Reducing my living costs by 20%

redkids1972

I have just got a new job going from 5 days to four days which is better for my family life but not for the bank balance. In 2 years I will earn the same money as working five days but in the meantime I would like to reduce my living costs 20%.
I don't lead an extravagant life but have 3 children who cost me a lot.
So whist Im going to be cash poorer Im going to be time richer so I need some ideas to reduce my general living expenses.
Thanks

mildred1978

redkids1972 wrote: »

I have just got a new job going from 5 days to four days which is better for my family life but not for the bank balance. In 2 years I will earn the same money as working five days but in the meantime I would like to reduce my living costs 20%.
I don't lead an extravagant life but have 3 children who cost me a lot.
So whist Im going to be cash poorer Im going to be time richer so I need some ideas to reduce my general living expenses.
Thanks

Post up your SOA, bearing in mind that your costs of getting to work will be less.

wearegood

Save the money on movies, sports. More driving travels.

redkids1972

The areas Im looking at is groceries and pet costs. I have 3 cats.
I try budget £75 a week for groceries including pet food. I already use MOCs when I can but do buy junk food rather than food from scratch. Think this is what I could change with my extra time. So food planning is what I guess I need advice on I DO dislike cooking but can cook and do like my slow cooker.
if I can save £15 weekly this will be 20 % of my budget. This is for me my OH and 3 children and 3 cats
thanks

Caterina

The best thing you can do really is cook in bulk, even if you do not like it much, it is going to help immensely. Stash some basics in the freezer, cooked in the SC (such as a large quantity of bolognese sauce, or stew) divided in family-sized portions, then improvise on the theme. For example bolognese sauce can do you sauce for pasta but also for jacket potatoes, base for shepherds pie, stretched with vegetables and stock it can add proteins to a soup etc....

Also, buy the cats food in bulk, I use zooplus (www.zooplus.co.uk) and you can also get a small amount of cashback from Quidco. Sometimes they have nice offers.

Check your utilities bills, see if you can reduce even by a few quid a year, it all adds up. Don't buy sweeties for the kids unless it is for a treat (I am just assuming here, you might already not buying them!). Bake treats at home, in batches, and freeze. Freeze chopped bananas and grapes for "ice cream" treats, or freeze foraged blackberries to cook in puddings in the winter.

Buy a bag of mustard and/or alfalfa sprouting seeds and grow sprouts, they are very nutritious in salads and sandwiches, and the kids love seeing them grow (mine did, at least). You can even sprout lentils and chick peas but they taste a bit "beany", kids might or might not like them. If they do, BINGO, very nutritious food for very little.

Shop at the market.

Look at all the other amazing threads here, take it easy and aim to reduce a bit at a time so you don't shock your system and do not meet resistance in your family.

One more thing, if the kids (or even your OH) baulk at the idea of supermarket's own, trick them. Save the branded boxes/packages and fill them up with savers versions. Works every time.

Good luck!

Popperwell

Spot on Caterina! I can't improve on that...

Caterina

Thanks Popperwell!

redkids1972

Caterina wrote: »

The best thing you can do really is cook in bulk, even if you do not like it much, it is going to help immensely. Stash some basics in the freezer, cooked in the SC (such as a large quantity of bolognese sauce, or stew) divided in family-sized portions, then improvise on the theme. For example bolognese sauce can do you sauce for pasta but also for jacket potatoes, base for shepherds pie, stretched with vegetables and stock it can add proteins to a soup etc....

Also, buy the cats food in bulk, I use zooplus (www.zooplus.co.uk) and you can also get a small amount of cashback from Quidco. Sometimes they have nice offers.

Check your utilities bills, see if you can reduce even by a few quid a year, it all adds up. Don't buy sweeties for the kids unless it is for a treat (I am just assuming here, you might already not buying them!). Bake treats at home, in batches, and freeze. Freeze chopped bananas and grapes for "ice cream" treats, or freeze foraged blackberries to cook in puddings in the winter.

Buy a bag of mustard and/or alfalfa sprouting seeds and grow sprouts, they are very nutritious in salads and sandwiches, and the kids love seeing them grow (mine did, at least). You can even sprout lentils and chick peas but they taste a bit "beany", kids might or might not like them. If they do, BINGO, very nutritious food for very little.

Shop at the market.

Look at all the other amazing threads here, take it easy and aim to reduce a bit at a time so you don't shock your system and do not meet resistance in your family.

One more thing, if the kids (or even your OH) baulk at the idea of supermarket's own, trick them. Save the branded boxes/packages and fill them up with savers versions. Works every time.

Good luck!

Thats bril thanks:beer:.

I knew I thought batch cooking was the way to go I have been thinking and planning this afternoon. The school holidays are expensive as Im at working all day and my 2 eldest are here and eat all day they 14 and 16 years old. I am still working 5 days for hte next 4 weeks so going to start batch cooking next weekend and hopefully it will be in a routine by the time school starts again.
The cat food is £15 a week as the cats can be fussy so buying in bulk may be cheaper Ill look into that now:j

Caterina

Oh, why not try to involve the older two and see if they can get themselves a little job, e.g. paper round, babysitting, cutting neighbours' grass, pet feeding etc. My twins have been doing this since age 13 (they are 23 now) and it helps a lot, even if it is only to give them a bit of extra money so they don't have to syphon off you when they want that new pair of trainers or new top, or extra cinema ticket.

I forgot to add earlier on that the biggest challenge to reducing spend and still maintaining a decent standard of living is to manage to get all the family on board. The payoff for them is a happier (therefore nicer, smilier, less stressed) mum and possibly more treats (as when you are home more you can do more things for them!). x

Popperwell

How about a slow cooker? They are not always slow and use very little energy(about the same as a lightbulb)

I have one that has been hardly used but today(as I am single)I have bought a smaller one for under £10 and it may be better as it has even less wattage.

quintwins

redkids1972 wrote: »

Thats bril thanks:beer:.

I knew I thought batch cooking was the way to go I have been thinking and planning this afternoon. The school holidays are expensive as Im at working all day and my 2 eldest are here and eat all day they 14 and 16 years old. I am still working 5 days for hte next 4 weeks so going to start batch cooking next weekend and hopefully it will be in a routine by the time school starts again.
The cat food is £15 a week as the cats can be fussy so buying in bulk may be cheaper Ill look into that now:j

if you have older kids at home i would suggest making a batch of mini pizzas and quiches and come buns.