Self-Control Gone Walkies - Overspending in Tesco!

lindab15

Hi Elle,

Congratulations on the job and hope it goes really well for you despite the initial mountain to climb waiting for first wages etc.

Will you have childcare costs ?? Have you sorted out tax credits etc etc ? Obviously depends on age of your child/ren and the expected wage levels.

Might be worth a quick chat with a Lone Parent Adviser in your nearest Jobcentre, as sometimes they can offer a bit of help even though you've not been on Income Support for the 26 week qualifying period that applies to the Run On. Sometimes they know about other local initiatives that give some financial help, too - like through the local authority or Sure Start etc etc.

Once again - congratulations and good luck !

Elle00

Thanks so much for everyone's replies. I've got that much to sort out this week it's ridiculous and my goodness does my head ache today. With regards to the bits about help with getting back to work, there is none available because I found my own job instead of going through the job centre (who I hate with a passion). Also, the problems a run-on created with my Housing Benefit last time makes it not worth it. I have a credit card I keep for online purchases with a £600 limit on it and a £1k overdraft (told you, always used to be good with money so am good for borrowing!) and funnily enough, borrowing is one of the few things I am very good at exerting self-control over as I've always been able to see it as money that has to be paid back. So if worse comes to worse, I have access to money but it's important to always remember that you are borrowing and have to pay it back. Not much good if you can't afford to pay it back is it?

I do shop online at ebay sometimes but it's such a major chore having to spend hours trawling and being unable to try things on. For that reason I only buy "loose" clothing off ebay for myself like baggy shirts or fit n flare dresses. Would never buy shoes or fitted trousers off there because you need to try those things on IME. I no longer buy second hand stuff off ebay for my son because I've had so much tatt off people. No it might not be stained but it has clearly shrunk an inch and is covered in bobbles from too many washes at 90 degrees...

Anyways, the cupboard challenge is the best idea so thanks for everyone who's suggested that. Yes I do have hoards of supplies that could probably feed us for about a month if I was careful enough! I don't have time tonight (bomb has hit living room and also have another issue to deal with) but I will do a list and post tomorrow. I'm afraid it really will be a challenge due to our dietary restrictions and my being a fussy cow but I'm sure some of you will thrive on it LOL.

I guess with returning to work I will get used to having more of a routine in my life and that will make me more able to do something like a meal-planner and shopping list. If all of you can find the time to plan meals and budget for a shopping list then I should be able to as well.

Oh and thanks for all the congratulations too of course. I'm still very worried about trying to sort everything out and take back control of my life (long story) but I'm feeling more and more positive the more I achieve and actually, I'm starting to realise that going to work full-time is going to be the best thing for me now, not just in the future. It'll be so nice to have a proper routine again.

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there elle83

You will be amazed what you come across when you go through the cupboards... i am sorting out and packing up ready for moving to germany for 3 years.... so far i have found;-

Enough toiletries to last over a year and that means everything except loo roll

enough cleaning products to do the same...i want to stop using chemicals so they are going to my mum

And enough food in the freezer (including lobster/crab and fillet steak left over from my xmas meat delivery:o )and cupboards to mean i will only have to buy milk until i leave here in 2 weeks :T :T :T :T

It is ridiculous how things build up...so im sure you will find loads

Oh and if you were interested - empire stores have a decent sale on at the moment..just had a leaflet and looked on line - in the bargain basement.... tops from £2.99

teedy23

Hi elle, just a thought here, can you walk to the shops? It does stop you impulse buying as you can only buy what you can carry, it stops me in my tracks, of course that way I cant really buy the multi packs of beans ect. which are usually cheaper. As for clothes for the kiddie, have you tried Freeecycle, always people offering kids clothes, they grow so fast. Also I think they give away better stuff, as you come face to face with them when you pick up. Plus look at the Tesco thread for glitches and coupons,and keep an eye out for moc,s, if you have an Asda near you they take almost any coupon without having to buy the particular product. Good luck with the job!

emmajon

hi - i was once in a similar situation once and i found the following always helped me. I would buy the basics in Aldi or Lidl - they have good quality things like pasta, tinned goods, rice etc - milk and bread is also cheaper there. Lidl also has regular sales on fruit and veg (sometimes 70% off than certain items) - but only buy if it's on your basic shopping list.

I would then go to my local market for fruit and veg - if you don't have particular requirements I used to go about 4pm - as they sell everything off cheaper - also keep an eye out for the meat and fish man too - they don't want to take anything back with them on a sat night and will often sell for much less towards the end of the day.

If you do need to go to Tesco - try their own brand stuff, even down to their washing powder (I didn't buy value) but the next one up and fabric softner - it's just as good as the branded stuff. Again the later you go the more chance you have of picking up reduced stuff (food) because lots of it you can freeze.

One of the other things I started to do was make everything from scratch, sauces, soups, chilli, spag boll etc. It works out much cheaper and it tastes so much better. I made homemade leek and potato soup tonight - from 4 leeks, 4 potatoes butter and a dash of milk. My clan said it was the nicest soup i've made - and it only cost about £2.00 for the lot.

If you can get to Asda - that is fab for kids clothes, they look nice and last too.

For toiletries, if you have a Bodycare, Home & Bargain, Wilkinsons, - you can buy cleaning products from these places too. They're always cheaper than the supermarkets, and while the above might be a bit more time consuming it does help with your finances, and gives you a great sense of achievement when you've saved a few bob, you've eaten well and your little one looks nice. The other thing you can do - is use old fashioned cleaning methods whch will save you a fortune, vinegar for glass etc, lemon for microwave cleaning, - sorry for waffling but you got me on a roll and I felt for you as I've been in a similar situation and survived so wanted to give you some inspiration!!

Good luck

emmajon

hi - i was once in a similar situation once and i found the following always helped me. I would buy the basics in Aldi or Lidl - they have good quality things like pasta, tinned goods, rice etc - milk and bread is also cheaper there. Lidl also has regular sales on fruit and veg (sometimes 70% off than certain items) - but only buy if it's on your basic shopping list.

I would then go to my local market for fruit and veg - if you don't have particular requirements I used to go about 4pm - as they sell everything off cheaper - also keep an eye out for the meat and fish man too - they don't want to take anything back with them on a sat night and will often sell for much less towards the end of the day.

If you do need to go to Tesco - try their own brand stuff, even down to their washing powder (I didn't buy value) but the next one up and fabric softner - it's just as good as the branded stuff. Again the later you go the more chance you have of picking up reduced stuff (food) because lots of it you can freeze.

One of the other things I started to do was make everything from scratch, sauces, soups, chilli, spag boll etc. It works out much cheaper and it tastes so much better. I made homemade leek and potato soup tonight - from 4 leeks, 4 potatoes butter and a dash of milk. My clan said it was the nicest soup i've made - and it only cost about £2.00 for the lot.

If you can get to Asda - that is fab for kids clothes, they look nice and last too.

For toiletries, if you have a Bodycare, Home & Bargain, Wilkinsons, - you can buy cleaning products from these places too. They're always cheaper than the supermarkets, and while the above might be a bit more time consuming it does help with your finances, and gives you a great sense of achievement when you've saved a few bob, you've eaten well and your little one looks nice. The other thing you can do - is use old fashioned cleaning methods whch will save you a fortune, vinegar for glass etc, lemon for microwave cleaning, - sorry for waffling but you got me on a roll and I felt for you as I've been in a similar situation and survived so wanted to give you some inspiration!!

Good luck

Chipps

Hi

Definitely meal planning is the way to go! One way to get started is to write down what you have eaten for the past week or so & use that as a basis.

As far as children's clothes, I agree with Teedy23 who suggested freecycle. At least if the clothes are "bobbly & shrunk" you haven't paid for them! Also, if you have a good charity shop (would suggest a local charity rather than a countrywide one for best value, but try all) you might have luck there. It's worth popping in every so often, because you never know when the right person has donated something! I got 3 tops for myself for £1 each in Oxfam on Saturday, cos I noticed they had a sale; all clothes £1 and £2!

As far as Aldi & Lidl are concerned, I think their food is good quality - and Lidl do often have good prices for fruit & veg. I couldn't buy all I need in either of them so have to shop elsewhere as well, and as they are 10 miles away I make a list & make sure I get all my "big town" shopping, which includes those 2 shops, in one hit each month.

As you have said, the big thing is being organised. In most things, what we pay extra for is the convenience. So as long as you can organise/make/plan things for yourself you can save that extra cost.