What else can I do?

jesster_2

Hi GW. Forgive me if you've explained this already but I couldn't see where if so. Why are you paying 20-odd quid a month for TV licence? Do you have two?

Greenwellies_2

jesster wrote:

Hi GW. Forgive me if you've explained this already but I couldn't see where if so. Why are you paying 20-odd quid a month for TV licence? Do you have two?

Hi the TV licence I usually pay in one upfront lump, but because I couldn't I opted for a direct debit plan, paying 12 months in 6 month period, so that next year it will be 1/2 the dd cost.

(I hope that makes sense)

GW

Greenwellies_2

On that note, I am off to bed.

Thanks everyone for your support today

NN

GW

jesster_2

ah got you, so it's 20 a month for 6 months. Thought for a min you were paying unnecessarily for two!

sweetmoneysaver

Sorry if you get another version of this but my last post came up with a page error!

Wow been away less than 24hrs and so many posts!

Firstly, I would like to say GOOD LUCK to your husband for the next interview. Although 8 weeks out of work seems like a long time at the moment, it often takes longer than that for things to come together. The main thing is to keep motivated and keep to a routine.

There have been a lot of posts, some tougher than others but everyone generally wants to help. The first step is realising that there is a problem and then the next is doing something. Some things cannot be sorted overnight but hopefully you can go through all the suggestions and find what works for you. You should be able to improve your situation soon.

I would also like to give your MIL a stiff talking to! Does she live in the real world ... kids that make no noise ... is her memory that short as she has had at least 1 child! On a more serious note, I still think your husband should talk to help. If she helps you by expecting less from you, then you will get back on an even keel in a much, much shorter space of time. She really needs to know that the situation needs her support ... not financially but emotionally!

Good luck.

livinginhope

That's more like it GW,have we awakened your fighting spirit?,good luck in what you are planning,let us know how it goes!!

calleyw

Greenwellies wrote:

I think when it comes to meat we do have big apetites, I would be happy with one spoon of bolognaise on my pasta but everyone else wants more.

One way to cut down on that is to add the pasta to the sauce and mix. So the pasta get all covered.

I use one Jar of sauce (I now naughty)for two. And a small amount of meat. Less than a ramkin full for the two of us.


Yours


Calley

Chortle_2

I don't know if you have followed the suggestion already made to head over to the Old Style boards yet GW, but I was just reading this thread, and thought of you! In particular, I thought this

Ticklemouse wrote:

we too have an assortment of veg in our cottage and shepherds pies. However, if it's the fact that it's just more than meat in there, then maybe just add a bit of something like baked beans or carrots. Then, to bulk out the mince, after you've browned it, add a good handful of porridge oats. I got this tip off here (MATH?) and had never tried it before, but it really works. If you add it at the browning stage, it takes on the colour and flavour of the meat and is indistiguishable from the 'real' meat. (If you add it later, it does look like porridge )

might help reduce your meat bills? It would work to bulk up any recipe using minced beef I'd have thought... thus meaning you'd use less actual meat, without reducing portion sizes. Might have to give it a go myself tomorrow!

Chell

aimme13 wrote:

:rotfl: thanks chortle.....thought i then had the reason why so many people are in debt!!! was about to start the DFW vegetarian club :rotfl: (think i may have been the only member though :sad:

:rotfl: I'll be member number two shall I? :rotfl: The minute I read your post about the meat cost GW I also thought you should try a few veggie meals - lentils are very cheap, LOL.
We are all veggie, I have managed to spend £50 per week for the past 4 weeks on groceries and that includes nappies/toiletries and cleaning products. We really haven't been short of food, had plenty of frsh veg, loads of milk. My kids are younger so their appetities are smaller but then I am having to pay out for nappies in this budget.

Good luck,

shazzer22

I've just read this post from start to finish! Welcome to DFW, first up you're doing really well already. I too have not yet truely had my lightbulb moment just yet (eg. still have gym membership, in process of changing car, still buy tesco finest) but I am altogether far more in control and aware of where my hard earnt goes.

Few things that spring to mind from me for what its worth:
*£25 optical bills? what's this for? if its contact lenses you can get much better deals for half the price
*holidays - i think you already know its gotta go
*christmas day - i dont know where you live but £75 a head is not a realistic figure for xmas day lunch. For the last two years we have gone out for xmas day lunch (dad refused to spend xmas at home following messy split from my mum) 1st yr we went to a really very nice 4 start hotel and including a 5 course meal and drinks we spent a max of £55p/h, last year we went to a good standard restaurant and spent £45p/h (less alcohol)
This year I have already made up my mind that we will have a present limit on all family members (if they dont like it - tough!) and we'll be cooking at home! (no matter how !!!!!! my cooking is!)

All to often I am explaining my money saving/earning tactics to friends/family members and finding lots and lots of people are in the same postion... You are certainly not alone and everyone here is rooting for you.

Good luck, I will read on with interest! :money: