to spend £35 on extras when we are trying to save money/pay off debt

[lifecolour]

So far this month I have spent about £35 this does not include food or groceries. I spent £10 on a present for a close friend, £10 taking dd on an outing the rest was on bits and pieces like snacks when out, a cake for friends at work etc. We are trying to be very careful with money and save up for Christmas and pay off debts, but i find it hard to not spend anything. The £15 i spent on random bits just disappeared so easily.
My dh thinks we should only buy what is on the shopping list when we do the main shop and maybe take dd on outings/buy presents but definately no for work etc. Then he thinks we can go shopping in town say twice a month and buy anything we need plus maybe have lunch and this way we should stay in budget. I do think this sounds R but i find it very hard to stick to. I like popping in the local shop sometimes just to get out of the house. Also i guess this is not my plan and although i did agree to it, i don't like being told what to do.
We had a bit of a row about this earlier as you may have guessed but aibu and if i am how do i stick to a lower spend limit.

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

It's irrelevant how much you spend on DD at Christmas (and some will say that's a ridiculous amount and she should be happy with a satsuma and others will say that's a tiny amount poor thing... ).

The problem here isn't money - it's communication.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I think you should have something in the budget for taking your DD during the month. I usually take snacks with me when we go out. I would cut back a bit on Christmas too, we are in comfortable financial position but I probably wouldn't spend £100 on each of my children (I have 2).

Credit card debt is really expensive so the sooner you can get rid of it the better.

I wonder if your DH thinks of that £35 in terms of hours of overtime worked i.e. you might have spent 4 hours overtime.

[lifecolour]

Yes I think he does think that way Chaz he is always working out how long it takes to earn x.

[lifecolour]

I am thinking of saying I would like £20 a month spending money for myself from which I will buy anything I need and bits for dd if i take her out somewhere cheap as suggested. Her clothes and anything she really needs will come out of joint money and if we can afford it any more paid for outings. Dh can then decide if he wants a set amount of spending money too or carry on as he is. If i am careful and don't spend the money i can always save it toward any bigger item I might need in future. In this way maybe it will help encourage me not to waste money on snacks or whatever.

[DIYapprentice]

Why should you have to spend just YOUR money on your DD for treats? Isn't she both yours and his???!!!

It sounds as if you are home far more than he is, looking after DD. If that is the case, then lets face it, it will cost more money. Each and every playgroup will cost a few £. A walk ending up at the coffee shop will cost a few £. At work you make a coffee for free, and I know you can at home too but you can't stay at home by yourself all day.

£35 a MONTH isn't really that much. It's less than £10 a week.

Buying a cake for work was probably the one thing that could be done cheaper, by making your own.

(I have a dead easy carrot cake recipe that tastes absolutely delicious if you want!!)