Shopaholic needing to rein in!

[MrsJoyOdell]

Please don't flame me, I'm delicate at the moment

I'm a total shopaholic. I love shopping, it's my leisure activity of choice. I'm a SAHM with 2 in school and 1 in preschool and until now I've been able to pop off once or twice a week for a mooch around and pick up bits and bobs. I love house things, shit the kids don't need will like and 'bargains.' However, we're about to have a significant drop in income (£1000 less, I know we've been very fortunate to have that much 'spare' before) and I will have to stop.

How can I make myself stick to a budget? We have high rent, but we can afford it, all the bills, a cheap (UK) holiday each year and not go hungry. I know this makes us very lucky and we've had much less before.

Any tips? I've already cut utilities, broadband, phone bills etc etc. Not sure I can drop them any further.

Find something else to do except shop. Get the Marie kondo book and declutter instead

If you enjoy having new things, can you start by only visiting charity shops (but don't just buy for the sake of it!) or get into making things yourself - e.g. Customaising old tops. Then you still get the 'thrill' is new things? Any friends you can do a clothes shop with , or toy swap?

You must find a new hobby. Have you got six months of living expenses saved?

Remember that all that wasteful clutter is stuffing up the planet for your kids. Perhaps that will help.

Just don't go near the shops! I know that sounds silly but it's actually what works for me. I've changed my hours at work and don't take a lunch break now and I buy a lot less "stuff" as I rarely go near a shop. Find a class to do instead? Or go for a walk somewhere?

Did you ever watch spendaholics? They pick apart the reasons people shop beyond their means.

It's very interesting & you might recognise some of the traits in yourself, I did.

Get yourself on the matched betting thread in money & turn that into your hobby. It's very profitable but also time consuming so it will keep you out of the shops.

Also try valued opinions survey sites & log into the desktop nectar card site & register for e-rewards surveys. They pay out loads. I do lots & their paying for my Christmas this year. I register my Dh for accounts so I can double up.

I agree about Marie Kondo. The process made me change my shopping habits entirely!! Now I only buy items that are essential or make me happy!