Can I live off £75/week?

System

Thank you Souk and Pastures New . . .I'm beginning to look forward to the challenge now, rather than think my life is over!

true27

tessie_bear wrote: »

my goodness u do well to cover all that on £50...what do u eat if u dont mind me asking

Its just careful shopping really - lots of pasta and frozen veggies, rubber chicken, jacket spuds etc. Its taken a while to build up a decent store cupboard but its really working for us now, plus we know its not forever so its easier to manage

true27

Ashamed_of_Bristol wrote: »

Thank you Souk and Pastures New . . .I'm beginning to look forward to the challenge now, rather than think my life is over!

Its far from over Ashamed - its just beginning and in 3 years time you can look back at this thread and see just how far you've come.

Good luck

gonzo127

hey Bristol, having looked at yrou SOA, it does generally seem reasonble, however there are a couple of things

no landline or internet? i would at least budget a little bit for mobile broadband since you can get so many things cheaper online (even gas and electric) you can ifnd broadband will pay for itself in some instances

mobile is a lot, do you honestly use that much? most people can get along very well on a maximum of a £20 a month contract and depending on usage can do for even less, (3 currently have a £10 a month deal with 75 mins, and unlimited texts)

you might also need some for water rates and contents insurance and i would also suggest some in a emergency fund even £10 a month gives £120 a year just in case

i do think you can easily up your DMP to £500 a month based on that SOA as you have got £732 before debt repayments and all the extras above whihc i feel you hsould probably budget for will not come out to the remaining £232

ERICS_MUM

true27 wrote: »

Its just careful shopping really - lots of pasta and frozen veggies, rubber chicken, jacket spuds etc. Its taken a while to build up a decent store cupboard but its really working for us now, plus we know its not forever so its easier to manage

Actually this sounds like a very balanced and healthy menu. I find that the more I spend on food, the more "rubbish" I buy.

Tixy

Hi again Ashamed. I would say that from looking at your SoA you should be fine. Your elec cost may be a bit higher than you have budgeted, if the property is all heated by elec (maybe allow an extra £15) and you seem to have missed water rates (if you are on a meter £15 is reasonable for 1 person). Are you going to be happy with no landline or internet?
Also contents insurance would be useful (you can get this dead cheap probably £5per month). Is travel enough?

I would say that even taking these other bits into account you should be able to manage and to increase your DMP payments substantially.

Good luck

System

Thanks guys they are some great suggestions.

I was toying with broadband so thanks for justifying it Gonzo. Also this is a big source of socialising / internet for me, so might offset potential costs in other areas.

Might keep my mobile as is for now. Unlimited texts is probably my one guilty pleasure.

The transport costs should be fine as I can walk / cycle anywhere I need to go pretty much, just allowed £20 for an occasional visit to parents /friends.

Forgot about water rates so thanks for reminding me!

Just booked in for my first haircut at a college for £5.50!

Wish me luck!

elvis86

PasturesNew wrote: »

A single person, over 25, living alone in self-contained accommodation, who is unemployed gets rent and council tax paid ... and £65.45/week to cover all bills, clothes, food, life - AND jobhunting costs. So £75/week is easily doable.

Why try and "shame" someone who works, into feeling guilty about being unsure they could cope on a similar budget to someone who's unemployed?

Someone who works full time has every right to expect to be better off and be able to afford a better lifestyle than someone who doesn't work.:cool:

Aspiration

Definitely looks good to me, i budget £100 a week, spend £80/£85 on petrol, don't really buy clothes and if i do i do it on a week of holiday and use the £80/85 i would have spent on petrol and these are really only a couple of work shirts, in the sale and then google for discount codes. (I got 4 TM LEWIN shirts for £68) and they were all current range. Go for it and become debt free!

debrag

Can I ask if you have £732 left over for debts why is your DMP for only £180?