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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

... to think I CAN manage on this income

59 replies

lilachair · 10/08/2012 13:06

I think I can, but I am recently out of a marriage where money wasn't really a problem, so I'm getting used to budgeting, and its tricky. It will be a while before my divorce settlement comes through, and I really don't want to go into debt.

So, after my rent and all my bills are paid, I'll have £120 a week left over. But that will be for all extras, food, clothes (haha.) toiletries, school trips, Brownies etc.

I can do that can't I? Also, any tips very gratefully received. Confused

OP posts:
NagooingForGold · 11/08/2012 09:00

If you don?t watch or record television programmes, or you only stream TV programmes online after they?ve been broadcast ? through on-demand services like YouTube, BBC iPlayer and 4oD ? you don?t need to be covered by a TV Licence. here

MammaTJisanOlympicSumoWrestler · 11/08/2012 09:08

Make sure you do a weekly shop and meal plan before hand. Be prepared to change the plan if you see special offers though.

I am just about to start my second year of Access course. Exciting isn't it?

TuesdayNightClub · 11/08/2012 09:17

It's not necessarily the weather for it just now but home made soup with veg and lentil/pulses mix is a great cheap dinner and healthy too. I got a packet of broth mix from Aldi last time I was there I think it was 69p and it goes a long way.

Could you grow your own veg in a little vegetable patch?

Also for the occasional treat/Christmas presents etc look at Groupon, Wowcher. Living Social and itison. Not everything is a bargain but some things are.

Moneysavingexpert is a brilliant site with lots of helpful tips on everything like the cheapest way to wash your clothes, current offers, maximising club card points etc.

You might want to try to get a zero percent credit card if you haven't already got one. That way if you absolutely have to pay for something unexpected (car breaks down or some unforeseen emergency) you are able to pay for it in the cheapest possible way with resorting to expensive overdrafts or short term loans.

cupcake78 · 11/08/2012 09:35

I was at Uni for a few years on a budget with a family and found this helped.

Thermos flask, take your own coffee.
Water bottle, take your own drink and carry fruit or snack bar with you. Take a lunch everyday, you shouldn't need to spend any money at Uni. If you pay for parking find a street with no charges and try to get in there as much as you can. Drive slowly and freewheel down hills (be careful thought).

Bulk buy washing stuff when it's on offer. But a mooncup, £20 and no more need for tampons pads etc. it's a big monthly saving.

Stock up on cold and flu stuff when it's on offer (now). Supermarkets own brand. Get posh tissues when there on offer and save them for winter cold/flu bug blues to make you feel special.

Smart price cheese, pasta, pulses, sweets, all good. Buy meat when it's on it's last day and reduced, freeze it in portions. Use veg mince substitute from time to time it's cheap and goes a very long way. Use onions, carrots and other cheap veg to bulk out your food.

Soups, stews, pasta, curry, rice are your friendsGrin.

Develop a baking cupboard and bake a treat cake each week, it's cheaper.

Save jars for homemade sauces and tubs for freezing things in. Any leftovers use or freeze.

Bulk cook food.

Treat yourself once a month. Something small if you can like a nice smelling bubble bath that you can use again and again and helps you relax.

Anything you dont spend save, you dont have to spend it cos its there. Good luck, it will be ok, it's only for a year and you'll be so healthy.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 11/08/2012 09:45

kate - you only need a TV license for live TV. Watching something that's on Iplayer and not live is allowed, you wouldn't get fined, and you would probably need to write to the licensing people when they send you letters to explain you don't need a license because you do not watch live TV.

lilachair · 11/08/2012 22:35

Oh wow! Thank you :)
I'm going to print this thread odd and stick it to the fridge!

So many brilliant ideas :)

Going to sort out shes and use musicmagpie, have tons of CDs and all my music is on my laptop anyway now.

I think the girls can get free school meals, will sort that out/apply on Monday.

I've already been to Aldi Grin and there is a Farmfoods in the nearest town. I didn't know what it was, Doh.

I'm now planning our London trip in Feb and am going to make it a holiday, as we haven't had one this year.

I'm going to sort the veg patch out next week. I started but then was useless at it. I think there are probably some courgettes in there Blush But I have tons of seeds I planned to plant. Kicking myself I didn't get on with it.

So much to think about and all so positive Smile

And lovely to meet fellow students mumsknots and MammaTJisanOlympicSumoWrestler Isn't it exciting!

OP posts:
TroublesomeEx · 12/08/2012 07:16

lilachair Good luck!

You've had some great advice on here. It's amazing how frugal you can be when you need to and how hard some of the habits you develop die.

I did my degree as a single parent and without the support now available on here. You will love it!

KateSpade · 12/08/2012 21:17

Im sorry, i didn't mean to sound like an Ass, i have just listened to the same argument between two of my Uni flatmates - 'I'm not paying for a T.V licence i'll stream it online'

fivegomadindorset · 12/08/2012 21:21

Getting the money out in cash is a great idea, we do this on a weekly basis and it has totally made me rethink about how we are spending money.

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