Losing One Wage! - need advise

kemo_2002

My maternity leave has finished now - we were getting £1300 partners wages & £600 my wages = £1900 income

my monthly bills are £1000 (not inc food)

currently £240 per month on food

£60 petrol

= £1300.

now my wages are gone so basically income is £1300 outgoings are £1300.

My downfall is food as for a family of 3, i think i am spending way too much. Any advise on cheap meals (either homemade or supermarket brought) we are very fussy eaters though and wont eat veg (sorry!!) so i cant bulk things out with lenitils or other veg/salad.

Oh and before it gets asked, i cant really go back to work as i have nobody to look after my 5 month old

Help greatly recieved!

Pooky

Have a look through what you do eat and see if you can go down a brand on things...could save a few pounds that way....also look at what you buy in the way of cleaning/toiletry products - could they be cut down at all.

Worth having a look on the debt free wanna be boards as well to see if you can get your overall bills/outgoings down.

Best of luck and enjoy your time as a SAHM, it's the best job in the world.

:j

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi!

Can you let us know your average meals you eat, then we can maybe help with cheaper alternatives?

Baked Beans can bulk out meals like Chilli, Stews, Spagbol and my fav Shepherds Pie. They are counted as a veg! Do you like salad or any veggies?

BTW, £75 pw on food and petrol is pretty good, but you may be able to cut back slightly.

Can you cut back on utilities, insurances, sky etc etc?

PP
xx

maggie111

I was about to wonder where £1000 a month goes on bills? Plenty of comparison websites to try and get those costs down, unless the main lump of that is your mortgage?

Your food bill isn't really high, would recommend you first look at going down a brand or two on all items.

Have you checked into any benefits you may be entitled to now?

mouseymousey99

Martin has a little thing somewhere on the boards (I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will point it out) you type in all your outgoings. The Debt Free board people will then help you see where you may be able to cut things down (they are brill at this I've had a look many a time). That should help with the big bills. Meanwhile as said give us an idea what you eat (you really aren't doing that badly). Veg...mmm..you gotta eat some somewhere or you will get scurvy! BTW - its never as bad as you think - most of us have been there, Good Luck.
Mx
Found it - its on the Debt Free Board
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html
Urge you to visit those folks too (use all the help you can)

Pink.

Hi kemo,

As others have said you should get lots of help on the DFW board. They are a mine of information and will be able to help you to cut back. There are some cheap meal ideas on these threads that may help:

Cheapest recipes???

Meal for two for 50p. Suggestions?

The Cheapest Healthy Meal Ever!

Feed 6 for £1.62

Cheapest meal

Your Cheapest Evening Meal.

cheap, easy family meals

Meal idea's under £1

The Complete Menu Plans Collection


I know that you say you don't eat veg so won't consider bulking out with lentils or veg etc but the idea is that you won't notice or taste the added extras but still get the goodness from them. I hope you enjoy the time at home with your little one.

Pink

Trow

I know its not what you asked, but have you made sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to?

You should be getting Childrens Tax Credit as well as Child Benefit on that wage. If you pay rent you might even be entitled to some of that back. http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qualify/WhatAreTaxCredits.aspx for more information.

And if you did decide to go back to work at some point, you might get help with childcare costs (but don't feel pressured to do that, only do that if its right for you!)

calleyw

As has already been said post a statement of Affairs (income and outgoings) on the debt free board and people will be honest and maybe a little to honest. But they are just trying to help.

Also it might worth checking to see if you are entitled to any help with rent or council.

Also I know you where after meal ideas.

Look at all your outgoings and just see if you cut things out like sky, mobile phones etc.

I know jobs are not easy to come by but if your partner is working a normal day say 9-5 could you not get a job stacking shelves in a supermarket in the evenings just to get some extra money.

All the best.

Yours

Calley

ellawood

We have had a lot of changes in income up and down in the last 3 years my oh was self employed and was very busy he did think about getting help with his business but glad he did not when work almost ground to a holt this year We have 2 dd 18 and 21mths so I did not go back to work when my time was up I liked the job it was okay but moneywise not great I did have a better paid job before but could not wait to leave so when the money stopped we just had to cope anyway he has just got a new job which he is really enjoying which is good and I am very happy at home with dd2 we have a lot of fun for little money we go to mums and tots groups at most they cost 1.50 surestart have playandstay which is far better and free (they have so much nicer stuff than mums and tots and a large safe outdoor area with sandpit and outdoor toys) we all were given bags with lots of free goodies one week not sure why but nice things like crayons bubble toys drawing books books to read cups toothbrushes toothpaste in a nice bag I use now a small change bag for her

I have time to shop around for bargins we are not big on veg either but do not forget onions can be added to lots of things mushrooms peppers sweetcorn all can add bulk my dd is very picky and only eats certain thing but likes salad now (that has taken years!) but no veg shhh she has eaten hidden veg but does not know it I make a basic tom sauce and if not watched add carrots and other bits and whizz with a blender and no
one knows! this also goes for oh he does eat veg though

It takes time to make changes you are happy with I have read lots of ideas on here and try things some work well washing powder I have gone down to basics and us soda cystrals to clean stains but some things just do not work well for us rubber chicken does not work as oh will eat what is left so I get little chickens now and sometimes get enough for a sandwich but not much more ( I hear the cry of soup with the bones but not keen on soup sorry)

carboot are very good for kids clothes new and second hand second hand shops in my town are very dear for somethings now but primark peacocks tesco baby clothes are all good wear and wash well and they soon grow so not worth buying save you money for shoes later that is one thing you need to spend money on

enjoy you time with your little one time flys by and they start school before you know it as I have a long gap between by dd s it is like starting all over again so this time I am making the most of it

sorry for the long post HTH

kemo_2002

thankyou everyone from your replys -

pennypincher & mousey mousey- i have cut back on all bills and the £1000 i am left with are must have unfortunately, i shall try the board that you reccomended though, just incase

i am entitled to £80 per month child tax and £80 per month child ben. so i cant get anythng else unfortunately

ellawood - it is nice to know i can be done! as i really ant ot spend time with my baby and hope we can manage on 1 wage.

maggie - yes the lump sum of the £1000 is a mortgage and a loan

phizzimum

what sort of things would you typically eat in a week? give us an idea and maybe we can suggest some subtle changes!