to be irrationally worried that we only have £140 left to last to next Tuesday.........

[WheresTheMoneyGone]

and have 4 DCs? 2 x DCs need new school shoes before Monday (I threw their last ones out when they finished school because they were wrecked - they only last a term - bloody boys). We have enough food until Monday - online shop will be delivered today with enough food for 4 days and I have taken that off bank total. I always feel irrationally insecure if we have less than £100 in account!

We will need to put £15 on electric meter and £25 on gas meter today (meters installed before we moved in and bloody costing £5 a day just for gas!!).

Big car bill this month for MOT repairs and tax credits reduced by £60 last week and every week until end of June due to DH earning slightly higher than expected - £1000 - which I informed them of immediately we got his final payslip for the last tax year so they reduce our payments by £240 month!

I fucking well hate this obssessing about money all the time . We don't smoke/drink/go out/have holidays/do anything really. Before anyone says we should not have had 4 DCs, we were better off until last year when I got made redundant and can't now find another job earning enough to cover childcare.

Ahem, that would be a copy, not afoot??!

Me too please stranded

married if I was worried about money lasting a few days I wouldn't even be contemplating ice-creams if I took the children to the park. Take drinks from home and save £5.

What's the problem? 40 on leccy/ gas. Shoes, get cheap ones if you want but I'd get more expensive ones at 30/35 a go. Still leaves you with 30 or 40 for any unforeseen expenses. YABU. You have plenty of money to get to Tues.

Stranded can I get that if not too late?

OP, you sound pretty rubbish with money tbh. Why are you having shopping delivered to last 4 days? Surely if you're paying for delivery you order at least a weeks worth. And tbh, if you're worried about money then why have shopping delivered at all? Pop to Aldi or Lidl and you'll spend half the amount. I have less than £200 to last till the end of the month. I'm worried, but not seriously panicking.

Me too, please, stranded mine's getting boring.

In the nicest possible way, and assuming you're not wreaking the piss - pull yourself together!

We have about £50 to last until the 19th, and I ain't worried at all . Home made bread, home made soups, stews made with chicken thighs, walking a bit more instead of the bus, avoiding putting the heating on, inviting pals round instead of going out - it really isn't that difficult.

Seriously. I am shaking my head in a very disapproving fashion.

Stranded me too please.

It is hard OP especially if you're not used to it, and I'm trying to be sympathetic but this is my (and many others) life all the time. Although I would consider it a good week personally if I had £140 left and only had to get gas and school shoes. Truly.

Blimey!

Ive got £140 in my bank as of today and that needs to last 7 days, I also need to do food shopping and gas. DS3 needs new shoes but that will have to wait till next week!

Im jealous that you've already got food sorted TBH!

May as well chime in and ask Stranded for that menu plan too please

Ways of living cheaply (some of these have been suggested by other posters): - Clothes: charity shops, ditto books and birthday cards. Shoes for children: Occasionally and if you're very lucky, charity shops, but that's a long shot (much easier for adults); you'd be more likely to find child's shoe bargains in supermarkets and sale baskets outside shoe shops. Food: daily buying if you can manage it, and head straight for the reductions section to begin with. Find out if there's a particular time and day of the week when the best reductions appear! Bread's a good one when it's going cheap, as you'll be able to get good rolls, ciabattas and sometimes things like Danish pastries for pennies. Buy from supermarkets' 'basics' ranges where you can. A few basics are horrible but I recommend Sainsburys basics coffee - it is in a bag, not in a jar, and 100g is I think 57p. It's just as good as other instant coffees which are nearly double the price. Walk wherever you can, rather than taking a bus. Buy good stuff from charity shops and in sales with particular people in mind, to go towards Christmas/birthday presents, and have a presents drawer. If you fancy a coffee when you're out, find out if there's a local community cafe, they're often in Churches, and sell home made cakes and not too expensive coffees and teas.
Put a few pounds aside each week or month for unforeseen needs.
I hope this helps.

Stranded me too please....2 weeks to payday, food and school shoes to buy. OP as someone said, a look at the credit crunch thread might be beneficial. Understand that feeling of 'oh shit' though.

I've had school shoes for DD1 from Asda before for £3; they're slip on black ballet style pumps with a really decent sole and they've been really hardwearing and have lasted for ages. She is a teenager so something like that is fine for her, but Asda do often reduce their shoes for younger children in price too. Shoezone and Deichmann shoe shops are also really good, you can get a pair of shoes suitable for school for around a tenner in each of those.

We got 2 pairs of school shoes from Tesco for £8 each. Stranded can you send it to me to please

Stranded if it's not too late can I have a copy too?!? Thanks!

I'm lucky if I earn £140 a week from work! £140 would by far and away be a relief from the usual £120 something.

We picked up super cheap shoes in Tesco - really really cheap and cheerful.
We also usually get a £35 shop from Aldi which has tons of fruit and veg in - Lidl and Aldi are amazing.
Also, Home Bargains for anything homey you need - toiletries etc. Just don't get too carried away with all the bargains!

If all else fails, do as we do; sell some DVDs at second hand stores to make up some cash.

Stranded PLEASE may I have the meal plan too
OP Understand your anxiety.Worrying about money is wearing...you will be fine.We have £80 until 23rd...and may need to get grub.

£150 left here, and no more money until 2 weeks today. Not worried. Bit pissed off as my parents have just asked if they can take DS overnight tomorrow and we can't afford to go out for a meal or anything, but just going to enjoy the peace and quiet and the sex

Stranded I also NEED your planner please :)

Stranded Another request for the meal planner, please!

I wouldn't be too worried with £140 to last til tuesday. I can understand being concerned. But generally, if something happens, provided its not life threatening, then it can be left to sort out til tuesday surely?!

Normally we only have about £160-80 left the week before payday, and need food and petrol from that. Money feels tight to us at the end of the month, it is rare to have anything left by pay day, but that is just the way it is.

This month I have been off sick from work, and have barely left the house. Its a week til payday, and we still have £700. I know I've saved over £100 in petrol, but really, I must be wasting a lot of money every month just leaving the house

stranded can I have the meal plan too please?