“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

WannabeFree

I've looked over the grocery spends and I think £100 a month is achievable. On the shorter months it allows for the washing powder/toiletries etc so the 5 week months are still £20 a week.

School snack I can't change yet. It's £1 each a week.

School other is currently empty. Until I get my first UC payment. It will obviously be the summer holidays when it's fed this months £25 but that will cover the smalls uniform. The plan is July's and August's will cover the uniform and shoes etc. Then September's the coats.

I don't really think there's anything I can cut. But as usual I'm always open to ideas

teafor2

Hi WB No ideas I'm afraid but will you know before you need to buy new uniform about the school situation? Also, how are you finding your gas and electric budget. Do you think you'll be able to build something up for the colder months?

Love a countdown to going on holiday. It's good to have something to look forward to. x

greenbee

I hope you'll find that your gas and electric come down soon, as it seems a lot to me. Hopefully you're building up credit at the moment as without heating gas should be fairly low over the summer. I use oil for heating and hot water, so it's difficult to compare, and I'm also away a lot so my electricity probably isn't comparable, but it does seem high.

Your water also seems high - are you on a meter? At least that gives you the option to use less if you need to reduce costs (I'm aware that children need washing frequently, but as they're small hopefully it doesn't take a huge amount of water!). My water bill (water only, I don't pay for drainage) is only £6.30 based on meter readings (again, I'm away a lot which may help, but I do use some in the garden - for example washing the patio) and I think that if you opt to have a meter and it costs more they let you go back to your non-metered rate.

janb5

Hi..you can only go back to a non meter within the first year. After that you cant change

WannabeFree

Thank you

Tea I'm unsure about the school. Just waiting for a place. However the new school has the same colour dress etc it would just be the logo items and polo shirts that would need changing.

The gas and electric are in credit. They said they'd look at reducing after 6 months however I'm aware that's just as we will be coming up to winter so might leave it until it's been a full 12 months to get a better idea? I want to do everything possible to make sure I don't get any debt.

The water isn't metered. Every time I've asked they say it will be more expensive. I did try swapping to a support tariff which is slightly less but I don't have debt with them anymore so don't qualify. I have asked for it be reconsidered but not holding my breath

Thank you again
x

WannabeFree

Meal plan is ..

Breakfast - Toast/Porridge

Lunch - Sandwich/salad/something on toast

Dinners -
Monday - Chicken fajitas/salad
Tuesday - tomato pasta bake/salad
Wednesday - spag bol
Thursday - lasagne
Friday - jacket potato/salad
Saturday - curry
Sunday - roast dinner

Snacks will be whatever we bake/yogurt and fruit.

Shopping list done and still around the £20 mark. Slightly under this week.

greenbee

Can I come round to yours to eat? Your meal plan looks great, and I'm amazed how well you feed your family for so little. Have you thought about blogging about eating on a tight budget?

Sun_Addict

Amazed how well you do meals wise on such a low budget, well done xx

jwil

Glad the meds are helping. Hope you have a good week

WannabeFree

Morning

Monday again

All 3 smalls are off school with this cold type bug. High temps and barking!

I just wanted to add about the budget. I realise some of the categories are more generous than any of my other budgets. I feel I just kept setting myself up to fail. I know I'll need to buy uniform/coats. I know we will have train fares over to the children's hospital etc. Before I never left room for these and then was robbing from one bill/pot to cover and then trying to catch up. Where as now all the pots definitely cover the expenses needed/upcoming. Rather than saying we'll manage of so little that even £1 for snack is being robbed out the debt repayment pot etc. The budget now is realistic and liveable with and while that means there's only a tiny amount for the debt repayment and it will take a lot longer we won't be struggling for food etc.

Hope that makes sense.

Hope you all have a lovely day