I run a really strict budget spreadsheet and we run a cash system at home eg. each fortnight I get cash out of the bank and put it into a series of envelopes maked: "Me" "Groceries" "DD: "DP" "Dog" "Petrol" "Public Transport" etc. That is the budgeted money for that fortnight. If you spend all your cash, tough, you get no more until the next pay day. There is no getting cash from the ATM in between.

I put money away each fortnight into a high interest account to save for holidays and also a certain amount for yearly bills like rates, hom & contents insurance so you don't get stung all at once.

I plan meals in advance and only shop once a week to a list.

I take lunch to work and have a coffee machine at home so I don't buy that.

We have been doing that for a year now and we are going to Thailand for 2 weeks - all paid up front with our savings and with interest rates rising. It really works.