Social life?

ohforsleep

I have been told by the cccs that the recommended amount allowed on a debt plan for social / recreational spending is £25 per month!

As a middle aged single parent, working full time, trying to rebuild a life how the hell do I do that on around £5 a week?

Does anyone have ideas that will help me get out, meet new people, stay positive etc that cost nothing. And of course cant require much travelling as there's nothing spare for petrol.
Thanks

Firehorse

I'm in a similar situation to yourself. Thanks to my registration with the above, my daughter and I had a free night at the cinema last week, parking was free as it was after 6pm, no munchies, just a bit towards petrol.

http://www.seefilmfirst.com/homepage.welcome.action

These are dependent upon where you live, so not regular, but a nice treat when it happens.

All the best

bowz25

Hi

I know what you mean about £25 i have that amount allocated as well.
I take the children (i have 2 to the cinemas with free tickets ) see this site and freebies board.
I also sometimes cut back in other areas like haircuts I now have mine done every 12 weeks instead of every 7. It is difficult and i have £10 a week for petrol so i now use the car less as well.
Our clothing allowance is only £30 per month for all of us (2 adults 2 children) but i try not to buy any clothes one month and use that for social.
I have stopped buying newspapers now and read the online ones.
i am sure others will give you good advice on this
bye for now.

ohforsleep

Thanks for those ideas. Good starters amd will help but I'm mainly after things I can do & meet people & have normal grown up conversations. I'd join a walking group but have arthitis in my knees. There must be something else
Ta

In_Search_Of_Me

what about a book club? YOu can get a book from the library & buy a drink when youre there...if you live in a big city/twon have a look atthe local web pages - I found mine on gumtree but I guess that a babysitter may be an issue as they take places in the eves. Or a fitness class? Crafting club etc...I have an allotment & its a great way of meeting people, getting fresh air & excercise! I absolutely love mine!

Jacks_xxx

:wave: Hiya hon,

We-ell you sort of have to juggle as well, and maybe make some extra income to help.

If we're having a particularly social month we eat a lot of baked beans and economise all over really.

For example: this month we're using Tesco value Shower gel, (13p) shampoo (59p) and conditioner (29p) in order to steal money from the food budget and we generate more cash by mystery shopping, eBaying, carbooting, gardening and babysitting etc.

Reading the paper online and stashing the allowance for a daily paper frees up a little bit too.

Seefilm first is fab. (I was going to suggest that.)

I invite my mates on a mystery shop as often as I can too.

What about a book club?

One of my friends swears by Gingerbread - she had to move to an new area with her kids and it really got her started meeting people.

http://www.gingerbread.org.uk/

I'm sure there must be more...

Love Jacks xxx

ohforsleep

ooo - book club brilliant idea. Allotment sounds good but i know nothing about green things

Snaggles

How about joining in our Saturday night parties on here? I can't promise 'grown up' conversation, but we do have a laugh and a chat. I know it's not the same as going out, but a cheap bottle of wine, X-Factor on the tv and a gossip with mates is pretty good fun. And then you can save your £25 for a 'proper' night out once a month.

Darren21

Cinema - sign up to the cinema thread over on freebies, great way to socialise as you can invite people and its not going to cost them anything. Also sign up to ipoints.co.uk as it doesn't take too long to get the 2,000 points needed for a £10 odeon voucher.

Mystery shopping is good also as it gets you out & going to new places, and also free and even earn a little bit.

Enter lots of competitions to win days out etc etc (local comps are always the best as less people enter!)

Sign up to quidco, pigsback, shopandscan and anything else like that - every little helps! Collect tesco clubcard points when good deals are on - use the points for days out.

In_Search_Of_Me

You dont need to know abot green things! I have to say I've grown very little but have got very involved and met people...usually spend more time chatting! Plus there is always someone (usually loads!) of people to give you advice & lots of info for the beginner at allotments.uk....go for it! Its a great time of year to get one & you can get cheap tools at car boots!!