How much to live on

moving_forward

Thanks @blue.peter
I have calculated the gas and electric will more than double from Apr to around £165.00 as we were locked into a fixed rate at 80.00 per month.
Fuel is anyone's guess as we do alot of miles but I'm hoping £150 a month will cover it. But I'm guessing not 😞
Food etc is something we are actively working on as trying lower cost supermarkets and eatting more veggie meals. We enjoy them so no hardship. Takeout will have to stop unless money saved through the month as just can't justify the expense. 
It's not fun is it!

blue.peter

moving_forward said:

Fuel is anyone's guess as we do alot of miles but I'm hoping £150 a month will cover it.

Petrol is only a small part of my spending, so I'm lucky on that front. I only do a very low mileage - it's months since I drove further than the supermarket. Visiting my sister, 25 miles away, will be a big adventure next week. I've been horrified watching the price go up, but it's not had a vast effect on my overall budget.

moving_forward said:

Food etc is something we are actively working on as trying lower cost supermarkets and eatting more veggie meals. We enjoy them so no hardship.

That's something that I can't do now because Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister when I last ate meat! I'm glad that you enjoy vegetarian meals. There are certainly masses of enjoyable recipes out there.

moving_forward

I have cooked and enjoyed veggie food for years. I'm keen to find more sandwich fillings that don't contain cheese or fake meat 🤢

Kim1965

Lets hope the inflation is short lived. Unfortunately i think fuel and energy prices will continue to rise.
Think if your not yet retired current economic turmoil may keep people working longer. 

moving_forward

Kim1965 said:

Lets hope the inflation is short lived. Unfortunately i think fuel and energy prices will continue to rise.
Think if your not yet retired current economic turmoil may keep people working longer. 

At least we have the choice. Others may have already retired without the health to return to work. 

DairyQueen

Mr DQ has just retired. Our expenses are around 10% higher than last year and our income has been capped by the freezing of tax allowances. 

Gave up smoking many moons ago but recall exactly how difficult it was to break the habit. More addictive than heroin and an amazing achievement for those who succeed. 

Now, all I need to do is to lose my appetite for red wine and Aspalls cyder.

'Fraid that I risk divorce if veggie meals exceed once per week. Mr DQ is a confirmed carnivore.

blue.peter

moving_forward said:

I have cooked and enjoyed veggie food for years. I'm keen to find more sandwich fillings that don't contain cheese or fake meat 🤢

Try hummus with something salady. Sliced cucumber is enjoyable and easy. If you use wholemeal bread, you've got a good balance of protein as well as pleasant flavours and textures. Many years ago, our office canteen did hummus with alfalfa sprouts and grated carrot: I used to enjoy that one.

moving_forward

Thanks @blue.peter I will try that. We always have wholemeal as white is tasteless.
10 percent increase is high @DairyQueen ouch! We both quit smoking before we met yonks ago but do drink red wine and cider 😁

MovingForwards

I've eased off my food budget and indulged a little more than I have done since starting over. I buy nice bread from a delivery guy each week at £2.50 a loaf, it's also not triggering my IBS like shop stuff does. Each payday I pop to my local butcher and spend upto £50. Generally it's £200 a month for human and cat food.

Petrol is about £38pw, but I do 60 miles a day just on my commute, I keep other car related costs down by having a £0 road tax small car and my insurance is under £200 a year.

Gas and electric I'll deal with, too cold and I'm facing higher pain levels.

No plans to alter my pension savings as my focus is clearing the mortgage / saving my next deposit; takes the pressure off my health knowing I'll be mortgage free way before the full term is up. No news yet on when I'll be buying my next home, but should be within about 2 years.

Not sure if I'll get a payrise this year, but I keep budgeting annually and have a comfortable wiggle room; helps I don't drink, smoke, eat out etc.

blue.peter

moving_forward said:

We always have wholemeal as white is tasteless.

I agree, but there are still some who eat white bread.