It's not me who's shopping, just smoking
As I curtail the eating out and, instead put food in the freezer, even with instructions when I work nights to use that, many times as not I come home to "The kids didn't want that, so we went to Burger King".
Slowly this is all starting to sink in, I think. I made a point of saying I bought fruit and veggies at the fruit and veggie market because it's so much cheaper than snacks, that I would like a coke, but don't need to spend on one, so skip it, etc. After all, I can't direct if I don't actually do it myself, I know.
Spend less is easy for me-I hate to spend at all and look for the cheapest way out. I was always of the mind to "live under my means"-even the good stuff was from clearance racks, for example, and any clothes the kids outgrew went to consignment shops for extra cash. They used to get an allowance-that was stopped two years ago because I couldn't afford the $12 a week they were getting while I was in school.
The cigs are a big concern of mine, but a really strong habit. I've quit before-it ain't easy. I'll quit again.
Point is, we aren't rich, but we shouldn't be in a fix either, making more than what's owed out, knowing these things can be paid and, come due dates, there's not enough to pay them because what I thought was there has been used up at any store that'll take an ATM card.
The 'cash allowance' mentioned earlier is starting this week. I also told him no using the CC for gas until further notice-cash only. I'm going to do what Sultana said, figure out weekly, monthly expenses, see what cash he and I separately would need each week, start from there, not put my paychecks in the checking account-they'll be where the allowance comes from. (Then I'll secretly go into his wallet and run a magnet over the ATM card! Bwahahah!!)
well...maybe....