I'm overdrawn - cost cutting ideas please

[SharpAndSpikeyOHara]

OK so I don't need any sympathy but I am (to my surprise) hugely overdrawn and I don't get paid for weeks yet... how can I keep costs down between now and then to reduce the damage and become not overdrawn again??

I live beyond my means (I know I do) I eat out at least once a week - probably more like 3 or 4 times so for a start that's got to go! not sure I can go cold turkey so might have to reduce to once a fortnight(?)

What else can I do? I am useless with money, money comes in money goes out.. I never have a clue what I'm spending or where the money goes.. I need whipping into shape - for sure!

you eat out 3 or 4 times a week ?

Lucky you. or not so lucky, as it turns out.

You definately need to cut right back on that. Is there something cheaper you can do so you don't miss it too much? eg hire a dvd or something? that will help. But fundamentally you need stop being so cavalier about money. make lists. use cash (so you can see how much you're spending).

I know it sounds excessive doesn't it... it is excessive isn't it

When I say eat out - we probably eat out (meals) at least once often twice at weekends (me and dd) it's down to a combination of laziness, bad organisation and being out a lot.. then we'll often end up somewhere like stra bucks for lunch on one of those days for the same reasons as a bove.

Actually the way you say it I feel quite disgusted with myself.. double

I am planning to cut back - I will find it hard though

well, lunches out aren't quite so bad.

we sometimes have a cup of tea and a snack in a cafe so we get that eating out feeling without a huge bill.

No but it always seems to be a starbucks type place and I'm kissing goodbye to £15 quid easy... I always think it's over priced so I'll try and cut it out completely.

Get a notebook and write down every single thing you spend money on. Do it for a week. You will be amazed how much the little things - a magazine here, a cup of coffee there - add up. It also makes you ask yourself if you really need something if you know you have to write it down.

With meals - menu plan, do the shopping, then try and stick to your plan. I do a big internet shop once a fortnight (though I do still seem to end up buying 'bits' practically every day).

Don't give up your meals out entirely - but make it a treat rather than a thrice weekly occurence

Another thing I've done when we've been really skint is take out an amount of money for the week, then leave my card at home. Stops those impulse buys.

It's worth doing - there's nothing more depressing than your earnings disappearing into a great hole of an overdraft.

I know Moo.. was shocked this morning..

I know it's not as serious as some folks who post on here and I feel a bit guilty - you know.. it's not like I'm about to lose my home or a family memebr or anything.. I'm just a twit!

but I just feel out of control.. I can never seem to rein it in and I'm finding it a bit depressing.

I tried meal planning once but idn't stick to it for longer than a week. I could try writing down, should I start today or on Monday? I normally shop on a Saturday..

I will steer clear of 'finest' and organic stuff as I know that bumps up my total.

def write everything down and start today.

I always think budgetting should be done like dieting: don't go too drastic too quickly or you'll just cave in and go back to your old ways in a week. Just add the things up, make some small changes and then maybe make some more small changes next week. How about planning 3 meals a week for example?

Also my other trick is to keep a money box and force myself to match the cost of any small purchases. that helps to cut down.

that's a good idea - re. the money box!

This isn't a new problem if I'm honest... I even considered applying for the 'spendaholics' programme earlier this year but can't stand the though of having to humiliate myself on TV just to get it sorted out.

i second the writing everything down - ive been there done it and still trying to get straight.

we allow ourselves £80 a week to spend on any bits we need (milk bread etc) and for anything else.

It works, and we are 2 adults and 2 babies.

Ditto Marthamoo - use cash and just stay in the house more!! It may seem like torture but I've found the feeling of empowerment that comes with having a budget and sticking to it is immense, and the good thing is that it needn't be forever, just pull it really tight until you get on an even keel, then you will automatically be more aware of where it is all going!!

For now dig in your cupboards and see whats in there and only buy stuff to add to that to make dinners.
Dont buy ANYTHING you dont need. Avoid the shampoo/laundry aisle in the supermarket till you NEED something.

SASO just HOW overdrawn are we talking? Like penalties? Bounced cheques? Or within an arranged limit? And I can't help but wonder where you are going to get the money from to live for the next couple of weeks.....if its credit cards, does that mean there are outstanding balances there too? Sorry if that's too nosey - just wondered if you were in a bit more hot water than you want to admit to?

Hello again...

OK, I have a 'huge' agreed overdraft limit which I am nowhere near at the moment so I don't have to worry about where I'm going to get money from for the next few weeks.. I don't have any credit cards as I took a loan out to pay them off a while ago. The worrying thing is that none of my bills- mrtgage etc have come out yet this month

I don't think I am in hot water but I know I have a small spending problem... I had a dawning realistation a couple of days ago that some people keep a 'proper' family on what I earn and I struggle to keep my head above water with just me and dd.

I am always skint and I just don't know how I am.. there's always something I can't afford that needs doing iykwim

I never eat out unless someone else is paying I think.... just about. The children and I always eat in. I think just leaving the house less helps because then you're not tempted to buy things. May be you can do other things like cut electricity bills or if you have a mortgage the interest rate or take a second job which might be easier than cutting back spending.

Morning folks, I had the cheapest weekend I've had in ages!!

I did my weekly shopping for £49 and hopefully we won't need anything/much else.. I didn't eat out (at all).

I had to pay dd's trampolining (monthly) so that was £20 and £20 to the gym. £2.20 on a burger at the farmers market and I think that was about it! oh and £8 at indoor play centre.

Next weekend I won't have the trampolining fee or indoor play.. If I can do my shopping for under £50 again that'll be a bonus!

Just writing it here makes me think "god, hundred quid up the wall just like that"

I think this writing it down malarky will make me realise just how bad I am!

Well done SASO. Have you ever done the hair products test? Go around your house and count the number of bottles/cans/jars of hair product. Divide by the number of people in the house. Is it higher than 2? I had a friend who swore she was frugal, but came up with over 20 on this test, and had to eat her words....its just a bit of fun, but it might give you a clue as to where you might cut down?

mine is rediclous amount and only for me! I don't even use 'product' daily!!

£50 on food is good...the other 50... But im guessing that its good for you. Dont take ANY money with you.
This week go chestnutting/conkering or to the park, or kiteflying or for a walk in the dark with a torch...

yes the other 50 quid... well dd goes trampolining once a week so that works out about £20 a month (just infuortunate it was payment weekend)

£20 to the gym is important to me, it's my time and if I make my lunch everyday that saves me the £20 (so in my mind breaking even).. I am taking a/d's and I found exercise helps me feel good.

I know it's not a great start but it's good for me and hopefully I won't have to spend anything during the week. I need to fill up with petrol so if my only expense this week is £40 on petrol I'll be pleased!

Some GPs have presribed exercies/gym memberships for depression. Not sure if you could get yours on the NHS may be? I didn't take my boys anywhere near any shop this weekend so nothing spent. Woods, garden. When they go to the beach I know one that doesn't even sell ice cream. Saves rows. I suppose they could always eat raw fish if they don't want a soggy sandwich.