LISA SAYS:

‘I spend so much on gifts, but I like giving’

‘My husband and I have a joint account that we use to cover mortgage, utilities, food shopping expenses. I put in other family puts in £600 a month, while he his income, more, proportionate to paid into and our child benefit is also end of the it. That’s all spent by the topping up. month and often needs I can’t remember the last time I was actually able to save any money. Having two children and a mortgage has a huge impact on our spending. Even with go both of our wages, we usually If to the wire every month. down event that I I do have a holiday or for, I usually do it by need to save for a few mixing up our food shop more value for money, weeks to get I cut back. but that’s the only time whether My spending depends on I’m at work or at home. On days I'm in the office, I spend more because pop out I use my lunch breaks to food out. I and run errands or buy impromptu usually end up buying or picking presents for friends, too, think up things that I see and a bit more they’d like. I do splurge but I on clothing than I should, tend to shop online, so sometimes it’s difficult to keep track of what I’m spending. Also, this month was a change of season, so of course I needed new things!’ me What I learnt: ‘It surprised gifts and that I spent so much on birthdays cards – there are a lot of probably in September, so that’s others. why, but I like giving to me more The diary definitely made but I in tune with my spending, on much.’ don’t think I’ll cut down Use a budgeting app Lisa is fairly modest with her spending, except when it comes to buying presents for other people. It’s lovely to be generous, but not if you end up in your overdraft! To avoid overspending, she should set herself a strict budget for

FINANCE EDITOR, GH KALPANA FITZPATRICK, SAYS:

gifts. Budgeting apps like Yolt or Moneydashboard can help. Chip in to savings Lisa says she isn’t able to put anything into her savings – but even a small amount would make a difference over time. An app like Chip is helpful, as it transfers small amounts into a savings account automatically every week. Don’t shop without vouchers To help cut the cost of online clothes shopping, she should always hunt for voucher codes before buying. Myvouchercodes.co.uk is a good place to look.