The Spreadsheet Diva's MF Diary

SueP19

So do I. It's a real shame about the DF board because people who go there for help are at rock bottom, I felt guilty for the tiniest things and that's really hard when you feel so alone and terrified and ashamed xx

mrsp1987

I've not been in an unmanageable debt situation but I have been at rock bottom feeling scared, guilty and ashamed for other reasons. It's an awful place to be and it's hard to be honest and any comment can take on huge proportions if phrased the wrong way.
Not many people appreciate that for some boards like these are one of the few ways people with mental health issues can feel somewhat comfortable communicating with others, but it's still a delicate process.

SueP19

mrsp1987 wrote: »

I've not been in an unmanageable debt situation but I have been at rock bottom feeling scared, guilty and ashamed for other reasons. It's an awful place to be and it's hard to be honest and any comment can take on huge proportions if phrased the wrong way.
Not many people appreciate that for some boards like these are one of the few ways people with mental health issues can feel somewhat comfortable communicating with others, but it's still a delicate process.

I agree debt truly is an awful place to be in, whatever your reasons for the shame and guilt help is what you need not righteous do-gooders telling you how bad you are. In my experience a lot of people end up in debt because of many reasons, it's very rare that someone ends up running a muck with a credit card and the people who do seek help are those that want to change their life, they care about their families, they are not criminals and that's how I felt................a criminal. Debt exacerbates an mental illness

SueP19

Ok I have been thinking long and hard over my food situation (spending too much)

I have decided to cost out what I actually need for the month, there is really no point setting a target of £300 a month if that is unrealistic :D The costing will be based on the necessities and those things that OH can't live without (better to give in on this one than some more expensive things )

Now we don't do meal out (OH really doesn't like it) We don't drink (OH's dad was an alcoholic and we were always worried when DD was little that she would be ill and we would need to 999 it)

I am sure it will surprise me :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Stay tuned for the result :j

SueP19

Food for 4 weeks
Cost 4 wks
wraps................9.15
lettice................1.76
pickle................0.72
cherry toms........3.00
ham...................11.76
cheese...............14.00
n valley............. 5.56
brunch bars........ 3.30
cashew.............. 1.07
mixed salad........3.96
mayonnaise........0.80
grapes...............2.78
melon................8.00
bananas.............6.00
sweet clem.........3.72
apples................3.00
pears.................3.80
potatoes............. 19.00
new potatoes...... 3.00
carrots.............. 0.32
broccoli............. 0.64
cauliflower......... 2.00
frozen peas ....... 1.76
biscuits............ 2.10
tea bags..........8.00
sugar..............1.10
milk................ 7.50
butter............... 1.50
muller rice........ 12.00
GF sr flour........ 1.68
eggs................ 1.75
GF bread flour.. 1.73
stork............... 2.00
baked beans.....4.68
tom sauce........1.71
gravy.............. 2.07
mint sauce....... 0.99
onion chutney... 1.00
joint................ 18.00
sausages.......... 10.48
beefburgers...... 13.00
fish................. 28.50
mince.............. 19.48
quiche............. 8.00
stew meat........ 16.00
toilet rolls........ 4.00
shower gel....... 2.00
soap............... 1.00
shampoo......... 1.50
hair mouse....... 0.33
right guard..... 4.32
headache tablets.8.52
fairy gel......... 8.00
fairy wash up liq.. 2.00
bleach............... 1.00
butchers dog fd.. 23.33
arden grange..... 15.98
dog treats.......... 3.00

Total 424.04

Holy cr*p :eek::eek::eek: I must admit I thought it would go above the £300 BUT I really didn't expect some of those figures.............wraps, ham, cheese, muller, potatoes to name a few!!!

Edit...........keep thinking of a couple more bits

PrincessLou

Sue, I know the feeling of spending too much money on food. We've gone from spending £50 a week to spending around £80-90 per week over the last month. :eek:

I'm impressed with your list - must have taken you ages! Must do something similar myself. Is this list just essentials or you entire shop?

SueP19

PrincessLou wrote: »

Sue, I know the feeling of spending too much money on food. We've gone from spending £50 a week to spending around £80-90 per week over the last month. :eek:

I'm impressed with your list - must have taken you ages! Must do something similar myself. Is this list just essentials or you entire shop?

It is truly scary but it does include everything............going to print it off for OH :D

It' didn't take very long to be honest, I buy the same things every week so I just went through a typical day, worth doing.

There is nothing on there for cakes either. I only buy them for the weekend with cream but I bet that will add about £15 to the bill.................no wonder I am up at the £450 mark :(

chumpy45

I am always constantly trying to reduce my food bill. What a great idea - although I agree it will be quite scary to do. I will look out my old receipts and plot all the items recorded :eek: I am getting better with food plans and menus, but still need to reduce it. Watch this space :rotfl:

SueP19

chumpy45 wrote: »

I am always constantly trying to reduce my food bill. What a great idea - although I agree it will be quite scary to do. I will look out my old receipts and plot all the items recorded :eek: I am getting better with food plans and menus, but still need to reduce it. Watch this space :rotfl:

Go for it chumpy I plan and plan but still don't seem to get anywhere..................having made the list I know what's my hit list, not the fruit and veg that I imagined :rotfl:

gallygirl

SueP19 wrote: »

Food for 4 weeks
Cost 4 wks

cheese...............14.00
n valley............. 5.56
brunch bars........ 3.30
cashew.............. 1.07
mixed salad........3.96
mayonnaise........0.80
grapes...............2.78
melon................8.00
bananas.............6.00
sweet clem.........3.72
apples................3.00
pears.................3.80
potatoes............. 19.00
new potatoes...... 3.00
carrots.............. 0.32
broccoli............. 0.64
cauliflower......... 2.00
frozen peas ....... 1.76
biscuits............ 2.10
tea bags..........8.00
sugar..............1.10
milk................ 7.50
butter............... 1.50
muller rice........ 12.00
GF sr flour........ 1.68
eggs................ 1.75
GF bread flour.. 1.73
stork............... 2.00
baked beans.....4.68
tom sauce........1.71
gravy.............. 2.07
mint sauce....... 0.99
onion chutney... 1.00
joint................ 18.00
sausages.......... 10.48
beefburgers...... 13.00
fish................. 28.50
mince.............. 19.48
quiche............. 8.00
stew meat........ 16.00
toilet rolls........ 4.00
shower gel....... 2.00
soap............... 1.00
shampoo......... 1.50
hair mouse....... 0.33
right guard..... 4.32
headache tablets.85.20
fairy gel......... 8.00
fairy wash up liq.. 2.00
bleach............... 1.00
butchers dog fd.. 23.33
arden grange..... 15.98
dog treats.......... 3.00

Total 424.04

Holy cr*p :eek::eek::eek: I must admit I thought it would go above the £300 BUT I really didn't expect some of those figures.............wraps, ham, cheese, muller, potatoes to name a few!!!

Edit...........keep thinking of a couple more bits

:eek::eek::eek: Where do you do your shopping - Fortnum & Masons :rotfl:. Do you have an Aldi or Lidl nearby? Aldi's Super Six are really cheap and would give you variety. A few comments on what you buy:
Cheese - that is a LOT of cheese. What could you replace it with/cut down on? I think you said you wanted to lose weight - that can't be helping?
Potatoes - good grief :eek:. Is there a farm shop nearby where you can get a sack? That would apply to other veg as well 9and if not, Lidl's do really cheap bags of onions etc - check out 'Oniongate' on my diary from a few years ago where I bought a bag just before going on holiday and tried to use them all up :rotfl:).
Muller Rice - is that the one with strawberry jam :EasterBun:EasterBun:EasterBun. Can you find a cheaper own brand?
A lot of sausages and burgers - could you make your own - thinking of your health again? And a lot of meat in general - could you have one veggie meal a week - sell it to hubby on health grounds?
Headache tablets - :eek:. Is that right? That seems frightening tbh.

Martin :money: challenged people to go down a brand and see what difference it make taste wise - so if all is premium go down to standard etc. Might be worth trying?