To ask if you could make this amount of money last 3 weeks and how?

coulditbeme2323 · 27/05/2026 11:28

TotalBaloney · 27/05/2026 11:09

Petrol and food shop, yes. Although there are 5 of us, rather than just the 2 in the OP so I’d be scaling up that amount for an appropriate comparison.
Hobbies paid for by DD monthly, so classed as a ‘bill’ in our house. It comes out on payday so wouldn’t be included in my ‘disposable income’ amount. Most activities aren’t pay as you go nowadays are they? None of ours are. Football training is £15 per month, paid by DD. Same for Brownies.

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Fair enough.

TotalBaloney · 27/05/2026 11:09

coulditbeme2323 · 27/05/2026 11:05

And you are using petrol, paying for the kids hobbies, food shop etc on £180 per week?

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Petrol and food shop, yes. Although there are 5 of us, rather than just the 2 in the OP so I’d be scaling up that amount for an appropriate comparison.
Hobbies paid for by DD monthly, so classed as a ‘bill’ in our house. It comes out on payday so wouldn’t be included in my ‘disposable income’ amount. Most activities aren’t pay as you go nowadays are they? None of ours are. Football training is £15 per month, paid by DD. Same for Brownies.

coulditbeme2323 · 27/05/2026 11:05

TotalBaloney · 27/05/2026 11:03

We have no money worries at all and I easily go 3 weeks (and more!) without going to theme parks or having my nails done, because, well, we’re busy. Working, ferrying kids to hobbies, exercising, seeing family etc. Never found it meh, or even thought about it to be honest!
Maybe that’s why we have no money worries, we’re too busy to spend it!
ETA I’ve had my nails done twice in my life so it’s definitely not something I’d miss for 3 weeks.

Edited

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And you are using petrol, paying for the kids hobbies, food shop etc on £180 per week?

TotalBaloney · 27/05/2026 11:03

coulditbeme2323 · 27/05/2026 11:00

Of course you can manage, it's just meh.

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We have no money worries at all and I easily go 3 weeks (and more!) without going to theme parks or having my nails done, because, well, we’re busy. Working, ferrying kids to hobbies, exercising, seeing family etc. Never found it meh, or even thought about it to be honest!
Maybe that’s why we have no money worries, we’re too busy to spend it!
ETA I’ve had my nails done twice in my life so it’s definitely not something I’d miss for 3 weeks.

coulditbeme2323 · 27/05/2026 11:00

TotalBaloney · 27/05/2026 10:52

But it’s three weeks, not her whole life. Surely even the most pampered of people can manage 3 weeks without going to a theme park or getting their nails done without too much trouble?

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Of course you can manage, it's just meh.

TotalBaloney · 27/05/2026 10:52

coulditbeme2323 · 27/05/2026 10:29

Sure and of course, but doesn't make it plesant does it?

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But it’s three weeks, not her whole life. Surely even the most pampered of people can manage 3 weeks without going to a theme park or getting their nails done without too much trouble?

coulditbeme2323 · 27/05/2026 10:29

Tedsnan1 · 26/05/2026 18:06

You do know there are millions of people who can't afford to do any of these things, ever, don't you?
It's for 3 weeks, they're not going to die fgs 🙄

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Sure and of course, but doesn't make it plesant does it?

Tedsnan1 · 26/05/2026 18:06

coulditbeme2323 · 22/05/2026 15:28

I mean it's 3 weeks, one week which includes half term.

Heaven forbid she might want to go to a theme park, get her nails done, go out for lunch with her kid!

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You do know there are millions of people who can't afford to do any of these things, ever, don't you?
It's for 3 weeks, they're not going to die fgs 🙄

Tedsnan1 · 26/05/2026 17:59

CrumblyCookie · 22/05/2026 14:30

Around £540.
After all bills paid.. this has to last next week (half term) and then another just under 2 weeks after that. Also to include food for 1 child + 1 adult. And a small amount of petrol.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Grendel7 · 26/05/2026 17:58

CrumblyCookie · 22/05/2026 14:30

Around £540.
After all bills paid.. this has to last next week (half term) and then another just under 2 weeks after that. Also to include food for 1 child + 1 adult. And a small amount of petrol.

No problem,partner and I live on less than that quite easily

bridgetreilly · 24/05/2026 14:23

I set my direct debits etc to come out a few days after payday, just in case there are any payroll issues or whatever. But it’s definitely sensible to pay them all first and then you know what you’ve got for the rest of the month,

TotalBaloney · 24/05/2026 14:18

Ohdearnotthisagain · 24/05/2026 10:31

Gosh I was expecting you say £100!

I am intrigued that you have no bills other than food and petrol for 3 weeks though. I feel like I’m paying a bill or a direct debit every second day! Or is the £540 after all your bills?

In any case, take off £100 for petrol and £100 for treats/little outings and you’ve still got £113 per week for food. Sure you are not going to be splashing out but you’ll be fine!

Literally all my DDs come out on payday, so between pay days there are no bills to pay.

SarzWix · 24/05/2026 11:14

CrumblyCookie · 22/05/2026 14:30

Around £540.
After all bills paid.. this has to last next week (half term) and then another just under 2 weeks after that. Also to include food for 1 child + 1 adult. And a small amount of petrol.

😱😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hilarious. I have 57£ to last 3 adults a week and will include petrol for 2 cars. What the heck are you eating that 540£ won't cover it??!!

Try shopping at Aldi, and spend a bit on tat from the middle aisle to keep your child entertained over half term...

Ohdearnotthisagain · 24/05/2026 10:31

Gosh I was expecting you say £100!

I am intrigued that you have no bills other than food and petrol for 3 weeks though. I feel like I’m paying a bill or a direct debit every second day! Or is the £540 after all your bills?

In any case, take off £100 for petrol and £100 for treats/little outings and you’ve still got £113 per week for food. Sure you are not going to be splashing out but you’ll be fine!

CDTC · 24/05/2026 09:02

Statsquestion1 · 24/05/2026 09:00

Who is this family of 11 living on 277 a month for food??!

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I was wondering this. £277 isn't that much in terms of a good food shop these days. I probably do that every 3 weeks for a family of 4 at least and we don't drink or smoke or for the most part even eat meat.

Statsquestion1 · 24/05/2026 09:00

JustABean · 24/05/2026 00:12

Crikey more than doable if a family of 11 can survive on a big 4 week shop of £277 plus 2 cars fuels for 4 weeks at 250 then your going to have a wonderful time on that

Who is this family of 11 living on 277 a month for food??!

Idonthavea · 24/05/2026 08:57

We spend £500 a month for 2 adults and 2 children just for the food shop. (We’re not exactly being careful with what we buy either)
plus £100 every 6 weeks for diesel!

For just the 2 of you, if you meal plan carefully, write a shopping list - £300 should be enough for the food shop and then you have £140 left for other things including fuel

JustABean · 24/05/2026 00:12

Crikey more than doable if a family of 11 can survive on a big 4 week shop of £277 plus 2 cars fuels for 4 weeks at 250 then your going to have a wonderful time on that

mondaytosunday · 23/05/2026 23:02

Yes that seems plenty! I though you were going to say £100 and I thought meals might start getting a bit repetitive towards the end but otherwise I could still do it (depends how much a ‘small’ amount of petrol is). I have quite a lot of pasta, frozen baked potatoes, tinned tuna and sauces and frozen veg that would probably see us through a week on that alone.

intrepidpanda · 23/05/2026 22:56

coulditbeme2323 · 22/05/2026 15:25

£40 petrol for two weeks, yeah if she is driving from her driveway to the end of the road!

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I can do 200 miles on £40 and then if OP isn't at work for half term then that could be a chunk of commuting gone.

Bowies · 23/05/2026 22:43

Take picnic to the park, supermarket bought lolly (rather than buying an ice cream).

Trip to the library.

Look up any free local half term activities.

Walking, bike or scooter and staying local where possible.

Activities at home.

Meals at home.

Atari5000 · 23/05/2026 22:27

Statsquestion1 · 23/05/2026 21:07

Is that for all food and fuel?

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I don’t drive thankfully but will have to get the bus once in half term as we are meeting my children’s aunt, otherwise I tend to walk everywhere. Also it’s only one extra mouth to feed during half term as my eldest is at nursery and my youngest is home with me anyway.
I will probably have to do a top up shop in half term for essentials and should be able to stretch everything else out until the first weekend in June but will then need another shop.

Littleorangeonaplate · 23/05/2026 21:42

Easily. Yes.

Statsquestion1 · 23/05/2026 21:07

Atari5000 · 23/05/2026 20:22

Yes absolutely you should be able to make that last! We have to make do with just under £200 until the 16th June.
Thats with two children and half term

Is that for all food and fuel?

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/05/2026 20:28

Easily. Even if spent £100 a week on food a week. Which is a lot for one a and one c

they still leaves you 240 for half term and petrol