01. Destroy your credit card(s) and get a lazer/ debit card.
02. Compile a monthly list of incomings and outgoings as things stand now
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03. Prioritize that list into necessities, desirables and luxuries
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04. Include one holiday for all the family regardless of income.
05. Draw a yearly forecast of your largest once off outgoings.
06. Relate these back to monthly and weekly amounts by simple division.
07. Review your monthly and weekly list again.
08. Note your incidence of bi-monthly or quarterly recurring bills on a year planner.
09. Schedule payments of other bills around these bills
10. Do not allow one billing point to always take the hits - this helps avoid large arrears building up
11. Review and cancel all direct debits and set up payments directly in your bank, the post office or online.
12. Review and assess the need for transport against the desire to keep cars on the road.
13. Do not start cooking bread and/or biscuits in your home oven to "save money" - it doesn't.
14. Following the bargains in your weekly shop and cut out all sweets, desserts and high price "treats" - it is possible to feed a family of four for €100 per week.
15. Do essential maintenance and preventative work around the house before its needed - don't wait for it to rain to fix that leaking gutter/wet wall you knew about.
16. Get an extension arm and clean your house windows yourself - its safer than climbing up ladders, gives as good a finish as your window cleaner and pays for itself first time used.
17. Seek alternative quotations for every service and outgoing starting with phone and broadband - if you're on Sky more than a year IIRC you can cancel your subscription and you get to keep the dish
These were some of the major steps we went through to manage our finances in the past 18 months following our discussion with our local MABS office - happy to share.