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Original poster

The collective knowledge of money saving MNers here please!!!

20 replies

spursmum · 28/04/2006 19:56

I said I would ask for advice and opinions for my best friend.
She and her DP are in real financial difficulties, no real debts as such just a catalogue(which was for a new fridge/freezer), They are just struggling with the cost of everything.
I have suggested the main ideas that I could think of
eg. Getting rid of the NTL, getting rid of broadband, changing shopping to Asda or God forbid Tesco( sorry but is nessessary for budget!), no going out, no alcohol, DP giving up the fags etc
I am better at sorting out debts with loans etc so I thought I'd ask the wisdom of Mumsnet to get advice on how they can tighten their belts.
TIA

OP posts:
starlover · 28/04/2006 19:59

meal planning... doing cheap meals like stews that you can bulk out with veg, and can use cheaper cuts of meat for.

no convenience foods etc etc

cutting down on car use/sellign a car if they have more than one?

AllieBongo · 28/04/2006 19:59

selling stuff on ebay, free ads always makes me some pennies.

popsycalindisguise · 28/04/2006 20:01

my top advice is \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1375&threadid=168514\here}

SenoraPostrophe · 28/04/2006 20:02

Spursmum, I think the kind of advice you have given is a bit like asking someone to go on a cabbage-only diet: probably really good for you, but really hard to stick to.

I would say:

  • get rid of NTL OR broadband (unless one is effectively free with the other). certainly get rid of premium channels that don't get watched much.

-cut down on going out and alcohol, and get dp to switch to roll upps (you don't want to be doing a stressful thing like giving up smoking when you're worrying about money)

-plan meals, cook from scratch more and shop at the market. way cheaper than tesco, and you're less likely to come home with all manner of fancy jars and things.

Original poster
spursmum · 28/04/2006 20:12

Thanks for the advice.
Senora-the giving up the fags is to shock him into realising that they are in trouble!! I wouldn't dare ask him to give up completely!!
Although I have threaten to trade in his PS2 game collection!!
The broadband is hardly ever used, only to MSN her family or me and the NTL is on the lowest package which is still £10 a month. her parents have offered to buy her a Freeview box.
They don't have a car and the nearest market is quite crap, no decent fruit/veg stall, just mobile phone accesories, pet food, dvds/cds, clothes etc. Nothing of use.
Kepp all sugeestions coming though as I am going to put them all to her so she can decide what is best for her family.

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 28/04/2006 20:16

OK. Is there a lidl or aldi or some such nearby? again, they have less premium stuff so you just buy less (and they're cheap anyway)

popsycalindisguise · 28/04/2006 20:17

ah yes - i have started to use lidl and aldi more......equally as good for certain things

Original poster
spursmum · 28/04/2006 20:17

OOOh good point!! There is a Lidl up the road from them.

OP posts:
charliecat · 28/04/2006 20:19

They need to write all thier outgoings/incomings down and sensibly work out how much is needed for XY and Z forgetting nothing, the milkman, school dinners for kids , everything.
Buy the bloke a big pouch of baccy at the start of the week. Nipping to the shop for fags costs a mint once you have added on the bread/milk biscuits and special offer crisps.
DO NOT spend a pennt till all the bills moneyt has been put buy.
There is no chance of sorting any mone problems out if your not sure whats got to paid when and where.

ssd · 28/04/2006 20:21

spursmum, what's wrong with Tesco? (re your first post?)

can be cheap though not as good as Asda.

charliecat · 28/04/2006 20:24

Oh yeah, an once they have worked out the money leave whats needed for direct debits in the bank. Make sure the amount is correct so not to get big bank charge. Take the rest out and have it in notes.
Put the 10, 20 , and 5 quids by for gas/elecy/water etc and then go food shopping. If theres anything left, great grab a beer. If theres not. Tough till next week. No dipping or banging it on a card.

sis · 28/04/2006 20:33

consider getting an allotment if there is one near then - grow their own veggies and they will be too tired after the digging to go shopping! seriously, I have an alloment in London and it costs about £30 a year - a total bargain!

Original poster
spursmum · 28/04/2006 21:04

Ssd, some people don't like the big supermarkets for outpricing the local businesses etc.
I was apologising to them before I got shouted at for mentioning them!!Grin
There are a few threads about them somewhere in the archives.
Charliecat, thats why I am suggesting that they keep a diary of all outgoings/incomings. I do and know exactly how much I can spend and how much need to stay in there.

OP posts:
ssd · 29/04/2006 09:28

so do these people you've mentioned never shop in the big supermarkets?

I haven't seen those threads.

misdee · 29/04/2006 10:03

hi, if they are near lidl i am assuming they are in P*hanger. morrisons is good as well.

ust basiclly pulling in the belt is quite easy to do. (i am still adjusting). dont go shopping when hungry, just take out a set amount of cash., if i need to pop to the shops for milk and bread, i take just the amount i need, that way i cant buy extras. for the kids sweets, i have bought multipacks, so we dont go down the rd for a chccie bar. I am trying to limit my magazine spending. use the library for books insetad of buying new ones. i have cancelled sky, my sainsburys dvds. I am just waiting for my latest bt bill to arrive so i can arrange to switch to ntl for phone/broadband.

Original poster
spursmum · 29/04/2006 18:30

I should never have wasted my breath!!
Today we went shopping, well I did for school shoes for ds and to pay her bills and she was complaining about not being able to afford school shoes for her ds.
Yet in the next 30 seconds she wasted £10 on keyrings for her bag because 'they are Playboy'(her obsession) and her DP spent at least £25 on games and disc cleaners for his PS2. That would have bought her ds' schoolshoes and some shorts for the summer.
Why did I bother? Sorry to waste your time girls but thanks for the help anyway.

OP posts:
charliecat · 29/04/2006 18:33

Let them get on with it then, its bloody irritating though watching I bet.
Just say your not going to listen to her maoning when you can see with your own eyes shes wasting money.

charliecat · 29/04/2006 18:34

So they are not really struggling with the cost of everything...they are just spending thier money on crap and wondering why the bills arent paying themselves...

Original poster
spursmum · 29/04/2006 18:36

I did!! She said that they are going to stop at the end of the month. I'll believe that when I see it. They don't have any self control at all.

OP posts:
charliecat · 29/04/2006 18:37

Aw well, just smile in the knowledge that you know when to stop spending and they dont have a clue :)

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