How much to live on

otb666

I have been reading the Reverse Meal Plan thread and frugals threads on Old style money saving, Hats off to the folks on there that do the TGTG and Community Fridges/ shops.  I dont mind going without most things (apart from fags at mo lol) But food and heat are non negotiable, i really cannot abide the thought of seconds on the food front This is mainly my problem as I am a fussy eater  and if any thought of seconds it would totally put me off and rather not eat.  Luckily i have an under active thyroid which means if i eat any more than 800 calories a day I put on weight, guess there is a silver lining to everything.  The thing i cant figure is that the food and heat thing is the priority and the people must be spending money on other things as benefit system mean we are all on roughly the same.  I dont own mobile i dont buy clothes.  Hope this does not annoy Just ignore if does I can be strange sometimes

moving_forward

We have a small car too @MovingForwards. As well as sharing (almost) a user name we also share IBS 😅 that doesn't help with the food bill as lentils pulses etc although tasty don't agree with me so I limit them. 
We tend to increase pension savings when we have a payrise but Mr M_F hasn't had one for a couple of years so his needs looking at instead of mine when my next rise comes. It's called a cost of living rise  but I can't see work matching the current increases 🤣

MovingForwards

@moving_forward I enjoy lentils, pulses, greens etc but my IBS doesn't thank me! Mind you, it doesn't seem to appreciate most foods I eat.

Any payrises I get are split between savings, mortgage and pension. My stance is I've managed on my old income and don't need to incorporate the new one in to daily living.

Wonder what else we have in common 😄

@otb666 I value food and warmth. In my previous life I had to choose between heat or eat, although I made a couple of quid went far it's not something I'd be happy to face again. As a result my cupboards and freezer are always full.

moving_forward

We're hoping to still contain the budget excluding debt and mortgage payments to under the tax threshold x 2 but that remains be to be seen. 

otb666

Thanks MovingForwards I think its important to eat well especially at moment Luckily with loads of time on hand can cook from scratch now Which i always prefer for health and pocket

luvchocolate

Good morning all. 
Looking at figures for this year my increase in state pension will cover increase in rent..council tax..mobile/broadband. 
I have a small works pension that will cover increase in food and energy but will not have much surplus but I'll be okay. 
Fingers crossed for everyone 

moving_forward

luvchocolate said:

Good morning all. 
Looking at figures for this year my increase in state pension will cover increase in rent..council tax..mobile/broadband. 
I have a small works pension that will cover increase in food and energy but will not have much surplus but I'll be okay. 
Fingers crossed for everyone 

Glad you will be ok @luvchocolate cracking user name btw 🍫

[Deleted User]

Fortunately we are on a fixed tariff for gas and electricity until November but have kept our monthly direct debit up at a high level.
Hoping the large credit we have built up will cushion us somewhat, especially as we will build up a greater credit balance over the summer months.
 
Food bill has increased but remains manageable.

Fuel is not too much of an issue as I am only working 3 days a fortnight at the moment, and its only around trip of 14 miles each time. Shops are 2 miles away. Did a round trip to Essex last week to collect an aunt for a week's stay. About 280 miles. Only my second trip to the mainland in 3 years! However car is an economical SUV and still has nearly half a tank left.

February and March are quite expensive months with Car Insurance, Car Tax, Home Insurance, Car Service and MOT all to be paid. However this has been saved in the annual bills account.

I am having some new blinds fitted in both bathrooms and  the recently upgraded kitchen for £440. I am sharing this cost with the other relative who is living with me.

I am also planning some cosmetic dentistry work in the next 2 months but most of the money for this has been saved.

Household bills account is also benefitting from the 2 months without Council Tax.

moving_forward

Sounds like you have it covered @[Deleted User].

[Deleted User]

I forgot to mention in recent posts that I have given up doing surveys. They were becoming a chore and taking up too much time for little return. I tend to have OCD tendencies and the self imposed pressure to do them was not healthy. More relaxed now they are gone.
I have kept the Nectar and Boots loyalty cards as they seem to work well for me. Aim for this year is to have £150 on each of them for Christmas 2022. So far on target!