Work out what you can save money on and what you can't. For instance, I've decided never to pay full-price for DD's clothes - I'll either buy them in the sales for her next size up or I'll buy secondhand on eBay. I also bought her cot on an online auction site and SAVED $450! You can also usually save on electrical goods if you wait for the sales.

Equally, sell the stuff you no longer use. I've just sold a chair I bought for $35 for $31!!!

I'm now a lot more choosy about what clothes I buy for myself. Once you've seen what things get marked down to in the sales, it makes you really resent paying full-price! But I do treat myself if it's something I really like and that I know I'll wear a lot.

Food takes up an enormous amount of money. I love food though and that's one area I won't scrimp on. Menu planning and lists are essential. You will also save HEAPS if you buy meat, fruit and veggies at the market (not sure how this compares to Aldi) and freeze the meat. You can buy tins on special.

I treat myself with expensive bread and stuff from the deli and I've actually saved money that way. I'm more likely to be happy with a sandwich for lunch if it's on my favourite olive bread and it's really nice ham. So less wastage.

If you 'deny' yourself stuff, you're more likely to end up resentful and then go and blow your budget. So work out little things that you can treat yourselves with to keep you on track.