Coping when times get tough

fedupfreda

Top moneysaving tip - shop alone (and if you really want to limit the amount you spend, take it all home by push bike like I do - but then I don't drive _pale_)

Otherwise, use t'internet. Ok you have to pay for delivery - but the peace of mind of not going over your budget - yay!:dance::dance:

Pobby

I have a pal who is single right now. His shopping budget is so small yet when eating at his house it is excellent food. Granted he is a veggie but he will buy loads of veg at the end of the Saturday market. £3 he says will do the week. He will get bread and stuff at the local Waitrose just prior to shutting.

When in season he will pick from the hedgerows. His place is packed full of demi johns gurgling as they produce wine. Most of his stuff comes/ goes via free cycle.

He is a computer engineer that dropped out some 10 years ago. He makes an income out of repairing stuff locally or refurbing and selling on. Not evryones life style but he is a happy feller most of the time.

Prudent

I think we need more people like your friend Pobby.

I used to have to shop like Singlesue, now things are easier but it is hard to abandon frugal habits. I still only spend around £35 a week on food for two.

Peelerfart

Don't think we'll be seeing many on this thread on 'come dine with me' !
3 quids worth of veg and home made wine.

No wonder he's single the aroma of the wind must be fairly ripe, and I know a think or two about the subject.

and on the subject of thrift - Aldi (Lidl) Rock - all you need at a good price.

lemonjelly

StevieJ wrote: »

Normally drugs or gambling, seen it before :eek:

Can be, but more frequently (in my experience) its a combination of poor budgeting combined with high tastes.

Sir_Humphrey

Pobby wrote: »

I have a pal who is single right now. His shopping budget is so small yet when eating at his house it is excellent food. Granted he is a veggie but he will buy loads of veg at the end of the Saturday market. £3 he says will do the week. He will get bread and stuff at the local Waitrose just prior to shutting.

I eat meat, but usually cook vegetarian. It is much cheaper and also less faff in a shared kitchen (read shared fridge). I always make pasta sauce from scratch (which tastes better anyway).

kabayiri

Pobby wrote: »

He is a computer engineer that dropped out some 10 years ago. He makes an income out of repairing stuff locally or refurbing and selling on. Not evryones life style but he is a happy feller most of the time.

A prudent lifestyle would be a dream for many, including me.

But one intractable problem is the nigh-on 200 a month I have to fork out for council tax. I could offer to pay in vegetables off the market, but I doubt it will wash.

mizzbiz

kabayiri wrote: »

A prudent lifestyle would be a dream for many, including me.

But one intractable problem is the nigh-on 200 a month I have to fork out for council tax. I could offer to pay in vegetables off the market, but I doubt it will wash.

Well you;d just get council tax benefit if you didn't earn enough.

Peelerfart

kabayiri wrote: »

A prudent lifestyle would be a dream for many, including me.

But one intractable problem is the nigh-on 200 a month I have to fork out for council tax. I could offer to pay in vegetables off the market, but I doubt it will wash.

200 quid a month must be a crackin house - you should become an MP then claim it back?

kabayiri

Peelerfart wrote: »

200 quid a month must be a crackin house - you should become an MP then claim it back?

Don't be giving me ideas Highwayman or MP, which has more street cred?

Crackin house...hardly, its alright, not mega sized.

Tis the rate of increase in CT which worries. It seems to double every decade.

I do believe that rather than encouraging state financial handouts in ever increasing and varying forms, we should provide people with the tools to live economic yet healthy lifestyles.

People like Sue on here have proven that you can shop and budget effectively. The same people would make great use of cheap clean transport; well maintained solid accomodation, etc.

The key to this is to reward those who show sound stewardship of their budget, and an inherent respect for what they receive. I have paid lots in tax towards the NHS, yet I still really appreciated the quality of care I had in a recent operation.

/soapbox mode off