Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I know IBU but just reassure me!?

111 replies

Reassureme12 · 25/02/2026 15:05

So I have 1483 in my bank account. It needs to last til march 24th (next payday). Normally it’s not an issue but I need to spend 420 of this on a hotel and need spending of probably another 200-300 for that same weekend.(which is at the end of the month!
So that leaves about 760.
I need to buy dd new football boots. Probably around 20-30 for them.
it’s DD’s birthday and so I’ll need to get her gifts (another 100 I’m thinking)
god knows what else will crop up.
I also need to get petrol for my car from this.
tell me I’m not leaving myself short. I know I’m not I just hate thinking I’ll run out. What way would you manage it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Reassureme12 · 25/02/2026 15:23

Morepositivemum · 25/02/2026 15:09

Does that include food? If so buy I and hide some cheap snacks that can be pulled out if you get stuck. Batch cook and freeze. Put aside an emergency fifty.

No food is taken care of thank god!!

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 25/02/2026 15:22

I would start eating jacket potatoes ASAP and lots of bulk-cooked mince dishes. Eat your way through the freezer too if you have one. Then try to go a couple of weeks without visiting the supermarket.

Does DD's football club not recycle boots? DS's rugby club has a big box of old boots that you pay a token £2 for. Alternatively facebook market place for some that might only have been used for 1 season.

Plus get a credit card in case you misjudge it.......or you spend loads whilst pissed on your weekend away!

itsthetea · 25/02/2026 15:14

Cancel the weekend away- cut any loses

ChangeAgainAgainAgain · 25/02/2026 15:12

Do you need a hotel and several hundred pounds spending money, or do you just want it?

I wouldn't be prioritising a break away when money is tight.

Food, bills, DDs birthday, DDs football boots, petrol, day to day costs etc would all be priorised before considering spending half my monthly income on a trip away. It seems daft to plan something like that without having saved for it in advance.

OriginalSkang · 25/02/2026 15:12

Without knowing what your outgoings are its very hard to say

Shoxfordian · 25/02/2026 15:11

Work out all the subscriptions and monthly costs coming out as well

blankcanvas3 · 25/02/2026 15:10

Write yourself a budget for the week, so let’s say you have £500 left when we account for DD’s boots and gifts. That’s £125 a week. Does that £125 need to cover food shop etc too? If so write a list of what food will cover you for seven days and stick to it. Don’t get any additional ‘treats’ like coffees when you’re out, just be really firm with yourself that it’s essential spending only. It’s only 4 weeks, you can be frugal for that long easily!

If you can, take out the money you have allotted for yourself out in cash. That way it’s easier to see what you’re physically spending rather than just tapping your card which it’s easy to get carried away with sometimes.

Morepositivemum · 25/02/2026 15:09

Does that include food? If so buy I and hide some cheap snacks that can be pulled out if you get stuck. Batch cook and freeze. Put aside an emergency fifty.

Teainapinkcup · 25/02/2026 15:09

Reassureme12 · 25/02/2026 15:08

I don’t have one…

Show quote history

Apply for one today. Only 1. And then pay it back next month, use it for hotel stay?

Original poster
Reassureme12 · 25/02/2026 15:08

Octavia64 · 25/02/2026 15:06

Credit card?

I don’t have one…

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 25/02/2026 15:06

Credit card?

Swipe left for the next trending thread