I got into debt due to illness btw, I was ill and failed the checklist for the benefit by one point, thus had to appeal (the support worker who attended the medical with me was aghast that I hadn't been awarded at least seven more points based on what I said at the time).
Whilst having no money coming in to support me and my children, I was frantically job searching and living off of an overdraft and a credit card. I got a job, and found that I ended up in more debt because I had to move DS to a childminder as the nursery didn't have suitable cover for the job, thus had four weeks fees to pay to the nursery notice, and four weeks of childminder to pay up front. Of course I didn't keep the job very long as I wasn't technically fit to work, so ended up really ill, and haven't worked since, so all that debt I ran up trying to survive whilst appealing, then to get into work, it's sitting there and was accruing more debt because I couldn't get the bank to stop the interest, despite getting the CAB to communicate with them (turned a £700 overdraft into £1200 due to charges because I couldn't cover the interest in my payments). This was all fine until I moved (out of a three storey, wheelchair and limited mobility unfriendly house, next door to a drug dealer) into a house in a nicer area which is more illness friendly (and much better for my children), as I am now private rather than council and have to top up housing benefit, and also due to the increasing costs of everything.
I'm not frivolous at all, if I got a takeaway in the past it was due to being unfit to cook and wanting to feed my children. It happens very rarely now, simply because I can't afford it and they get microwave stuff instead when I am too ill. I can't drink at all, it causes extreme pain and is bad for me due to my kidney issues and also all the medication I am on. I stopped smoking before I fell ill when I found out I was pregnant. I buy only very basic clothing when my stuff wears out, I have two pairs of shoes and they both have holes in the toes (been told by podiatrist to only wear my running trainers now) as I wear my shoes through on the right foot due to pelvic/hip/knee/ankle arthritis and gait issues. I will wear those shoes until they are beyond repair before I get new ones. The only thing I truly buy that I shouldn't is diet coke and perhaps chocolate and sweeties, but I found it's cheaper to have made up sweetie bags at home for the kids, as going to the shop is much more expensive to get them a treat. All my furniture is second hand, my TV is the third I've had, a big old dinosaur that was kindly gifted so the kids could watch telly. Anything nice in this house has been gifted to us, by my mum usually.
I hate it, but I make do and try to give my children everything they need and keep cheerful. Having things isn't as important to me as giving them opportunities, so I focus on keeping them bright, interested and happy so that they can go to school and get out of the poverty trap I am in.