What's lowest you could live on food budget short term

[bronnibro]

Hello everybody, im in a bit of a pickle with my money, im not in debt through any means except my overdraft, which when I am paid im about about 0 again, I have a 2500 overdraft and always in it, I can't seem to cancel it out, I do live quite cheaply I don't own car etc, 2500 doesn't seem high and would make a lot of difference if I could break even so I want to do a 3 month severe spend on myself, obviously pay my bills, but I mean everything really bared back to see if I can make a dent, im not looking forward to it as I do love food and being out normally cost something, but should I tough it out for a 3 month trial period, I do need to lose weight too, so could combine 2 birds with one stone there, and I decide to do it now, because I've been saying for ages and I just need to start plus also it's nicer in summer I think, being outside is cheap :) what do you think and what would your single budget be or any other ideas on overdraft, I do get charged around 2 pounds a day which does add up

That's a false economy as tea made at home is pretty much the cheapest thing you can drink other than tap water. Cheaper than squash, cola, juice and of course much cheaper than any booze.

But if you only drink water which is better for your health you save money ?

Tea or coffee isn’t adding much unless you are addicted to the stuff … which I may be

Do you care about taste or health?

Bag of oats - 85p
Make with water

Brown bread - 65p
Margarine - £2
Tomatoes - £1
Cheese - £2

Bag of rice - £1
800g chicken drummers £2.85
Bag of dried Kidney beans - £1
Bag of frozen veg - £1

£13 all in.

I'd get a multipack of apples, and have one a day for breakfast. Possibly a banana or orange too if I found that wasn't enough. Or else porridge, but as I like mine with just milk, it would cost a bit more. If you're happy with water, that would be ideal. Would estimate max £3.

Lunch would be either cottage cheese and crispbread, or homemade lentil stews and soups. Just use dried lentils and chop and sauté onion, carrot and garlic, add tinned chopped tomatoes, stock and the lentils, plus herbs/spices of your choice. Then simmer for half hour. Don't even need tomatoes if using fava beans or red lentils. Delicious and so cheap - and can batch cook a load and portion them out over the week. Max £7.

Dinner either the same again (with different pulses and herbs), an omelette, or a jacket potato. Max £7. Can have extra fruit or vegetables if need a snack. Cutting out meat and fish will give you the biggest cost savings.

And drink water.

I understand wanting to simplify things @bronnibro. I am similar and when I want to lose a few lbs after a holiday or Christmas I eat versions of the same meals on repeat..... I think it's because it doesn't take up any headspace deciding what to make, I just know that breakfast is X and lunch will be Y etc etc. It's boring but for the relatively short term it works for me.

I think you could easily do £20 a week but I'd push it to £25 so you can get some nice extras in there. This is where I'd rotate between buying a box of teabags one week, coffee the next, really nice cheese another week etc. Things that will last you a while if you're just feeding yourself but will help it feel less of a slog.

There is a lady in Scotland who runs a website and Facebook Feed Your family for£20 quid a week. She is called Lorna.

Many years ago I had a year of being a vegetarian as my budget was so tight

It was a lot of pasta with veg and a little cheese.
Rice or noodles with veg.
Dahl
Hummus
Porridge
Reduced sticker food on way home from work and not caring about combinations.

I agree with the people who say around £20 a week- you need to plan ,shop and cook carefully though.

Could you boost your income at all?

£2,500 is ‘only’ £25…£100 times. Get stuff on Vinted and marketplace

Sure, if you're happy just drinking water all the time. Some people wouldn't be.

I spend approx £200 in Tescos/£100 in Lidl - this covers our food, alcohol, cat food for two, add presents/cards/wrapping paper/middle of Lidl aisle, so take off everything but the food, I guess we live on approx £25 each a week here.

Times we remarkable hard for a year or two when DD was little though, so I got used to buying cheaper ingredients - times are much better now, but I still myself continuing with these basics - but we don't go without if we fancy salmon or say berries now. Over time, I've got to know the best prices in both shops/what's on offer, so that helps. Years ago used to buy a jar of sauce for spag bol, but a can of tomatoes/onion and herbs are cheaper and healthier - it's a case working out for each meal if there's a cheaper option.

And some people would not be happy if they didn’t have meat every meal

OP didn’t ask about how to be happy with her diet , she had no preconceived assumptions about what is essential , she asked how to go cheap as possible and many people would trade tea for a bag off crisps for their treat. That’s the OPs choice. It’s not critical for survival or long term health