Is £60 per week for family of 5 ever possible?

snugglemunchkin

Hiya I'm new to this thread although I've been hovering for a while. There are 5 of us in my family 2 adults and 3 sons 6yrs 3 yrs and 4 months.
I am currently on maternity leave but from December 4th I am on ssp which is £127 a wk. After doing alot of reading on here and trying to work out my finances I have got £60 a week for food shopping, which scares me as we have always spent more.
This has to include packed lunch for my partner and my 2sons 5 days a week. Can anyone give me a help in the right direction for budget meal plans or shopping lists or even send me in the right direction to find threads that have this information.
Although I've looked through here there are so many posts im going around in circles.
I really appreciate any comments or tips from anyone please!
Thank you in advance!

Buttercup2305

Do you get the Healthy eating vouchers?

snugglemunchkin

No we are not entitled to them as I'm working.

natlie

Hi, I am same on maternity leave until feb 6th son is 15 weeks now I have 2 girls age 11 and 5, I cannot manage on SSP and unfortunately have to go back to work as OH is unemployed. last month I paid £90 for food for the month - mainly by shopping the reduced section and this month I am trying approvedfoods.com I have been shopping for a few days rather than weekly/monthly as I find we waste less and I can meal plan better

mummyroysof3

im sorry i have no advise to give you but am going to watch this thread with interest as we are a family of 5 and would love to be able to reduce my shopping bill.

do you have pets? does this money need to include nappies/wipes too? these are my bigest expense tbh

prosaver

don t you get working tax credits and family tax credits

xxlouisexx56

I can do 60 pounds a week easily for me, DP, DD (5) and baby (7 months) and this includes nappies and milk for her.

prosaver

natlie wrote: »

Hi, I am same on maternity leave until feb 6th son is 15 weeks now I have 2 girls age 11 and 5, I cannot manage on SSP and unfortunately have to go back to work as OH is unemployed. last month I paid £90 for food for the month - mainly by shopping the reduced section and this month I am trying approvedfoods.com I have been shopping for a few days rather than weekly/monthly as I find we waste less and I can meal plan better

90 a month for food for 2 adults and 2 children
3 pound a day ?
could you tell me your secret:cool:

snugglemunchkin

prosaver wrote: »

don t you get working tax credits and family tax credits

Yeah I do get them, they will pay my outgoings etc then I am left with £60 for food.

snugglemunchkin

mummyroysof3 wrote: »

im sorry i have no advise to give you but am going to watch this thread with interest as we are a family of 5 and would love to be able to reduce my shopping bill.

do you have pets? does this money need to include nappies/wipes too? these are my bigest expense tbh

No pets and yes I'll need nappys and formulae every 2 wks

snugglemunchkin

xxlouisexx56 wrote: »

I can do 60 pounds a week easily for me, DP, DD (5) and baby (7 months) and this includes nappies and milk for her.

Fancy sharing your meal plans or shopping list :rotfl: My 3yr old eats as much as my 5 yr who both have great appetites. I think the packed lunches for school cost me alot but school dinners would cost £20 a week.