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Food Budget for Single Parent and 1 x Under 5- advise pls

Hi,

I'm single parent with under 5 yr old, struggling but thanks to MSE finding solutions. Posted SOA on debt free wanna be and one thing stood out is my food bills. Currently around the £180 mark, I NEED to dramatically reduce this.

Whats the average people spend on feeding 1 adult and 1 child. - Any help really greatful.

Thanks D&D x
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Comments

  • Katie-Kat-Kins
    Katie-Kat-Kins Posts: 1,741 Forumite
    Hey D&D, not stalking you I promise, but I'm a bit of a lurker on here so I thought I'd say Hi and bump your thread!

    I'm sure someone will be a long to help soon but in the meantime why not put up a typical weeks meals and shopping list so they know where you are starting from!
  • kaz2004
    kaz2004 Posts: 32 Forumite
    Dear D & D

    I am in the same boat. I completely got myself hung up on buying "Finest" and "taste the difference" ranges believing they were better. When I discovered my overdraft was 4 figures:eek: decided I needed to do something!

    This is a great thread all OS people are so knowledgable and friendly. I have lurked for months now and just have the confidence to post.

    Try a thread by mbaz called feed a family of 4 for £20 it's so inspirational.

    Another great one is Feeding a family of 5 started by D&DD. I am sorry I don't know how to add links, but they are must reads!

    Good luck

    K
    Stop the world, I'm getting off! :D
  • Katie-Kat-Kins
    Katie-Kat-Kins Posts: 1,741 Forumite
    kaz2004 wrote: »
    Dear D & D

    Try a thread by mbaz called feed a family of 4 for £20 it's so inspirational.

    Yep I'd recommend that one, full of ideas and inspiration! Made me feel quite ashamed about my shopping budget and I think I've been banging on about it ever since!!! :rotfl:

    Hopefully someone will come along who knows how to post a link soon, but be warned it is a compelling read, I read the lot in one day and got NOTHING done!!! :o
  • emmwri
    emmwri Posts: 60 Forumite
    edited 7 August 2009 at 6:04PM
    Hello, I'm new but I've been having a look around myself and thought this might be useful for you -
    Post #163 on this thread has links to lots of cheap, healthy recipes:

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=13615863#post13615863

    I am a lone parent to 2 under 3's and it is really difficult balancing healthy but cheap. There is another thread on bulking out meals. I can't find it at the min but it's another good one because it's bulking more expensive meals out with cheap but healthy pulses and oats etc. HTH

    Good luck!
    Aug 2017 GC Budget £180
  • kaz2004 wrote: »
    Dear D & D

    I am in the same boat. I completely got myself hung up on buying "Finest" and "taste the difference" ranges believing they were better. When I discovered my overdraft was 4 figures:eek: decided I needed to do something!

    This is a great thread all OS people are so knowledgable and friendly. I have lurked for months now and just have the confidence to post.

    Try a thread by mbaz called feed a family of 4 for £20 it's so inspirational.

    Another great one is Feeding a family of 5 started by D&DD. I am sorry I don't know how to add links, but they are must reads!

    Good luck

    K

    I third checking out Mbaz's thread- it is very inspirational. Also check out the grocery challenge, which is always at the top of the page. The first page of that has some great recipes.

    Do you have a lot in your store cupboard and/or freezer? Could you try and plan some meals based around what you have?

    I think the biggest moneysaver for us is planning what we're going to have, writing a list and sticking to it. This really helps to reduce food waste. I personally find that shopping online saves money as I'm not tempted by impulse buys. I also try the value version of most things, at least once. If it's horrid, I won't buy it again but most of the time it's fine!
    :DYummy mummy, runner, baker and procrastinator :p
  • lupyloo
    lupyloo Posts: 941 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Here is the link to mbazz's thread, I only read this yesterday

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1129333&highlight=feed+family+four+for

    Also this one has loads of links, but it will take some reading. Really useful though hth everyone

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=346932
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  • LilacPixie
    LilacPixie Posts: 8,052 Forumite
    i am currently £220 ish for 2 adults, 2 toddlers including nappies and we are not overly frugal
    MF aim 10th December 2020 :j:eek:
    MFW 2012 no86 OP 0/2000 :D
  • elf06
    elf06 Posts: 1,547 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I am a single mum and DS is going to be 3 in October. I take part in the grocery challenge and last month spent approx £135 on all our shopping. This month I am trying to keep it under my £100 budget. I find planning meals really helps x
    Emma :dance:

    Aug GC - £88.17/£130
    NSD - target 18 days, so far 5!!
  • Thanks for the advice. What do you do when you have a fussy child, mine refuses to eat most meats. He loves fresh veg, but the prices are stupid.

    I haven't really shopped for 3 weeks as totally skint. So need to use what I have til pay day.

    I have in at the moment:

    Fridge: Lettuce, Pepper, Jam, Cheese, Marg, 6 eggs and Milk (rather empty)

    Freezer: Rather full so could use and live from this for a while but don't want to keep giving son frozen foods.

    Cupboards: Pasta, Soups, Pancake Mix, Jelly, Tin Tuna

    Any meal suggestions greatful x

    When paid again think i'm going to aim to budget £100 for month, and start using the no frills variety.


    On a steep learning curve about food, cooking and budgeting

  • Freezer: Rather full so could use and live from this for a while but don't want to keep giving son frozen foods.


    Don't worry about feeding your lad frozen food as such - it just depends what the food is as to whether or not it's healthy for him! Lots of frozen food is just as good as fresh - in fact, a lot of people here do so much batch cooking that a lot of their food will come from the freezer and they are all thriving on it!

    Good luck, though!
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