We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

First time post. It worked!!!!!

Options
This has probably been said many times before.
With the credit crunch affecting the wider community and my wife losing her job we decided to take a good look at our finances to see where the money went. We had a combined income of around £70K but this is now down to £40K
We have no credit card/loan debt but do have a large mortgage (150K). This leaves us with about £300per week to spend after all bills etc are out.
Our biggest outgoing was food shopping(£130 wk). The first thing to do was use up everything in the freezers etc and switch one of them off.
Next we decided to only buy what we need. Next stop was the local market for Meat, fruit and veg. The prices were astonishing compared to the supermarkets, talk about being ripped off!!!!!
After that it was to the supermarket for basic and selected shopping. No alcohol and ask "do I really need this" before buying.....the result......
Over the last 4 weeks it averages out at £25 in the market and £50 in the supermarket. A saving of £55 per week. The quality of the food on the market is excellent, much better than the supermarket. One other bonus is that we only spend 20mins in the supermarket also I have not had an alcoholic drink for 4 weeks and feel great (4 bottles of red a wk normally)
Also tweaked our cable tv, mobile, gas/electric bills. Total saving so far is £300 per month or £3600 per year. It doesn't make up for the loss of my wifes job but at least shes not stressed anymore and family life has improved dramatically.
Give it a try

Comments

  • Mips
    Mips Posts: 19,796 Forumite
    Congratulations :D
    :cool:
  • Congratulations tubularowl

    Sounds like you've made a huge step forward. Keep it going!

    Follow @MSE_Forum on twitter
    Join the MSE Forum
    New forum user? Watch our New to the Forum? Youtube guide
    Get the Free Martin's Money Tips E-mail
    Report inappropriate posts: click the report button
    Point out a rate/product change
    Flag up a news story: news@moneysavingexpert.com
  • Just to update on that. After this event we developed an online business and my wife earns more than she did before without all the corparate crap that goes with it. We still shop at the market but our income has risen dramaticlly again but it was a useful experience at the time.
  • savingwannabe
    savingwannabe Posts: 16,616 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Very good news. It is great i am learning how to shop smart too! I wish i had done it sooner. I would be sooooo rich now!

    :j
    Aiming for a minimal spend 2022
  • Erme
    Erme Posts: 3,597 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped! Debt-free and Proud!
    Och well done turba..Just proves it's possible...I am on way less than that and cutting back takes time but you've done really well so far. Yep save for your retirement now or something special....

    Blessings

    E
    :dance:
    I believe in the power of PAD
    Come and join us on the Payment a Day thread
    :dance:
  • EC12345
    EC12345 Posts: 481 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Excellent :j
    Mortgage Free
    Save £5,000 in 2020[CENTER
    :j
  • poodie
    poodie Posts: 2 Newbie
    I like your attitude, sounds like things are working out just great for you. Keep it up and push a little harder if you can.
  • Phlip_corter
    Phlip_corter Posts: 57 Forumite
    I really liked all the way for saving money and thanks for sharing some tips.
    :: Unapproved signature removed by MSE Forum Team ::
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 256.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.