I've done it again. Now I realise shopping is an addiction.

[grumpypants]

Posted a cple of months ago about how I'd frittered spent all my salary within a cple weeks (bills too, not just stuff). Yesterday, I went to buy trousers for work (necessary, 25.99) and ended up doing £100 on petrol, carwash, birthday party presents (two parties) socks for the dcs and top up 'nice' food. Now I feel sick. Again. I think it is just an adiction - a social activity, good at the time, come down afterwards. Like when I gave up fags. So, wish me luck, I'm going cold turkey and expect to feel the results in a cple of weeks. Any 12 steps ideas for me?

grumpy - that doesnt' sound too bad. you spent the money on neccessities its not like you spending thousands on designer clothes 2 sizes too small

Hmmm ok

Well petrol I assume was needed, ditto party presents.

Socks for the dc ..well depends how many socks they have, and top up nice food ...

It doesn't SOUND that bad to me TBH ... I clicked on the tread expecting designer handbags and 3k engagement rings.

(I realise this isn't a lot of help and I am a notorious fritterer myself .. )

Most people say best way is to write down everything you spent (even having to justify a stick of chewing gum makes you think twice IYKWIM)

I have always found cash in my purse works well.
Pay all bills DD. Then work out roughly how much money you will need for the week ( food, petrol, other essentials) add £10 and take it out as cash at the start of the week.
Do not use your cards at all. then if there is something you think you need and cannot pay for it out of the cash in your purse, make yourself really think about it before paying for it by card.

My child benefit is used to pay direct debits bills etc at the end of the month I got it last week and usually I have to keep on top of my account to make sure it's there for the bills but I've spent it and not on necessities either.
I treated the kids to McDonalds and cinema went into Boots bought some stuff (I needed those though so not too bad) and just generally spent it.
Was just looking at my account and I'm now going to have to go into my overdraft this month which I hate doing because lovely Halifax will charge me £1 per day.

I ordered something (totally unnecessary) from Next which I have to send back because I don't have the money to pay it back. So don't actually know why I got it in the first place!

I think I'm just so sick of watching every penny, having to say no to the kids all time.
We're trying to clear the credit card this year and have worked out a budget and if we stick to it it will be ok, but it's so crap living like this.

I'm usually not too bad, and now I know why I don't spend all the money it's because of how I feel when I look my account!

Thank you for your replies - I agree it's not 3k rings (mine def didn't cost that much!) but it's like a little buzz 'what can I buy?' 'Lovely cereal and yoghurt mix from M and S'... Like Verity says, it might go if I don't get there first. I am going to go cold turkey. Wish me luck - I am going to list on the fridge all the things I can buy (bills, essential food) and things I can't (yoghurt and cereal for £3 a throw.) I need the 12 step programme adapted for the High Street.
(norks, I shall take cash out like you say)