Pre paid cards

[Satchell]

Hi, does anyone use a pre paid card for budgeting?
Its my general spends I need to curb and I was thinking of loading a set amount each month on a pre paid card and when it's gone it's gone.
Any recommendations for a good one?

this list is helpful x

www.money.co.uk/prepaid-cards.htm

I think a lot of prepaid cards still charge fees, so I would avoid them.

Maybe check out Monzo first? Not a prepaid card, but a bank. You can apply through their app. I don't use it, but I've been told that you can set budgets for categories, and it can automatically categorise your purchases. So if you shop in Asda, it would assign that transaction to food. I think you can also attach your receipts to transactions.

Interesting thanks!

We have a separate bank account for this. Transfer a set amount each month for food, petrol, lunches etc. Refused an overdraft on it. Basically the same as a pre paid card I think

Monzo is good or Starling bank (very similar). Or a Pockit card, you also get cashback at some places with that - you don't need to do anything just use the Pockit card to pay and you get the cashback added automatically to your card balance the following month.
www.pockit.com/cashback/

Another one for Monzo here, load it from your current account no charge and it only takes a few minutes to apply then they post the card to you ... you can also use it abroad no fees. I found it fantastic last few holidays

Ah, just seen that Pockit now charge a monthly fee of 99p :(
**FREE for customers who joined Pockit before February 2018, and use Pockit actively. If you joined Pockit before February 2018, and if you use Pockit at least once during any 6-month period, then we will NOT charge you.

I got mine a couple of years ago so pay no fee. If you usually spend at the places on their cashback list then it may still be worth it, but if not then Monzo or Starling a better option - just do what @S0upertrooper suggests and treat it like a prepaid card - "Transfer a set amount each month for food, petrol, lunches etc. Refuse an overdraft on it."

I wouldn't use them. They get used a lot in credit card fraud so a lot of places won't take them.

Ok, that's food for thought. It's literally 'my' spends. Food, family money I cm budget but my money is gone in week one on coffees, lunches, nothing in particular then find I have nothing left over for a haircut (desperately needed).
Lack of will power is my downfall.
Maybe I should just leave my bank card at home?

Maybe you would be better using cash for budget categories in which you know you overspend. You could use actual envelopes, or zip-pockets (such as from Wilko and other stationary providers) to put a set amount of cash each week for a specific type of spending. You could have a snacks/coffee envelope. A lunch envelope.
As you say, it's your lack of will power. You need to retrain your brain that spending is done with intention, not on a whim. Track all expenditure, use cash envelopes (you won't have much cash in them, you are trying not to spend much but you are giving yourself permission to spend up to a certain amount £5, £10, 15).
The bank card needs to go with you so you can use it for intentional spending on larger things that you don't overspend on, such as fuel, haircut. However you need to get out of the habit of swiping/touching the card for every thing you buy.