I've just done a budgeting spreadsheet - shocked!

[Allnewtometoo]

Where does the money go?? I do know i have a bit of a "frittering away" habit. Buying a drink at work, getting the dc snacks from the petrol station, that sort of thing but jesus I cannot believe how much I should have "leftover" each month. I know that on paper can be different to reality but even so, this is mind boggling.

Can anyone recommend a way to sort myself out? Is there a plan/program/book?

I know some of you will say "just stop spending" but I feel like I need more than that.

I've previously read about sone sort of budgeting app but can't remember what it was called.

Plan meals,make a list when shopping and stick to it, try not to go to the shops everyday. Some banks have a breakdown of your spending on their apps, it’s not totally accurate but useful to see where your money goes and where you can possibly cut back

It surprises me the amount of people who leave their cash in their current account and hope for the best. I have a plan every month before payday—how much will go into each category.

Businesses don’t leave their money to sit and hope for the best. They forecast and do actuals along the way. If they didn’t, their company wouldn’t survive. A household budget should be run like a business—otherwise, how do you know if you’re on track for retirement, how much your holiday budget is, and what your Christmas budget will be?

This thread proves that there are multiple types of planning available, and the key is to find a plan and stick with it.

Just filled the car up. Didn't buy a Costa or kid snacks. Must be a saving of about £7. Feel pathetically pleased with myself!

Considering the best way to get out of the overdraft.

i currently transfer bills/mortgage to a different account. Utilities that is. Maybe should add all DD (car ins , kids swimming etc) to that account.

Transfer shopping money to a new account?

Then leave whatever is left, to gradually reduce the OD?

I started using snoop yesterday on the advice of this thread. It is great!

Its amazing and shocking in equal amounts I think!

Can you share the spreadsheet you are using (without your details/budget obviously)

I bought a mini kettle and a french press for my office. Saves me loads. When my DCs were younger I would buy snacks with my shopping every week and bag them up, then grab them when we were going out in the car etc. I never bought my lunch, I made it at home. Honestly, the money you will save just making little changes really makes a difference.

Absolutely. Worth every penny. It got me out of a huge mess many years ago. I still use it, although not quite so diligently and have stayed out of trouble.

Same here. I cannot believe that in the past year I have spent £7,600 at ASDA. That is shocking to see and hopefully seeing all other spends will re-set my spending habits.

It is just amazing and quite addictive!!

It sure is! £750 spent at the Co Op. in my mind I don’t even go into there so how on earth have I spent that much? I have just opened a savings account as well with Snoop. I am so determined to cut right back and start saving.

Also re YNAB there are lots of YouTubes with helpful information.

I am just about to partially retire so this is very timely for me. Snoop very clearly highlighted my Amazon addiction and I have just cancelled Prime. No more mindless ordering of useless crap 😃

@Allnewtometoo YNAB genuinely changed my life, but there is a learning curve to the method. There’s some great YouTube videos and a helpful Facebook group

Im on the fence with anazon , it IS handy, but too handy.

I can't believe how much more I spend in tesco than I thought.

What is snoop? Is it an app? I can’t find it :(

Yes its a free app.

Comes up in play store.

Good going! Enjoy your semi retirement with the extra saved money 🥰

Doesn’t come up for me in the Apple App Store 😢

This is a pain in the bum to manage. I wish the government would sort it out as it doesn’t help people. It took me ages to perfect my Excel spreadsheet budget in a similar situation. I have 3 outgoings columns to represent 3 income streams and then I align my spending to when each one is paid.

I'm similar, UC, pension, ESA and PIP but at the start of the year I put what days they will come into my accounts. I went 2 years without receiving UC I was entitled to so that goes into a different account and that is my 'spends'.

I have a different page on my spreadsheet for savings and my 'main' current account that everything except UC goes into and comes out of.

I try o put some money away in an account that isn't easily accessed. I can get money if I have to but not that easily.

I'm also doing the 1p challenge, although I will 'borrow' from that if there is an unexpected bill.

The Budget Mom (YouTube) is really good for helping to figure out which income streams should pay for what. She does the Budget by Paycheck method, where she does a mini budget every time she gets paid.

Never had any kind of plan or budget for my money and never had any issues. Pension gets paid on the first of the month so I don’t ever have to think about it.

This is a pain in the bum to manage. I wish the government would sort it out as it doesn’t help people. It took me ages to perfect my Excel spreadsheet budget in a similar situation. I have 3 outgoings columns to represent 3 income streams and then I align my spending to when each one is paid.

I'm similar, UC, pension, ESA and PIP but at the start of the year I put what days they will come into my accounts. I went 2 years without receiving UC I was entitled to so that goes into a different account and that is my 'spends'.

I have a different page on my spreadsheet for savings and my 'main' current account that everything except UC goes into and comes out of.

I try o put some money away in an account that isn't easily accessed. I can get money if I have to but not that easily.

I'm also doing the 1p challenge, although I will 'borrow' from that if there is an unexpected bill.