How to live on 65 per week?

grumpyoldwoman41

I have 38kg of a dog and about 10kg of cats in total.....

Will call SKY and Mobile tomorrow see what I can do with them, SKY can definitely downgrade by perhaps £20 per month (take movies out) but got multiroom and HD whatever that I took out in the summer, thay won't let me opt out of those grrrr

With value pet food the problem is that what one saves on food- will go for the vet, dog has very sensitive stomach and so far only one particulr food agrees with the dog, she is also on medication for joints which insurance will not pay for so £30 per month (cheapest I could find) is non negotiable

PasturesNew

grumpyoldwoman41 wrote: »

My current outgoings (no food for me here) are:

Gas £ 65.00
Electric £ 40.00
TV License £ 12.00
Water £ 27.00
SKY £ 60.00
BT £ 32.00
Mobile £ 35.00
Pet Insurance £ 65.00
Internet £ 12.18
Pet Food £ 100.00
£ 448.18

You need to try to get your combined gas/electric closer to £40/month. You're single, so don't leave stuff lying around and you'll only need a light on when cooking. Think about everything you're turning on, e.g. microwaving beans uses less electricity than cooking them on the hob, boil a kettle once and fill a flask to save two more boils.... tiny stuff, but it adds up. If you've got a tumble drier, stop using it. Find out how much your TV's costing you to be on per hour and only have it on if you're actually watching it.

That isn't water on a meter is it - ever looked into metering? Single person should be looking at £12-18/month.

Why is BT so much? Stop phoning people unless it's free or essential.

You need help (see the Old Style Board and the Debt Free Wannabe Board) with the best pet insurance options and best pet food on a budget.

grumpyoldwoman41

Could someone please point me to the Old Times somethign boeard where I can see how to live on £15 per week?
Is it somewhere on the Forums?
Thanks a lot....can not sleep anyway

dmg24

grumpyoldwoman41 wrote: »

I have 38kg of a dog and about 10kg of cats in total.....

Will call SKY and Mobile tomorrow see what I can do with them, SKY can definitely downgrade by perhaps £20 per month (take movies out) but got multiroom and HD whatever that I took out in the summer, thay won't let me opt out of those grrrr

With value pet food the problem is that what one saves on food- will go for the vet, dog has very sensitive stomach and so far only one particulr food agrees with the dog, she is also on medication for joints which insurance will not pay for so £30 per month (cheapest I could find) is non negotiable

Sorry, but you really need a reality check. If you live alone, you do not need multiroom! Sky will let you cut your package down, I have done it myself and seen lots of others do it. They know that in the long term it is better to keep your business than let you go.

With regard to the pets, as hard as would be if you do not find work soon you will need to look at rehoming them. It is not fair on you or them if you cannot afford to look after them properly.

PasturesNew

grumpyoldwoman41 wrote: »

Could someone please point me to the Old Times somethign boeard where I can see how to live on £15 per week?
Is it somewhere on the Forums?
Thanks a lot....can not sleep anyway

There's a thread on there showing how you can feed a family of 4 healthily for 50p each per day http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33

dmg24

Old Style Board

grumpyoldwoman41

CFC - I do not live alone, I live with my daughter who is 20 and a full time student with no income (just student loan) so she is not taken into the account by the JSA calculations.

I do not watch much TV, I do nto have a tumbledryer, I have no idea why my bills (gas/electric) are so high - I am with EDF for both.

BT is much as got family abroad. Need to cut this of course now.

Need to learn.. a lotttttttttttttttttt.

Thanks for the pointers, very much appreciated.

And yes, I have found the bancrupcy board and posted there about debts too, thanks for that.

grumpyoldwoman41

Thanks for the links, will have a look now...

I never said I live alone, I said I live with my daughter....

grumpyoldwoman41

Yes, I am very well aware of needing a reality check - that is why I posted my questions and asked for advice here, thanks.

But my pets are going nowhere, no matter what.

They are my family, they stay where they are even if I have to have have a tin of Tesco value beans to last ME 3 days.. the pets will NEVER be rehomed.

The vet fees are very expensive but if I do nto work I would qualify for Blue Cross or PDSA help and I would get it for my pets without feeling guilty as I have paid an awful lot of taxes and money to charities over the years so if I need help for my pets now - so be it. I would not be taking away from anyone else, as I have contributed a lot myself to what I may now need to use... Life...

Food wise, will need to experiment - sigh...

bluecelticgirl

Hi Grumpy - I agree with you I would never have rehomed my pets - they are like family and you wouldn't rehome them! Couldn't you drop your pet insurance now - as you say you can get free help? Have you tried your dog with raw chicken and rice only (with some vitamins thrown in). I had a dog with a sensitive stomach and know I had to pay a fortune for special food. He had managed really well on chicken and rice though until some other complications set in - just a thought.

I agree it is very intimidating to suddenly find yourself living on such a small amount. I think single people get a bad deal from the government when they have worked and contributed paying taxes for years whereas others who have children and have never worked have quite a comfortable life not working - I know quite a few like this. Anyway that's a whole other debate.

Good luck