As the cost of living rises, I'm finding my money doesn't stretch as much as it used to. How do other people do it?
I'm a nurse, Band 7, and have my prescribing. I only work part time (24hours/week) because DH works away and we haven't got any local support. I've got my direct debits for major expenses (mortgage, nursery, council tax, etc) and a couple of debits for DC savings and my emergency fund. After that, I just spend as little possible every day, but I reckon my budget for everything else (food shop, toiletries, medication, tube/bus, etc) comes out to £20-30/day - so £600-800 per month on everything. Does that seem like a lot or not much? Things feels quite tight these days and I'm wondering how other people do it. I did some version of YNAB when I was younger but now there are so many unexpected expenses with DC (lost parka, mittens, outgrown clothes, etc). I buy loads on vinted/ebay, charity shops and gumtree for household goods, so I really don't spend much at baseline, but it is a bit tiring watching every pence go in and out.