How much do you live on per month?

Lucy1010

ani_26 wrote: »

Lucy, please don't get upset. I'm used to it, but like YL says,too, what i have, should see me through to the end of the week, now, and thats as far as i can look ahead.

.... but it does make me sad, really sad. I read about you guys budgeting like crazy to make ends meet, to keep your food cupboards stocked on hardly anything until the next payday whilst I see others (including myself) think nothing of spending on stuff that will probably just end up in the bin

Aesop

Lucy, I think if most of us had a choice, we would be in the place where we could afford to buy what we want when we want, without worrying about budgets and bills. And I think if we were in that place, some of us would forget about being frugal, off having nothing and throw excess food away, etc.

I would like to think the day I can stop worrying about money, I wouldn't totally abandon my frugal ways, but at the same time, could enjoy having a little bit more money and the choice of being able to buy things I want to buy, rather than going without.

I don't want you to feel bad because you can afford to buy the nicer things in life, in fact just make sure you are enjoying what you have

kerri_gt

Ani 26 - It's good to hear that you have been able to buy a little more with the extra pennies. I know what you mean about people buying jam sarnies - total madness! Even better than buying good jam, you can make really good jam with fruit from the hedgerows etc - I bought a jam cookbook last year and hope to make some super-jam (uses grape juice instead of sugar) this year. We know you're not going to be living on beans on toast forever, but we do worry about you (and everyone else who is having a really hard time) x

Aesop - that's really kind of you - and you're right about enjoying what we do all have. I am like you, I want to be financially sorted, not to blow it on lots of stuff I don't need, but to have the choices it can offer you.

I feel bad that I have overspent quite a bit this month (well not over my total budget but in my 'misc' are which is things that basically aren't petrol/bills/food). Must tighten my belt and get back on track.

ani_26

Aesop is right. Its all about having the chioce, which i will value, if and when it returns. I still don't need to spend a fortune on my groceries though, but at least i won't have to carry a bag of oranges, ( priced £1 ), around the supermarket like i did the other day, and eventually leave them at the till, because i felt so guilty, because i knew i could'nt afford them, ( thats when i bought the bread, and you guessed it, milk).


kerri gt. i can do 1001 things with fresh fruit. I always used to grow my own raspberries, balackcurrants, rhubarb etc. and many, many years ago i used to go for a walk on a sunday afternoon and leave ' dinner ' cooking, whilst picking blackberries, bilberries, to make a pudding of some sort, when i arrived home. Those were the days

bluebag

ani_26 wrote: »

I'm truly gald you all have the greater means, to live, and hope you all have an enjoyable weekend xx ( i'm not being sarcastic, i truly mean it ).

My budget for next week looks even bleaker than this week, coming in at £0, at the moment. You just have to learn to live with the means you have ( and everyone's is different). xx

I wish I could say I have no idea how that feels, but sadly I can't... I have had literally NO money in the past and very little food.
It can't be described the sort of furious resignation I felt. It's like giving in .... with anger.

I am in better circumstances these days and I am grateful.
Keep going however you are able. I truly hope things get brighter for you soon.

ani_26

bluebag wrote: »

I wish I could say I have no idea how that feels, but sadly I can't... I have had literally NO money in the past and very little food.
It can't be described the sort of furious resignation I felt. It's like giving in .... with anger.

I am in better circumstances these days and I am grateful.
Keep going however you are able. I truly hope things get brighter for you soon.

Thanks bluebag x


Its like giving in, with resignation. Theres nothing i can do except wait. Only 3 and a half hours until midnight

morocha

hi, we are 2 adults and 1 child, we spend around £30 pw in food and i have a £17.50 per week to buy whatever i want, since i moved house, the shops are so far away now, that i find myself saving up.
we dont have a tight budget but i do not like to waste money, we eat quite well, OH loves meat with every food and always make sure we have fresh fruit for DD... now she goes to school full time twice a week, i find that it does not affect the budget much, as i send her with a packed lunch.

Lucy1010

Ladies, Gents

I cannot even begin to explain how humbled I am to hear your stories, I feel that those reading that live on much more are too embarassed to post but don't be, I hope this topic is making you think twice like it has me. I have gone from budgeting £400 p/m on general living to £110 p/m and I already feel like what's the point in living! Its not enough to make me happy. BUT I need to stick to this because it means this time next year i will be debt free. You guys deserve a medal! You really are amazing x

Aesop

Lucy, you are amazing too for sticking to a lower budget so YOU can be DEBT FREE next year. That is amazing!

bluebag

ani_26 wrote: »

Thanks bluebag x


Its like giving in, with resignation. Theres nothing i can do except wait. Only 3 and a half hours until midnight

It's funny, I am comfortable now with a regular income, not rich by any stretch, but I can balance the books.

However I still have my frugal ways, I had to buy the cheapest coffee as it was all I could afford, it used to make me shudder to drink it as I had been used to the best brands. LOL.

But I got used to it, now I still drink it cos I can't enjoy anything else, still 49p a jar it's all good.

My trousers are over 6 years old, still comfortable and servicable, funny how the harsh times leave their mark.