Household expenses family of 6 - opinions

[Namechangefail123]

We're a family of six (+ dog and cat). That's the bare bones of how much we spend on a monthly basis, but beyond cheaper phone contracts and maybe DH finding a job with a shorter commute, I don't think it can be much lower? (We own two cars BTW).

£1150 - mortgage
£500 - groceries
£150 - energy
£400 - commuting / diesel
£270 - council tax + water
£50 - road tax
£100 - pet related
£130 - phones / internet / subscriptions
£100 - medical
£200 - DCs savings

I used to pick them up. I don't anymore (which is why my DD takes the bus). My DH picks them up on Friday. I do the morning school run on Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays. I'm asking purely from an efficiency / cost saving POV

What is your average MPG. DH car gives a reading he is a very careful not to accelerate and brake suddenly kind of driver as am I. Plus what’s in the boot of your car? Any added weight can be removed.

Mmm no idea about my real MPG, but a tank lasts me around 400-450mi and I need to refill every 3-4 weeks. My husband fills his tank twice a month.

You wfh. How are you doing 120 miles a week? Can that be trimmed?

Well it's 50 weekly miles for nursery run, and it's 30mi for the morning school run x3...

If you needed to I think you could reduce your food bill but if you're doing fine, perhaps there's no need? the subscriptions could also reduce and I wonder whether you could get more efficient car, but again, if there's no problem, why bother? Your mortgage is quite high, so you will need a big income to support it. Pets are also unaffordable for some. So yes, it could be trimmed if absolutely needed.

I thought your kids got the bus?

Seems like you are doing very well. Brilliant management of food costs. We spend more than that on four of us!!!

not sure why the other poster is needling you about your previous posts as it’s not useful to this post

If you're struggling you need to live in the here and now - so DCs saving might have to go. You've already said you might be able to cut down on the mobile phone element, so do look into that. Other than using the cars for anything absolutely essential like work and nursery, I'd stop using them. Obviously you have a large family, but the odd top up shop on foot - going for walks instead of a drive to local park etc. Is medical for prescriptions? If not, can you cut back on that a bit. We manage to live on the same food bill for person as you do, so I guess you know about using pulses as a substitute for meat, shops own brands etc - I have two supermarkets nearby so I try and keep on top of prices and what is cheapest in each.

That's a good point. If medical is for prescriptions can you get a pre payment certificate?

I think that's very readonable for a family of 6.
Especially for food!
We are a family of 6 ( all my DC are teens/ young adults) plus pets and spend between £800-900 a month on groceries/ toiletries/ cleaning stuff.

£150 energy sounds too little. Whereas £50 road tax suggests large or older vehicles which could perhaps be downsized.

@vivictoriacrosshairs my DD takes the bus back... I do the morning run!

I find the mortgage quite decent, we're still paying less for a 5 bed than when we were renting a 3 bed bungalow.

We have two cars so the £50 road tax is joint (I actually think it might be more like £40).

Medical it's things that the NHS won't fund but that I do need (IV iron) this also includes my husband's prescription. Hopefully, as I'm being seen by a specialist in Nov I won't have to save for the IV iron.

She should take the bus in the morning then as should the other kids.

Having to take the bus at around 7:20 for what is my own comfort seems a bit extreme.

Well yes, but if you're looking to cut bills?

How old is your dc? 7:20 would not be early for many at secondary.

My DD is 12, I don't think her dad would ever approve it, much less the other 2 (which is why they get collected)

School pick up starts at 7.05am here! If it'd be cheaper for DD to use bus, could you walk her close to stop - that could save you time and money. My friend walked her boys to the stop the first few times they got the bus.

I wouldn't subject my DD to a 80min bus ride in the morning, especially when the the rest of the days it's only a 10min walk, I don't want her to hate me and we have fun in the car!