WWYD? If you needed to seriously cut back on your outgoings this month?

[Bouledeneige]

I've just been hit by some huge unexpected bills and a payroll mistake so have much less money this month. I've just looked through my bank account for the past month and there aren't loads of obvious indulgences - but I will need to make some serious savings. A few obvious bits like eating out, wine and a couple of taxis can be cut. Any other ideas? WWYD?

Eat what you have in the cupboards. Avoid any shopping at all or only buy essentials.

Cancel any subscriptions such a newspapers, Sky, Netflix.

Check all your bills are not in huge credit. If so, ask for a refund.

Go through your cupboards and make a full inventory of everything you have, then plan meals aiming not to buy anything else (post the list on here?)

Will any bills give you a payment holiday - mortgage?

Are your utility bills on direct debit? It's the summer so you might be in credit. You have to do some fast talking to get them to send you a cheque but i believe they are supposed to do so if you ask (might be wrong about that).

Xpost

Look through the calendar - any birthdays coming up? If you normally do presents, claim to be just too busy and ask to meet next month.

Honestly, I'd hassle payroll to correct their mistake before next payday. That won't fix the unexpected bills part of the problem though :(

Yes, the main thing I could do would be use up the contents of the cupboards and freezer.

I quite often and a "stuff" free month. I find it good for the soul and for the pocket. A month where I don't buy anything except groceries.

It's also good to take stock of all the little things that add up every now and again. Coffees, choccy bars, magazines, kindle or itunes downloads....

As pp have said - run down your cupboards/freezer.
Are there any monthly payments you can ask if you can split between now and next month (I’ve done this with the termly bill for after school club, ballet etc).
Hiatus on going out and any unnecessary travel apart from walking
Any bits lying around to sell on eBay/Facebook
Any babysitting you can do
Go meat free/alcohol free for the month

A bit underhand but have done it once previously. If you don't have a minus amount in your energy bill and especially if the dd is due imminently, cancel the dd and save/use that money. Phone up a few days later and say you accidently cancelled it on online banking and set it up again. This takes time and will be until the following month. They did not ask me for my months payment (Which was a few hundred pound). Handy if you have no money in the bank to cover dd. If you have a credit you can ask for it back but this takes time.

Leave your credit and debit cards at home
Put a £20 note in your purse for emergency use only
As others say eat from the cupboard, through habit many shop weekly - so only go when you actually need something. For example supplements for the store cupboard and freezer
Don’t buy anything you do t actually need

Random- nice 👍🏻 one as a short term measure

Do you have a pot of coppers etc? If so, cash it in, I once had nearly £80 worth but it really didn't look like much.

Go to supermarket in the evening for the reduced stuff (we pretty much shop like this anyway and freeze stuff).

Definitely check if you're in credit on gas/electric. Most people on direct debits are. #sneakybuggers

And have more veggie meals. Meat is usually the most expensive ingredient.

Do you have any loyalty card points - if so, now may be the time to cash them in. Boots sell milk, toiletries, even lunch for the days when you're really short of time.

Check out thrifty lesley for meal plans & recipes. Very cheap, also general money saving tips.

Ask yourself do I need it
I am currently trying to save some money. I stopped shopping on my lunch break unless I need something, I used to just shop for something to do . Also I've stopped shopping online for clothes . I've gone through my wardrobe and I've checked what I have and have enough clothes for winter . I bought new boots but I don't need anything else I've promised myself not to buy any new clothes until new year apart from new pjs and a new dress for Christmas Day . Go through and see if you can sell anything on eBay that you don't wear . I found I had clothes that I had worn once or twice .
Make your own lunch for work avoid takeaway coffees .
Only have 1 takeaway a month
Meals out only if special occasion. I'm trying to follow all this hopefully Christmas coming up and next year got a few things coming up that will be expensive .

Thanks all - some really good pointers. I wouldn't have thought of the netflix subs or the gas and electricity and they are all very handy suggestions. The problem with the bowl of coppers is you have to count them and bag them all up yourself!

I do have a couple of item on ebay but they are not bringing in a lot of cash right now.

Are you CERTAIN you're with cheapest suppliers for utilities, bb, tv, mobile phone etc?

Have you loyalty cards you could use the points ?

Go on mse and hunt down any useful vouchers. Use any vouchers you already have - I don't use mine straight away I get them I save for difficult times BUT put a reminder on phone of any expiry dates.

And yes - get onto work re the payroll issue - they aren't supposed to leave it till the next month!

Aren’t there usually machines to count change at large supermarkets?

Only pay for things using cash for a month or longer if you can bear it. You’ll be surprised how much you can save this way and it will make you think twice about picking up random stuff you don’t really need.

@ivykaty44, yes they seem to be at most supermarkets. They do charge a commission but it is much quicker than going to a bank.

Thanks folks. It's a complicated payroll and tax code issue - it's sorted but I can't be reimbursed till next month. I have some savings but I don't want to use them all up. So I want to be really really careful,

You can pay for stuff using your coppers at self-service tills, no counting fee, but the drawback is it takes ages. I always do this when it is quiet to save embarrassment.

Some banks (well mine does - NatWest) now have machines you can pour your coppers into without any charges and straight into your account.