Advice on a food budget

Linda32

Another way to go about it is add up your total spend for 4 weeks. Lets say it comes to £186.54, next 4 weeks try to budget at £45 per week which would be £180

maman

Linda32 wrote: »

Another way to go about it is add up your total spend for 4 weeks. Lets say it comes to £186.54, next 4 weeks try to budget at £45 per week which would be £180

I agree with the method and I know it's just an example.

But for one adult and a toddler eating no meat I'd say £35 a week is adequate.

There's an elderly lady who posts on here that draws out the cash for a month and keeps it in a separate purse. Anything left over she saves to help her family out at holiday times. I think sometimes it can make you think if you're parting with cash.

determined_new_ms

maman wrote: »

I agree with the method and I know it's just an example.

But for one adult and a toddler eating no meat I'd say £35 a week is adequate.

There's an elderly lady who posts on here that draws out the cash for a month and keeps it in a separate purse. Anything left over she saves to help her family out at holiday times. I think sometimes it can make you think if you're parting with cash.

I think this only works for some though. I find it really hard not to spend money, if I get it out it seems to go like water and I can't remember what I spent it on. I'm a lot more disciplined if I have my card. Don't know why but it really is how it goes for me!

Tink_04

I have a budget of £300 for 2 adults and 2 kids - we have 2 cats and buy toiletries out of this too x

FrugalWeirdo83

Hi all,
I really don't know how much I spend a month on shopping as I usually just pay on my debit card but feel I could be overspending so want to draw money out of the account once a month and basically live on that to give me an idea of what i'm actually spending. My household comprises myself and a toddler, both of whom are vegetarian. I was thinking £200 a month for everything (including shampoo, cleaning products, nappies etc) Does this seem a sensible amount to start with

SunnyGirl

That seems reasonable to me. I live on my own now and have a budget of between £120 and £130 per month for everything including dog food, cat food (I have one of each), all cleaning products, deodorant, hairspray, shampoo etc.


Maybe it'd be worth going through your bank statements to add up what you normally spend then you'll know if £200 is reasonable for you now or if you need to cut down more slowly? Get a monthly amount for the last 3 months then you can find an average

SunnyGirl

Also have a look at this thread where you asked the same question in April this year as you may not have seen the replies and there's loads of good advice there http://https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5638275

maman

I'd suggest you keep a spending diary for the next month. For me this has a two fold benefit. It lets you know where the money's going so that when you review you can see where saving's might be made. The other bonus is that the very fact that you have to write it down might stop you spending freely.


When you have a better idea then you could come on here again and ask for tips to cut back.


I realise it's a bit different with a little one but I don't find I spend a huge amount on everyday toiletries or cleaning materials. Apart from special stuff from cosmetic counters (which are treats or gifts) I buy most of the rest from £ shops or Aldi.

Pollycat

Checking your bank statements would be a good start.
And - as already suggested - a spending diary where you list everything food related that you pay cash for.

suki1964

Spending diary is the first step

Every penny spent on food drink sweets snacks etc, you need to write it down

As the expression goes, bite it write it, only add drinks as well

Until you have that in black and white in all honesty you cannot write a food budget