Thanks for the advice. We have a spending diary. I suppose I am not used to budgeting seriously and I hate logging everything. That said, my personal spending money covers all the little random things (wine, a lunch out, a haircut) We have cut back a lot- gone for dinner once in 3 months when we used to go weekly, packed lunches etc. Smoking has to go, but it's a tough one!
As a female, I feel I am not doing too badly! I am not making a sweeping generalization about women and their spending habits, but I always point out to the other half that a lot of girls I and he work with go to beauty salons for tan etc two or three weeks, buy lovely clothes frequently, drive new cars and take lots of mini breaks.
I rarely get my hair cut, only every 4-5 months, do my own colour, I haven't bought clothes since Christmas, and I paid for my own first little car in cash (with a little help from daddy
and I still have it. I haven't saved a lot over the last few years working, but I did enjoy having my own money and a good time, but I also bought the car, paid colleges fees and never took out a credit card or a loan.
Maybe I'm just making excuses for myself but I feel like I am doing ok!!