How much do you live on per month?

goodgirl80

HappyMJ wrote: »

That really isn't much. Assuming the cat has about £5 worth of cat food, litter, flea and worming treatments, toys and so on every week that leaves you £20. Let's say £6 on cleaning products such as washing powder, dishwashing liquid, sponges, scourers, soaps, deodorants. That £14 left for food for 2 at only £1 per person per day. Well done....CCCS recommends a lot more at £45 for 1 person for 1 week.

I admit this is the first month I have managed to stay in budget and I had £11 quid of Tesco vouchers, so I'm not polishing my halo just yet..! I've got some good habits, and some not so good, all in the name of saving money. The cat doesn't cost that much! 1 bag food £6.99 lasts about 4 weeks, 1-2 bags litter £1.56 each, last about 4 weeks, Pet insurance is seperate, £4.96 a month. Thanks for the heads up on worming/ flea treatments, she's now due for this to be updated.
Don't buy deodorant/ cleaning stuff as often as most people, we got a fair bit of toiletries from Christmas and I am quite skanky when it comes to cleaning :rotfl: Food -wise, we don't use meat, or cheese, so I'm guessing that makes it cheaper than average. I make my own bread and try to cook in bulk using basic ingredients. Towards the end of this year I will be debt free, so will 'treat' myself and my home to a spruce up!

[Deleted User]

Lucy1010 wrote: »

Don't you guys ever feel depressed at having to make do the whole time or does it just become a way of life?

Nope, it makes me feel proud and self-sufficient.

I haven't had to ask anyone for any financial help at all since I was 24 (and ill and in some student debt still) which is now 16 years ago.

How resourceful and independent would people who've never had to think about what stuff costs be in an emergency situation?

adiwood

joolzred wrote: »

Nope, it makes me feel proud and self-sufficient.

I haven't had to ask anyone for any financial help at all since I was 24 (and ill and in some student debt still) which is now 16 years ago.

How resourceful and independent would people who've never had to think about what stuff costs be in an emergency situation?

I agree.

I am 27, I have a nice flat and a nice car and soon to have a brand new bicycle and have a decent DSLR (camera) all from a reasonably low wage while I see people on the same wage who rent a room and spend their money on drinking or stuff that is wasteful.

I understand that my mortgage could go up and want to be in a place where I am able to get a fixed rate if needed (current LTV is 93%) so it is important to live cheap this year to pay that.

My vegetables come from one of three places - reduced at Tesco, the local produce market (which is cheap!) and people at work who have grown to much.

If you shop carefully it is amazing how much food you can get cheaply.

elsien

Lucy1010 wrote: »

Don't you guys ever feel depressed at having to make do the whole time or does it just become a way of life?

Yes it gets a bit much at times, with the neverending list of house maintenance and that sort of thing which keeps using up my savings. Or if I have to choose between 2 social things when I'd quite like to do both.
But the bottom line for me is that I am choosing to spend less on a daily basis so that I can do the other things I want to do. I could spend more each week on other stuff but I know I'd soon regret it.

I'm getting good now at spotting the deals and treats - you have to treat yourself sometimes so you don't go all doom and gloom. So this week it was nagging the friend who gets the telegraph to give me the bodyshop £5 off vouchers so I could get something nice for myself.
And knowing someone who is in a similar mindset. I have a relative who's better off than me but is getting a buzz out of getting the MSE habit, and doesn't think I'm weird traipsing round shops comparing prices before I buy. Whereas it's no use even mentioning it to my brother who never has to think about the cost of anything.
I would imagine it's a lot harder if all your friends and relatives didn't have to worry or didn't care about their daily spending - I'd probably end up feeling really mean and pennypinching.
Look at the positives though - it's not forever.

123budget

Theres 5 of us - 2 adults two very nearly adults!! and a younger child so in terms of food its more like shopping for 4 adults and 1 child.
Food was costing me£600+ per month:eek: we rarely go out to eat or anything like that most extra money goes on fees for the kids sports(prob £100 per month). However I never planned meals - just chucked what I fancied into the trolley without checking cupboards beforehand. I now check cupboards plan all meals, breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals, shop at Aldi first then Bigger supermarket after. I also always type my shopping list into the My supermarket site to get a rough idea of what it is going to cost before I go (based on one of the main supermarkets) if I think it is too much I take things off the list. I have set myself a challenge for March to TRY and get the grocery shopping for £450 for the month. I have told the children that when its gone its gone I won't be popping to the shops for a midweek topup of snacks!:rotfl:

YORKSHIRELASS

Lucy1010 wrote: »

Don't you guys ever feel depressed at having to make do the whole time or does it just become a way of life?

Such a good question. The answer for me is yes to both of these in a way. I know I will always struggle to control my spending. I like buying stuff, I like having shiny new things, I like spending money on my kids. A couple of years ago I realised I had to stop or I was going to end up in serious trouble.

I have spent my whole adult life in debt and I am nearly 40. I have reached a point now where I really really want to get out of debt and be able to save for treats and nice things. The only way to do this is to live like a pauper for a couple of years to clear the debts.

But, its not easy, and yes there are times when I hate it.

Lucy1010

The trouble is I find places like Aldi and Lidil a bit depressing and I end up feeling sorry for myself shopping there.

Firstly hardly any loose veg... what does a single person need a huge bag of carrots and the like for? It just gets wasted.

Secondly, I hate to sound mean but in my experience, waiting in line behind smelly people makes me want to abandon the shopping trolley and run to Tesco.

Thirdly, I can't keep up with the cashier! It's all so stressful keeping people waiting whilst packing the bags and trying to pay at the same time.

fedupandskint

I'm a single adult living with my pet dog and I now budget £140 per month for all food, cleaning and pet food etc with the help of the Grocery Challenge Thread on the Old Style Board - v. helpful indeed

I set my budget at £250 for the year for clothes

Fuel is a big expense as drive to work and no cheaper going on train and bus

So I'm aiming to reduce my food bill to £100 pm for a lot of months as I'm trying very hard to reduce my CC bills this year

fedupandskint

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

I have spent my whole adult life in debt and I am nearly 40. I have reached a point now where I really really want to get out of debt and be able to save for treats and nice things. The only way to do this is to live like a pauper for a couple of years to clear the debts.

But, its not easy, and yes there are times when I hate it.

Same here but I had to face up to it and look at my new future where I am not in debt to CC companies and my money is my own for the first time in a long time. Can't wait until it is

poet123

HappyMJ wrote: »

Am I the only one who thinks that £200 per week for 6 people a dog and all the household necessities only being about £30 per person and £20 for the dog per week aint that bad?

We spend that, without the dog!!:D