Well, we just decided what we can and cannot afford. I always bugetted for the minimum money, so a bonus or a payrise doesn't affect us as it's put away for when we need something (eg car insurance or renovations). I've just had a payrise and I've ploughed the whole amount into paying off more mortgage. DH's bonus this year is in shares, so I'm pleased I didn't budget for it!

DS goes without. We all do. He wears cheap clothes not ones from nice shops. Certainly not designer things! I go without - most of my work clothes I bought before I got married. Over five years ago! DH goes fishing just to bring us some food home some weeks. OK, so not since I've been back to full-time work.

We still have to pay off some money on the second car, but we budgetted for that and I know that the money will be in for that next month.

You just have to find (if you can) cheaper food (ie no brands), realise that children only need about 5 outfits per size (OK I go up to 10 if I can afford it!) and have your treat as a meal that you got half-price from the shops because it's going past dates tomorrow in front of a DVD you've not seen for a couple of years. Holidays? Staying with parents for a week.

It sucks. But if you need to do it theen you need to - and remember that it doesn't last forever. Far better, IMO, to be frugal now and enjoy later than "live a bit" now and pay for it the rest of your life.