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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

in thinking this very tight budget is doable for one week?

187 replies

Henrylj · 12/04/2022 10:02

Name changed cause my previous posts are imaybe identifying and it’s a bit embarrassing!
not a begging thread, I’m just looking for advice!

I had to switch from income support to universal credit, I did take out the advance but it was mostly taken up by the rent so had £300 left for the 5 weeks.
I messed up by forgetting that my phone bill comes out this week so I’ve ended up with £7 left for the week (until Tuesday) it’s the last week so I think do-able. We are at my parents for dinner on Sunday so don’t need anything for that day and they will get Easter eggs etc from family so won’t miss out on that

It’s just me and two primary aged dc(one very fussy so going with the things he would at least eat)

I have a few things in but not a lot

Bread
Jam
Porridge oats
Butter
Grated cheese
Pasta
Pasta sauce

I’m thinking if I buy

More bread 60p
Couple tins of beans £1
Couple tins of soup £1
Milk £1.20
Cheap biscuits 50p
Cheap apples £1
Frozen mixed veg £1

I could do them

Tuesday- Pasta and sauce/cheese with mixed veg
Wednesday- pasta and sauce/cheese again (with the leftover sauce) with mixed veg
Thursday- beans on toast
Friday- soup and bread
Saturday- super noodles with mixed veg mixed in
Sunday- at parents
Monday- beans on toast

Breakfast would be porridge and lunch jam sandwhiches, biscuits and apples for snacks

I know it isn’t healthy, but is it ok as a plan?
I will buy them all the fruit and veg in the world next week to make up for it from a health point of view!

OP posts:
whywhythough · 12/04/2022 11:27

The only thing that concerns me OP is that you say you could make 'them'...

What are you eating? Are you included on the food you are making your DC? Have you something else for yourself, like maybe frozen batch cooked food? Lease don't go hungry to feed your children, there is help out there

Skiptheheartsandflowers · 12/04/2022 11:28

Will your more fussy child eat rice pudding? If so get the own brand tins of rice pudding. Will fill them up, add a bit of jam and there's some calcium too, but is less miserable than trying to persuade them to eat veg soup.

Wavygravy1 · 12/04/2022 11:30

Go to a food bank chick, it’s what they are there for and with it being school holidays kids want to eat constantly x

DigsDilemma · 12/04/2022 11:31

There's bound to be leftovers on Sunday. Could you say when you arrive that you've got no food in and are calling first dibs on any leftovers - there's a chance you'll be sent home with enough to feed a small army on Monday.

DigsDilemma · 12/04/2022 11:31

I'd focus on getting through to the end of Saturday which might seem more achievable

shinynewapple22 · 12/04/2022 11:37

@CoastalWave read the rest of the OP! The thread is about £7 until next Tuesday.

OP - yes your menu plan would be fine for a week - but - I'm with other posters and would recommend you ask your parents to lend you a bit of extra cash .

andysgirl22 · 12/04/2022 11:37

@hassletassle three cheers for the community fridges :) i love mine. I love what they're about and no judgement etc. I also love that it is saving food waste.op i think you should go to a food bank as they can help with food but also electric coupons aswell. You might need that? I had to go yesterday to one as in a similarish situation to you but my pay day is this Thursday and they were so kind. They even told me to go back .really it was wonderful i cried lol. I think you can get a referral by ringing your local council or citizens advice. I got mine through a support worker that i have. The food bank even gave me an Easter egg! You can see why i was so humbled and cried. Anyway i just wanted you to think about it because i think you've done incredibly well and i wanted you to know that there is support out there xx

MikeandDave · 12/04/2022 11:39

Agree with asking your parents and see if there are any community fridge or food share programs in your area. I would add some eggs to your planned food buys if you can, it's cheap and gives some protein and nutrients.

madamovaries · 12/04/2022 11:40

Just to reiterate what someone else has said that you might want to try (if you can) using the Olio app to get some fruit/ treats.
I hope you and your family are OK. It's a really tough time.

Repetitivebeats · 12/04/2022 11:40

I'd avoid Too Good to Go in the OP's situation. Not knocking the app, it's a great way for businesses to deal with potential waste and for shoppers to get a bargain but you never know what you're going to get. The OP could spend £3 or £4, and the time to go and collect it, and find the bag had nothing her kids would eat, or be useful to make a meal from. That £3/4 is probably better spent on cheap and safe options.
All the best OP. and please don't feel bad about asking for help. I know if I had a friend who was struggling, I'd be more than happy to invite them round for lunch one day, or loan some money.

TheLadyDIdGood · 12/04/2022 11:42

Foodbank - this is what they're there for. There are some who need a referral fro hv, Dr, school etc. Some who don't need referrals and they're mainly the community and faith/church based ones in my area. Have a look on your local community hub website for info or Google Foodbank in x area.

Do you have anything you can sell on facebook/selling sites to raise a bit of quick cash? Old clothes, shoes, bags & household goods. Any spare cash can supplement your £7 food shopping budget.

Gizacluethen · 12/04/2022 11:42

It's one week, they'll be fine. Honestly I'd swap the apples for something more filling because one week without fruit won't hurt, unless they love apples.
Definitely try a food bank and the olio app, my mum has a food bank near her that doesn't need referrals, you just go and they give you a couple of bags of shopping so see if there's anything in your community. I might even drop the biscuits, they'll have easter eggs soon.

TheLadyDIdGood · 12/04/2022 11:43

Have a look in your local Aldi or Lidl, you could buy a decent amount for £7.

Wavygravy1 · 12/04/2022 11:43

@Repetitivebeats

I'd avoid Too Good to Go in the OP's situation. Not knocking the app, it's a great way for businesses to deal with potential waste and for shoppers to get a bargain but you never know what you're going to get. The OP could spend £3 or £4, and the time to go and collect it, and find the bag had nothing her kids would eat, or be useful to make a meal from. That £3/4 is probably better spent on cheap and safe options. All the best OP. and please don't feel bad about asking for help. I know if I had a friend who was struggling, I'd be more than happy to invite them round for lunch one day, or loan some money.
Agreed, I got one from Morrisons the other day and it would have been rubbish in the OP’s situation
TrillianMurphy · 12/04/2022 11:45

Instead of the soup, could you get 3 potatoes and have baked potatoes one night?
Your plan is absolutely fine for one week though.

HollowTalk · 12/04/2022 11:48

Kids under 12 eat free all day at Gordon ramsay restaurants and at preto.

Butt surely that would only be free if an adult bought a meal?

Cornettoninja · 12/04/2022 11:48

I agree OP should ask her parents, but I am conscious that perhaps they’re finding things tight too. It might be pride stopping OP asking but equally it may be the case they don’t have much either.

femfemlicious · 12/04/2022 11:50

No food banks?. I live in tottenham and there are so many places to get free food from . No need for referral just turn up. My lodger doesnt buy food at all. Literally goes to different foood banks everyday and gets lovely stuff

LBFseBrom · 12/04/2022 11:55

@PeonyRose80

Absolutely ok. Make sure you eat too.
That.
DigsDilemma · 12/04/2022 11:56

I'd also be very tempted to google local church activities even if you're not remotely religious - the ones round here are doing loads of free activities and welcome everyone. I was reminded of it because one round here is doing a cooking type activity with free food for the kids to take home. I know they'd welcome you with open arms (I'm not religious so this isn't a sales pitch!)

mrziggycoco · 12/04/2022 11:59

I've lived on very little. You're still buying too much processed stuff in my view.

I make bolognaise with a tin of tomatoes and bag of lentils, and a sachet of seasoning for bolognaise is 19p and bag of spaghetti about 40p. So for around £2 you have enough bolognaise for every night of the week.

You don't need biscuits. I would get some oats and make porridge using water OR a bag of cashews will go a long way for milk, cream,

Go to the youtube channel Atomic Shrimp! He lives off £1 frequently as an experiment and the things he does are actually really insightful.

maxineputyourredshoeson · 12/04/2022 12:00

OP we were in an almost identical situation a few years ago. I was absolutely devastated at the thought of having to go to the food bank, I was convinced I would be judged as not being able to feed my DC - there was absolutely no judgement at all, although I did insist on telling them why I was there Blush.

I came out with so much stuff, right down to toilet roll. I was asked if I needed shower gel/washing power/washing up liquid, even toothbrushes. Although I had enough of everything I really did appreciate the offer.

We had a look through everything we had been given, made a meal plan and used the odd few pounds we had left for fresh milk and bread as needed.

Community fridges weren’t a thing back then but I would have used one of those as well.

I’m so glad I swallowed my pride that day, it really did save us from an awful situation (genuinely not saying that it’s the same with you).

FlowersGood luck

Andouillette · 12/04/2022 12:05

OP you sound like me in the 90s, there were lots of weeks like that. If there had been food banks etc I would have been there like a shot. We ate a lot of soup, sausages for a treat, and the family favourite, pasta fish (one tin of tuna, 1 tin of tomatoes, half a minced onion, a tiny knob of butter and a metric shit-ton of pasta plus a little cheese if we had any) my now adult DDs still ask for it and woe betide me if I try and smarten it up now we aren't in abject poverty! It has taught me one very important thing; though it was an almighty struggle for DH and me the DD remember that time with as much happiness as any other part of their childhood.
If your parents ask you what you would like for birthday/Christmas or similar a stick blender is a brilliant thing to get if you don't already have one. It really helps with hiding extra veg in things, making onions invisible etc. and is invaluable for soups, pasta sauces and similar. A slow cooker is also a great thing to have. You would be amazed what you can add to carrot soup without children noticing! Yellow sticker avocados which are overripe add much needed good fats, for instance.

lapasion · 12/04/2022 12:10

We have a couple of best before cafes near us. Basically they’re places where you can make a small donation of a couple of quid and you can fill up a bag of stuff that would otherwise go to landfill. They do one at the church and one on a local high street. Loads of people use them, both those who are struggling and people who are worried about the environment.

TibetanTerrah · 12/04/2022 12:15

I can't believe this relatively short OP needs a TLDR because people can't read Hmm

She has £7 to last a week.
1 DC is very fussy - it's a waste of money to buy fucking lentils they won't touch! Confused