Single Money Saver living on my own

r.mac_2

do you have access to a freezer? I use a whole pack of mince then divide up the cooked product into portions and freeze until I need them. This is great for night where you can't be bothered cooking or if you are dashing about.

Austin_Allegro

Sureeks, when you say you want £10 to cover everything, you'll need to be strict about what you consider a luxury and what is an necessity.

For necessities, it shouldn't be a problem. A balanced diet is perfectly achievable.

For cleaning products, it's vinegar only (with perhaps a bit of bleach or bicarb for special occasions!) Do a google search on 'uses for vinegar' and you'll soon see you don't really need any branded cleaning products.

Toiletries will have to be pretty basic - economy soap, shampoo, bogroll, etc. For deodorant you can get a crystal deodorant from Holland and Barret that lasts for months, or use bicarb. You can use bicarb for toothpaste as well.

winkle1

thanks austin - thats not to cover toiletries, its only food for me. this month, i am keeping all my food receipts and seeing what i can cut back on and will take it from there.

winkle1

r.mac - yep i divide meat up into portions and freeze seperatley - chicken breats, sausages etc.

Aletank

My £30 a week does include toiletries/cleaning products ,
£10 for the works canteen either breakfast or Tea depending what shift i'm on.
when i go the shops i don't deprive myself of anything but i do shop in Iceland for the meal deals etc, Kwik Save & Home Bargains(toiletries mainly).
I mainly buy frozen food and I amaze everyone when i tell them that I've lived on my own for 2 years and never used the gas hob!! I don't even have any pans in the house :beer:
It's mainly microwave meals, oven stuff and i use a George Foreman Grill for Sausage/Bacon of a weekend

winkle1

i always shop for deals too - esp the meat in Iceland. its very cheap.

crana999

Aletank, I think you're missing out!

DingDong_3

I'm rather depressed. I went to tesco today feeling really smug thinking I'm not gonna be paying a lot but it came to £18.36 :eek: It did however include 2 birthday cards and lots of stuff that will last me a few weeks. My challenge is £20 a week so at least I'm below it. I am pleased though that I managed to walk past the chocolate sundaes (£1.99) without looking!

By the way if you like tescos cookies, theyre doing bogof on the new oatmeal and raisin flavour.

Ticklemouse

Don't get depressed, Dingdong. To get a real idea of how much you're spending, you'll have to average out the amount over a good few weeks, cos you'll only need certain things every once in a while. Eg I did my big Tesco's shop this week, then went to Costco on Saturday and spent £160!! (This did include large plant for mum) However, my freezer is well stocked with meat/bread rolls and the house is awash with loo rolls. My garage has large shelving units onto which I have crammed enough fruit juice to float an armada and enough tins of tomatoes to feed most of ...erm....Accrington!?!
It'll just be fresh fruit/veg and dairy stuff for me for weeks now.

Lucie_2

Ticklemouse wrote:

then went to Costco on Saturday and spent £160!!

Me too! I only spent £30 in there but managed to get a years supply of dishwasher tablets, washing powder & toothpaste. I won't need to buy any more for ages...........