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Lessons Learnt From Living on a Budget

Friday, 18 September 2015

I've blogged about my difficult relationship with money before.  To keep on track, I take a hard look at my spending regularly as I have a set amount of money to spend each month.  And no more.  This is what it's taught me.

Coffee sets


Prioritise.  Weigh up what you need against what you want. 

Reduce.  Find ways to cut costs.  

Record.  I've got an app on my phone that tracks the money I've got coming in, what's spent and what it's being spent on.  Tracking expenditure makes it more real.  It also helps identify ways to cut costs.

Bills first.  Most of our standing orders and direct debits come out early in the month.  Once they've gone, the money we've got in the account is what we've got left for food, clothes, treats and savings.

Save.  We try and make sure we've got a few months of bills saved in case of an emergency.  We're trying to build other savings too.

Stop wasting money.  I used to buy things that I didn't need.  I'm better, but still need to watch myself.  

Got any tips for living on a budget successfully?


My first blogger event, the #LLBlogMeet organised by JJ over at Love London was great fun.Many thanks to JJ for organising and to MI + Me for the wonderful hospitality.

Sharing with all these great Linkys 
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Posted by Tubbs

22 comments

  1. Mica18 September 2015 at 22:29

    Budgeting is difficult! It takes a lot of energy to figure and map everything out, so it's good to hear you have a routine that works for you! I think the classifying needs vs wants is easy when it's an expensive purchase, but when it's something small I'm so likely to say 'it's only....' and it's those little things that don't break the budget but that add up quickly! Needs vs wants is something I'm constantly working on.


    Away From The Blue Blog

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    1. Tubbs21 September 2015 at 12:30

      It's the small things that I trip up over as well ... Individually it's not much, but it adds up over the course of a month. Thank you for commenting

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  2. FarZain19 September 2015 at 08:05

    Loved your compilation! Just a reminder in time to me, as the budgeting starts with vigor at the beginning of the year and then fades away in the last few months.

    Thanks for sharing!

    FarZain
    @http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/

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    1. Tubbs21 September 2015 at 12:32

      I know! All keen in January and all lazy come September ... Thank you for commenting

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  3. Unknown19 September 2015 at 09:14

    You sound so similar to me! Thankfully my other half is brilliant with the stuff and has helped me with a spreadsheet to fill in every month. That app sounds great though - I would like to know what it is called? Thanks for linking to #PoCoLo x

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    1. Tubbs21 September 2015 at 12:33

      The app is Spending by App Cheer. I got mine from the Apple store, but it may also be on Google Play

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  4. Joanna @mumbalance19 September 2015 at 13:24

    Cutting back on spending is hard. I find that online shopping is the worst for me. When I worked, before having Little F, I'd order lots of things on the spur of the moment. Just because I had a spare moment at work...
    A great way to cut food costs is too eat less meat and fish. We are pescaterian and that has really helped to keep the food cost down, while still buying good quality organic ingredients.
    #bigfatlinky

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    1. Tubbs21 September 2015 at 12:34

      Online shopping is terrible! So easy to spend alot without realising ... Thank you for commenting

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  5. Alexandra Hurton19 September 2015 at 21:25

    Budgeting is one of the elements i struggle with. Juggling household expenses with university ones is incredibly hard. Any tips are helpful! #BigFatLinky

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    1. Tubbs21 September 2015 at 12:34

      Hope these were useful

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  6. Emily Twin Mummy and Daddy20 September 2015 at 20:52

    Really enjoyed this post. I'm quite good money, but have always learnt how to budget and it's something I'm keen to teach my children. Thanks for linking up to the #BinkyLinky

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    1. Tubbs21 September 2015 at 12:35

      We're trying to teach the Tubblet the same things. If she's learns to manage her money now, that will help her as she gets older

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  7. The Queen of Collage20 September 2015 at 22:20

    Great Post. My tip would be don't buy brand new things where you can. #bigfatlinky

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    1. Tubbs21 September 2015 at 12:35

      True, I buy alot of clothes off eBay and it can be much cheaper

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  8. Unknown21 September 2015 at 19:26

    Really good post thanks for linking to the binkylinky

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    1. Tubbs24 September 2015 at 12:59

      Thank you and see you tomorrow! :)

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  9. Mummy Tries22 September 2015 at 18:52

    Loved this hon, great advice! I had to declare bankruptcy in 2008 because of a failed business, and it taught me so much about the value of money. The kids should be taught about budgeting at school really. Thanks so much for sharing with #DiffLinky xx

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    1. Tubbs24 September 2015 at 13:00

      At home and at school IMO as it's such a key life skill and just falls between the cracks. Thank you for hosting #difflinky, I love it!

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  10. Unknown23 September 2015 at 05:10

    I was always taught to pay your savings first. We try to cut costs on regular bills like power by my husband trying to kill me with the thermostat being set on 80 and trying to tell me it isn't hot in here. lol. It's so hard to stay on budget sometimes but we try. Thanks for linking up with #momsterslink and I will have to check out that app. I am sure I would be shocked at where our money really goes.

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    1. Tubbs24 September 2015 at 13:01

      The App is excellent,I can't recommend it highly enough. Thank you for hosting

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  11. Unknown24 September 2015 at 10:33

    Thank you for sharing this on #bigfatlinky. The need/want line is key.

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    1. Tubbs24 September 2015 at 13:03

      I need to be better at it as I need everything, but I'm doing my best :) Thank you for hosting each week

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