Is your household budget going down the gurgler?

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Permalink Reply by Kylie on June 27, 2008 at 13:42

Hi PJF and Shastapatch,

I also find,along with Jacquesk's comments, that it really helps to have a goal to save for, a holiday, a deposit, anything that matters to you. Also know exactly what your bills cost you each week. I earmark money each week for every bill and put it away ie electricity, car rego, insurance, rates, telephone. I know exactly what these bills cost me each week. It takes a little time to work it all out to start with, finding old records etc, but one set up, how can you spend money that you know you are going to need in 2 months for rego/insurance etc

If you are a visual person, draw yourself a graph like those savings thermometres you see where you have your goal up the top and $ increments all the way up. As you put money aside for this goal, you colour in the appropriate amount, this way you can see where you are headed and how close you are.

I set this up for my 8year old, DD wants $60 in 12 months. Instead of spending her birthday money on 'stuff' she got great pleasure out of colouring in the dollar level. DD was spending all her pocket money each week on 'stuff' now she puts it on her chart instead.

DD gets $1 to $1.80 per week pocket money, and in 2 months, along with birthday money she is up to $43. DD is already thinking about what her next goal could be (Barbie, Bratz, choices, choices!) and how much for. You just need to find what works for you.

Barring that, get regular automatic deductions set up from your bank account for extra help with savings.

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Permalink Reply by Jessica on July 14, 2008 at 18:06

I don't think anyone has mentioned eating less. I am buying and cooking less, ie if I am having potatoes and pumpkin, I don't add broccoli as well. If I have more choices, I eat more. And my serves are deliberately smaller. And no unnecessary treats.
And maybe don't look at advertising junk mail unless you are specifically after something, so that I don't get tempted by Avon, Ezibuy etc. for items that I don't really need but look so attractive.
And take public transport where I can, instead of driving. Maybe I'll be saving something by the end of the day.

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Permalink Reply by Mary M on July 14, 2008 at 20:42

Eating less is a great one Jessica. It's not just the food that you end up throwing out, but also the extra weight (also garbage) that you carry around all day because of consuming too much. Bad for your health, both physical and mental.

If you visit the US you'll see consumption gone wrong and their average weight is an outward sign of the extent of the sickness that is overconsumption.

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Permalink Reply by Monica on July 14, 2008 at 22:31

Hi All,

This has been a great read and thought provoking, I thought I was thrifty but im downright decadent in alot of areas, and now feel shamed.

One thing that helps me alot though is..... water (from the silver pipe located in the kitchen kind). I keep 7 plastic bottles refilled constantly and one in the car and always grab one on the way out the door.

When I feel hungry i'm usually just thirsty, and stopping at a servo or corner shop to buy a drink usually results in a drink plus a kit kat or something else. I have become so used to getting water at cafes and restaurants that I even automatically ask for it if im on a date (sad but so true!).

And when the craving for retail therapy wins out, I try to get someting I love and then celebrate it and show it off at every available opportunity, not to gloat but to get my moneys worth!

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Permalink Reply by Pete McMurphy on July 15, 2008 at 15:04

Monica, I think you play down your thrifty skills!

Bottled drinks are a killer for me, be it water, soft drinks or flavoured milk. At a 7-11 they can cost up to $5! I'm a sucker for them all, and spend way too much on them.

You've got me thinking...I'm going to try your strategy of carrying water bottles around and for each bottle I drink I'll put aside $3. Might skip doing that on dates though ;)

Macca

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