Can't stop spending!

[iamdivergent]

Hi,

I have a serious spending problem - I just spend, spend, spend. I've a little debt (about £500 split between Next and Littlewoods accounts) but other than that it's just usual monthly direct debits inc mortgage and car.

My major pitfall seems to be supermarkets - I kept a note and I spent £870 on food items between 15/06-15/07 I go in for one or two things and come out with a full pushchair basket. I do this around 4 times per week spending between £20-£50 per 'shop' and come away with nothing of substance. This was a particularly spendy month as I left my job so had more money as was paid owed holidays.

We have no savings and by payday there is usually only a couple of pounds in the bank - I know that we are doing better than alot of people out there but this is seriously stressing me out no childcare as SAHP.

What are your top tips on how to get out of this vicious cycle? I'd love to be able to save some money for a change, though want to pay off the credit accounts first. Next month is looking to be spendy too with a DC birthday.

That makes sense thank you this week will be a mix of freezer goodies and baked potato/pasta

Cats make more sense now. I originally read it as £45 per week!

I get Whiskas pouches from Amazon, £20 for 84. IAMS biscuits - big bag £10 that is nearer £15 in supermarkets.

Start batch cooking once you've emptied your freezer. I actually do a day batch cooking and portion and freeze everything I make. It is exhausting but worth it. Get dh to take the children, hard with a clingy baby I know. Or get him to do the batch cook with some delia recipes to follow.

Can you do a freezer audit? Add something to your spreadsheet for freezer/cupboard contents then plan how to use what you have before buying more.

Is there anywhere else you can go to avoid the supermarket? And does any supermarket deliver to your area?

Tesco and Asda deliver. Today it is bright and sunny so planning to take baby to play park, gets me out of the house and can return dcs library books at the same time - bonus is that I don't pass any shops

When baby has a nap I will get through the freezer and see what I have. Plenty of essentials so shouldn't need to go to a shop until Wednesday at the earliest.

Really appreciate the tips and support. Will have a look at prices of cat food rtf on Amazon - friend is a prime member and gets 20% off nappies so may be worth joining but will weigh up the costs first.

Tesco and Asda deliver. Today it is bright and sunny so planning to take baby to play park, gets me out of the house and can return dcs library books at the same time - bonus is that I don't pass any shops

When baby has a nap I will get through the freezer and see what I have. Plenty of essentials so shouldn't need to go to a shop until Wednesday at the earliest.

Really appreciate the tips and support. Will have a look at prices of cat food rtf on Amazon - friend is a prime member and gets 20% off nappies so may be worth joining but will weigh up the costs first.

I do sort of get it. When you're a SAHM, a trip to the supermarket is an outing, and if you're there, you almost always spot something you 'need'. So like everyone else has said, you need to stop going. Plan your meals and either only go once a week or get your shopping delivered. I go once a week and try to avoid 'top up shops' entirely.

Will do an online shop to be delivered this weekend and if I need anything else, will get dh to pick it up on his way home from work.

I'm the same. If I go to the supermarket, I always find something I "need" in addition to my reasons for going in the first place! It is easier to just send the hubby in on the way home (as he drives and I go by train) as he will literally buy what I've asked for

Rather than spending Today, I've listed lots on Facebook and have sold 4 things so far only £25 but better than nothing!

Great. Put that money into a saving account where you can't easily spend it. Make that your emergency/broken boiler fund. Keep adding to it and don't use it unless the boiler breaks, or the cooker, that kind of thing, but not treats.

only £25 but better than nothing!

See I think that's a little bit where you're going wrong - 25 quid is really quite a lot! Imagine if you found it on the street, you'd be made up!

Yes I will put it aside until I can get into bank.

Oh I would be made up if I found it that's true.

Hi Divergent sounds like you've made a good start. I've just put together a spreadsheet which going to use to track everything I spend this month so I can see where it's going. I know how much all the bills are, it's where the rest of it goes I can't get my head round! I've also done an audit of my freezer and made a meal plan for the week. I'm either going to do an online shop to keep me out of the supermarket or I'm going to Lidl where there is less temptation!

We can do this!!

Good going Violet baby being a bit of a nightmare today so I'll do my freezer later on. Just wants constant attention; had jabs last week so assume not feeling great

For the first time in a long time today was a no spend day

Well done! I did spend, but it was on the weekly shop (stuck to the list!) and shampoo for my dog. I'm challenging myself to make tomorrow and Wednesday no spend days. And not go near a supermarket until next week!

Good luck tomorrow

Well done for sticking to your list

How did you get in today? I've managed to get through the day without spending anything

Well done both of you Divergant and Violet, on the Frugaleers thread that's an NSD (No Spend Day) ⭐️ for each of you.

Hope baby is feeling better now Divergant

When I was on maternity leave and bored I used to go to the supermarket almost every day, I totalled the spends up and spent about the same as when I shopped weekly. Just stick to the food you need for that day's meal (rather than treat food)

Another NSD yesterday but it won't be today. I have a card to post for my SM birthday and we need milk/bread/coffee so im going to need to be strict and just get what we need and not add any extras.

Good luck violet

The baby is a bit better this morning, think it's teething as worse than normal over past few days.

Another NSD yesterday but it won't be today. I have a card to post for my SM birthday and we need milk/bread/coffee so im going to need to be strict and just get what we need and not add any extras.

Good luck violet

The baby is a bit better this morning, think it's teething as worse than normal over past few days.

Well done on your no spend day

I'm aiming for another one today, I'm working from home and have no reason to buy anything!

Glad the baby's a bit better. It's hard work when they're little isn't it? Mine are teens (although they still wake me up in the night, coming in late and putting lights on!)

Good luck! I have a teen (well next month) a 9yo and the baby is 1 so crawling everywhere.