Serious Question

Pay for things yourself.....and with cash! In other words try getting rid of direct debits. I know they SAY they save you money but in reality you don't realise how big the bills are that you are running up as all you see is a number being subtracted off your bank balance. We put money in bill jars each day to cover bills (leccy,gas,council tax,water) and when they are paid there's always something left but you don't notice it coming out of your pocket as much. If it doesn't cover the bills it encourages you to turn lights off,turn the gas down so ends up saving money that way. Owt left at the end of the year is extra spending money

Go to smaller shops. They may be more expensive but you buy less Also shop local. Do you have a local butcher? How much is a treat like Sirloin Steak in a supermarket? The more expensive of our 2 local butchers its £7 a pound......the cheaper is £3.30 a pound and its better than any supermarket meat. (Not telling which shop it is as I don't want them selling out before I get mine ).

Go Pay As You Go. You soon learn you don't have to be on the phone all the time. I spend about £20 a month including 500mb internet and I use it for work.If you need to sign a contract try making them as short as you can so you don't get lumbered for too long if things go bad.


As anybody mentioned getting rid of Sky yet

 

£20 -£30 each on diesel FFS what are they

Cheiftain tanks.... just changed the wifes car to a citroen C1 VTR.... £20 a year road tax up to 72 mpg.. getting around 57 overall... and its dropped her from gp 4 to gp 1 insurance. Take a look at insurance companies that give discount for multiple policies. I am with Aviva for almost all , the more insurances I get the cheaper they all are. IE life cover , mortgage cover, household cover, car . they even do a blanket car cover so you can have all vehicles at the one address on the one policy. SKY TV... seriously a waste of time... get it cancelled and use FreeView... its will be a little wrench at first but soon you will be glad for it. Mobiles, well go on a PAYG and really do you need them. I have one in my car it stays switched off at all times unless for an emergency. Do a balance change on the credit card, that will give you 0% interest for a good while as long as you pay the minimum each month and on time, many will give you the 0% deal for 12 some even 18 months. That is a big saving long term. Maybe have a look at your electric etc, There is a company called "Commodities Warehouse" they can advice you on all your needs from Mobiles to insurance to gas/electric. Worth a look matey.

 

Re: £20 -£30 each on diesel FFS what are they

All of this is good advice. But the simple question you should ask everytime you make a purchase is do oi really need it and thats NEED. Not want

 

Absolutely

nail on head mate, I have to say I have been a bit extravagant over the years , but I do employ that simple thought. Many many times I have been totally wanting to buy that something, then a voice has said "Really .. Do Really NEED that"

 

Evenin all. Would just like to say thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Definitely going to sit down and work out what we're spending and where. There's a Lidl about 10 minutes away that will get a visit. Sky are getting a call over the weekend. And if all else fails I'll sell a kidney!!

 

Who isn't?!

 

It's not bamboo poles sewn in there tha knows

They must pulp it or summert. Perfectly soft and absorbent. The fact that you have to scrape the excess 'contents' of the nappy into the toilet before putting it to soak leaves a bit to be desired but that's my life.

 

I car share with someone for my commute. £60 per month saving.

 

Like others have said, write every expenditure down, you'll be amazed at what you spend. I end up spending between £10-15 a week just at work buying cans of pop and chocolate, it soon adds up. Then if you have a take away once a week that adds up, I tend to have a mcdonalds once a week and thats nearly a fiver a time. I've found it's the smaller things that that add up rather than the big purchases.

Also, when you go shopping, make a list of exactly what you need and work out how much that will cost. Then as you are walking round you can count how much you're spending and how much you've got left to spend. It's so easy just to start grabbing things you don't need. Go to the meat aisle and there will be a reduced section, get what you fancy from there and throw it straight in freezer when you get back and it'll be fine to eat a few weeks later.

 

I just received a letter from the finance company letting me know I only have one payment left on my car!

I waste a fortune in Asda doing small weekly shops instead of one big shop.