food bill for 5 - is £35 a week unrealistic?

mummytofour

We are a family of six, 2 adults and 4 kids, plus bump due April (loads of april babies I notice!) I spend £60 per week and really want to change the way we shop I am hinderd tho as we dont have a frezzer (well we do but its v old so not to be trusted and lives in the shead as no room in the house and I hate going to the shead).

I find my biggest spends are milk and bread ( will get bread maker when I have some money) we use 6 pints of milk per day and at least 10 loaves of bread per week.

I know it is possible to live on £35 for a family of 5 I have seen it and the last few weeks i have had to do it as we seem so broke. But if only milk was cheaper lol

Good luck

Vxx

kitster_2

you don't have a freezer?? surely it could go in the outside loo??

kitster_2

i take it this is a wind up thread?

kiwichick

kitster - Please accept my apologies, reading your further posts I realise you are being more sarcastic than insulting. I apologise for the disrespect shown in my earlier post

mummytofour

Kitster, we have inside loos these days, sorry if you are not use to them.

Mind you I could just dig a hole in the garden and put all the food in there (wrapped of course) it should be ok for a while with this cold weather.

jellycat40

I am very new to budgeting. I started on Friday. I have £130 a week for 5 adults and a child, two dogs and two cats.

I have never had to budget before and i am finding it really difficult. On friday I went out and shopped at Tesco and spent £76ish. Then I had to go to Kwik Save for the stuff I forgot £11.50ish. Then I had to go to Aldi £11ish. I have £20 left in my purse and need bread, milk, fresh fruit and veg all before next Friday when the week starts again.

On top of what I have spent i went to Makro and spent £148 on cleaning stuff, office stuff, dishwasher tabs, Daz, Black bags and milk for the teasmaid.

I cannot seem to get to grips with it. I am saving all my receipts and am trying really hard, even took some vouchers with me. But I don't seem to be able to shop with less. I have teens who contribute to the finances and they want certain foods, not necessarily branded, but definitely convenient.

Any suggestions.

Louise

ps I meant to start off by saying well done for making do with £35-50 whatever kitster says I am impressed it seems like a full time job

elona

Jellycat

Have you a Lidl near to you?

You can save a lot going there.

I have teenagers too and have managed to convince them that Lidl stuff is a treat as it is continental - I keep quiet about the fact that it is cheaper.

MATH

Thank goodness Kitster didn't read the "What can I re-use my tumble dryer/toe fluff for?" that we had last year hehehe.

Kitster if you are a wind-up you have made my giggle. if you are for real go and boil ya head but pop half a shredded cabbage in at the same time cos it would be a waste of leccy to heat up a hotplate to cook one thing

elona wrote:

Jellycat

I have teenagers too and have managed to convince them that Lidl stuff is a treat as it is continental .

Elona, I like your style girl:rudolf:

elona

Math

From you -that is a real compliment!:j

Penny-Pincher!!

LADIES & MATH-BEHAVE!!!!

Rise above it Come on we're better than this!! Just ignore and they will vanish-dont waste your time/breath/energy.

Remember-we teach our little children that "if they have nothing nice to say, then dont say anything at all!". Pity some adults dont take note :snow_laug

Lets get back on track for the sake of the OP.

I think £35 would be achievable but quite tight, if buying nappies etc. We spend about £30pw for 2 adults and 1 dd (11yr), eat very very well and have our 5 portions of fresh fruit and veg too. I think some people think that because some people dont spend alot on food-that they eat cr*p...what complete rubbish!! Could cut back further, but wont compromise on Nescafe, Tetley, decent wash powder, lenor, good bog roll and kitchen paper towel, I also only buy butter now(all this I buy from Makros when on offer and stock up) 1 year ago I was spending £100+ a week and an exclusive M&S and Waitrose snob not any more though..lol.

PP
xx