How to cut corners when you already cut all of the corners?

[Moneysavvymam]

Me and DH have been eating into our savings recently. We have just moved so that comes with costs. Bought a few extra takeaways after being knackered from unpacking amd moving, bought a few new things we needed including furniture (all second hand though) so we initially thought that was part and parcel of the move. It costs money.

However now its been a while and the savings are still going down when they should be going back up.

We need to cut costs but we already do the following-
batch cook one pot meals mostly and freeze.
cycle or walk to cut travel costs (no car)
called Internet and got a better deal but they keep putting the price back up despite setting up an 18 month fixed price contract. eye roll.
-buy almost everything second hand
-we already shop at aldi and lidl
-we don't buy stuff for the sake of it anyway its all second hand
-stay in mostly, or local walks no days out for £££
-keep heating off and use electric blankets in winter and jumpers and extra socks

I don't know where else we can save. We were given a couple of hundred from family as a moving in present, it was supposed to go toward a new kitchen or flooring which is bare and unsafe but it just went on bills and now I'm too embarrassed to have people round because we are still living in a fixer upper when I budgeted and planned to have saved enough to have redecorated 80% of the place by now, but in reality I've put off buying a tin of paint because the money is just running away it seems.

oh and we just had a letter saying the gas and electricity is expected to rise in price. And I've noticed I'm spending more and more on food.
Is there anything I have forgotten? We are a family of 6 and I didn't even replace all of the uniform this year because I just couldn't afford it.
We still have about 2 months worth of expenses in savings but its dwindling.

I feel like we should be raking it in because we cut expenses to the bone but I'm struggling to think of where else we can cut. Any advice? I'm sure lots are in the same boat. Thank you for getting this far if you did, I know I'm a rambler when I worry.

Regular expenses not money.

Sell a child 🤣
Only kidding

You mentioned that you know many others (millions?) are in the same or a similar predicament to yours.

I feel that the short term solutions might help you to eke out a living for you and your family - possibly better that you are doing already - but unlikely. The longer term solution for your family and and millions of others is POLITICS. Make sure your MP knows your problems, find out what they would do about it, make them aware what you will do about it if they vote for instance for cuts in benefits and taxing the already underpaid etc. An election will be coming up in the next year or two.

I bought all my granddaughters uniform from aldi very cheap, I also did surveys made about £100 a month not a lot but every little helps juet goggle see what comes up, I did swagbucks insta a few others I can't remember their names

I'm actually appalled at the posters talking about how the Op shouldn't have four children, what a terrible thing to say. She has her beautiful family, should she be made to feel guilty about them, not at all. She wasn't asking for family planning advice or your judgement she was asking how to budget even more. The totally unhelpful comments about not having four kids are a disgrace,
Op I'm not sure if you will come back to this thread but if you do, my suggestion would be to take on some work that could be done when the kids are in bed, so maybe ironing or online tutoring for foreign students. Maybe the online surveys would be good.
With regards to the house, you've already said how everything you get is 2nd hand so maybe keep your eyes out on Facebook for Housey things or simply put a post out asking if anyone is selling or getting rid of whatever it is that you need.
Give your self time to do the house, maybe focus on the kids rooms first as they surely will just need a coat of paint, and it is amazing what people just want rid that you can use .

Buy white emulsion and a match pot in a dark shade, mix it up yourself to make a pastel, much cheaper

[quote MyDcAreMarvel]**@Fluffycloudland77* I used to work with a mother of 6 who worked nights while her dh worked days*
What a horrible way to live, both as a couple and as a family.[/quote]
I think it is a pretty horrible way to live but they should have thought of that before they had 6 children.

I just can't understand people who have more than 2 children and then wonder why they struggle financially

Charity shop and discount clothes, buy good makes then sell on ebay. I met a woman who made a living from it. Time consuming but as you only need a little extra worth a punt

As long as your hone is clean don't worry.
You might bebin an under -budget / over spending situation
Or you've just not got enough coming in.
Decide which it is.
There's a uk fb group, dave Ramsey baby steps. Its about debt repayments firstly, but it gives great advice / tips on budgets etc. Our debt was 0 but budgeting rubbish until I looked at "the baby steps"
Also check your getting all your benifit entitlement

Well a bit late in the day to say the poster shouldn't have had four children although I agree.

Have a look for the following website for ideas for reducing your food bill Thrifty Lesley - For Fabulously Frugal Food

@PeacheyPeach

I'm actually appalled at the posters talking about how the Op shouldn't have four children, what a terrible thing to say. She has her beautiful family, should she be made to feel guilty about them, not at all. She wasn't asking for family planning advice or your judgement she was asking how to budget even more. The totally unhelpful comments about not having four kids are a disgrace, Op I'm not sure if you will come back to this thread but if you do, my suggestion would be to take on some work that could be done when the kids are in bed, so maybe ironing or online tutoring for foreign students. Maybe the online surveys would be good. With regards to the house, you've already said how everything you get is 2nd hand so maybe keep your eyes out on Facebook for Housey things or simply put a post out asking if anyone is selling or getting rid of whatever it is that you need. Give your self time to do the house, maybe focus on the kids rooms first as they surely will just need a coat of paint, and it is amazing what people just want rid that you can use .

Yes, for the OP, it's too late to comment that 4 children is perhaps a financial commitment she can't really afford

But, if it prompts someone else to realise that 4 children is a luxury they can't afford, then it's served a useful purpose

PeachyPeach why are you appalled? It's a fact of life I'm afraid, and I'm speaking as someone from a larger family.

Anyway, OP has disappeared...

OK, don't start knitting dishcloths, Christ. Look at the £10 a day threads, I think they're in money matters.

At this point you need to earn more, any extra saving you could do would be so marginal - not to say you shouldn't, but the time and energy it would take you is more efficient channeled into making extra money.

@Lahhdjdknwbjshdhb

Costs are going up sharply and I’m afraid to say will not be coming back down. It’s going to be tough times ahead for a lot of families. If you can’t cope now, I would say that long term you need to look at a) increasing your income significantly by getting a new job or side hustles b) moving to an area with cheap housing.

Those are your options. Refining your already tight budget is just tinkering and is not the solution.

I know you have 6 in your family and cannot change that now, but I would say this is why I would choose not to have a family or 6. It’s harsh to say, but unless you’re on very good incomes a large family isn’t really affordable in this day and age .... and does risk you falling into poverty. We are however lucky to live in a country where you will not starve if you fall below the poverty line- but is incredibly stressful and traumatic.

I would look at protecting your family and reducing housing costs if you can

Good luck- I really do feel for you x

Maybe they didn't intend to have a family of 6. We had one child, intended to have 1 more and had triplets ( naturally not IVF ). Had to move, change house etc with all the extra costs involved.

Another way of getting things you may need for free is to sign up to freecycle online. It's a site where people advertise stuff they are giving away for free, this can include furniture and crockery and all sorts of random things.

@marguerite2000 I'm appalled as the Op was asking how to find some extra money in her budget, not have her family called into question. And be made to feel wrong for having four children, it's so judgemental.

As others have said, step one is a budget. If you don't know where your money is going you don't know if the problem is that you are spending little bits here and there that add up that you need to cut out, or that your outgoings simply exceed your income on basic bills, which is a much bigger issue.

You've identified there is an issue, which is great, but if you're dipping into the savings so much and only have 2 months left you need to make changes now, not in a few years, otherwise you're going to be going into debt and all your issues will snowball. I say that as someone who has been in a lot of debt, and I would do anything to have stopped before I started.

You say you have no skills, rubbish. Everyone has skills. You are on the internet right now, engaging with a forum, so you have at least base computer literacy. You have 4 kids, so presumably you have some childcare skills too. Do you do lots of days out, make crazy bento lunches or tuff trays of wonder you can do tutorials or short videos on for youtube?

Go on the Money Saving Expert Up Your Income forums, there is plenty to do from home (don't fall for an MLM scam, and in all honesty the money from surveys is peanuts for the time you'd be a lot better off to stick a sign on your front wall and your local facebook groups saying you're taking in ironing, or walking dogs, babysitting, whatever). I have a friend who makes £100s a month selling helium filled balloons, tank of helium is under £20, she sells a basic birthday number balloon for £15, or balloon towers for about £45-60. Right now you have a decent opportunity to make good money with Christmas coming up, personally one of my side hussles that's the easiest to get into is tshirts/stickers on etsy, redbubble etc. I did some about 2 years ago, and they make me about £200 a month still with no input from me, but in the run up to Christmas for about 6 weeks I can make that each day. I have no graphic design experience, most are just text based done in canva free edition. My 8 year old child even has a redbubble sticker shop which makes a few £ a month with photos she edited on the ipad of our pets so you really don't need masses of experience, just go on youtube and search for 'print on demand tutorial'. If you're disciplined and good with spreadsheets I've made over £10k over the years matched betting. The number of people who make money with sweetie boxes, hot chocolate bombs, crocheted chocolate orange covers etc which are not hard to do and all over facebook in the run up to Christmas is vast. Pick something on pinterest you can replicate quickly that makes a good stocking filler and get those savings bumped back up.

OP you're not alone, not by a long shot. I am shocked at how much prices have risen. We shop as much as possible at Aldi.but that involves a 30min car journey. We have a walkable distance Co-Op but, goodness, it's expensive by comparison.

Be honest with your family when it comes to Christmas if you can't afford to buy gifts this year. They shouldn't judge you for it (I would hope), adults don't need gifts anyway really and even most children get pretty overwhelmed with gifts. Spending quality time with people is what matters. Honestly I'd rather receive a home-made jar of chutney or some biscuits you'd made- something given with real love and thought.
Don't be too hard on yourselves. It's quality time together that matters not how much you spend.
Lots of us are still going through tough times so I hope you have a family and friends who are sensitive and empathetic enough to recognise that your family are struggling and that they help in some way - with time / support even if not financially.
Good luck OP x

@peacheypeach
You really are a kind person and I really needed that. So thank you. I stopped reading ages ago. It gets nasty. I'm glad I checked the last page.

Mmm, bit of a half hearted response there @Moneysavvymam

You got lots of good advice here and only acknowledged one poster who was nice to you.

I wouldn't bother asking again if all you want iscyour arse kissed.

So many "helpful " experts that makes you feel more guilty! I am a sahm with 3 kids under 5, husband working in construction and is only income. The child benefit usually goes on nappies, wipes and stuff i need for them (usually when they are in offer i buy for a few weeks ahead) so one less worry for DH. We pay rent, council tax and all bills usually people pay AND eat a lot AND still survive. I read someone said it's not possible with one income but yes it is possible and with the God help we was never in debt, no universal credit or council tax help.
We moved last year and has to renovate at our costs and yes there's a lot of money going out and had our savings going down constantly first 2 or 3 months because there's a lot you need when moving but things will improve in a few weeks/months time if the income is still present. May God help you!

And did not read the whole thread but last page please feel proud you have 4 kids. My 4th is in the way. That's not a reason for money going down as there's people who don't even have kids and still have lots of gaps in budget! My mum had 9 children and I am the youngest and sometimes I think how would it be if she would chose to stop at one or 2 because the communism wouldn't allow them to be rich but we never starved or been hungry,just knew what we can afford or not. I have been babysitting most of my nephews, helped my siblings and got help from my siblings as well so having siblings is the best thing my parents could offer us. Also in start of pandemic we had each other to speak with and encourage and kids to keep us busy so be proud your kids will have someone to trust when you will not be there for them!

Look on ilovefreegel/ trashnothing/ freecycle if you need stuff. Is all free and local if you can collect. I've seen uniform items, You can put wanted ads on too - ask for: partial cans of paint to do your own diy, pots and plants for garden, furniture, kettles, washing machines etc

Why are people spending time trying to help? OP provided no income and outcome breakdown and admitted they have stopped reading this.

Can the mods lock this so people stop wasting their time?