Spend less 2024

[Spend]

This year I want to buy a house with my partner. We're in a fortune position to be able to but obviously would like to maximise the amount we can save etc.

So I'm going on a low spend drive for 2024. I can be quite an impulsive buyer so I'm trying to be conscious not to buy anything online. I'm also really thinking about my food shopping and subsequent waste.

Does anyone have any helpful tips to share or a decent way to keep topping up my savings without delving into them.

Food home delivery stops me impulse buying in the supermarket.

Do you find you always get what you need though. I really struggle to buy on an online shop. It's almost like I can't see the food if I'm not down the aisles. If they had a interactive supermarket I'd probably be ok.

Check out the money saving expert forums, in particular the Old Style forum, lots of people living on a tight budget on there :)

As long as you meal plan then it’s fine.

DH and saved really hard in the year before we bought our house. Now we have kids I’m so glad we did as it has made a real difference to our lives.

How often would you buy for? A week at a time? I'll definitely look at meal planning and I also need to do the cupboard check. The freezer got done yesterday 😅

Thanks for the forum. I will look at that too.

I agree with online shopping, I buy most things online apart from meat which I do an order with butchers. Staying out of supermarkets saves me money, but if I do, I do a list and try sticking to it, but it’s the offers that get me every time. I get home and yes it’s nice to get something a little cheaper, but we didn’t need it. Online shopping I put things in basket, then leave a day or 2, then I go back and delete. Clothes wise, I have so many, so I definitely won’t need any winter clothes. Check your direct debits/subscriptions that there isn’t any you don’t need.

Ordering online for food helps and meal planning - with a plan built in for left overs. Also setting a weekly budget of slush money helps i.e a tenner each for a coffee etc. otherwise you can end up going 'oh sod it's and breaking the plan because you have denied yourself treats for so long and then end up spending way more then you would have.

I like the idea of a slush fund. That's a great idea. I'll build something in. I currently use two current accounts. Ones for all daily spending and one covers bills. But the bills account keeps bailing me out towards the end of the month.

I've also heard about spend free days. So I can only spend money on certain days. I'm currently limiting myself to 3 spend days a week. It does make you think when you want something, could you substitute for something else or go without.

The sleep on it rule for food shopping is also good.

Yes, a week at time. It save money and time. Iplayer have a programme about this. I think its called eat well for less.

Detach your cards from your devices so it's harder to make those quick purchases.

That is a huge one for me. I think I have every pay way set to my phone. I really want to do well though. I feel like I can really do it. I just need to really get on board with it all

Wait 24 hours before buying anything, usually by the time I come round to look at my basket again I realise I dont need whatever it was...

Whether you move to online grocery shops or not, meal planning is such a good money saving habit to get into, it means fewer leftovers/half used packets of things going off in the fridge too! Also, love "eat well for less" so see if you can watch some of those on iplayer!

With clothes, I periodically get everything out on the bed. It reminds me how much I already have (I.e., don't need more!) and also I often spot something forgotten about that I rarely wear, so can mix up my current "rinse and repeat" outfits a bit to feel like I've had a bit of a change.

Only have cash for your daily spends. Take a flask or thermal cup of coffee - don't buy it.

Meal planning saves so much time and money. I use Ocado and found the food quality and customer service unparalleled. Prices similar to Sainsbury's unless you buy fancier brands not on offer.
I normally order for 5 or 6 days, eating fresh meat and veg first with freezer and cupboard meals for the last day or two before the next delivery.

Stupid question but is there an optimum day to have groceries delivered and do you meal plan over the weekend?

I was trying to work out best day for our family so I don't think it's a dumb question! I had a midweek delivery pass as it was cheaper but it ended up so inconvenient and inflexible.

I choose delivery day based on the family's schedule for the week ahead for example, if we were going to eat out on the weekend then it's fine to have a delivery on Monday because Fresh ingredients are likely to have been used up by Friday.

If our family is having a Sunday roast at home then I order it to be delivered Friday or Saturday with the plan that on Thursday and Friday we will have freezer or cupboard meals.

So you have to menu plan according to your schedule and then make it so the delivery arrives when you want to eat Fresh ingredients.

I put bread in the freezer and buy 2 jugs of milk so the first jug gets used up in 3 days then I open the next one. This stops us popping into shops.

Do you have any reward apps you can make better use of? I have Three Rewards with a phone plan which gives me a voucher for a £1 large Caffe Nero coffee per week. It's a bit of a treat and the only one I allow myself per week. This is more to do with weight than money in my case but would work for your purpose.

If you meant a best delivery date in terms of freshness and in stock products, then sorry Op, I don't know!

We do a Sunday for food delivery as that fits in with our schedule of kids activities etc. we try to buy for the whole week at a time though do have built in the expectation that we may need top ups of milk/ bread during the week.

Why are you an impulse buyer and a spender? Is it boredom ? is it a little rush of pleasure?

I am the opposite as is DH I do not like spending unless within budget. We are not miserly, just careful and we know where every penny is going. We have the spreadsheet to end all spreadsheets that can foresee our financials depending on inflation and many other factors.

We also have a lot of hobbies that keep us occupied with any spare time. These are both outdoor and indoor.

I am the opposite of a meal planner, I actually like buying what’s on offer and shop quite frequently but there are decent shops on my way home, easy parking and we are past baby and small child years so our time is more our own. There is no way I’m not picking my own fruit and veg. We do also have a decent market twice a week in town.

My parents ran a restaurant so I have a wide range of stock cupboard items and can create stuff with confidence. I make Sunday soup all winter, anythjng left goes in that slow cooker.

@BurntToasts your first post is spot on help for me. I will have a good think about what we're doing and when. It will make life easier. I probably need an hour to sit down one evening and work it out for the week. That will be achievable.

@WellFinch I don't know in all honesty. I haven't ever thought about why but it happens when I'm stressed or feeling low. I did cancel Amazon prime to stop quick "needs/wants". I'd love to see your spreadsheet. I do love a bit of excel 😂

@Spend

I tend to have my online food delivery on a Wednesday or Thursday as my saver vouchers are accessible on Wednesdays. Also I keep an eye open for things reduced by a third to a half so I can stock up during the promotion periods. If I'm in most of the day (either morning or afternoon) I'll choose the cheaper economy delivery slot so only pay £1 for delivery.

Online is great for me as I don't have to lug stuff home from the supermarket or go out if I'm unwell or the weather's horrible. I'm also less tempted to browse.

I also just copy my entire delivered basket into next week's preferred slot and amend as needed. Some stuff goes straight into the freezer (eg bread) and most of the milk I buy is long life so I rarely run out. Good luck OP. 🌹

I'm trying to save as well!

I bought tons of cat food from Amazon when it was on special and keep an eye out for any specials if I'm in any of the big brand stores.

I shop at Aldi for most things. I've saved 25p on our body wash which isn't alot but it adds up. Most of the food is really good! I'm trying to meal plan. I buy reduced food when I can and freeze it.

I joined Quidco years ago and I've saved on car insurance, home insurance and big purchases. You have to wait a while for cash back but it's worth it.

I switched energy supplier and I'm saving money each month.

I'm trying to declutter so I'm not buying clothes and things. I've tried selling some things but I barely broke even so the key is not to buy it in the first place!

I rarely buy coffees when out and we don't eat out or have takeaways too often. Which I hate. I love eating out!