Money saving help needed!

Lisa_27

My current situation is going to change soon and I need help with money saving ideas and tips on how to survive on a low income.

I am looking to have around £32 a week to live on after bills, I will be saving £2 a week to pay for make up etc when it is needed. I don't use a lot of make up but as I am looking for work it will be needed to at least make myself feel and look good when attending interviews (prob wear make up once a week)

So that leaves £30 a week for food, toiletries etc.
I hope to still be able to work for rides to keep my hobby up but may need to negotiate that further. (currently work 8 hours for a ride every week at a riding school)

I want to spend a max of £25 a week on food and toiletries, is this possible?

I also plan to approach my friend to negotiate doing a few hours in her salon in return for having my hair done but willing to drop the highlights and just go for a £10 cut every 6 weeks if she isn't happy to do that.

On the plus side, I will be living in town instead of rural so should be able to find a job far easier than I can at the moment.

So is it really possible to spend £25 a week on essentials?

I have done a quick list of food I may need for a week, washing powder etc and it does come to about £25 but need some reassurance and tips to see if I can bring that total down.

Is it worth buying everyday value loo roll etc?

Valli

A little more detail needed

is this £32 for one person to live off for all meals?

And - what kitchen equipment do you have - in particular freezer, microwave etc?

As you have already done a list share it - then we can see where you've got to.

What shops are local to you?

Does this include transport? or have you aready factored that in?

quintwins

Do you have a homebargains? they sell nicky toilet roll for £1.99 for 9 and it's nice and quilted and lasts alot longer than value, we used to buy value when it was really cheap but given the price increase it's just false economy now.

tessie_bear

hi...have you seen the blog a girl called jack ? she has managed for herself and a small child on a tenner a week...what sort of things does the money need to cover ?

SailorSam

Lisa_27 wrote: »

I hope to still be able to work for rides to keep my hobby up but may need to negotiate that further. (currently work 8 hours for a ride every week at a riding school)

I knew a little girl who was mad keen on horses but she was still at school and there was no way her Mum could afford lessons, so she asked in the stables if she could help out and at the end of the day she took a horse out for a ride.

pelirocco

SailorSam wrote: »

I knew a little girl who was mad keen on horses but she was still at school and there was no way her Mum could afford lessons, so she asked in the stables if she could help out and at the end of the day she took a horse out for a ride.

I believe thats what the OP does now

honeythewitch

Lisa_27 wrote: »

My current situation is going to change soon and I need help with money saving ideas and tips on how to survive on a low income.

I am looking to have around £32 a week to live on after bills, I will be saving £2 a week to pay for make up etc when it is needed. I don't use a lot of make up but as I am looking for work it will be needed to at least make myself feel and look good when attending interviews (prob wear make up once a week)

So that leaves £30 a week for food, toiletries etc.
I hope to still be able to work for rides to keep my hobby up but may need to negotiate that further. (currently work 8 hours for a ride every week at a riding school)

I want to spend a max of £25 a week on food and toiletries, is this possible?

I also plan to approach my friend to negotiate doing a few hours in her salon in return for having my hair done but willing to drop the highlights and just go for a £10 cut every 6 weeks if she isn't happy to do that.

On the plus side, I will be living in town instead of rural so should be able to find a job far easier than I can at the moment.

So is it really possible to spend £25 a week on essentials?

I have done a quick list of food I may need for a week, washing powder etc and it does come to about £25 but need some reassurance and tips to see if I can bring that total down.

Is it worth buying everyday value loo roll etc?

It seems an excessive amount to spend on make up if you are hard up.
Surely you just need four or five items from poundland? In every test i have seen where cheap brands are up against expensive the differences are minimal.

BitterAndTwisted

If you're claiming JSA you need to be extremely careful about exchanging your labour for horsie-rides or haircuts.

I would say that once you have a basic stock of cosmetics, replenishing or replacing them should cost a lot less than two quid a week.

£32 a week for food, toiletries and cleaning products should be plenty if you have half-decent shops nearby and half-decent housekeeping skills.

jackyann

I buy the most basic moisturiser from a wholesaler & use it as a cleanser as well. Sounds as if OP knows her stuff, so might see what the hairdresser friend's wholesaler has on offer. And do get the rose-tinted Vaseline mini-tin!
OP: make sure you have an emergency stash put by (I usually reckon you should have the return taxi fare to your nearest hospital + a tenner in a pot somewhere)
Yes, you can manage if very careful - and come back for more specific ideas.

Lisa_27

Sorry I lost my thread

£32 is for one person, I will have a shared kitchen so poss space in a fridge but limited freezer space. Kettle, cooker, microwave. However I may be able to store some food in my Nans big chest freezer at hers.

£2 a week saved is not just for make up but for an emergency fund too, clothing like knickers etc.

I plan to ask for Boots, Tesco or similar vouchers for birthday and Christmas to allow me to stock up on toiletries and buy clothes.

My shopping list includes, many of these things will last longer than a week-

Bread
Marge
Marmite
Cheese
Tuna
Breaded chicken (£2 for 8 in Iceland)
Noodles
Pasta
Pasta Sauce
Chicken breast
Salmon (£6 for 4 in Iceland but would only have 1 a week)
Beans
Jacket potato (£1 for 4)
Juice
Lettuce
Oven chips

Items needed less often-

Loo roll
Kitchen roll
Multi purp cleaning spray
Tooth paste
Shampoo
Shower Gel
Washing powder (will make do without fab conditioner)

Have been told I can get washing powder for £1 in poundland and my skin isn't too sensitive.

meg72

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It is very possible have you had a look at the grocery challenge,lots of advise and recipes.