can you help

skintchick

linzibean wrote:

Your water does seem high - try ringing around and you may get a much better deal!

I don;t believe you can 'ring round' for water, but if you are on the rates system you can ask to go on a meter and that might save you money, but do check first!

If you put water usage calculator into Google you will find various sites where you can work out what you use by saying how many times you flush the loo etc.

It depends how much washing and stuff you do really, although I should think it would be cheaper as you are paying £36 a month - my rates were only £27 and I am with THames Water - yes, those useless profligate people.

lynzpower

Hi there!

I would say things are pretty tight, but yes cooking from scratch can be SO much cheaper. If your kids threaten not to eat your food, one tip from Supernanny & Jamies School Dinners is get them involved in making it, helping cut small things, or tear lettuce or small jobs that can be done safely. Some foods you can make very easily- similar to a takeawy. All supermarkets ( asdas the cheapest! ) do a pizza base flour mix add water, get your kids to do tyhe kneading if you can!! stick toppings on, doesnt cost a lot at all. Think about the stuff you NORMALLY eat. Stir frys with a supermarket jar sauce are the easiest with some boil in the bag rice if you struggle with rice. Head over to the OS board and pick up thier tips. Me & OH are trying to eat for a month on £80 between us incluiding lunches. Thats going to be a struggle I think, but not impossible!

I would also say- get rid of your Sky if you can. People here say if you threaten to quit, they will give it you half price, but I must say, on a budget this tight, you can save £6 a week straight away.

good luck x

pipkin71

Hi Earwig

Before joining MSE I was spending approx £300+ on food, cleaning products etc for myself and 2 DD's age 7 + 9. I had no confidence in my cooking skills even though I used to cook all the time pre single parent.
Glad to say things have changed. All my food is now prepared from scratch - even the homemade chicken nuggets which taste much nicer than the frozen equivalent I was feeding my girls [hang my head in shame!]
Yes, I have had some cooking disasters and it was difficult to get the girls to convert at first, but after 4 months we have all adapted and the food bill inc. cleaning products is now down to £100 - £120 per month.
That's my tale - hope it helps. Good luck with your aims this site will help you achieve them xxx