No spending from September to December.......

[calzone]

Decided to try this from 1 September.

To save money I'm only shopping in Lidl on Saturdays with a proper list and a meal plan.....

Only food and petrol to go on credit card.

By that time, boys should both be kitted out for school and none of us need anything.

I go to SW and will be going to a keep fit thing but that's it. No coffees out or junk food....

Anyone want to join me?

Agh ive been slipping! Have kept all my receipts so I can see exactly where it's gone but definitely been too loose with the purse. Is it the first tomorrow? Starting properly tomorrow.

Ready... set... go for tomorrow!

We need basic food stuffs like milk, fruit and porridge oats. We have everything for school. We'll be making lunches for myself, husband and son. Teenage daughter buys lunch at school but she will be taking some snacks and drinks from home (compromise!).

Ok I'm in. I'm going to take out cash every Thursday and write everything down that I spend for about four days until I forget. But since I have no idea what my weekly spend is, what shall I start at for food, toiletries and cleaning stuff? £40 per week? £30? I have literally no idea.

For how many people Anthony?

Remember it's mindless spending we want to avoid.
A tshirt here, a coffee there, a sweet notebook or Lego mini figures (ds, I'm looking at you) as it soon adds up.

My car is full of petrol.
Shopping on Saturday at Lidl.
I have promised to take the boys to McD's tomorrow as they haven't had it for ages and we are meeting friends for a McD picnic. Joy. But it's planned and we're back to school on Monday. 😨😨😨😨

Right - I'm in. I have a budget and I will stick to it!

calzone for one adult and one nearly adult.

I think I'll start at 30 and see how it goes. I'm also going to make an effort to eat what is in the freezer and in the cupboards instead of buying new all the time. And I'm not going to stockpile unless it's on offer.

And I'm going to change internet provider.

I definitely am going to copy you there and use up what's in the freezer and pantry. I'm sure there are many meals I can make out of it all!

yes, a lot of the food I'm talking about is that random unlabelled stuff that could be tomato soup or pasta sauce or anything red really...

And tins that have been hanging around for years a while...

I'm doing the same.
A freezer meal every week and jacket potato, cheese and beans every 10 days or so. Cheap as chips 😜 and everyone likes it!

Good tip on the cooking too much pasta or chips. I do that. Will try to be mindful of that.

I'm sending DH to Sains later for those basics. I just hope he sticks to the list.

Gathered up the tips and gist so far:

Only shopping with a proper list and a meal plan.
Lidl/Aldi.
No coffees out or junk food.
Gym, exercise classes, SW and WW if you USE them!
Sell stuff on EBay etc.
Budget.
Eat out of freezer/cupboard at least once a week.
Shop around.
Packed lunch/free school meals.
Use the library/ free books on Kindle.
Delete shopping apps.
Unsubscribe from marketing emails.
Leave your purse at home.
Keep the receipts and write down spends.
Take out cash.
Plan ahead and budget for upcoming birthdays, nights out and Christmas.
Watch portion sizes on cooking pasta, chips...

On the FSM front. My DC were entitled to them last year, I am an LP and worked 12 hours per week so j still got some income support. But now my hours have gone up I get working tax credits. Does anyone know if I am still entitled to them or not? I sent money with DS2 this Morning for dinners but felt really mean saying DS1 couldn't have dinners because he doesn't eat the dinner, he takes a baguette with only butter on it and I can't justify £12.50 a week for that!

I'm in was planning to start today anyway, I am a shocking mindless spender and online is dangerous

I will be spending towards xmas as I like to do it in bits and pieces from now on but nothing else bar food, petrol, and I also need tights.

Can I join in too? We have borrowed several hundred pounds from the children's savings accounts which will be paid back as there is a small inheritance coming our way when we can sell FIL's house, but I am ashamed we've not been making ends meet when it shouldn't be hard on paper. There's been lots of extra spending over the summer holidays, including meals out 'just because' which need to stop now. Trying to convince DH that it's ok to spend Saturdays at home doing DIY/ gardening which desperately needs doing, instead of going for 'free' days out which end up costing a lot in snacks, drinks, 'treats' for the kids and usually a meal out on the way home. Sticking to a budget has been made trickier by the fact that DH is doing the weekly shops as I'm temporarily unable to drive for medical reasons and he gets frustrated at doing the shop in Aldi because they don't do the yogurts he likes!

However, I am going to rein in my own spending and hopefully will be earning again now the summer's over (PT self employed, mainly term time only). I will also write shopping lists for DH and encourage him not to deviate . I have to buy a couple of school sweatshirts for DS2 as he has had a growth spurt over the summer and DS1's old ones are too small for him.

I don't think you would till be eligible, but a quick call to the LA FSM team will tell you straight away

Thanks unlockable I don't think I am either but will check as I do feel bad for DS1.

Btw well done on your budget last month!!

This sounds great, but with DD 10 birthday in sept (pressies plus party)
Mot in October (car 8 years old, so prob will cost lots)
3 birthdays (mum and sf) and xmas in December
It's not looking do-able for me.
I'm really tight/disciplined with money anyway (have to be, I have low income, no bens) do shop at aldi, market etc.
Love the other advice on here though so will watch for more tips

Oo I need this. DP's birthday is in December and with Christmas is a spendy time so I need to reign it in after the summer

I would love to join as well. I'm about to become a single mum as h is moving out at the end of September. I'm going full time at work & will be having to watch every penny. I've already looked at utilities etc but need to pull my belt in especially with Xmas around the corner.

I'm in (following a wine-fuelled shopping frenzy last night!).
Just done shop at lidl. Today and tomorrow should be no spend days.

I'm in!
Baby on the way and my hours will soon reduce at work.
Have just done a weekly shop at Lidl for £55 and going to make a big effort to stick to s meal plan. We have far too many takeaways. At least I'll save money on wine and prob getting my hair dyed...need to check that one with midwife.
My other challenge will be packing lunches for myself.

Expenses coming up are winter coats, school shoes, hair cuts and the odd bit of uniform.
My car also needs servicing.

I cut my own hair tonight and DD helped make sure the back was okay. I dyed it. Saved me a small fortune. I've gone for a lovely layered red look. Doing my eyebrows tomorrow.

Oops - failed when I went to Sainsbos, couldn't resist new PJs - £20!