From 1 to 5 in a few months time. A little budget advice please.

The_Ben

Hi Guys,

I think this is the best place for this thread.

Currently i live on my own so i am used to spending little on food for the cupboard as my career has erratic working hours so i mainly batch cook and live out of the freezer.

My partner of 4 years is pregnant :j and we will soon be living together bringing the end to a very long distant relationship:T.

As the move is soon i am in the final preparation and looking at the *gulp* finance part and trying to plan a budget and so i would appreciate any feedback if possible on what people are currently spending on food and essentials based on a family of 5 as follows,

Household will be myself and my partner, DS1 who is 12 and DS2 who is 11, and then a newborn.

including nappies and cleaning products would £100 / week cover everything safely?

or is that too much


*edit*

the distance we are talking is over 300 miles, it isn't like we are talking the next county over. My partner is a SAHM and has been a SM for some time and is used to having to barter, bargin shop and feed herself and 2 kids on about £100 / month.

It will be a shock for me having guaranteed company, but along with a small baby child i am looking for an idea. Without going into too much detail personally i currently have a fuel bill of over £200 with them all moving here this cash can be moved elsewhere I just have no idea whatsoever it costs for a family as i am that used to living on my own

pigpen

I'd try this over on the OS board where you could get ideas for cutting costs as well..

I spend about £150 a week for 11 of us (plus 6 cats, 2 rabbits and 3 fish) so yes i think £100 is more than enough per week and could possibly be reduced further if needs must.

The_Ben

Hi pigpen.

I can be frugal when i need to be so cutting costs are not an issue. I am aware that meal planning can cut back a lot.

But also grew up knowing that every monday etc it was the same meal, and as you would expect rebelled a bit and my personality is to flighty to attempt it as i might wake up fancying a nice rack of lamb for dinner, but by the time i get home from work will end up with pasta and sauce.

I thought of the OS board but as this is the family board i thought it would be a better place to get an opinion, i.e some people might be finding they were spending say £40 a week just on nappies etc.

And due to circumstances i have had to open a few accounts (savings) but to be used as current accounts and the one i have for food / shopping i want to make sure i move enough into it / month to cover everything

pigpen

My budget includes one in nappies as well if that helps It will be 2 come October.. You could always consider washable nappies?

I often plan to cook a certain meal for dinner.. and then do something else just for me (I wouldn't cook a separate meal for any of the children or OH)

The_Ben

so from your experience, including nappies and baby food £400 a month would be sufficient?

there is no specific dietary requirements it is more a case of how much is comfortable for people to live on and snack freely without the cupboards going bare

sassyblue

Hi Ben, l think £100 a week would be enough budget to start with, then in two or three months perhaps you and your partner can sit down and see how it worked out and where cut backs could be made (if they can).

Bear in mind the budget might go haywire when the baby arrives (less time to meal plan).

Good luck!

pigpen

The_Ben wrote: »

so from your experience, including nappies and baby food £400 a month would be sufficient?

there is no specific dietary requirements it is more a case of how much is comfortable for people to live on and snack freely without the cupboards going bare

I would think so.

Baby food isn't really an issu now though is it and whizzing up stuff you all have or baby led weaning would means packets and jars are not needed.. it depends on how you are going to feed the baby really.

I think if you budget £100 a week fo now and review it in a few months until you get it right for you

Nicki

If mum doesn't intend to breastfeed though, you could easily spend £10 - £15 per week on formula from what I have read on these boards (I was a "Nazi" myself as the FFErs like to call it!)

Nappies are also a bit of an unknown expense unless you use washables. I had a champion poo'er with my third, who had around 20 dirty nappies every day for the first 6 months or so. Would have cost me another £10 - £15 had be been in disposables I reckon. Other babies with less excitable digestive systems could get by on around 6-8 changes per day though from the start. A decent disposable is about 10p each.

I tend to spend around £100-£150 per week to feed 2 adults and 3 children, including all cleaning stuff and toiletries, with one baby not in disposables and not using formula. But I could cut down on this if I needed to. We eat meat for virtually every meal, and meal plan based on what we fancy eating, not what is cheap or in season, nor based on what we already have in the store cupboard.

The_Ben

Niki i think you have just nailed it for me thank you

it is possible to meal plan when everyone has the ideal 9-5 job,

factor in 8 until finishing time, while being on call 24-7 then things do differ.

I was more thinking that the baby costs would be un bearable

Molly41

I think flexibility is the key and not being too set as regards the budget. Its important to be able to cater for your stepchildren and factor in their needs as they are nearly teenagers. This will hopefully make the transition for them (and you...but you are an adult) more calm. Im not saying blow the budget but ask your OH and her kids how much she spends and on what. Then you can compromise.

The_Ben

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