If you're trying to save some money....

[JamSandle]

Tell me your tips. I've decided this winter I want to save as much as I can.

Any advice on how to keep going? I've already decided to limit social media so I dont get jealous if I see people doing things im not. There are things I've planned so my winter isn't without its fun. I just want to prioritise saving a much as I can this winter.

Anyone else doing the same and want to encourage each other?

Commit to not buying new clothes, (maybe kids uniforms and shoes exception).
Make Facebook marketplace your first stop for anything you need, furniture, pans etc. Sell stuff you don't really need anymore.
Make a menu plan every week. Include a couple of budget meals - jacket potatoes and pasta with tomato sauce are a couple of ours. Write your shopping list as you do your menu plan and go shopping after a meal, never when hungry.
Have friends round for drinks rather than going out out. And ditch the brands - Heinz ketchup has gone up by 55% over the last 2 years! If you drink oat milk, like we do, we used to stock up when the supermarkets had it on offer but now I'm buying Lidl's own brand and it's half the price and perfectly fine. Have a storecupboard, even if it's just a crate under the bed - saves those popping to the shops moments when you've run out of silly things like oil or sugar etc.
Never buy takeout coffees. Who can't wait half an hour to get home or to work?
Change your insurers and broadband every year choosing who has the best cashback offers. It's a bit of a pain but there's no reward for loyalty!
Set a target of how much you want to save every month - even if your budget is miniscule you can save £20. It really helps you focus on not overspending - always ask yourself "do I need this?" and stop telling yourself 'I deserve a treat' - you can treat yourself later with what you've saved.

I have had a few really good ebay purchases recently as well.One of the things I have learned recently is to search for common things with words spelled wrong eg search for '99p or last minute bargins' or 'Staring price 99p' etc.It is something I hadn't thought of before land you can get some great 'bargins'!

I have been trying to fill up my car on payday,plus fill my cupboards,fridge and freezer.After that,I aim for as many no spend days as I can for the rest of the month.Every time I go to bed having spent 0,I feel a sense of satisfaction to be honest.

Once I know that I have paid my bills and got food and fuel to last the month,in a way it feels like the pressure has been lifted and it becomes more of a game to see how many days I can go without spending.

No spend challenges and trying to spend £2 a day challenges etc are great.They really focus your mind on ways to adapt and save money etc and open you up to methods you previously may never have considered.

We try to focus on the weekend,which was previously where a lot of our money was being wasted trying to occupy the kids, and are now doing activities which are free/cost very little,but are still fun and get us out of the house.We have recently been taking a packed lunch out with us,going to the woods near us,parks,outdoor spaces etc and just letting the kids run around and have fun.Previously,we would have spent a small fortune trying to entertain them with soft play,trampoline parks,expensive fast food out etc and if anything ,they have enjoyed our cheaper days out more.

Yes@Jenniferbennifer ,I have found that too.When we used to go on expensive trips to the funfair,bowling etc.half the time it was just a stressful,expensive day out and when we got back home,we'd often question whether it was worth it,even before things got so much more expensive.

I am aiming for a very low spending weekend.Fingers crossed,the weather is cold,but sunny and dry so at least we can go outside and hopefully tire the kids out without spending too much.

We are popping to asda in a bit for a couple of bits and pieces.I have been really impressed by a lot of their asda essentials range as well,my son loves the frozen pizzas,the sweet and sour chicken,plus the fruit is always good and long lasting too.As we will be there,I will take him up to the cafe as the kids eat for £1 is brilliant value.I probably won't have anything myself but for £1,the portion is filling enough for my 12 year old.

I like the fact,as well that if he is extra hungry,he can have 2 meals for £2.

Join the National Trust!

English heritage are good as well,a day out at Kenilworth Castle feels like an expensive treat,but membership works out at really good value.

We take our own food,drinks and snacks with us everywhere we go as well now.

So far,i haven't spent anything today.I have been watching frugal/thrifty meal ideas on YouTube and watching Atomic shrimp who goes foraging and does money saving meal challenges.I have also been watching the envelope cash stuffing challenges that people do for a boost and a bit of inspiration.

Cash envelope stuffing.

so I bank with starling where in the app you can have separate “savings spaces” and pay bills from those spaces. I get paid weekly so when I get paid I transfer x amount straight into my bills space which is used for any direct debits going out (rent/gas/Disney+/phone etc). Whatever is left I with draw in cash.
I then divide the cash into different envelopes - fuel, food, eating out, personal spending (clothes/nails etc) and also put some cash into envelopes for savings (birthdays/Christmas/new car etc).
then for that week when I go to Aldi - I take my food envelope with me. When I go to the petrol station I take the fuel envelope with me etc. I really notice I spend far far less on everything when I have to pay it in cash! Especially personal spending. Honestly a sandwich from costa is far less appealing when you have to hand over a £5 note for it. Anything left at the end of the week goes into my savings envelopes and I start again.

I definitely find it easier to rein in my spending when I use cash instead of plastic.It's so much easier to part with money left right and centre when you aren't seeing the physical cash leaving your hand.

I really feel for those unable to stop spending.with conditions like bpd,hoarding ,ocd and or others.i was working with someone today and it struck me hard.they can't STOP. So a sell as a condition they need emotional help to ease,they also have in the meantime how ahot the money side is really becoming.

That’s a really good way of sorting out your money and keeping a close eye on what’s going out. I have an envelope system but instead of envelopes (as in the paper version) I have different pots in my bank account so one for bills, one for food/car fuel, one for pocket money and one for savings. The problem I’m finding is I spend my pocket money allowance (usually £50 a week) very quickly and find it easy to transfer from my savings pot back
into my pocket money fund to top it up. I am that sucker who goes into Costa and buys a sandwich, cake and tea. I don’t like coffee so get tea instead which costs a ridiculous £2.50 (I think). I also have a habit of paying for things out of the bills pot and then have to put it back. I need to be strict!
I think, when I get paid at the end of the month, I’ll take my pocket money out in cash and challenge myself to get similar treats for cheaper and take a travel mug from home. I’m stingy at work with cash but terrible when I’m off work!!! I can get 4 muffins at Asda for £1 instead of a tiny slice of raspberry and almond slice for £2.50 from Costa. I need to think more about my days off and how to plan eats.
My 14 year old is a big Costa fan and we can easily spend £20 every time we walk through the door!

I was exactly the same and got myself into a right pickle with a lot of debt because I was just constantly transferring money between pots and every week stressed there wasn’t enough to cover the direct debits. And I was worse when going to primark or costa - tbh, most the time I didn’t even know what I spent and just tap my card - with the total the sales assistant told me going in one ear and right out the other. It was just numbers. It’s very different when you have to count it out and physically see your money disappear.
but I also find using cash also takes away that psychological deprivation of being on a budget can do - where the more you say to yourself you can’t have x,y and z the more you want them. Because you can have all the clothes, shoes, cushions etc that you want - as long as you go into the shop and buy them. Not as easy as just hitting that pay with PayPal button online.
I definitely recommend giving the cash envelope stuffing a go if you struggle with budgeting. There’s lots of motivational videos on YouTube to explain the benefits and keep you motivated too

@DuchessOfDisco
Ill definitely try to be more careful and I’ll check out those videos!

Cash=King

I've also started borrowing from the library. Might be a bit niche, but it will save me a fortune and I'm hoping it starts to help my mindset for other things.
I hope libraries aren't niche! I don't really understand why some people don't use them. Free books! Free films! Free magazines!

I love our local library,it's opposite the coop so we grab some shopping,then me and my 8 year old walk across for some storytime,internet access,peaceful time,studying time etc etc.Absolutely love going to the library and i hope she will use it as much as I have over the years.

Chicken thighs and drumsticks over chicken breast all day every day.Much cheaper,tastier and meat on the bone cooks so much better.

I'm going to get set up today and give the cash envelope stuffing a go starting first thing tomorrow.New week will be a new start.