just wondering where to start

elly2

hi i'm new to this but i have a feeling i will be here a lot there are some great threads and i have looked through a few of them but find i get overwhelmed by them all this month i have a budget of £100 (month started last week and so far i've managed with what i have in the freezer/cupboards etc etc but can you fab people point me to where i need to be on the board to make my £100 go furthest and what basic cleaning mixes i should start with i have found a thread about using soda crystals for my washing machine so have added 2 bags to my tesco shop, the £100 needs to cover food and cleaning(no meat as this is budgeted for seperate) i get tokens for milk so that covers me for about 2 weeks worth(we use about 3/4 pints per day) we are a family of 2 adults and 5 children i'm sorry as i imagine this has been asked thousands of times before but if someone can just give me a gentle shove in the right direction, even some links so that i can read through the boards so i'm not taking up your valuable time
thank you in advance

scuzz

Hello:wave:
Welcome to OS! I'd suggest checking out some of the challenges at the top of the forum, as they can help with using up what's already in your cupboards, meaning you won't have to spend any more
There's also some great posts on how to feed families for less than £X per week. Try running a search
Also look in the indexes (again top of the forums) for specific things like cleaning. Everyone will yelling white vinegar and bicarb at their pcs for cleaning
I would say though, only try to change one thing at a time. Don't overload yourself with pressure to suddenly become a whiz in the kitchen at the same time as being Kim and Agie! Maybe try and introduce one thing each week. And don't beat yourself up if you slip up - you're only human
Keep us posted on how you do and good luck

larmy16

Number one tip for starting is to write down every penny you spend and any cash withdrawals from the bank. This helps to track where your money is going.

Timely post and I will be joining you. I used to keep a spending diary but just lately have got out of the habit and I dont like the feeling of not knowing where my money has gone.

Linda32

Hi Elly2

Welcome to OS, there is alot here, but you soon find your way around, it does seem daunting at first, but it dosn't take long to get into the swing of things and then you start doing things naturally.

As with everything, don't try to do it all at once, because thats not possible.

You asked about cleaning mixes. See peeps on here use hot water, which is good enough and very cheap, I personally use zoflora which is a very contentrated disinfactant, you can buy it from Wilkinsons and I bet the supermarkets. It comes in a small bottle and you mix it 1 part to 40 so as you can imagine it goes along way. Its about 50p a bottle.


I use this in an old Dettox bottle (I'll never waste money on that again) and spray that on worktops etc.

Currently I'm using a bulked out washing powder mix, again learnt on here. Which is 2 parts persil, 2 parts Asda smart price, and 1 part soda crystals, mix up in a plastic tub and use that.

The idea being you get another packets worth of powder (Asda) for about 50-60p

HTH and welcome again to OS

elly2

persil liquid is on special atm can i use soda crystals with liquid or just with powder

Linda32

elly2 wrote: »

persil liquid is on special atm can i use soda crystals with liquid or just with powder

I would say depends on your machine drawer. If you've got two compartments, and most have then put the soda crystals in the one normally used for stain remove. Mines on the left if that helps

elly2

thank you for that linda thinking maybe i will use the washing powder then at least i know the quantities to use, ok so far i have had a peek in my freezer,fridge and cupboards and tbh there is a whole lot of stuff here so i am going to put off the shop for hopefully another week more ambitios maybe 2 can i post what stuff i have in on this board(will be very long list tho and i dont want to take all your time up but i am running out of insperation) i know there is a lot of food in the house but when i look i think oh will the kids eat that again etc etc