How to get better at saving money?

[NoEffingWay]

Saving for my wedding next year and I am just the worst at saving money.

I have circumvented this by paying for deposits, paying off my dress and buying all the decorations. Once it's out of my account, I can't spend it again and I'm really good at living on what's left.

The trouble is that between now and the ' big day' I have to put the same amount in an account and not touch it. Previous savings attempts have worked when I have had something to save for but can I do it?

Any hints and tips for a spendthrift on a mission?!

Transfer it over on payday, so you don't get a chance to mentally start spending it. If your bank is one where it's an option, call the account something like 'wedding account, don't you fucking dare touch it'.
What is your control like in other areas? I'm brilliant at saving but have no self control with sugary snacks, so I'm trying to work out ways to transfer some money ways of thinking over to food.

Review all your finances to get the best price on what you have to spend money on, to free up more money to save and put that money away on pay day and don't touch it. You can't, it's not your money, it's the wedding fund.

Have a look at:

www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/money-help/

Also, you say 'I' a lot in your post. Ideally, the person you are getting married to needs to be on the same page and saving the same amount of money as you are, taking account differences in income and basic essential expenses into account.

I transfer my money to savings on pay day. I budget and and don’t count it in my everyday spends.

I also know all my outgoings and give myself an amount of ‘spends’ for the month. But even then I should have some left over. I used to be a spender not a saver and I watch my bank account like a hawk now to make sure I don’t overspend.

When I was saving for our house deposit, after all bills and a basic weekly food shop had been paid, I took out an amount in cash each week and didn't allow myself to use my card.
The amount was £15 a week for me, for one year. I could walk to work, so didn't have to pay transport costs.

Your post is full of negative self chat, you could try changing that. You are doing well at saving, you know you can do it.

Also put it into a joint account with your fiancé, then you are accountable. I assume there is another adult involved in the wedding!

Direct debit into savings account on payday.
Work out how much you need to save by when, divide it by months or weeks (depending on how often you get paid) and that’s the amount you need to transfer and not touch!

ie: if you (as a couple) need to save £5000 in the next 18 months, that’s £278/month. If £278/whatever you calculate is too much, see where else you can cut down to add to the savings pot, or ask for contributions to as bitlrhday:Christmas/wedding presents.

Track your spending. Once you know your are spending £££ on [insert weakness here], you can budget and allow yourself to spend £ on what you fancy.

I transfer enough to cover the bills to the DD account, then all other money goes to the savings. I spend everything on my credit card(for rewards), I set myself a limit and actually try to "beat" last month's bill. This is paid from the DD account in full.
So I only have Bills and Savings that come out of my account.

I often have a spend nothing month where I save up all my wants, in online shopping baskets. By the time the next month rolls around I usually no longer want them.

Give your money direction. Allocate proportions of your income to:

• necessary expenses (break these down and get the best deal on each)


• savings (treat this as a non-negotiable bill)


• fun (very important - but give yourself a fixed amount each month so as not to deprive yourself)


• If you can, invest a proportion you can afford to lose.

The idea is to get your money working harder for you, rather than you working harder and harder for it, if that makes sense.

At first I drew it out in actual cash and put it into these sealed tins yiu can only open with a tin openers.
Next I got another Bank account and had lots of saving pots on that bank and out 10 in x for X 10 in b for b and so on. Little amounts really add up!

I am an obsessive saver (sometimes I think I worry far too much) but I find what works for me is on payday I put our bills money in the joint account, spending money in my current account and then add what's left to my saving pots. I use standard bank savings as a rainy day and then I have a revolut card which has vaults. I make a vault for a special occasion, such as a holiday, a wedding a friend's big birthday and then each month throw £10 or £50 into the event and it's crazy how fast it tops up! It makes me feel really in control of my money and not panic about big spends!

This year I am on maternity leave on statutory pay (-£1500.00 less a month!) so for the last 8/9 months I was really focused on putting a little extra into a Christmas savings pot, a friend's black tie wedding in December (there will be a hotel, new outfit potentially, drinks and a wedding gift) on a maternity budget that would have been a big worry for December!

I think for me little but consistent has been a massive help and to see them accumulate is a massive motivator!

I was referring to myself as DP is pretty good as saving and is more disciplined with money. He is a very patient man!

I have a goal which will help. It does make me wonder what I have been buying for all of these years .

Standing order to transfer to savings account on payday, you can't spend it if it's not there.

It's easier to save with a goal in mind
Firstly I would go through my personal spend to see if I can change things like phone, stretch visits between haircuts
Have no spend days and consider every pound you want to spend rather than needs
Cut out takeaway coffees and lunches as they really do add up
Then set up a direct debit the day after payday.. and use that for your wedding

I transfer it out of joint account into a savings account that is a ball ache to access. It really helps and then I forget how much is in there and have a nice surprise when I eventually gain access to it.

I think your idea of just spending it as soon as you have it is the best idea, that’s what we did. We didn’t go in for deposits, apart from the venue. And even then, we paid far more than their usual deposit and just finalised the last few hundred 2 weeks before when we had final numbers.

All good ideas. I have been a bit nervous of paying for more than deposits in case everyone runs off with my money!

I am going to squirrel it away in an unused account and pretend it doesn't exist. Wish me luck!