Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we can live on £800pcm...

75 replies

LumpyMcBentface · 29/08/2016 11:04

For food, petrol and spends?

I really want to get our shit together, pay off our credit cards and save for a holiday. My plan is to transfer a fixed amount for the month into a different amount for spends, and stick to it. That way we can build up a healthy balance in the other account and use it to pay all the credit card debt and a holiday.

Does it sound doable? Family of five plus pets.

Any tips?

OP posts:
Original poster
LumpyMcBentface · 29/08/2016 11:34

It wasn't bossy Grin this is all good. Lots of ideas.

OP posts:
EarthboundMisfit · 29/08/2016 11:35

We do it and it's ok.

SanityClause · 29/08/2016 11:36

Oh, yes, well that makes sense. But I'd feel more comfortable knowing the money couldn't be spent elsewhere, if it were me. Maybe get an account where both you and DH need to sign on a withdrawal, so you have to discuss it together, first - neither of you can just take it.

FRETGNIKCUF · 29/08/2016 11:36

Morrisons is the cheapest supermarket, including Aldi and lidl

Original poster
LumpyMcBentface · 29/08/2016 11:37

No, Aldi is the other side of the town he works in.

OP posts:
Original poster
LumpyMcBentface · 29/08/2016 11:38

Dh is going to keep hold of all the cards to the main account, it's better if I don't have free access to money. He can leave me cash during the day if I need it.

OP posts:
SanityClause · 29/08/2016 11:38

Is it, FRET? I might try them, as I currently use Ocado, but Morrisons use the same packing and delivery system.

sashh · 29/08/2016 11:41

Pay off the credit cards before you start saving. Start bby paying off one, so if you have a balance of say £800 - split it in to two payments, pay off over 2 months then put the card in water and freeze it. You can then get at it in an emergency but not easily.

Have a set amount on you per day, say £5 and leave all bank cards at home. Check with your bank some allow you to take out money from an ATM by using an app and putting in a code so in an emergency do that.

QuimReaper · 29/08/2016 11:49

Not to be stalkery and weird but I was on your thread last week and you sound like you're doing really well Lumpy. Keep it up! Flowers

eddielizzard · 29/08/2016 11:51

cut out takeaways and lunch out, unless it's a sandwich type place. for a treat get a ready meal once a month instead. drink white wine spritzers instead of red wine. you can buy a box of wine so you're not committed to finishing a bottle.

def pay off cc first before saving. you're forking out loads for the cc.

SeenYourArse · 29/08/2016 11:51

We live on £165 a week including diesel! (4x4 and an estate car!) and shopping and clothes etc 3 of us,me DH and LO of 11 weeks (bottle fed) BUT we do this by choice as we love our holidays! We save every week out of DH salary (I'm on mat leave) to enable us to go away. This year we have been to Cornwall for a week in August (got back on Saturday) and have the USA booked for 3 weeks at Christmas.
What I'm trying to show you is that it's perfectly doable! We shop at Aldi and use Asda for good priced diesel. We eat out most weeks but use vouchers and go to where has offers on etc

PollyPerky · 29/08/2016 11:57

To my mind, things like books from Amazon are 'treats' not necessities. As is £20-£25 a month on wine and a take away that might add on another £60 a month. Smoking's just a no-brainer- sorry but you lost my sympathy there. Cost to the bank balance and health. Sorry .

Original poster
LumpyMcBentface · 29/08/2016 12:01

I will tackle the smoking but I'm just not there yet.

I agree that books and stuff is treats, it's that kind of random spending I want to get a handle on.

OP posts:
Dishevelled09 · 29/08/2016 12:10

We used to be able to live comfortably on £800 when the kids were younger,2 holidays a year but we have 2 teenagers now so would like to know how others manage to keep the food bill so low. I shop at Aldi/ lidl. Recently gave up smoking through the local quit smoking service, they provide 12 weeks worth of nrt and been surprised how effective the patches have been and using an e cig when desperate! Know exactly what you mean as you need to be ready to do it.

bakeoffcake · 29/08/2016 12:11

If you go to the Drs you van get free products to help you give up smoking.

How much a month do you spend on cigarettes? Could saving all that money into a "going on holiday" account motivate you?

Ubertasha2 · 29/08/2016 12:15

Could you give up smoking? Not an essential, and so bad for DC to breathe in- even 2nd hand smoke 😕

Cinderbloom · 29/08/2016 12:18

It's taken me two years but now I've found a vaping set-up I'm happy with, it's costing £10 per week. Maybe ask friends /relatives who vape if you can try some out when that time comes.

Amazon vouchers as Christmas and birthday presents maybe, then try to forget the account balance so it's there if you really need a treat. Also instant if it's a Kindle book you want.

TwentyCups · 29/08/2016 12:19

I've lived on less than that for absolutely everything!
You can always always cut money from a food shop, there are great tips on here. Check out the recent chat thread on own brand items, full of tips on which products taste/work the same or better than an expensive brand.
Pound shops etc are a good place to buy household products.

Supermarkets and charity shops are your friend where clothes are concerned.

Fuel is a necessary cost for most people, but buying from a supermarket station is often the cheapest bet.

Cigarettes are, as you know, expensive, if you don't want to quit try switching to a cheaper brand or roll ups. E cigs are cheaper too.

If you have sky or virgin etc consider getting rid - Netflix at £6 per month offers heaps of entertainment at a fraction of the price. I don't have a tv anyway, and save money on a to license too! If you are happy to only watch Netflix then you could do this too, but I understand it's non negotiable for some people.

If you have pets bulk buy their food in huge sacks from wholesalers, it saves a lot over time.

JellyBelli · 29/08/2016 12:23

Thats totally doable and without feeling like you are being misers.
Did you know you can store cartons of milk in the freezer? Its not worth driving to a store for milk.

AtSea1979 · 29/08/2016 12:24

Have a look at your bank statement and add up those costs for past twelve months and divide by 12. Does it come anywhere close?

Mov1ngOn · 29/08/2016 12:24

That's tons for food and fritttering. If all bills etc are paid.

Definitely have it in cash at the beginning of the week and pay off c/c before saving!

PollyPerky · 29/08/2016 12:28

I think it's great you are taking control, but not great that you are simply putting off giving up fags. There is never going to be a 'right' time. I also know you won't like this, and that you didn't come here for a lecture, but if you are not happy to quit, then everything else is by the by- you are literally taking a match to tenners and just burning money. That should be your priority before you start cutting down on other things- or at least an equal priority, not just for cash savings but for family health.

SquirrelPaws · 29/08/2016 12:38

I think the fags are a red herring. I'm sure OP knows they're expensive and unhealthy, and she'll quit when she's ready. Until then, fags are a known cost in the household budget. Not necessarily fixed, roll-ups or a cheaper brand may be an option, but they are a cost to factor in.

Ditsy4 · 29/08/2016 12:39

Keep away from the shops.
I hardly spend any money because I keep away from the shops and temptation. My friends goes nearly every day and is addicted to shopping. She buys way too much food and throws a lot out. We rarely throw food away. She buys her girls lots of clothes and always has. My daughter saw quite a lot going to the charity shops with tags on, never worn.
I go with a list( supermarket)and sometimes stray if there is a bargain to be had. I do have treats now the kids have left home a magazine a month and a weekly cheap one. When the kids were home my friend and I used to buy different ones and swap. Books...go to the library as it will save you lots of money for all the family. We only had a take away on special occasions if it was requested. We still only have them occasionally.
Petrol. Make sure the journey is worth it. So keep a list on the fridge on any items needed.
I would personally pay off the credit cards( we don't have them) but I think you need an incentive to stay on track so could you pay 2/3 rd. off and put the rest towards a holiday. I like the mood board idea put pictures of realistic holiday days out. Look and save for any vouchers you can often get them in tourist information booklets. Occasionally cereal packets have them too.
You can do it and it becomes a challenge. I had a friend who wrote everything down at night in an accounts book. She reckoned it kept her on track. Good luck then you can really enjoy that holiday.

JaneAustinAllegro · 29/08/2016 12:41

books and mags - hit up your library! Ours has digital books for loan too, so if you have a (non-Kindle) e reader, you can get them immediately. Also cheap DVD rental. I've hammered our library this summer for the kids and it has probably saved me £40 in books and another £40 in cinema tickets.