www.iva.co.uk

When my money was out of control I used my credit and debit cards to pay for everything. When I was going thorough my bank statements before I sent them off for the IVA I was absolutely horrified at the amount I was spending on pointless things, the odd £3 for a drink, magazine and packet of crisps every few days certainly added up and when you are swiping a card you don't realise how much you are spending.

Now I do everything in cash. I withdraw a set amount each week and then split that up and have a set amount each day. I rarely pay for anything on my debit card anymore. It has really worked for me and I now only buy necessary items. I also write down everything so I can keep track of what I am spending.

Hi Poppy
I think cash is much easier to deal with also. I do still use my debit card though I didnt have one for a while. I do my shopping lists on the internet, you can browse the offers btween the supermarkets and see where is best to shop. I only occasionally internet shop due to lack of time, but you can still write the list and print it off, lets you know how much it is and you can cut back if overdoing it.

Ang

That's a really good idea Ang, I am def going to start doing that!

I thought about going to different supermarkets for different offers but was physically going to go and look! Browsing on the internet makes much better sense!

Hi poppy just did my list at sains and have made £20 savings, total for the shop would have been £71 done for £50. Things like the minced beef the nice lean scotch frozen stuff 1.49 instead of 2.99 , charmin loo rolls 4 pack 1.24 insted of 2.48. I do by extras when they are cheap like this as it saves in th longrun bought six packs of mince but will make spag bol and shepherds pies at the weekend and freeze them and then wont need to cook any for at least 3 weeks, saves on gas too and our prcious time.

Ang