£100 a week to live on. This can be done right?

[MsGameandWatch]

Food for three people and a dog. Petrol, gas and electric. Summer coming so hardly any gas usage. Car only used for short local-ish trips. Need to do it till November.

Awwlook just out of interest, why do you say that?

I think the dog would rather be in its loving family environment having 'kibble' than shoved in a shelter with strangers and no idea what's going to happen to him. FFS.. why do people talk about animals as if they're just an expensive 'hobby'. Would you suggest rehoming the kids if you couldn't afford a fully organic responsibily sourced home grown and reared diet?

Op, I've nothing else to add but good luck and it sounds like you're doing well.

What the fuck?? Rehome the dog? How bloody cruel!

Emma excuse me if I am being totally dense but no matter what I do it wants my current password ( which I have forgot) can't find a link for forgotten password.

As pp have said being veggie is a good option. Look at some veggie Indian recipes? If you know anyone with an allotment they may well be happy to let you have their spare veg at this time of year. Kids may get away with their current school clothes until Nov but think about shoes. A lot of schools can access funds for this purpose if you talk to the head discreetly?

If you have birthdays coming up, ask for cash not presents and don't be too proud to tell the people who love you about your difficulties, that's what they're for!
When DH&I were first married we had stretched ourselves to the limit for mortgage etc. and we took every invitation going! We also ate the high protein option for work (subsidised) lunches and ate pasta and soup at home.

I have also lent money discreetly to a fellow class parent and got it back after 3 months, even though I'd written it off as a charitable donation.

Awwlook, if you read the full thread, quite a few people have demonstrated that it's perfectly possible for the OP to do this.

Making your own dog food can make it cheaper. I boil mince and chuck in some boiled and mashed potato/sweet potato/carrot/peas/any veg that might otherwise go to waste. It doesn't look great to me but he loves it.

Well yes with savings you can, but. If you ain't got a penny in Bank. Living on £100 would be impossible. Well for me it would be and I don't live like a Queen

That's an idea paperdoll - the market research thing.

I have just done a totally stringent budget and worked out the lowest I can get is £130 a week - that's petrol, gas and electric, a necessary activity that one of my children goes to. If I cut out petrol even more then maybe £5 a week off that. But some weeks I won't need to pay that - school hols or if he doesn't feel up to going. I honestly think I can do this for £100/110 pw and not be too miserable.

We'll have to agree to disagree then, Awwlook. If you have a look at my weekly breakdown, it includes Sainsburys shopping, weekly Pilates, money towards a window cleaner and £20 "pocket money", all for under £95 per week.

No idea how much petrol costs but I think it's easy to do it.
As an example, for 3 of us and a pet I spend between £40 and £48 on an online shop per week. My electricity costs £30 a month and I don't have any gas. The online shop includes toiletries and cleaning /washing items too. So surely it is doable. I've been doing it for years!

Awwlook well, as you say, impossible for you maybe. Other people do manage it, and often for less than that.

Keep your dog! There may be an animal charity that would help you out with food rather than see another dog being re-homed. I actually can't believe the people suggesting you do this. Sometimes I get the feeling people would rather see people who are skint miserable and suffering with no kids, pets, tv, internet, phones etc.

Was about to say exactly that noeffingidea - people live on less.

Our dog is thriving on Lidl dried all in one dog food....it's a bargain

We are 3 months in on our £100 p/w budget and managing just fine. 1 adult, 1 child and 1 cat. I do have savings in the bank just trying to add to them. Have went over and/or used debit card for a few purchases new boots for lo, vet bills for moggy etc. Best advice i can give you would be to withdraw the full £100 at the start of each week, amazing how quickly you learn to be just tht bit more fruggle when handing over cash.

It's completely doable, especially now we're coming into warmer months!

Do you have any idea how much you currently spend on gas and electricity?

I'd second/third looking at veggie options, batch cooking, freezing, meal planning and going for lidl/aldi if you can. I cut my shopping bill down from £60 a week to £70 big shop once a month then £10/15 weekend top ups

I'm genuinely shocked at the two adults one child on £200 a week who struggle!

Good thread, I am needing to do this for the foreseeable future because of huge legal bills, so appreciate the advice too. No dog, two DC and me.

My ex stopped paying child support and is self employed so a huge chunk of my income is gone. I need to get us on a secure financial footing with a budget now and pay off my overdraft. I can be done with that and learn to do without the child support by sticking to this budget. In November things will be clearer and hopefully I will have found a way to generate more income.

At present it's about £60/70 a month on gas and electric but it's summer now so can stop using the tumble dryer so that will cut it back. I know for sure I can reduce petrol costs but I can't get rid of the car as have children with additional needs and the car is essential.