Please help me with a budget

[Lifeonabudget]

DH gives me £600 per month (living in London)
2 DC (5 & 18m)

currently I am struggling to get through the month on this and am already down to my last £40 and we’re barely halfway through. It was ah expensive month due to last week of the summer holidays and DC heading back to school so had to buy some them lots of bits and Pieces that added up quickly.

Out of the £600 I need to buy all food, all toiletries, household items, clothes for both dc plus anything they may need etc. at present I’m spending about £80 per week on an online food shop, but probably spend an additional 40£ on top ups through the week.

dc5 is autistic and possible adhd, I spend £70 on supplements for her, this unfortunately is non negotiable as the supplements have improved her behaviour significantly plus she has a very limited diet.

and additional £50 for pull ups (dc5) and nappies/wipes for the baby. That leaves me with £480 a month for everything else. I already get all their clothes off Vinted and don’t buy myself anything ever (not even a takeaway coffee). I’m not at work presently due to sabbatical but start back at the beginning of feb so things will improve then and I’ll have my own money. It’s just now life feels so miserable! I know this is a lot more than other people have, I just can’t seem to make it stretch! I already batch cook as well. I think that’s everything!

. I have always covered the DCs stuff (and childcare). I work in the NHS so have crazy shift patterns, he also travels a lot for work and finding someone who is able to look after the DC was very tricky

So prior to this you paid to work and not look after the children but he did not pay to work.

Think about why you think that way.

As pp said at a mimimum you both need to look at all the expenditure as joint expenditure and only earmark personal spending as "pocketmoney".

The same applies to both your time
Only once the joint needs are met should the extra be allocated.

Work out the ratio of how much more he earns than you when you go back. Split all bills by this ratio. Any left over is your spending money.

Sorry, but if he's earning enough to be over the threshold for CB and obviously more if he works in the city you should have access to the joint account not adding up every £
They are his DC too and you're already clothing them from Vinted
Yes, you could probably cut your food bill, but prices have increased( and are still increasing) plus nappies, pull ups etc are expensive and essential so you can only cut down so much.
Has he done a food shop lately? He might have a lightbulb moment
You shouldn't feel you have to justify everything
Can you afford regular haircuts etc?
I think you need to go through the maths with him