Ok, so hubbys hours are cut to half by employer and we have 100 month for food!

got-it-spend-it

Definitely check out the Old Style board. There was a 'Feed a family of four for £20/ £30' thread in September which was brilliant. The grocery challenge is also really useful to cut spends.

I agree that now is a very good time to look for temp Christmas work for one of you. Places like M&S, Sainsburys etc are advertising at the moment and would offer hours to fit around OH's current job.

Good luck with it x

shirlgirl2004

Mumolulu wrote: »

I agree it can certainly be 'doable' to a certain extent, but not to hubbys satisfaction as he won't really eat potatoes:mad: ( he thinks....)
Just on the old style board reading the meals for 50p.......:rotfl:

Well the alternative is he does the shopping and feeds you all without going over budget

skintchick

Mumolulu wrote: »

he won't really eat potatoes:mad: (

He's going to be one hungry man then! :rotfl:

Check our the DFw board and post your SOA there so they can see where else you could cut back. I'm sure it is doable.

And get hubby to get another job.

onlyroz

Sounds like the choice is simple then - either he gets a second job until the situation at work improves, or he agrees to a much simplified diet. Going virtually veggie would probably help.

Triker

Hi some suggestions re food,
you can water down your milk,

bake your own bread,

go scrumping for apples to freeze for crumbles and puddings,

add oats or lentils to magically bulk out your food,

go the grocery challenge or store cupboard challenge,

do an inventory or food in fridge, freezer and cupboards,

meal plan,

buy 'reduced price' food at supermarkets

buy food from local markets even car boots generally have meat auctions and fruit/veg stalls so much cheaper than supermarkets.

It's doable and even though you may not feel like it now you may actually enjoy doing this..

Remember, most importantly, you are not on your own.:wave:

Triker

Re cleaning stuff, stardrops and soda crystals are enough for pretty much all cleaning jobs round the house.

Triker

Mumolulu wrote: »

freecycle suggestion is actually very good, not thought of that, bubba is 18mths, so we still need them as he really isn't ready yet. The only cleaning products I buy are:
fairy liquid
toothpaste
toilet roll
bin bags
shampoo etc
soap
bleach
cloths/sponges for pots

As far as I can recall that is it!!! Odd cleaner for the bathroom on top but I am not a spray happy mummy etc, I don't buy kitchen roll either, as come on, what the HELL is the point in that lol!!!

I agree it can certainly be 'doable' to a certain extent, but not to hubbys satisfaction as he won't really eat potatoes:mad: ( he thinks....)
Just on the old style board reading the meals for 50p.......:rotfl:

Poundland and Home Bargains are your friends for this stuff.;)

Lidl nappies get great reviews......................do you have these shops near to you at all?

Sue-UU

Mumolulu wrote: »

I agree it can certainly be 'doable' to a certain extent, but not to hubbys satisfaction as he won't really eat potatoes:mad: ( he thinks....)
Just on the old style board reading the meals for 50p.......:rotfl:

I thought hubby would have wanted all the help and cutting back possible, but he seems to have different ideas. If he's not prepared to rough it a bit, he'll be one very unhappy man. Has he not talked about getting another PT job? If not, why not?

Though your 18 month old is still young, it's amazing just how much you can save by introducing him to potty training. He'll soon understand what he's on there for and you might be amazed at how much you save that way. Give it a really good try ...it'll work.

You need to look at the things you're able to do rather than the things you can't - or think you can't.

Sue

Morglin

He's be best getting another job, but while he does that it may be worthwhile to check out this:

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/entitlementcalculator.aspx

You may well be entitled to more tax credits, or help with housing/council tax.

It may also be worth looking through this to make sure his company are staying within the law by just slashing his hours like this:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/index.htm?cids=Google_PPC&cre=Employment

Lin

ailuro2

Ask around your friends - are there any jobs going where they work?

This is sometimes the best way to get a foot in the door at a new company.

Furniture is unlikely to pick up for quite a while, so it does make sense to try for another job - even getting a second job might lead to him getting a full time position out of it....

The old style board is definitely the place to go for food budgeting. IF he doesn't like potatoes, then rice and pasta are cheap (the dried versions, not uncle ben's or dolmio packets)

Go down a brand on things you buy - if you like Tesco finest, go to the ordinary brand. If you like ordinary Asda brand, try the basics range.;)

If he does MAKE furniture could he tutor others in it? It's a popular passtime for some.