Seriously struggling - any advice would be appreciated!

luckofthe_irish

suki1964 wrote: »

Google making yoghurt in a flask. Plenty of tutorials. Borrow a flask to try it out first if you do t have one. Yoghurt really is easy to make, you don't need to buy those sachets

How many gym clothes do you actually need? I gather you go twice a day but surely three days worth of clothes is enough? Two days worth being washed and dried whilst you wear the third days?

When you work out a budget you need to factor in haircuts, entertainment ( that's hen weekends, nights out, books, cinema, everything ) and put aside that money every month. You need to work out car costs for the year, mot, servicing, repayments, petrol, and put that money aside every month

It's only when you have all those costs ( along with the usual rent, electric , gas, water, phone etc ) earmarked from your income do you have your food money and spending money left

That's when we have to make stark choices about what we can actually afford

That's how we on this board try to eat as healthily as we can for as little as we can so that we have the extra money for the little things that make life a bit more comfortable or for those of us who have enough clutter, to stash away into savings, be it for our old age, the world cruise, the new car, whatever

As you have identified already you spend a lot of income on protein shakes and snacks. Do you actually need a protein powder? Can that extra protein not come from eating a high protein diet? I'm no nutritionist nor a gym bunny, but I do remember seeing something on one of those types of programmes that protein from eggs,lentils and milk are more beneficial then a shake or even a steak. Perhaps you can do some research ? High energy bars are flapjacks, easy made at home and after the initial outlay of the added seeds and nuts , will be cheaper in the long run ( oats are oats be it budget or named brand, pound land do seeds and nut mixes, dried fruit is dried fruit)

The grocery bill is probably the only place you have wiggle room. There's a thread here on this board, how to feed a family of four for£20. Now that's too extreme for me, I feed three of us for an average of £35 a week and I have two big meat eaters to cater for. I'm also lucky that I can buy chicken really cheap, have my own supply of eggs and we do grow some veg, we eat a lot of cabbage, carrots and parsnips and sprouts as they are the only things we can grow up here . Boring but hey it's fresh veg

A single person could easily cut their bill down considerably just by changing the way they shop, perhaps changing the menu, and by meal planning.

Meal planning doesn't have to mean Monday is such and such, Tuesday such and such, set in stone, can't deviate My way of meal planning is taking stock of what's in the house already then planning around that, going to lidl , finding the best value protein source to supplement and building around that. Whatever perishables I buy have to be used in that week. So I might get a big cauliflower to go with Sunday dinner, the other half will be used either in a curry or Chinese style meal later in the week or served up with sausages or chops. It doesn't get to go soft, if it does, it's soup

It's hard to make your money fit the month. I remember being single living on my own and booking a holiday ( first ever) thinking well I'll not be home that week so I've that money for spending money, then the realisation that the rent and rates etc still had to be paid :eek: Was a wake up call for me. Since then I've always put something away for a rainy day - or a holiday

Hopefully this doesn't sound like a sermon. Hopefully after the shock of this month you will also feel more determined to get a grip of your income and get the best from it so you can get a safety net behind you and not have to use your cc

Stay posting

Suki, it definitely doesn't sound like a sermon. I evidently need all the advice I can get as I am not doing too well at it all at the moment. I grew up in a house where money was never an issue so I have been living that way as well... even though money is obviously an issue as I live in my overdraft constantly despite making an OK wage for my age and having none to look after except me!

I have homemade yogurt on the go right now so fingers crossed with that one. I agree about the gym clothes, they are my pick-me-up treat but I do have enough for my two-a-day gym habit so I have put a temporary ban on any new clothes for now.

I have compiled my budget for this month and I simply don't have enough money for all my fixed expenses and everything I have planned. It is very disheartening. I am not sure where I am going to cut money from at the moment but I guess it will be from somewhere. I didn't even have anything left over to allocate to fun money, eating out, cinema - all the things that I enjoy doing a couple of times a month with friends. I am not sure what I am going to do apart from once again get into my overdraft or CC.

I eat a very high protein diet so do need the powder to supplement as I also eat tonnes of eggs, chicken, lentils, beans etc. as well. But I will deffo look into reducing the amount I use to get longer out of it.

My meal plan for the week so far is:
Breakfast: overnight oats with fruit&granola,
Snack: homemade muffin with yogurt
Lunch: Indonesian fried rice with YS mackerel and jelly for dessert
Snack: homemade flapjacks and an apple
Dinner: red lentil dahl with brown rice and an egg
Snack: yogurt/porridge

I eat loads :rotfl: but what I have bought in the supermarkets today should cover all of this! I shopped in Aldi, Lidl and Tesco to try and get the best deals. Ended up spending too much I think but it is a reduction on what my first usual shop after payday is. Everything is already made and ready to go except the rice dish which I will make this evening.

I also bought a chicken to roast - as I don't need this straight away should I freeze it whole or cook it and then freeze it? Not sure what to do with it now I have bought it!

I feel so in awe of all your wonderful responses. Sometimes it is daunting doing this alone and I then spend money to make myself feel better (hello gym clothes habit). Thank you to you all for taking the time out to respond and help me out - it really is appreciated.

freyasmum

Hello

I'm wondering if it might be an idea for you to do an SOA, even if you don't post it on the Debt-Free wannabe board?

We've started doing a spending diary and it can be quite an eye opening experience (and I'd say we're not too bad with money!). We do spend what would be a lot to some people on food though.

One thing I would add is to make sure that all of your bills are correct - we recently had to contact our water company as our bill went from £13 to.... £52 :eek: :eek: Also, make sure that you are no longer paying for any old bills/subscriptions that you used to have, etc - for example, any old insurances.

It's all a learning experience and, you've said yourself, you're young and came from a family where money wasn't an issue. Staying within a budget is a skill that needs to be learned, and you've already recognised the need for it. Well done.

And good luck

Meekie

Sorry for the delay in replying, Phizzimum. Here is my slow cooker recipe - there are lots of similar ones on the web.

Put a 4 pint bottle of semi skimmed milk into the slow cooker and turn on to high. Leave it for 2- 2.5 hours, then turn it off and let it cool (lid on) for around 3 hours (lid partially off for 2 if short on time!). Then stir in a small pot of live yogurt - it must have live cultures in it so check the back of the pack before you buy it. I buy a little Yeo valley one but I'm sure there are cheaper options. Apparently this needs to be stirred in round and round, up and down and side to side! Then pop the lid of the slow cooker back on and tuck the slow cooker up in a towel and leave it to slowly cool overnight. In the morning, the milk will have set into yogurt and some eat it as it is. I strain mine for 3 hours using a muslin in a colander which separates the thick creamy yogurt from the whey fluid. I find the yogurt improves a little with age and often lacks the yummy tartness on the first day. I then save a little bit of my yogurt to add to the next batch for the cultures so all you need second time round is the milk.

Luck of the Irish - For a long time my incomings and ougoings didn't balance either and I did the 'head in the sand' approach which I wouldn't recommend. After several years I was majorly in debt and it has taken a long time to escape. I think you've made great steps here in recognising the issues and dealing with them. I hope it works out for you. :T

luckofthe_irish

Meekie wrote: »

Sorry for the delay in replying, Phizzimum. Here is my slow cooker recipe - there are lots of similar ones on the web.

Put a 4 pint bottle of semi skimmed milk into the slow cooker and turn on to high. Leave it for 2- 2.5 hours, then turn it off and let it cool (lid on) for around 3 hours (lid partially off for 2 if short on time!). Then stir in a small pot of live yogurt - it must have live cultures in it so check the back of the pack before you buy it. I buy a little Yeo valley one but I'm sure there are cheaper options. Apparently this needs to be stirred in round and round, up and down and side to side! Then pop the lid of the slow cooker back on and tuck the slow cooker up in a towel and leave it to slowly cool overnight. In the morning, the milk will have set into yogurt and some eat it as it is. I strain mine for 3 hours using a muslin in a colander which separates the thick creamy yogurt from the whey fluid. I find the yogurt improves a little with age and often lacks the yummy tartness on the first day. I then save a little bit of my yogurt to add to the next batch for the cultures so all you need second time round is the milk.

Luck of the Irish - For a long time my incomings and ougoings didn't balance either and I did the 'head in the sand' approach which I wouldn't recommend. After several years I was majorly in debt and it has taken a long time to escape. I think you've made great steps here in recognising the issues and dealing with them. I hope it works out for you. :T

This is pretty much the recipe I used Meekie! So glad I have done it a half right way - I will be straining after work, I am excited to see how it has turned out.

Thank you for the support. I actually was thinking in my ridiculous state of mind that it was better when I didn't budget because then I didn't realise that I didn't have enough money to do the things I love doing. I have snapped out of that now and know that this is the best way forward, even if it doesn't feel like it!

luckofthe_irish

freyasmum wrote: »

Hello

I'm wondering if it might be an idea for you to do an SOA, even if you don't post it on the Debt-Free wannabe board?

We've started doing a spending diary and it can be quite an eye opening experience (and I'd say we're not too bad with money!). We do spend what would be a lot to some people on food though.

One thing I would add is to make sure that all of your bills are correct - we recently had to contact our water company as our bill went from £13 to.... £52 :eek: :eek: Also, make sure that you are no longer paying for any old bills/subscriptions that you used to have, etc - for example, any old insurances.

It's all a learning experience and, you've said yourself, you're young and came from a family where money wasn't an issue. Staying within a budget is a skill that needs to be learned, and you've already recognised the need for it. Well done.

And good luck

I also spend a LOT on food for a single person:rotfl:! I will start compiling an SOA and see where I am - I don't have any assets but it might be interesting to see what my shortfall is of all the things I usually do vs what I can actually afford to do!

I check my bills religiously - it is so important isn't it!! It is crazy how one or two can make such a difference month on month.

Thank you for the continued support. I am doing my best and posting is making me feel somewhat accountable for what I do day to day.

phizzimum

Thank you Meekie, I look forward to trying it

luckofthe_irish

Hi all,

Just a quick update - I made the yogurt in the slow cooker and it turned out so well :T! I have tonnes of yogurt to eat now and have been using the liquid whey in my smoothies and baking to up the protein so there is no waste. So easy and simple to do - thanks so much for the recommendation.

Slowly running out of money as always but the budget is holding up so far. I go to Uni every Wednesday and managed to totally avoid buying any extra snacks/drinks while I was there (8-6) so it was NSD and I am delighted. My budget and this thread is really making me feel accountable - I am just wondering how long it will last :rotfl:!

The fitness band I have had my eye on for months has just been reduced on Amaz*n to £113 and I have put it in and out of my basket so many times for the last two days I am feeling dizzy. Is it something I buy because it is reduced, I have wanted it for a long time and know I will wear it everyday? I am so unsure of what to do:(!

suki1964

luckofthe_irish wrote: »

Hi all,

Just a quick update - I made the yogurt in the slow cooker and it turned out so well :T! I have tonnes of yogurt to eat now and have been using the liquid whey in my smoothies and baking to up the protein so there is no waste. So easy and simple to do - thanks so much for the recommendation.

Slowly running out of money as always but the budget is holding up so far. I go to Uni every Wednesday and managed to totally avoid buying any extra snacks/drinks while I was there (8-6) so it was NSD and I am delighted. My budget and this thread is really making me feel accountable - I am just wondering how long it will last :rotfl:!

The fitness band I have had my eye on for months has just been reduced on Amaz*n to £113 and I have put it in and out of my basket so many times for the last two days I am feeling dizzy. Is it something I buy because it is reduced, I have wanted it for a long time and know I will wear it everyday? I am so unsure of what to do:(!

Can you afford to buy it without having to go into overdraft or cc this month?

If you can't, then you can't afford it

Unless you can raise the money by perhaps selling on Facebook odds and sods you no long want , need, use

Slowly57

luckofthe_irish wrote: »

The fitness band I have had my eye on for months has just been reduced on Amaz*n to £113 and I have put it in and out of my basket so many times for the last two days I am feeling dizzy. Is it something I buy because it is reduced, I have wanted it for a long time and know I will wear it everyday? I am so unsure of what to do:(!

Have you Googled to see if anyone else is selling cheaper (Tesco/Argos spring to mind) - or on eBay (we have a home gym equipped for very little off eBay).

Also - bear in mind Christmas is coming and you might find them in the run-up/Boxing Day sales discounted).

Finally, can you trade down for less bells and whistles? Best under £50 reviews here:
http://www.wareable.com/fitness-trackers/best-budget-fitness-trackers-under-gbp-50

If you're hesitating - then do you truly really need this more than being out of debt? Can you ask for a contribution to your tracker fund from your friends/family members for Christmas? Can you sell something you have no use for to fund it?

Don't let a sale price panic you into buying something - it isn't a bargain if you can't really afford it now. (Can you tell I've been there - done that lol).

Slowly57

Also https://www.lowcostwearables.com