Dottyannes 'in need of support' debt diary (all new)

lynzpower

Hiya dotty

Ive typed out about 10 replies but for some reason kept logging me out grrr

I agree with washer, I really feel like those cut backs have to happen.
The quickest way of making the money would be to try ( and I know there must be lots of people trying ) to get some part time work as well and earn an extra 50 a week. What about arise at home? what about selling stuff youve made? What about a clear out- It doesnt matter which ( ebay or car boot) do both! We sell the best stuff on ebay, and the odds and ends at CBs.

You really need to find this cash, im really worried what might happen if you DONT find it.

480 a month on food is 5760.

1152 per person pa, 96 pp pm.

Now i KNOW that you can definately feed 2 people a week on 25 as Ive done this.

You need to join the grocery challenge and nail this once and for all, I think if you plan right you could have 200 quids worth of savings there although it really will me a lot of planning and zero waste.

YOU CAN DO IT- YOU HAVE TO!

elantan

have to admit i agree with lynz good luck

dottyanne

hiya lynz and elantan, im determined to make this shortfall up one way or another, ive listed 3 things on ebay already today, im sure i can cut back on lots of other things too, as long as i can be consistent in doing this for at least the 9 months until the secured loan is paid off i will do well. im not getting into any more debt and will ake cut backs wherever possible..theres 5 ppl and a dog to feed weekly, how much do you think i can seriously budget for food on that basis anyone?

hypno06

It depends how serious you are about doing this, and how much you are going to take control as far as the rest of your family are concerned.

I feed two adults, 3 teenagers and a cat, and my grocery bill averages out at £300 a month to include all toiletries, food and cleaning stuff.......

So if you did the same, you would almost wipe out your shortfall pretty much straight away.

also for interest's sake, my water bill for 5 of us is £40 a month.....

The key is - are you ready to DO it, or are you still telling yourself tht you are all doing as much as you can.

3 bits on ebay is a start - but I think the lightbulb needs to burn a bit brighter before you are into this full on!

dottyanne

I am determined, i know that i can get that grocery bill down by more careful planning, i have loads more to list on ebay but felt a bit rough before so will try to list more tonight, i reckon that will have to be my monthly challenge (at least until next April) to bring in an extra £200 a month or to SAVE and extra £200 per month....so your average is approx £75 per week or so?? Im SURE I can get this down to that and as you say i would be almost there for the shortfall...

lynzpower

Where are you buying your dog food from> Do you get any raw food from the butchers and serve with spare rice for example.

We have a little jack russell and she eats about 30 quids worth a month top, we get her the trays from Pets at home. that organic/ all natural etc, and she does seem happy on it and eats it all up- no waste. I know wee could give her other food, but this does the job, it really depends on whether she will eat dry food ( our dogs so long in the tooth any change is most unwelcome

Honestly I dont think you need to budget Per person. You really need to think more about meal planning and how you can do this for the cheapest possible, doing meals that you like. theres no point in me telling you to eat for a fiver a week each if none of you like lentils or beans on toast But if you do, you dshould eat more of them, eat less meat, and generally reduce your consumption. Do you buy fizzy drinks? Do you buy expensive bagged salads? Do you buy brand najmes?

Without knowing what you are buying, its really hard to advise

doodledo_2

Evening dotty good to see you back

dottyanne

dont buy fizzy drinks, usually a large bottle £1 sugar free cordial lasts us all a week, our dog hates dried food and she is quite large so has one large tin a day and sometimes a small one too or other bits and bobs, i dont buy what i consider loads of [EMAIL="!!!!"]!!!![/EMAIL] but obviously im not planning well enough as im spending waaaay to much on food....kids love beans etc so no probs there - im going to try meal planning properly to see if this helps with the bidget, ive decided to try (for the first month only) to get this down to £80 per week as opposed to £120, this will save us £40 a week, or £160 per month which nearly covers the shortfall...

lynzpower

Have you never meal planned before? With the greatest of respects honey, no wonder your spending it outta control

You have to meal plan, thats how you minimise waste.

Why not come on the grocery challenge thread, tell us what youve got and well find a way of makeing sure you have to buy the bare min to get buy this week.

dottyanne

haha, i do 'sort' of meal plan, i have in my head the sorts of meals we want and then get all the stuff to suit, i reckon my biggest fallback is the [EMAIL="!!!!"]!!!![/EMAIL], ie crisp, biscuits chocs for kids etc...im gonna have to cut these back and drop down to own brand stiff for a while or BOGO'F's...