Moving into new flat on Saturday - help with Budget?

iamashoppingaddict

Hey guys,

I'm moving into a second floor flat on Saturday morning with my darling other half. I've lived by myself before but for various reasons moved back with my Mum. I've got pretty much all that I need apart from basics like bin for bathroom and living room and the like. All cheap stuff which I'll get from the pound shop.

Like I said I've lived by myself before but this flat has electric storage heaters which I've never had before. Its a modern flat only a few years old and everyone I've spoken to said that they haven't had any problems with cold or anything. The only concern I have is the electricity bill. The previous tenant who I met when we looked round the flat said that she had paid £99 for the 6 months she lived there which works out at £16.50 a month, but I'm aware some of those months were summer months. One of my friends lives in a similar type flat and she pays £32 a month. Thats for the heater in the lounge and bedroom running. Personally I'd quite like the one in the hallway going on low too, to prevent condensation.

Anyway I've budgetted £50 a month for that - do you think its correct? Also water rates. I think its on a meter and whilst I lived by myself I paid about £30 a month. Do you think as its two of us £40 is a resonable amount including sewage charges??

The only other thing I'm nervous about is budgetting for food. I'm very concious that I need to keep saving money. But I'll play that one by ear, but I've basically budgetted £20 a week each initally so that we can build up on our basics.

Am I doing alright do you think?!
Ta
Mx

iamashoppingaddict

shameless bump cause I don't like not being talked to! LOL ;-)

Burlesque_Babe

I think those figures are very reasonable. Unless your OH likes swimming around in the bath every night, I don't think your water usage will be loads more.

Food might be a bit low but you'll soon be able to adjust that as you go along (and you might pay less on the leccy so the two will even each other out)

Good luck in your new home

iamashoppingaddict

Do you think £40 a week is too low for food shopping? I was hoping it was quite reasonable!! LOL

When I lived by myself I just bought as and when and it wasn't very often! I didn't eat much back then other than junk food.

Burlesque_Babe

No, £40 is a good amount - I read it as £20 per week between you for everything - sorry!

floss2

It may cost that at first, while you buy basics & storecupboard stuff....why not do a few menu plans for the first few weeks? Then you can trim it down a bit.

Have you decided how you're going to sort out the bills, food shopping & stuff?

Happy moving!
Floss x :wave:

Mupeteer

Good luck in your new flat and well done for being so sensible going into it with a budget.

I live with my BF and we spend about £35 a week on food shopping but to begin with your probably better to bank on a higher figure until you settle down. Just chuck any money you've got left at the end of the week into a jar for extras.

Shineyhappy

I live in a modern 2 bed flat I pay:

Water 30 pounds
gas/elec 42 pounds
council tax 125 pounds

OH and I spend about 30 pounds a week on food that doesnt include much alcohol though but occasionally we spend a bit more if we are treating ourselves to a ready made Chinese dish.

I hope your move goes well and remember to keep a look out on freecycle! Large collect only items can also be found on Ebay for bargain prices!

iamashoppingaddict

Thanks for that guys - makes me feel better.

We are splitting everything down the middle flat wise. Joint bank account - with no overdraft - has been applied for and hopefully we'll get it. If not OH has said flat stuff can come out of his bank account as he as no outgoings at all and I have a zillon DD's coming out of mine so it would be clearer to transfer money to his rather than mine.

iamashoppingaddict

Our council tax is £85 a month - I check with the council already!! LOL

And I've got all my furniture from before so really OH is getting a bit of a bargin - I get all the expenditure and he gets a ready made home!! LOL

(although I'm still paying it off!)

riddlesticks

Hi Hun,

The electric sounds a lot TBH. I pay £50 a month for gas and electric and thats for a house and 4 people. I dont really know much about water rates so can't help you with that sorry. As for food, we can feed a family of 4 for about £35-£40/week including loads of fruits, meat, nappies etc but it can be less if we really try. I think you should say about £25 is enough for two. HTHs

xxxAM