A 443.33 challenge? Anyone with me?

[433challenger]

I have just sat down and had a look at our finances and I am appalled at how much money we waste after the basics have been covered. We are quite money savvy and all our bills are the best deals etc so they are no problem but it's the grocery shopping, the top up shops, the impulse purchases that are financially do-able but ultimately stupid. So in 2019 I'm setting myself a challenge, to only spend £433.33 or less per month on groceries, fuel, nappies, cleaning products etc or anything else we routinely buy from the supermarket. That's £100 per week if I was doing it weekly. I know I'm in a fortunate position with money but that doesn't mean it's ok to waste it. And from my personal spends I want to be more savvy and be able to save some. Hopefully I can keep myself accountable here.

[433challenger]

Fgs! £433.33!!😂

[Methenyouplus4]

I have just started a thread about being accountable if you wish to jump on? Only a couple of us on there so good to have some support.

I am spending £650 per 5 week month on food alone but x6 of us and that is lunches too (we rarely eat out/get takeaways) plus includes cleaning bits etc.

Personally, I'm aiming for £80 per week on non-essentials which I class as hair cuts, clothes, clubs the kids do, presents (other than christmas) etc so actually not that much. Like you, I want to be much more aware of those extras I don't need.

[433challenger]

Ah thank you @methenyouplus4 I shall search out your thread 😁

[treaclesoda]

I might join you too. I'm like you, it's not that we struggle for money, we're fine, and fairly savvy. But we could save so much more.

[ivykaty44]

Why £433 ?

[Notreallyhappy]

433 works out an average of £100 per week..some months have 5 weeks so some months would have pounds rolling over...it's £5200 per annum

[ivykaty44]

I did a no spend month last January, planning to complete that again as Dectis going to be a big spend month.

I plan all my food and allow for supermarket shopping & petrol, then day by day don’t spend.

I swap coffee out for either meeting friends at mine & baking or use sachet latte instead of purchasing one on the way to work.

Changing habits for a month to cut back.

I’m also cooking now and portioning one I to the freezer for January lunches, which will ultimately reduce the need to buy lunch out.

It’s just one month - 31 days but helps to reduce spending for February 🤗

[433challenger]

Hello @Notreallyhappy and @IvyKaty, yes £433.33 is just an average month. You've got some really good ideas, I'm not sure I have the stamina to go no spend altogether but given me some food for though. Do you want to pop over to teh accountability thread (not sure how to link sorry!) and keep motivated, offer support?

[Rottie454]

I'm the same, we don't struggle for money but we spend so much unnecessarily and with buying a house (just got offer accepted) and paying for a wedding next August we really need to save. I know we can afford to pay off the wedding if we kept on track with our savings but I know we won't as we're always buying stuff or getting takeaway. Only today we spent £30 on storage boxes for the new house! I need to reign it in but because we don't really struggle for money I just always think we'll be fine and end up spending. I think I need to change the way I think

[ivykaty44]

Dottie - oversave, set up a standing order for payday to go into a regular savings account so the money isn’t in your account. Makes it harder to just spend

[clippityclop]

I need to do this. We are ok for money, but end up overdrawn on our housekeeping account almost every month. Impulse spends and lack of planning are the crux of it. Going to start buying petrol once a month, and stock up on other stuff. Cat food, washing liquid and cleanser are on the list so far.