Page 2 | AIBU to ask if £155 weekly is enough for food and leisure?

Chickpeacurrywithrice · 2026-09-16T05:31:25+00:00

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.

TheJuryIsOut · 16/09/2026 09:26

Yeah it'll be enough if you're smart with your food shop. I'd set aside a certain amount for a takeaway or cinema or whatever you do for fun each week so you feel like you've got something to look forward to

Original poster

Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 09:27

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 16/09/2026 07:46

But won’t you need to top up the fund as it runs down? Or do you mean your bills include putting money aside in your savings?

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Yes it includes putting aside and savings, I allocate money every month to car, holidays, Christmas emergencies etc

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Original poster

Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 09:28

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 those “extras” like holidays, vet plans etc are taken care of, I’ve tried to think of everything that may need a “lump sum” like holidays, vets, car etc and this is what’s left.

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Original poster

Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 09:30

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.

This is exactly us! We do cook from scratch and it’s a mix of good, lots of vege, lentil meals are enjoyed by us. Might have to have more of those now, which is fine.

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Twoshoesnewshoes · 16/09/2026 09:30

yes it’s definitely enough.
we spend around £80 a week for myself and DP - we don’t eat meat which makes a huge difference I think, and any fish is fishcakes or cod type.

Original poster

Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 09:30

TheJuryIsOut · 16/09/2026 09:26

Yeah it'll be enough if you're smart with your food shop. I'd set aside a certain amount for a takeaway or cinema or whatever you do for fun each week so you feel like you've got something to look forward to

Perfect

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backformoreofthesame · 16/09/2026 09:31

It’s enough but likely to feel very tight if you are used to a different lifestyle - mainly veggie diet would help loads. Time to give up alcohol perhaps

120 for food and household goods - eat healthy is really important if you want to feel good - 30 for clothes, entertainment , exercises classes - online unless that’s a key social thing for you haircuts - cut your own

trying to use the time you have gained to walk a bit more and drive less - anything under 2 miles walk. 2 trips a week if it’s too much to carry shopping in one go

Original poster

Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 09:31

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

This is the plan and I may of course just walk into one 🤞

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LindorDoubleChoc · 16/09/2026 09:33

Just to give you hope OP - I am nearly 64 and have applied for and been offered two part time jobs within the past 10 months. So you may have more money coming in than you think. I went on new style Job Seekers Allowance while I was job hunting - it is a Universal credit, not means tested and your savings make no difference. It's only something like £90 per week, but worth claiming.

hattie43 · 16/09/2026 09:35

I think it’s very tight but as with everything you cut your cloth .

Original poster

Chickpeacurrywithrice · 16/09/2026 09:45

LindorDoubleChoc · 16/09/2026 09:33

Just to give you hope OP - I am nearly 64 and have applied for and been offered two part time jobs within the past 10 months. So you may have more money coming in than you think. I went on new style Job Seekers Allowance while I was job hunting - it is a Universal credit, not means tested and your savings make no difference. It's only something like £90 per week, but worth claiming.

Thank you! I feel more confident this morning, it was the night worries that got me. The sun comes up and everything seems better.

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Pippa12 · 16/09/2026 09:54

The night is a cruel bitch for causing you panic. I think you sound like you’ve everything figured out.

It helps if both of you are on board with the plan too- my husband can be haphazard when spending money. I make him sit down with me for a few minutes each week to talk through bills and spends as our wages can vary wildly each month.

We roll money from one week to the next by having ‘no spend days’. We meal plan for the entire week, plan takeaways and batch cook for ease.

Good luck, hopefully it’s just short term for you but you might find it’s easier than you think.

caringcarer · 16/09/2026 10:00

I think about £50 per person for food/toiletries each week. Look at cutting back on subscriptions. Things like Sky Sports are nice to have but you can watch it for free in a Sports bar.

mrsm43s · 16/09/2026 10:22

Easily do-able as long as you have been thorough in budgeting for your annual payments, emergencies, savings etc.
When the kids were at Uni, DH & I spent £60-65 per week on groceries without really trying to budget, and we ate really well (although I admit that having been brought up by parents who lived through WW2 & rationing, I probably naturally have quite a frugal/no waste mindset).

Assuming one paid for social event each week, cinema £15 for 2, coffee & cake maybe £20, meal out would be more, but if not working set lunch menus are usually great value.

Free / nominal cost social stuff- invite people round for board game night, meet for walks, invite people round for coffee, or to watch a movie, days walking round free local museums etc.

Week on week, I reckon you could easily have plenty spare from your £155/week budget, allowing the odd blow out social event from time to time.