Newbie - what's my next step?

papermoney

Thanks i do get child benefit but don't qualify for the others as i earn too much infact the inland revenue say i owe them as they paid me too much last year. But i have said i can't pay it.

System

Hi again

Sorry couldn't be of more help but couple of quick ones here:-

Council tax £65 Can hubby get any Council Tax Benefit at the mo? Already as single person

By that do you mean you just get the single person discount for yourself?

I'm sure we can get your food bill down if it's just for two of you plus the days your husband stays over. I've read some amazing stories on here of people feeding families of 4 and 5 for what you'd expect 1 or 2 to manage on. Have a look at the "Old Style" forum.

Regards
Dave

papermoney

Thanks Dave, I've had a look and have set myself a budget of £50 a week. That will include our packed lunches aswell. Im going to put the pack lunch food in a separate cupboard so my daughter doesn't eat everything that should be for lunches only.

skintchick

Sounds a good plan, hon and a fantastic start. See if you can find out which day your supermarket reduces stuff (mine is Monday from about 5.30pm) and you can get great food for pennies.

Also, make meals around what food you have, rather than buying lots and having 'spare' food. Write donw everything oyu have int eh house now,and work out some meals you could do from it, then only shop for a few extras that will help use that up.

You can;t do that forever of course, but with your reduced items it will go a very long way.

Also - shop at a cheap place like Lidl rather than Waitrose. Makes a huge difference, and try all value stuff to see if you like it, usually it is fine.

System

Hi papermoney - another quick one!

If you post a thread over on Old Style asking for help with your food budget, you should get more help than here as not all of the posters there will necessarily visit this forum.

I always do my shopping on a Sunday afternoon or Wed evening, and manage to get loads of reduced bread, fruit and vegetables. Alot of the time this works out cheaper than buying from a street market. Other general ways of savings:- Cook from scratch rather than buy convienience foods, use street markets, Asian supermarkets for cheap fruit and veg and rice/pulses, cut back on meat, cook in bulk and freeze individual portions, try all the economy versions of products you regularly buy.

Another good one is to ALWAYS return food you're unhappy with. I return something virtually every week! Supermarkets will hardly ever question you and you'll have more money towards your food bill. This is also a good way to try every economy product in the shop - return it (or it's container) if you think it's poor.

Instead of sandwiches for packed lunches, vary it with pasta/rice/cous cous salads - easy to make and just as cheap.

Regards
Dave