basics in the house.
Write down everything you spend for a month to see the patterns of leakage, it will tell you a lot and focus your mind.

[Star2015]

We are majorly cutting back this month after overspending in August.. I'm starting a new job next week with a much better salary so we want to end September on a clean slate and then when we are paid we should be able to save and have money allocated for nice things/treats/going out.

So, today instead of going out for a curry I cooked one at home (that would be around £80-100 saved).

I went shopping to Lidl and spent less than £40 which included buying some of their £0.59 heathers for the garden. We have a freezer full of meat so I just bought bread, cooked meat and salad for the week plus a couple of extra bits that were either on offer or we needed.

We both take packed lunches to work with us, and meal plan for the week so no impulse buying.

I'm going to be closer to work so can walk now, my car gas pinged to say it needs fuel but I'm hoping if I put £20 in it will last me the whole month.

We do have a birthday to celebrate this month which means a night out with friends and a pre-booked meal, but I'm hoping we won't spend anything other than a weekly Lidl shop and petrol for DH so we should have enough spare money to not watch the pennies on these two occasions.

I'm going to stay clear of the internet, ebay, and top up shops at Sainsbury's and hopefully get to where we want to be come the end of September!

Good luck!

[CarlottaJo]

Lunch for work and squash bottles ready for water instead of buying pop, cards and purse staying at home. Luckily my transport is free so hopefully day 2 of not spending! Xx

[ememem84]

I'm on maternity leave in 2 weeks. The danger for me will be going out for lunch - once I get used to having baby around- and internet shopping.

I'm using the time I have left to meal plan, batch cook things like soups etc and freeze so I have things in for lunch and to find cheap quick easy filling lunches.

I'm also going to eBay some of my things just so I've got that little bit extra coming in.

[Speckledtulip]

I need to join this too! Always 'nipping to the shops'. Poundland is a nightmare. I normally pop in for a couple of things and end up spending about £20!

I'm going to make an effort to walk to work and not use my contactless for lunch when I don't fancy the ryvita on my desk.

[chanie44]

What helps me to keep my spending on track is to think about what I'd rather spend my money on. For example, I'd rather buy a posh lipstick, facial etc then fritter my money on work coffees and magazines. Likewise, I love sushi for lunch, but as it's quite expensive, I bring lunch from home and so I can afford to treat myself to sushi once in a while.

The trick is to make changes that don't leave you feeling deprived. For example, I make up nice lunches for work, which I look forward to eating and this means I don't crave shop bought. I also have a nice lunch bag which I enjoy carrying.

A colleague buys multi pack cans of coke from the supermarket and bring in one a day. We work an expensive area with 'tourist prices'.

I've stopped buying the weekly magazines and my mum saves me hers. Otherwise, I'll just browse on line.

[Justchillaxing]

A lot of my money seems to go on top up shops at our local tesco express. I do a weekly online shop because I don't buy as much crap that way but then buy it anyway when I go in for bread or something I need to stop!

I go for coffee once a week with dd16 which is our mother daughter time so I don't want to cut that out but I try not to have coffee out any other time.

I'm scared witless about Christmas though. Dps family do secret Santa so just one gift but for about £30 so can't budge much on that. Adult kids usually get a voucher for about £20 but dd16 is difficult - everything she wants is technology and expensive. I dont want to think about Christmas yet [wails]

My cats are a huge problem .. one is 9 years old and I don't think I'll be able to afford insurance for three cats but a visit to the vets costs at least £50. Vaccinations are out of the question. Don't flame me please ... when I was married we could afford them but things go wrong .. exh wouldn't take them and dd wouldn't part with them anyway.

I can't supplement my income due to illness so need to cut back as far as possible.

[TyneTeas]

I find the Money Savings Expert demotivator really helpful for seeing how those little things add up.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/demotivator/

(Have recently used it to show DD how much her overuse of hair conditioner actually costs and discuss how that money could be better spent...)

[Justchillaxing]

Thanks .. I've not seen that.

[Larrythecat]

Following. I have huge issues at the moment. My credit card debt keeps increasing and I really need to stop spending that much. I'm using an app to keep an eye on what I'm spending the most. I'm buying more food from Iceland too. I just need to stop least start breaking even!

[Larrythecat]

*To stop spending and at least start breaking even

[specialsubject]

Please deal with tatmas now. Stop all adult presents - £30 each?? Ridiculous.

Kids get what you can afford. Or brutally, the cats die. Cat or tat?

[Justchillaxing]

Sorry, not £30 each ... each family member draws a name from a hat and buys a present to the value of £30 for just that one person.