First post... shopping budget

kati123

This is my first post here so feel free to move it if it is in the wrong place..

I've decided to post (bit of a big deal for me) to see if I can get help with budgeting my food allowance..


I'm usually 'good' with my money (meaning I stay within my means, but by no means a good saver or go without)
Since I have had to quit college halfway through for personal reasons I am now being sued for my loan to be paid back and also for childcare (which college was supposed to pay for but didn't and now claim they have used all their money this financial year, so tough cookies, and now I am liable) so basically I'm in trouble and need to kerb all spending to as little as possible.


I've set myself a goal of a shopping budget of £30 a week...

I can make spag' bol, and that's about it...
I have lived off micro meals twice a day for a bit too long..
I also eat bad takeaway too much as I'm usually out and no other way to eat than takeaway..

I'm coming to the fact I need to seriously change the way I am living in able to pay back roughly 3k that is owed.. (they want it within a month but my lawyer is working on this, I do not want a CCJ on my name and actually have very good credit rating, I just recently got a 2nd hand car which is on my overdraft and also want this paid off as I hate the idea of being in debt, this is my first time.. and its been about 4 months since I've been into it..)


Other few bits of information, I am a single mum with a 3year old and 7year old..

I have scoured the internet for 'how to live within x budget' and although I've found many helpful sites.. I could use someone to hold my hand a little with meal planning and such as I am NO good at it...


Staying in to save money (I usually drive distances to do things with friends or with kids) is mostly my option of saving money that and keeping a low shopping budget....

Thanks for anyone who replies


a very upset and in trouble single mummy...

moohound

Well done on taking the first step, consider posting an SOA and look at all your outgoings not just food shopping and are you getting all the benefits you are entitled to?

I have no experience of student loans (they were not invented when I started University) , but someone will be along to help with that one.

Look on the other boards for advice regarding making tasty meals from scratch, If you can make spaghetti bolognese, then you can make chilli curry or a casserole just as easily. It can be hard with kids if they are picky though, I think they get used to eating a certain way and it can take a little while to change habits.

Have you tried Aldi or any of the other discounters?

Don't stay in if its good weather you will get depressed, is there a park/beach/museum/library or any other free activities you can do with the children nearby?

Good luck and try not to despair

Grumpelstiltskin

Kati Go over to the Old Style Board.


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33




The lovely people over there will help you.

kati123

Thanks Moohound, , I am getting all my benefits, and my outgoings are actually quite small as I have told my ex partner about them and because he has been in debt himself he has decided to help me out a lot...


Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 2
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 940
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 940
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0 (Housing benefit)
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0 (My ex partner pays)
Electricity............................. 71
Gas..................................... 42
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 40
TV Licence.............................. 0 (ex has it as a direct debit)
Satellite/Cable TV...................... (ex pays so the kids get tv.. I don't watch tv)
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 220 - an idea of what I'd like to spend or less
Clothing................................ 0 - don't buy clothes it's not a priority to me
Petrol/diesel........................... 260 - my main thing I choose to spend my money on (I go to friends, parks with kids, car meets)
Road tax................................ 25
Car Insurance........................... 0 (my mum pays this for me)
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 30
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0 (just ran out and cant afford it)
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 0 (decided its cheaper to grow )
Entertainment........................... 8.99 (my only entertainment is game subscription)
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 696.99

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 2000 (my main passion)
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 2000

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Overdraft......................2400......0.........0 (£6 per month for being in it)
Mastercard.....................1500......0.........0 (balance transfer from a Barclaycard at 39.9% apr to 0% for 13 months)
Childcare - Sued...............1180......0.........0
loan repayment - sued..........1500......0.........0
Total unsecured debts..........6580......0.........-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 940
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 696.99
Available for debt repayments........... 243.01
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 0
Amount left after debt repayments....... 243.01
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 2,000
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -6,580
Net Assets.............................. -4,580



I know this seems small debt and that I have it easy due to my ex helping me out but I feel like I'm relying on other peoples help and I hate it... I also have never owed money before and although this seems small to others on the forum.. it's really upsetting me.. I tried to get part time jobs and there is nothing out there that would make me better off..


As for food, my children aren't that picky, I just really lack the ideas of food to eat


I live in a small town where the only supermarkets we have are morrisons, sainsburys and a lidl... tescos, asda and aldi are 16 miles away from me. I'm not a very good shopper, I wander around and come out with nothing or end up spending over £100 and going home to have nothing for dinner and I don't understand how I do it..


Again very little to do where I live except walking, I have started geocaching with the kids that they enjoy...


Thanks for you're input Moohound




Thanks for the link Grumpel, I shall have a look

moohound

I don't meal plan properly, but I kind of do it in my head, for example today I am roasting a chicken to have with mash and veg and Yorkshire puds etc, (mine is minus the chicken I am a veggie but son and husband are carnivores) tomorrow they will have chicken and chips and peas, husband will also get one lot of pack up sarnies out of it.

My sons favourite is omelette with cheese and ham, really easy and quick to make.

When I shop I think of what things go together to make meals, some people are really organised and make lists and do whiteboards and stuff.

Try not to think that you are not good at something, it is only practice like everything else in life. We used to waste loads of food, it was awful and I was spending £125 a week in Sainsbugs to throw half of it away, but I made myself plan better and now it comes more easily.

Sunshine22_2

Hi Kati

I can't help with the student loan situation, I am surprised they are suing rather than setting you up with a payment plan, but this is the SLC so it's difficult to predict them, good luck with this battle.

In terms of meals, my godchildren are 3 & 4 and happily eat through these and they are all so cheap to make:

* Cheesey spuds - Jacket potatoes, spoon the filling out into a bowl, mix with grated cheese, put back in to the skins as under the grill to brown (can add bacon, onions etc)
* Chilli - cheap rice, mince, an onion, some chilli powder and a tin of tomotoes
* Beans on toast - a surprisingly good meal
* Pasta and a simple sauce (eg chopped tomatoes, some packet herbs and an onion)

There are so many more on the OS board, the people over there can do wonders (I used them and seem to have got my shopping down to £25 a week for the 2 grown ups).

The thread prices may be a little old now but the ideas remain valid:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5010839
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4148389

Hopefully you will find some inspiration over there. I would absoluely reccommend meal planning and shopping list writing, it helps frame your mind and uses what is in the cupboard. Can you shop online with one of the cheaper stores? Make a cup of tea, while the kids are in bed, and it keeps a running total of your virtual basket which is very grounding!!

Also, try Youtube for budgeting tips and grocery 'hauls', there are a lot of people on there shopping on tight budgets (often in America but again, ideas are transferable)

Your petrol spend is high, which I appreciate why, but can your other mummy friends come to you occasionally and have the kids play together? Be honest with those you trust, say you can't afford it, and you will find they may even bring a cheer-you-up cake or some biscuits!!

I spoke to no-one for about 2 years when I was in a lot of debt, so they weren't understanding about my reduced desire to go out drinking champagne and going on holiday. Those I trusted most were so insanely supportive, such as paying the bill in the coffee shop without me knowing, implementing a secret Santa at Christmas to reduce the number of presents we needed to buy, and inviting me for dinner round their houses rather than eating out!

Try to go into this with a positive mentality, it will keep you sane!

Hopefully this has helped, take only what will work for you from it, I am just rambling from my own experience!!

S xx

HappyMJ

Your electricity bill is quite high..does that include some arrears? Have you looked around for the best price. Even renting you are allowed to switch suppliers and get cash back on Quidco/Topcashback to get the best deal.

kati123

moohound, I feel I defo need to meal plan as otherwise I will get forgetful/distracted/disorganised. Lists are the way forward for me I think thanks for your comments

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Hi Sunshine, thanks ever so much for your post...


The student loan was basically we want it back.. sue... and as I was looking after my ill mum down south I missed my court date, which now means I have 1 month from a few days ago to pay over £1k - ouch!

I really like your ideas for meals - those are the sorts of ideas I was looking for and will defo give them a try this week..
I have already been sifting through some links and finding out how unorganised I really am... time to get a pen and paper and write down some meal plans, and some other sorts..
Asda and Tesco will deliver and found a Tesco meal planner online but their website is very buggy and keeps crashing even while trying to put items into a basket so I gave up for just now with that one.


My petrol spend is high, it's a full tank once a week. I am a slight petrol head and as I don't go on holidays, go out with friends drinking/parties/cinema/buy dvds and what not that I could have a high budget for petrol?! maybe it's slightly too high?
I am 24 and not long moved to where I am so lacking in the friends department here. Due to me being a petrol head and going to car meets/cruises on weekends without kiddies every 2nd weekend I have met one or two new people, but they all involve cars and driving the other friends I have, I am currently sifting through and removing as they are more of around when they want something type of people... which leads me to..
I also have/had (working on it) this issue with money in which if my mates have none I end up feeling bad for them and paying for it anyways, I've known what it's like to have nothing so help people out a lot and I have now learnt the hard way about people taking advantage and then when I'm in trouble go running out with other friends with money to help them go out and do stuff..
Having a slight life crisis and mental break down I think..


I am trying to have a positive mentality about cutting down on costs of living as it will defo help me learn to take control of my life


Thanks so much for your post


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HappyMJ - I have no arrears on my account, I am with britishgas and I admit I haven't switched for about 5yrs.. I thought it was getting high and checked online and according to the online viewer my elecy usage has more than doubled since 2yrs ago. I have no idea as to why, my PC is on during the day for the most, but tv, light are all off... I maybe do 3 washings a week max and my microwave, kettle even my toaster is off unless in use (which is rare) my cooker is gas, and my central heating is also gas...

poppasmurf_bewdley

OP - Just a thought. Do you have an Iceland store near you? I find they have very good prices for meat, fish, frozen veg, etc, and also have a good range to choose from. They also do good deals on a limited range of tinned food and bottled goods, etc.

HappyMJ

kati123 wrote: »

HappyMJ - I have no arrears on my account, I am with britishgas and I admit I haven't switched for about 5yrs.. I thought it was getting high and checked online and according to the online viewer my elecy usage has more than doubled since 2yrs ago. I have no idea as to why, my PC is on during the day for the most, but tv, light are all off... I maybe do 3 washings a week max and my microwave, kettle even my toaster is off unless in use (which is rare) my cooker is gas, and my central heating is also gas...

Thank you for your response. You need to get this sorted you should be able to get this right down. £35-£40 per month is closer to average (12p/kWh plus £5 standing charges). As you have access to your usage figures you should be able to find your annual usage. Your usage is quite average so it should be around the 3,000kWh to 3,500kWh per year mark and as you have gas for heating, hot water and cooking then it should be pretty even usage throughout the year at around 60kWh per week. If you want to you could get in to the habit of reading the meter on a weekly basis and finding ways of reducing this. Lighting doesn't use much it's things that generate heat that use the most such as a clothes dryer...or a immersion heating element left on in a hot water cylinder. Computers don't use that much either.

kati123

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

OP - Just a thought. Do you have an Iceland store near you? I find they have very good prices for meat, fish, frozen veg, etc, and also have a good range to choose from. They also do good deals on a limited range of tinned food and bottled goods, etc.

There is one here yes, I've never really used Iceland before..
I will defo go have a look in there tomorrow...


New week, new budget, new food..

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HappyMJ - I have just checked online, last month I used 1663.34 kWh the month before was 572.69 - my average is about 908 kWh which is £108


How do I go about finding out which is ultimately cheaper? I know there can be fees for leaving and price rises and I'm not completely clued up about all that..