Is it possible to survive on £450 a month?

Cookiee

Hi all


I need your advice. Due to how much childcare costs in our area, it looks like my husband will have to give up his job (I earn more) and become a stay at home dad.


After basic bills and debt covered, we will be left with £450 a month to cover petrol, food, clothing for 2 adults and 1 child under 1. Is it possible? This would leave us approx. £110 a week. I would love any tips and ideas on how to survive on this amount.


Thanks x

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bexster1975

Hello

I would visit the old style board, they love a challenge. How much petrol do you need to use a week/month? I bet old style could have you on less than half your £450 per month for food and other groceries!

Give a bit of detail on what's left for groceries, clothes etc and I bet there is a way

Bexster

QueenBeruthiel

Can you give us more information? Are you on maternity leave? Family living nearby?

Cookiee

I will be on maternity leave for 6 months next year and we have saved enough to cover my wages drop to cover bills. When I go back, my DH will stop work so the only wage coming in will be mine. After all bills (mortgage, water, gas, electric etc) I will have £450 left. This will include the £80 a month CCredit. We have no family close by and child care would be £1100 a month (which is £50 more than what my current husband earns). We have no family close by.


£100 a week should be doable but having never had kids and now one on the way (after 2 yrs ttc and after 6 mc's) I want to plan now for a drastic change in money... be prepared :-)


We are planning on getting rid of my car as I can walk to work (2 miles away) so only the 1 car. We don't have any subscriptions, have freeview, mobiles come to £15 a month for both of us and apart from 1 credit card on a 24 month 0%, no other debt. I am guessing we would use about £25 a week in petrol, leaving £85 ish for clothes for baby, food for us all. I have never cooked from scratch before so will be doing this and will be looking on old style boards for tips etc.

bexster1975

I think old styles will be able to help you a lot. Could DH get something to do part time when you are not at work? Just to top up the coffers a bit and keep him in work

Bexster

missbiggles1

Cookiee wrote: »

I will be on maternity leave for 6 months next year and we have saved enough to cover my wages drop to cover bills. When I go back, my DH will stop work so the only wage coming in will be mine. After all bills (mortgage, water, gas, electric etc) I will have £450 left. This will include the £80 a month CCredit. We have no family close by and child care would be £1100 a month (which is £50 more than what my current husband earns). We have no family close by.


£100 a week should be doable but having never had kids and now one on the way (after 2 yrs ttc and after 6 mc's) I want to plan now for a drastic change in money... be prepared :-)


We are planning on getting rid of my car as I can walk to work (2 miles away) so only the 1 car. We don't have any subscriptions, have freeview, mobiles come to £15 a month for both of us and apart from 1 credit card on a 24 month 0%, no other debt. I am guessing we would use about £25 a week in petrol, leaving £85 ish for clothes for baby, food for us all. I have never cooked from scratch before so will be doing this and will be looking on old style boards for tips etc.

If you're at work full time and he's at home, surely he should be the one learning to cook?

Don't make a rod for your back.

QueenBeruthiel

It's good that you are preparing so far in advance.

We are planning on getting rid of my car as I can walk to work (2 miles away) so only the 1 car.

Can't you take the car? If not, look at alternatives: car share, bus, cycling. It will be hard walking to work after a broken night and back after a day's work, not to mention adding about 1½ hours to your working day.

I am guessing we would use about £25 a week in petrol, leaving £85 ish for clothes for baby, food for us all.

Looks do-able, especially if you stock up while you have two wages coming in.

Check out other boards for tips, here and on mumsnet, etc.

You will probably get loads of newborn size clothes as presents, so buy large (sales and ebay) and baby will grow into those items.

bexster1975

I would also say re:small people's clothes that car boot sales are amazing. Littlies grow so quick they are out of clothes before they are in them. Many toys also go very cheaply. A wash of clothes or wipe of many toys and they are good as new.

As for you and OH, the sales are your friend for clothes ( apparently some good winter stuff in clearance sales online currently). Charity shops for top clothes are also great if your area has good shops ( I confess I draw the line at undergarments and shoes, but that's just me!)

Bexster

Cookiee

That's very true about walking lol Hopefully it will help me lose the baby weight but we will car share. I don't want them to be stuck at home all day so we will work it out.


DH will be doing the cooking (my mum is going to teach him lol) but we will be doing sharing of everything (including the sleepless nights lol)

PasturesNew

It's plenty. £450 before bills is doable. £450 after bills is positively comfy.

PeacefulSlumber

If you have a Lidl near by their nappies and wipes are fantastic and a fraction of the cost of the big brands.