To ask how much you spend per week?

29 replies

Flipper673 · 03/08/2025 12:14

Not including kids as I know this will obviously cost more than a single adult.
I work full-time, earning around 28.5k and I try to budget £135 a week.

That is to cover all food, transport, toiletries, cat food and litter, anything like haircut, hobbies, going out with my boyfriend etc.

Obviously varies week to week but I am finding it slightly tight. The rest goes on my mortgage (live alone) bills, credit card repayments, little on savings if I can, anything like that.

If I pay for a meal out that can easily be almost half of the week. I'm hoping to learn to drive but can't really afford lessons atm..
Just wondered if this sounds like a reasonable budget?

I don't really buy any expensive clothes, make up etc ..my hobbies are the odd fitness class and some tots but rest of my hobbies are free.

OP posts:

Mrsttcno1 · 03/08/2025 12:28

I can’t really compare finances as in our household there is me, husband, child & dog but I’d say really whether £135 is a reasonable budget depends on what you’re trying to include.

For example £135 should be doable if your transport costs are just the odd bus here & there, but if you’re using public transport daily then I know where we are a weekly pass is about £30, so that would be a big chunk of your money gone straight away.

If your plans with your boyfriend are a nice walk & a coffee then £135 is doable, but if your plans were a night out or restaurant meal then your share could easily be £40/50+ so would wipe out a lot of your budget.

Hair cuts etc if on a tight budget I’d aim to reduce your budget to say £130, put the extra £5 into a hair cut pot so that when you want your hair done the money is in there rather than having to spend out of your weekly amount for all of it if that makes sense.

milkandhoney2 · 03/08/2025 12:27

I budget mine differently but allow
£240pm for food and cleaning products and some toiletries
Cat food and litter I budget out my “Amazon” budget which is £20pm
£80pm for fuel
haircut is once every 9 months so I use savings for that

I earn similar and it’s tight, I generally can’t afford to go out much or if I do it’s a carvery or something cheap

CountryMumof4 · 03/08/2025 12:24

Excluding the utilities, mortgage and childcare, I'd say around £250 a week on food, household essentials and travel. That covers food for a family of 6 and just my travel costs. It doesn't include additional school related costs or clothes etc.

Original poster

Flipper673 · 03/08/2025 12:15

That's meant to say gigs not tots 🤦‍♀️ that budget also includes cleaning products

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