How are you saving during lockdown?

This topic has 11 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 7 months ago by claire.

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April 24, 2020 at 12:50 #151033

Annie
Keymaster

I work from home anyway, so I didn’t think lockdown would affect me much. However, I’ve realised how much I REALLY miss my regular trips to the local cafe. I’ll walk with the dog there, sit for an hour with a tasty coffee, and then head back to work at home.

Now I can’t do that, I’ve realised how much money it’s saving me! That, and my local favourite restaurants that aren’t offering delivery for the weekends – I’ve worked out I’ve saved over £200 this month just by not ordering food, going to coffee shops, or driving as much.

It got me wondering: what are you making your savings on during lockdown? Do you have ideas to help us stretch our money further while things are tight?

April 24, 2020 at 14:50 #151039

Marc Crosby
Keymaster

I’m in the same position – I work from home usually but am still making big savings at the moment.

Usually I would go out with my friends once or twice a week for a meal, or at least drinks, so that’s probably £40 or so a week. I also was getting into (quite a bad habit) of having a few too many Costa Coffees each week, so I’m probably saving about £30 a month or so there as well.

I’ll confess to having the odd takeaway delivered by Just Eat over the past few weeks, but we all need a little pick-me-up, I guess!

April 25, 2020 at 08:44 #151043

Jennifer Birtles
Keymaster

I’m normally a sucker for picking up a coffee (and maybe a pastry) when out and about during the day, it never feels like you’re spending much each time when it’s a couple of pounds but realising now how much it all adds up!

April 25, 2020 at 09:13 #151046

Nick
Participant

Fuel has been the big one for me. Normally I’m driving a lot for work but already in the past month I’ve saved a £250 on fuel simply because I’ve not been able to go anywhere. Will have to try and see if I will be able to cut down on my travelling when things to return to normal to continue to save a little bit.

April 26, 2020 at 13:36 #151058

Annie
Keymaster

It’s amazing how the ‘just a few quid’ things add up!

I’ve also realised how much I spend on pet treats! It’s normally so easy to pop into the pet shop and pick up a special chew for the dog or a new toy for the cat. Now it’s a total faff, they’re getting fewer treats and my purse is much happier for it!

April 27, 2020 at 17:30 #151081

Marc Crosby
Keymaster

Annie wrote:

It’s amazing how the ‘just a few quid’ things add up! I’ve also realised how much I spend on pet treats! It’s normally so easy to pop into the pet shop and pick up a special chew for the dog or a new toy for the cat. Now it’s a total faff, they’re getting fewer treats and my purse is much happier for it!

Haha, same for my dogs! They were getting used to a new toy every two or so weeks…not anymore.

May 5, 2020 at 01:50 #151190

Laura
Participant

I think my biggest savings have come from not chucking a few extra items in my basket when shopping. I am self-isolating so I haven’t been in a shop for weeks and it has made me realise how often I chuck a bar of chocolate or a fancy loaf of bread in my basket. Having said that I would probably kill for some fancy food!

May 16, 2020 at 17:31 #151359

Shahzad
Participant

There is some good advice on here, thank you to all

May 18, 2020 at 10:25 #151378

Sunnii-Elle
Participant

The past 2 months are the only times I’ve come within my Monzo budget – really cut down on unnecessary coffee trips and expensive after work run ins to the shop. But now that lockdown has eased I feel the old habits might come crawling back…

May 19, 2020 at 23:26 #151450

Madelaine
Participant

We’re saving too, on petrol particularly.
Then there are the mooches round town and impulse buys as we pick up a few bit in Primark or similar because they’re so cheap, then a meal and a drink in ‘Spoons to save cooking…
Don’t get me started on all the stuff we’re not buying in the supermarket because we have it done for us. We make a list of stuff we need, and that’s all we buy. You’d be amazed at all that good food in the chest freezer. We’ve dined on Kangaroo steaks, venison and more

May 22, 2020 at 15:30 #151509

Winnie
Participant

I actually saved a lot on eat outs, travels and parties

May 23, 2020 at 08:42 #151520

claire
Participant

im not sure im saving, I feel like im getting in debt…. as my brother dose the food shop for us, he has a list to go by. and not having cash in the house I have no way of paying him. so I must owe loads by now. I think I used to be about nearly 70-100 per shop twice a week when I did go out. lets me think deeply about what im not spending on……..

im saving on lots of meals out, as I used to go out twice a week with carers.

saving lots on fuel too when I think of it as no one is using the car.

saving lots on food as were struggling to get food. and since im not the one in the shop impulse buys are not happening when I see something I think oh I wanna try that.

saving lots on impulse buys as well, as not going out not spending the same.

saving lots on treats for people too, since im not out I don’t see things n get them.

wow im saving on far more than I realised .for now the money is just sitting in my bank, doing nothing. im trying not to buy online these days unless its something I need. spend less time on places like ebay amazon etsy. once I start my bipolar ocd takes over and before you know it im skint again. to be fair I do tend to justify it as most things I buy are for other people, but dosent change the fact im spending just makes it a nicer reason for it.

does anyone else justify their spending this way?
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