Budget

[m_m]

I have removed this post due to identity issues, I hope that is not a problem x

[rufio89]

I try to save as minimum about 10% of my income.

Do you not pay any board?

I'd say you could be saving at least £500.

[m_m]

I have removed this post due to identity issues, I hope that is not a problem x

[rufio89]

Go through your bank statements for the past few months and see what you've spent your money on and total it up into categories.

Do you buy many clothes? Going out? Food? Gifts?

[Bel Bel]

get a savings account with a fixed savings amounht that you can't draw on without notice
that stops the impulse spending and means you really have to think before committing to taking it out
does your b/f have access to your account?

[m_m]

I have removed this post due to identity issues, I hope that is not a problem x

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Set yourself up a direct debit and see about starting saving £100 a month, and then if you can manage that then up it to £200 and so on. I take packed lunches to work so I don't have the expense of buying something every day (If you spend just £2 a day it's £10 a week..assuming you have 4 weeks holiday it's £480 a year, spent on dinner time sandwiches).

I don't see why you can't save at least half of what you get paid since you are living at home with no major bills to pay (train and phone don't count). I pay my car each month, I have a phone and I pay for petrol each month plus stuff for me and my bf and on "luxuries" I spend say £200 a month (more at Christmas), the £200 includes petrol. I can quite easily spend less than that, it's just since I don't have to pay bills I can afford to do it, and as my mam rightly pointed out, if I am looking to buy a house then why don't I buy all of the things I want now because I won't be able to afford them then.

[m_m]

I have removed this post due to identity issues, I hope that is not a problem x

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Well if you want clothes don't alway go for the designer label - yes treat yourself occasionally but not all the time...most of the t-shirts I wear for work are from primark (£2 each). I got a dress from Asda £8, I got a dress from Marks and Spencers outlet for £5. You just have to look in the cheaper option of shops for clothes. If there are things you want like computer games/CDs then write them down, maybe buy a couple and write the rest down for a birthday or Christmas wish list. I buy most of my books second hand - where I get them it's a maximum of £2.20 for the books I read, we have a few shops like that. One if you take books back you get about half the money you paid for them back - you don't physically get the money back but you get it off your next bill. Libraries are free for books, you can get DVD's/CD's from them to rent. If there is a film you fancy watching - record it and you can watch it later or keep it.

I like to buy decent shoes, however I don't buy them often - I did buy 2 pair of flip flops for my holidays and they were £2 each. I also like to get nice/more expensive clothes/stuff but I don't buy a lot, I'll go 6 months without buying anything nice and then buy 3 at once. If I'm not sure I think about it and think "do I really need/want it?" - sometimes I leave stuff I think I really want and then go back a few days later and if it's still there and I still want it then I buy it (fate lol).

[Bel Bel]

you can open the account and set up a standing order. fixed min amount to leave in but not necessarily a fixed amount to pay in each month but you do that becasue you want to start saving if you get made redundant you cancel the standing order but you would still have to give notice to access your funds

and yes they do them on line

http://www.money.co.uk/savings-accounts ... avings.htm

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings ... d=10890397

http://www.which-savings-account-4u.co. ... swodpzs5OA

[Bel Bel]

also forgot to say me and hubby go out alot to eat, at least twice a week.
we go to nandos and local pub alot plus odd subway/mcdonalds and at least once a week more expensive restaurant (spending between £40-£60) and we never spend more than £100 a week eating out. you can't spend that much just going to subway and mcdonalds twice a week???
what are these "things for me and my b/f"?
you have to be honest with yourself about things you don't need if you are going to cut down

[rufio89]

lol BelBel that is a LOT of eating out. I'm very jealous.

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

lol BelBel that is a LOT of eating out. I'm very jealous.

My aunty and uncle eat out ALL the time - it's a running joke that they don't know how to turn the oven on!

[Bel Bel]

i know, i can't cook and hubby is often at gym or football after work so he can't always be bothered by the time he gets home.
i do shove it in the oven stuff or pasta. hubby actually cooks great food but usually only 2-3 times a week
i couldn't afford to eat everyday when my little girl was born so it is like so important to me to have good food and it's one of my favorite things to do with money

[m_m]

I have removed this post due to identity issues, I hope that is not a problem x