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Living on 1k a month advice please

263 replies

Debtgalore · 01/08/2020 16:56

Hi MNers, long term poster but name changed as embarrassed.

Due to corona we've had a massive drop in income. We're still very lucky that we have £1,000 a month to live on (but that's significantly less than we're used to). Can we have any advice on how to make it stretch? There's two of us, two 10 year olds and a dog. It'll need to cover all food, petrol for 2 cars (we commute in opposite directions) and everything else.

Using the MSE boards we've made a budget for all our bills, switched energy suppliers, cancelled Sky, etc etc. The thousand is what's left over.

We sometimes shop at Aldi but will do this as our main shop now.

All help appreciated, I'm worried it won't go as far as we need.

Thank you,

OP posts:
CupoTeap · 02/08/2020 07:51

@Debtgalore I've not RTFT as I know the sort of responses you've had. Has anyone mentioned the Martin Lewis budget spreadsheet? You can put in everything haircut, coffee, pocket money for the kids etc line by line. I would suggest putting in the normal cost to start with and then working from there.

Is there any debt you need to sort out or is that cover already?

TheLegendOfZelda · 02/08/2020 07:53

Look at ways to increase income as well eg ebay stuff, get the kids into buying and selling on depop, use topcashback for all online purchases, sign everyone up to survey websites
NHS discounts are still around on a lot of things as well, so plan ahead and use places that offer discounts

diggadoo · 02/08/2020 08:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the request of the OP.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

eaglejulesk · 02/08/2020 08:28

@Deathraystare - I'm in a similar situation to you. I had a bit of work in July, and have a few afternoons in August, but there isn't enough temp work out there to keep me going. Good luck with finding a full-time job, I've all but given up!

bibbitybobbitycats · 02/08/2020 08:30

OP, for pet supplies Zooplus is often cheaper.

www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=zooplus

bibbitybobbitycats · 02/08/2020 08:31

Don't know what I did there!

www.zooplus.co.uk

MonkeyToesOfDoom · 02/08/2020 08:32

@Debtgalore

I said in the OP it's leftover AFTER bills. So housing and bills are paid and there's a thousand left.
You're taking the piss.

£1k after bills... Try having a £1k a month full stop and your rents £500.

VettiyaIruken · 02/08/2020 08:33

You need to do a more comprehensive budget.
I have a cashflow forecast on excel.

You should have a list of outgoings that includes food, petrol, a monthly amount allocated to Christmas, one to dentist, birthday and so on.

At the moment you've done half a budget. You need to have a budget that covers each and every penny you spend.

That way you can see more clearly what your situation is and are better able to plan.

bibbitybobbitycats · 02/08/2020 08:39

Oh, and Morrisons are still giving a 10% discount to NHS workers until the end of September, so maybe try and stock up before it finishes?

MattBerrysHair · 02/08/2020 09:00

You'll be fine OP, it might take a while to get used to but you'll soon realise that it's very manageable. When I was married our monthly income was 4.5k. Now I'm divorced my monthly income is £1200 (including benefits) and that's for everything.

As pp have said, make a weekly meal plan and a shopping list and stick to it.

Shop at Aldi or Lidl.

Bake rather than buying chocolate and biscuits.

Don't let food go off. If there's leftovers in the fridge remember they're there and eat for lunch at the soonest possible opportunity. Apparently us Brits throw a third of our food away!

Buy clothes on Ebay or from charity shops.

Put a specific amount in a savings account each month for xmas.

Take picnics on days out, or homemade snacks and flasks of coffee.

Use box dye instead of going to hair salons.

Have less frequent haircuts, or consider using clippers on boys at home.

Toys on ebay can be mint condition and a fraction of the price of new ones.

Have a clear-out and sell anything you don't really use.

Have a monthly or fortnightly 'treat', whether it's lunch out, or a takeaway, or a trip somewhere you like.

Try cheaper skincare products if you use expensive ones. The Ordinary has done my skin wonders and is far far cheaper than the dermalogica that I used to use.

Use bar soap instead of shower gel.

Stop using fabric conditioner.

Dry clothes on a line or inside airer rather than using a tumble dryer.

I'm sure I've forgotten a few things but these 'rules' made my money stretch much further than I thought it could when I first got divorced. Good luck OP!

Eyesofdisarray · 02/08/2020 09:07

I read the other day that people have hundreds of pounds in loose change down the sofas/chairs; not me- just crisp packets
Wink

ememem84 · 02/08/2020 09:21

Ah a thread on mumsnet where if you dare to have a household income of over £3k a year you’re the devil.

Bit of compassion maybe? Yes £1000 after bills is a lot but it’s less that the op previously had to work with and she’s probably stressed about it.

Kindness goes a long way.

MonkeyToesOfDoom · 02/08/2020 09:40

Bit of compassion maybe? Yes £1000 after bills is a lot

Yes it is. Over £30 a day everyday in a 30day month, after bills... To spend on whatever... Hardly destitute and needing to take in washing is it?

Someone1987 · 02/08/2020 09:43

£1k after bills?
That isn't a lot to you?
Whatever were you spending your money on before?
I think you must be wasting a lot.
Wow...

Someone1987 · 02/08/2020 09:44

With thst income I don't think she needs to be swapping shower gels for bar soap...

Waxonwaxoff0 · 02/08/2020 09:48

I have £1k leftover after bills and food. Granted it's just DS and I but we live very nicely on that, we have 3 or 4 holidays a year.

AluminumMonster · 02/08/2020 09:53

I think you were always spending above your means if you are struggling on £800 and in a lot of debt.

MattBerrysHair · 02/08/2020 10:10

@Someone1987

With thst income I don't think she needs to be swapping shower gels for bar soap...
Her household has debt to pay off. Anything saved can be put towards paying that off.
Debtgalore · 02/08/2020 10:17

Once again thanks for the useful comments (and the PMs from people too offering help and advice)

OP posts:
Debtgalore · 02/08/2020 10:22

I'm going to leave this thread now, because people think I'm goading them, and focus on all of the positive messages I've received. Thank you everyone.

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 02/08/2020 10:23

Just have to make do.

NeverTwerkNaked · 02/08/2020 10:23

@Debtgalore it's quite ok to be seeking advice on how to adjust to a change of circumstances. We would fine having only £800/MTH a real adjustment too.

I have had very little money in the past though, after I left exH. Some of the things I did

  • days out were free/Tesco club card vouchers
  • I sold the kids clothes on Facebook sites and then used the cash from that to buy their next clothes second hand.
  • I didn't buy clothes for me unless they had totally worn through
  • I meal planned religiously and did the food shop online to make sure I stayed within budget

I actually have really happy memories of those years and so do the children. They were young though so quite easily pleased I guess.

QueSera · 02/08/2020 10:28

£1k/m left over after all housing costs and bills are paid = seen as a problem. Only on MN.

stupidquestionstupidanswer · 02/08/2020 10:29

Really feel for you op, due to having a baby we have to manage on probably 100 if that to spare. Go and boast to someone who gives a shit!

WhattheHhashappened · 02/08/2020 10:35

One thousand pounds after living expenses to spend on whatever you like each month!

I’m sure you’ll cope OP!