Does anyone use a housekeeping budget/kitty ?

[picklepie555]

I'm thinking of sticking to a set amount every week ie taking the cash out and every week and not using the debit card but just use this for everything, shopping, petrol, kids treats etc. Just want an idea on how well this method works and an idea on how much to budget a week. I know its rather an old fashioned way to run a household but I think it might help me to be a little more thrifty than I currently am!

We have just tried doing this. We've had a budget of £100 a week for ages but never been able to stick to it using debit/credit cards. I now get £100 out every Monday and that is it for the week. We've only been doing it a few weeks but seeing the money go out as hard cash seems to help us focus alot more and makes it easier to stick to the budget. We have realised just how much we were spending/wasting on crap and 'whim' purchases. In fact we were doing so well that last week we had enough left over from previous weeks to not need that weeks £100 so we treated ourselves with it instead.

We did it, stopped doing it and now we do it again. It's much easier to keep track and to tell yourself 'no'. Feel much more relaxed aswell now as I know I'm not overspending.

Thanks Dontlook and Latrucha, Right I will start it and see how well I do. Think this could be a good idea for me!

good luck, we are doing this too, and it helps to hide your debit card

We do although we buy the groceries and petrol on switch and housekeeping is for outing, lunches anbd other purchases.

Yes. I have a spreadsheet of our budget . To be fair on myself though our funds are very limited and its an easy way of keeping on top of everything. We use the card though for the simple reason we can't afford to have change around. Any money not spent needs to be in the account.