Intro from Aussie

**countrygirl_2005** · 06-02-2006, 12:02 AM

Hi from australia

I am new here and came across this site after finally reaching boiling point over money matter that both my partner and myself have. The one thing that struck me looking in as a guest was the goal setting and evaluation of were you are at in terms of these goals, what a great way to keep you on track!!

We are a single income family with no credit cards (paid that of long ago - big mistake getting one in the first place) and no mortage (home is free as part of salary), however we manage to spend every cent we earn and live from pay to pay. We have various goals such as replacing furniture and paying our car loan off however justing living day to day is hard. I am a smoker (i know i know) and so is partner. Along with this we both drink to much softdrink. We have nothing to show in terms of money on the Friday (paid weekly). So after all of this my question is one of budgeting - how do you people out there manage day to day and control the spending ie $20.0 here and there over the course of the day is adding up!!! Ideally I would like to set some goals of one shopping day a week and not spending again, however I think of all these very important things I need and head off again day in day out with nothing to show for it! Any tips?

**PrairieRose** · 06-02-2006, 07:10 AM

First off,

to the village! Glad you posted.

The first thing you need to do is to track every single cent you spend. After doing so for a month sit down and carefully go over it with your partner and that will be such a huge eye opener. There are many things you can do to stop the spending leaks. Take drinks from home to work or drink free water or coffee, don't stop for that $4 latte on the way. Take your lunch from home, don't eat out with the crew from lunch everyday. That alone will cost you big time. Make a budget, stick to it. Plan a menu, shop accordingly and stick to it. Stockpile on sale items so you never pay full price. Oh and never pay full price for anything if you can keep from it. Ok, who will go next?

**frugalfarmwife** · 06-02-2006, 08:08 AM

Shopping lists! Make a list for grocery and other essentials and do NOT stray from it!

One shopping day a week, don't run out daily for things!

Don't grab those convient "snacks" at the store, every candy bar, cookie, muffin, bag of chips or cup of coffee adds up to a LOT of money!

Pay yourself FIRST when you get paid, set up a savings account where you automatically put a set amount every payday and stick to it! Don't dip into this money.

Ask yourself on EVERY purchase "do I need this or do I want this?"

Look at items you "want" to have, figure out how many hours you have to work for it, is it REALLY a necessity?

Best of luck and welcome, this is a GREAT place!

kj

**banana** · 06-02-2006, 08:14 AM

I would track everything you spend also. This will give you a good idea as to where the money is going and it will be easy to see what you can easily cut down or cut out completely.

Best of luck to you!

**MirandaK** · 06-02-2006, 08:17 AM

Welcome to the village!

One of the ways I stop hubby from spending $10 here and there (his biggest expense was food) I started a Junk Food Box. I got one of those big plastic totes and when I get a coupon for chips or pretzels or something else I know he likes, I'll pick them up and put them into the tote. That way the $$ comes out of my grocery budget. Plus, he would go to the store to get chips and come home with 2 or 3 other things. Now, he doesn't spend anything! He just gets in the tote and grabs something. This has really cut down on our impulse spending on groceries.

Good Luck!

**frugalfarmwife** · 06-02-2006, 08:48 AM

I do similiar to MirandaK but don't coupon, Aldis has LOTS of good snacks and most are .99 a bag, chips, tortilla chips, corn chips, generic funions, cookies, etc, etc. I get a BUNCH of them once a month and thats all he gets, lol.

kj