How much to live on

jackieblack

blue.peter said:

BooJewels said:

I put together some numbers last night, but didn't post, as it wasn't very coherent when I'd done.  But I keep a note of my monthly spend on groceries and as my shopping dates aren't consistent, I also keep a running monthly average - which I noted in the last year had gone from £205 to £248 - so significantly lower than recently posted figures.

I've just run a report from AceMoney, and find that my average monthly spending on groceries over the last year has been £235. Like you, I live alone, and I just buy what I want, without cutting corners in any way. So our spending on groceries is very similar.

BooJewels said:

Pack sizes don't cater for singles. 

Oh, goodness, yes! All too often I find that I either eat too much or throw food away. And that really annoys me. Like you, I try to batch cook and freeze portions, but that's not always feasible.

Ditto to all of the above 

BooJewels

I feel a smidge better knowing that my spending isn't ridiculous.  My sister was mortified at the price of a single on-line shop I did - but it lasted me best part of 3 weeks and she probably pops into shops every couple of days as she drives past several between work and home and has food shops in the entrance of where she works too - and I'd be prepared to bet she ultimately spends more than me when totted up.

I made a deal with myself after I lost my husband that it was okay to not be perfect about mealtimes.  I try and cook properly and make something decent at least 4 nights a week - I allow myself a short cut of either re-heating something I made and froze, or a commercial ready meal once or twice a week and one night a week I might just duck out of a proper meal and have a sandwich or toast - or hot cross buns, as I did the other night.  

I know what you mean @Albermarle about portion sizes - we were discussing the same last weekend.  There is one particular curry that I love and will have this weekend - but a 2 person one with a 2 person rice does me 2 nights, but is a bit skimpy, so I supplement it with mini poppadoms or naan bread.  
 

BooJewels

MarzipanCrumble said:

[snip]
I batch cook from scratch - have a wide choice of portioned meals to pick out of the large stand up freezer.   I know my overall spend but have never checked my grocery spend which would include alcohol.  I fill in IHT 403 so that I have a record to justify gifting out of surplus income.

I admire greatly those that can live on 12-20k pa.  I could - mortgage paid off, but I wouldn't want to and don't need to.  Each to his or her own.  There are numerous reasons why people spend what they do, not all of those reasons are obvious.

I don't cook as much as I should/could right now as my overflow freezer is down in the cellar and getting down there with a crutch on steep, uneven stone stairs is hard enough without trying to carry things too.  I hurt my shoulder doing just that a few days ago.  I'll try and improve my habits again when more mobile.

My overall spend for the last 12 months is just under £20k - and that included 2 UK holidays, some work done in the garden, a new TV and some furniture and the first few driving lessons.  But as I don't yet drive, that will surely rise by a chunk when I hopefully can.  I don't scrimp in any way, but my habits are quite modest I think - in other words, I'm pretty boring.

Organgrinder

It is so helpful to see how others live, with many on a similar income.

Some of us spend in similar ways. Others prioritise different things.

Being open to change allows us to learn from how others plan for and then deal with retirement. 

My own plans and spends are very fluid. I'm thankful to those who have given me an insight on what I could do. :-)

MarzipanCrumble

Some have mentioned that they feel a bit concerned if they waste food.  Just a tip:  if you cook from scratch you can always chop up the odd raw veg to add to start of batch or to add when reheating.  Just chopped some week old celery sticks (kept in a mg of water) to use when I make a stew today.  Same with carrot or brocolli etc.  I also freeze left over rice (or even batch cook and freeze).

Else it goes on the compost heap!  Or to feed birds.

BooJewels

Vegetables are easy, as you can actually freeze them.  And because I don't eat that much by volume, I don't even buy many fresh veggies - I tend to buy frozen to start with - it's much more practical for me.   I even buy chopped garlic and base mix frozen to start off things like bolognese. 

But I do love a crunchy side salad (I add sugarsnaps and baby corn, I prefer them raw to cooked) as my 'vegetable' and salad ingredients are the things I perhaps waste most.

Clowance

When my OH retires in 2 years we would like to do a round the world trip, mixture of flights, car hire, train and even cruises (sydney to fiji or tahiti). This will be literally our trip of a lifetime and will cost loads, but it will be done as much as possible on the cheap! Might hire a campervan in Oz but not over keen on it other than saving on accomodation.

Organgrinder

Clowance said:

When my OH retires in 2 years we would like to do a round the world trip, mixture of flights, car hire, train and even cruises (sydney to fiji or tahiti). This will be literally our trip of a lifetime and will cost loads, but it will be done as much as possible on the cheap! Might hire a campervan in Oz but not over keen on it other than saving on accomodation.

Four years to wait for us. No round the world trip planned, but maybe three weeks or so in SE Asia.

otb666

@Floss Yes monthly 1800 and monthly 550 food 550 everything else and 700 bills Sorry for confusion. Annually 21600 +3000(car and insurances) 24600

Organgrinder

Well today is the start of a new financial year and as a result I've had to rejig a few accounts.

My stooze pot is now in a new cash isa paying 5.17% as with other savings pots I'd break the £500 tax free limit (the freeze on tax allowances has pushed me into the 40% bracket). I've opened a regular saver account too paying 6%. 

A welcome above inflation increase in one of my pensions today too thanks to the date they determine the increase.

I've also realised I can put more into my pension without breaking any recycling rules which is a nice little boost. It's not a huge amount but nevertheless will help.

The mobile contract I was going to switch to has been pulled which is a shame but serves me right for delaying.

And a final positive HMRC account showing an overpayment of tax of over £600.