2 Adults, 1 Child and a weekly budget of £40

13katrina

Hello,

It's been a while since I last posted but need some advice.

My husband and I have been back together for about 2 months - the only problem is my shopping budget is out of control - he eats loads. We’re a family of 3, two adults and a daughter aged 3 – my daughter attends nursery from 9-3.30, Monday to Friday so gets a 2-course meal included in her fees. However, she’s a skinny-minnie who can eat for England – she usually eats another main meal with us in the evening plus is constantly asking for snacks (which again the cost adds up).

Is £40 a week a realistic budget for food and all other household products (e.g. toiletries and cleaning materials)?

I’m a reasonable cook and am happy to cook from scratch most days.

Any hints, tips, advice gratefully received.

Uniscots97

I would say its very reasonable as long as you meal plan, even make extra and freeze it. How about flapjacks (HM) as snacks for your daughter? They are filling but very cheap to make. I got the recipe of off the recipe index on here.

As for cleaning, stick to stardrops, vinegar and bicarb. Mix soap powder with soda crystals or even just cut down the amount you use. Since switching to using these instead of lots of fancy cleaners I've saved lots of money and my asthma isn't as bad.

What kind of meals do your family enjoy? Is there anything they won't eat?

13katrina

My family will eat just about anything - we're really into meat and two veg type meals or things like spag bol, curry, pasta dishes are a favourite with my daughter.

They both like to snack a lot too.

Cazzdevil

The budget my OH & I set is no more than £30 a week for the 2 of us including all toiletries/household products, so £40 for the three of you is perfectly reasonable.
You just have to get into the way of being frugal, making sure nothing gets wasted and keeping eyes peeled for useful tips for cutting down on things.

Uniscots97

A good cheap pasta bake dish I make when feeding very hungry people is:


As much pasta as I think I'll need, precooked (I use the 3Kg penne from Tesco for a quid)
a can of campbells cream of chicken condensed soup (try your pound shops, most have three for a pound at the moment)
1 rasher of bacon per person chopped (or what ever bits of meat you have)

I then throw in sweetcorn (17p a tin)

Put it all in an ovenproof dish and top with breadcrumbs and a little cheese


Very filling and tasty. Once cooled any left overs I usually freeze and it freezes fine.

Uniscots97

Do you make your own spag bol? Remember and add a handful of porridge oats to the mince to make it go a little further. I buy the Tesco value porridge oats which are about 50p for 1Kg.

GreenNinja

Thanks unixgirluk about the tip for getting the condensed soups for 3 for a pound, I have been paying 49p per can in Sainsburys. Will get myself down to the pound shop pronto!

:T

Uniscots97

No problem GreenNinja, I love my local Poundland. Last month it was 2 Sharwoods jars of sauces for a pound. not very OS I know but great in an emergency when you get unexpected visitors.

GreenNinja

Must get down to mine more often!

I actually think the condensed soup tastes nicer in pasta bakes than those expensive sauces!

emmie1234

Hiya, we're in the same situation as yourselves i.e. two adults and 1 child (6yr old daughter) we've also got a cat and a dog and I can usually get our shopping done for around £35 per week including pet food, toiletries and cleaning stuff. I always make a list before I go and price things up on the asda/tesco website. I'll try and find one of my usual lists and menu plans and post it for you in a bit!!!

Em

13katrina

Thanks for all your replies.

Unixgirluk - Does the porridge oats affect the flovour of the spag. bol? Pasta dish sounds fab and really simple to make - how long do you put it in the oven for? We do have a pound land, tbh I didn't know they sold food products, will have to have a look this weekend.

emmie1234 - If you could add your menu plan and list, that would be fab - I think I just need a good starting point.