At one time you used to have a weekly budget to live to, before the days of plastic and credit !! Does anyone still try and keep to a weekly budget for groceries ?
Yes I do SD, I do my utmost, i'm pretty good with money because my OH is not, i've had to be. I always try to repurpose something I already have rather than buy something else if I need something for the house.
We don't drink, so alcohol is never an expense ( we have the odd mulled wine or beer at Christmas or a mulled pear cider..very nice) we don't smoke, so it's just food for us and cats stuff. I especially in the winter try to make a large pot of food in the slow cooker, that will make 2 days meals.
We don't have takeaways as such, maybe twice a year but sometimes buy the supermarket takeaway for about £8.00 and thats usually no more than once a month. When I think about how much we spend compared to others (some families have several takeaways a week! saw that on a tv show) I think I do very well.
We often get given alcohol gifts at Christmas, no idea why, but I will keep them all and give them away as gifts to people who do drink, saving money myself. I also start collecting food for Hamper gifts now, so when Crimble comes I don't notice that expense either. I think I mentioned on another post I have been buying all the Italian produce they have for my daughters Birthday hamper.
Sorry if i'm a bit off topic but the household budget covers everything and spreading the cost like this doesn't sting you as much come Christmas. I'm a womble
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
I keep all my finances on about six Microsoft EXCEL spreadsheets. I know where every penny goes and am strict with myself. Because of this I haven't gotten into debt. I pay ALL my bills monthly, too. I am still sometimes short but not into a debt situation.