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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to ask if £155 weekly is enough for food and leisure?

39 replies

Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 06:31

Hi, I’m coming up 62, being made redundant :-(

Working out finances if I can’t find a new job…

Spare cash per week (after all bills) is £200

Petrol - £20
Pet supplies - £25

is the rest sufficient for food and entertainment, or am I being too hopeful?

Money will be put aside for holiday/christmas//birthday/car etc.

Your thoughts appreciated.

OP posts:
LarryForPrimeMinister · 16/09/2026 07:41

Be fine, we do £120 a week for a family of 4 and 4 pets in Iceland/aldi.

Wherestheteenguide · 16/09/2026 07:39

Definitely enough. I spent £155 on a family of five adults per week. And to be honest that's not as frugal as it could be. Good food, wine etc. I'd be hoping in your situation to have £70 for food which leaves £85 for leisure. I don't spend anywhere near £85 on leisure but I don't know your lifestyle.

How about trialling boxes like hello fresh? I tried all their opening deals as I couldn't have got food as cheap as they were offering. Bit naughty but didn't stay with any of them! Or Tesco meal plan for £20/£25 are really good.

IAmNotMyJobTitle · 16/09/2026 07:38

We spend £100 a week on groceries for the 2 of us at Aldi. but we love food and cook everything from scratch. We only go out for meals once a month and rarely have takeaway so yes your figures are definitely doable.

Original poster
Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 07:35

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 16/09/2026 07:31

It’s enough to survive but it will be pretty grim long-term - what about savings towards things like vets bills, car repairs, holidays, birthdays?

Like a PP said I would be wanting a part-time job to top up my income, even if it was just a couple of shifts a week in a shop or supermarket.

All that’s taken care of, emergency fund etc. so it’s just food and entertainment

OP posts:
beaglescurleduplikebagels · 16/09/2026 07:31

It’s enough to survive but it will be pretty grim long-term - what about savings towards things like vets bills, car repairs, holidays, birthdays?

Like a PP said I would be wanting a part-time job to top up my income, even if it was just a couple of shifts a week in a shop or supermarket.

Overthebow · 16/09/2026 06:50

It should be enough but it won’t be very enjoyable.

BirdLandedonmyHead · 16/09/2026 06:46

Food is always going to depend on what you like... you need to look at your typical shop and work out if theres any space to cut diwn down. Was the food budget to include toilitries and cleaning stuff as well?

Look at subscriptions too, eork out if you actually use them or just keep Netflix for example out of habit.

AmusedMaker · 16/09/2026 06:45

If that’s all you’ve got it will have to be enough 😀
personally, I think it’s plenty for 2 people.

StraightTalkingTina · 16/09/2026 06:45

At your age and in your shoes I would look for a part time job that gives you ‘spending money’ each week. You won’t have an amazing lifestyle on £155 per week, savings will be tight as would your ability to buy tickets for a show or have a meal out. So I’d get a look for 20hra a week or so that could allow you to wind down but give some additional income into your pensions fully kick in

Bunnybigears · 16/09/2026 06:42

Should be ok for two people. We spend around £160 a week on food (and general groceries) for 4 people which includes 2 older teenagers and all meals as no one is at school anymore.

Original poster
Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 06:39

poundshopkardashians · 16/09/2026 06:34

I think you could do food for £40-50 if you’re fairly frugal, with £100 left over it’s ok - you won’t be dining out like a king every weekend but if it’s just for going out & nothing else, it’s ok - enough to live on for sure if all other bases are covered. If you have a lot coming up one week just do a super budget food shop that week. Good luck!

Thank you!

Im thinking it’s ok, but been awake all night stressing…

Its always worse at 2 in the morning?

OP posts:
Original poster
Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 06:38

rubyslippers · 16/09/2026 06:33

how many people are you feeding ?
if it’s just you then that’s fine - a family of four + is different
will you be getting a redundancy payment

Sorry should’ve said it’s 2.

OP posts:
poundshopkardashians · 16/09/2026 06:34

I think you could do food for £40-50 if you’re fairly frugal, with £100 left over it’s ok - you won’t be dining out like a king every weekend but if it’s just for going out & nothing else, it’s ok - enough to live on for sure if all other bases are covered. If you have a lot coming up one week just do a super budget food shop that week. Good luck!

rubyslippers · 16/09/2026 06:33

how many people are you feeding ?
if it’s just you then that’s fine - a family of four + is different
will you be getting a redundancy payment