Spending £10 per Week on Groceries

Makingabobor2

@Longwalker great idea to use sardines for fishcakes. Never thought of that. Much cheaper than salmon or tuna. I love sardines

Longwalker

Ainsty said:

Hello

@Longwalker - my meals are very heavily carbohydrate based, I use them to fill up. I've decided to use Myfitnesspal to track combinations of nutrients. At the moment I have sacks of potatoes in the store, cabbages, sprouts, kale, leeks, sprouting broccoli and parsnips in the ground and frozen beans, peas and fruit. Only the carrots and onions have run out. It's years since I've had sardines, great idea. 

It's funny that often when we have to do something it becomes a chore but can be quite fun when it is a hobby or a simple challenge. Do you find it's the relentless nature of having to cut back which gets difficult?

Its the relentlessness of it all 

We arent on the breadline,( we are if we listen to the government, living in poverty,) but we are being stretched and our standard of living is falling fast. Always the thought of "can I afford this" is there and that and price checking and doing without does grind you down

For us its fuel costs, both drive diesel, both need cars as there is no public transport and we live in the middle of no where, both work different directions. £20 used to do me a week, and give me enough to pop into town or up to the bigger town centre 15 miles away, now £35 does me - without any trips further then the nearest town, and thats once a week. So even if we were going to do a low cost or free event, we have to think twice. We would always make use of half price Tuesday at the cinema or take a run down to the coast for a walk,( 15 mins away ) doesn't happen now. Then we have oil heating. 2020 a litre of oil was 28p, now its around the 90p, often topping the £1, so its another thing I have to do, keep a close eye on the cost and order small amounts when theres a drop. Before we picked up the phone, ordered 1000 litres and that was it - job done

We just had a few days away and that had been saved and budgeted for and it was great. Oh it was definitely a budget break, but to be able to stand under a shower for as long as wanted, to shower in the morning and have a soak at night, not worrying about the costs - we have been on 3 min showers for years - having the heat on when wanted, not waiting till you can see your breath 

So fuel costs and the knock on effect on food. Already we ate a pretty basic diet, we eat whats grown and produced locally, that was always a lifestyle choice. I prefer to support local and know what Ive bought has been produced ethically. But now Im finding I do have to look at cheaper imported food or go without.

So for us/me , its the little things that have had to go, that get me down. We used to go to the pub on Sunday afternoons - gone, the leisure driving - gone - the deciding to have a bite of lunch or a coffee when in town  - gone because I have to ensure the bills can be covered and to put food on the table 

Makingabobor2

Longwalker said:

Ainsty said:

Hello

@Longwalker - my meals are very heavily carbohydrate based, I use them to fill up. I've decided to use Myfitnesspal to track combinations of nutrients. At the moment I have sacks of potatoes in the store, cabbages, sprouts, kale, leeks, sprouting broccoli and parsnips in the ground and frozen beans, peas and fruit. Only the carrots and onions have run out. It's years since I've had sardines, great idea. 

It's funny that often when we have to do something it becomes a chore but can be quite fun when it is a hobby or a simple challenge. Do you find it's the relentless nature of having to cut back which gets difficult?

Its the relentlessness of it all 

We arent on the breadline,( we are if we listen to the government, living in poverty,) but we are being stretched and our standard of living is falling fast. Always the thought of "can I afford this" is there and that and price checking and doing without does grind you down

For us its fuel costs, both drive diesel, both need cars as there is no public transport and we live in the middle of no where, both work different directions. £20 used to do me a week, and give me enough to pop into town or up to the bigger town centre 15 miles away, now £35 does me - without any trips further then the nearest town, and thats once a week. So even if we were going to do a low cost or free event, we have to think twice. We would always make use of half price Tuesday at the cinema or take a run down to the coast for a walk,( 15 mins away ) doesn't happen now. Then we have oil heating. 2020 a litre of oil was 28p, now its around the 90p, often topping the £1, so its another thing I have to do, keep a close eye on the cost and order small amounts when theres a drop. Before we picked up the phone, ordered 1000 litres and that was it - job done

We just had a few days away and that had been saved and budgeted for and it was great. Oh it was definitely a budget break, but to be able to stand under a shower for as long as wanted, to shower in the morning and have a soak at night, not worrying about the costs - we have been on 3 min showers for years - having the heat on when wanted, not waiting till you can see your breath 

So fuel costs and the knock on effect on food. Already we ate a pretty basic diet, we eat whats grown and produced locally, that was always a lifestyle choice. I prefer to support local and know what Ive bought has been produced ethically. But now Im finding I do have to look at cheaper imported food or go without.

So for us/me , its the little things that have had to go, that get me down. We used to go to the pub on Sunday afternoons - gone, the leisure driving - gone - the deciding to have a bite of lunch or a coffee when in town  - gone because I have to ensure the bills can be covered and to put food on the table 

Whilst its nice to have a budget break, we have had one and got one booked for next year, but standing under the shower for ages??  Somebody has to pay for that gas/electricity. It might not be us, but the hotel or caravan owner etc has to and if we all use too much, they will start to put up the prices and they will no longer be budget breaks.

elsien

I’m with longwalker. You go on holiday to treat yourself and given that very few people (that I know) seem to limit their showers, having a “normal” one which is long to you when you’re on a rare holiday is fine, and not something anyone should be making him/her feel guilty about.  I do think your comment is a little insensitive. 

I recently stayed in a hotel where the heating was cranked right up. I’m absolutely not going to feel bad about that if that’s how they’ve chosen to leave it set. 

Makingabobor2

elsien said:

I’m with longwalker. You go on holiday to treat yourself and given that very few people (that I know) seem to limit their showers so having a “normal” one when you’re on a rare holiday is fine, and not something anyone should be making him/her feel guilty about. 

I recently stayed in a hotel where the heating was cranked right up. I’m absolutely not going to feel bad about that if that’s how they’ve chosen to leave it set. 

Yes we all have different opinions, wasn't trying to start an argument or anything. Maybe its just because I am so into trying to save the planet.....lol.  Also I have this save energy mindset now I think. Bad of the hotel to have their heating up so high though. Then they will be moaning about increase in energy costs. 

Longwalker

Makingabobor2 said:

Longwalker said:

Ainsty said:

Hello

@Longwalker - my meals are very heavily carbohydrate based, I use them to fill up. I've decided to use Myfitnesspal to track combinations of nutrients. At the moment I have sacks of potatoes in the store, cabbages, sprouts, kale, leeks, sprouting broccoli and parsnips in the ground and frozen beans, peas and fruit. Only the carrots and onions have run out. It's years since I've had sardines, great idea. 

It's funny that often when we have to do something it becomes a chore but can be quite fun when it is a hobby or a simple challenge. Do you find it's the relentless nature of having to cut back which gets difficult?

Its the relentlessness of it all 

We arent on the breadline,( we are if we listen to the government, living in poverty,) but we are being stretched and our standard of living is falling fast. Always the thought of "can I afford this" is there and that and price checking and doing without does grind you down

For us its fuel costs, both drive diesel, both need cars as there is no public transport and we live in the middle of no where, both work different directions. £20 used to do me a week, and give me enough to pop into town or up to the bigger town centre 15 miles away, now £35 does me - without any trips further then the nearest town, and thats once a week. So even if we were going to do a low cost or free event, we have to think twice. We would always make use of half price Tuesday at the cinema or take a run down to the coast for a walk,( 15 mins away ) doesn't happen now. Then we have oil heating. 2020 a litre of oil was 28p, now its around the 90p, often topping the £1, so its another thing I have to do, keep a close eye on the cost and order small amounts when theres a drop. Before we picked up the phone, ordered 1000 litres and that was it - job done

We just had a few days away and that had been saved and budgeted for and it was great. Oh it was definitely a budget break, but to be able to stand under a shower for as long as wanted, to shower in the morning and have a soak at night, not worrying about the costs - we have been on 3 min showers for years - having the heat on when wanted, not waiting till you can see your breath 

So fuel costs and the knock on effect on food. Already we ate a pretty basic diet, we eat whats grown and produced locally, that was always a lifestyle choice. I prefer to support local and know what Ive bought has been produced ethically. But now Im finding I do have to look at cheaper imported food or go without.

So for us/me , its the little things that have had to go, that get me down. We used to go to the pub on Sunday afternoons - gone, the leisure driving - gone - the deciding to have a bite of lunch or a coffee when in town  - gone because I have to ensure the bills can be covered and to put food on the table 

Whilst its nice to have a budget break, we have had one and got one booked for next year, but standing under the shower for ages??  Somebody has to pay for that gas/electricity. It might not be us, but the hotel or caravan owner etc has to and if we all use too much, they will start to put up the prices and they will no longer be budget breaks.

You also have to think what "ages" means I jump into the shower wet myself down, shampoo, wash down and rinse - usually about 2 mins, for me me "ages' was possibly 4- 5 mins. Summer time , at home, I switch off whilst soaping ( too bloody cold in the winter ) 

I think the average shower time is 15 mins, for normal people not having to worry about cost? Ours is less then 3 mins

Seriously Ive hosted family here and my bathroom got mould and I had to have the hot water on for 3 hours in the morning to accommodate them

As for the hotel heating, first thing I always switch off. Waking in the morning and the room really cold, it was a luxury to turn it on for a couple of hours whilst we were in the room - as we left - off it went. Here I wake up to a cold room, jump into my clothes, and head to work, I shower at night when the heating is on. Heating comes on at 8am for Mum to wake to a warm room and bathroom, off again at 9am and doesn't come back on till dark

And this is what I was clumsily trying to explain. You get spend so much time chipping away, cutting back, your brain is constantly whirling even when it becomes the norm. So then you go away and suddenly its like a huge relief not to be looking at the meter

You will also be pleased to know that in our 3 nights, we never once asked for clean towels nor for our room to be made up - never do. I dont have clean towels and sheets daily at home, certainly dont need them when away. Just lifted tea bags and milk as required 

Makingabobor2

Oh yes @Longwalker, I agree about hotels and towels & sheets. Why do they think we all need them fresh every day? 

Sun_Addict

Chipping in to say it’s worth signing up for email food plans from https://fyf20quid.co.uk/

Lorna who runs it sends meal plans and recipes via email with some great ideas and they are costed. They’re based on a family but could easily be adapted. 

Longwalker

Makingabobor2 said:

Oh yes @Longwalker, I agree about hotels and towels & sheets. Why do they think we all need them fresh every day? 

Our last break that was longer then 2 nights, the housekeeping team put a bag of clean towels outside the door for us

This hotel didnt have a heated towel rail so the towels were hung to dry by the open window. Used towels, yes - wet towels - yuck 

satchmo1

I remember saying once, "if I win the lottery (which I don't do), I'll have a housekeeper to change the sheets daily, and I will only wear a pair of tights once"

... we can all dream. I am like the Princess and the Pea, if the sheets are rumpled I'll get out of bed and smooth them out. Otherwise I'm very low maintenance, lol. 

I too turn the shower off while I soap, and have the flow at minimum, and take 2 minutes if not hair washing, 3 if hair washing - but that's more because otherwise my skin feels like a rasp being drawn across it, due to a blood condition.