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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Could you survive on 1k?

485 replies

coffeeanteac · 06/04/2023 08:55

If you had £1000 left after the main bills.

Could you survive on £1000 for food amd petrol and everything else takeaways, gifts, fun.

DH thinks most families couldn't. I think it should be ok. There are only 3 of us and we all live about three miles away from work and school.

OP posts:
GOW56 · 07/04/2023 13:58

Yes that sounds a lot left after bills.

WillowtreeHouse · 07/04/2023 13:58

Of course you can.

HarLace1 · 07/04/2023 18:43

Well we do on less and we are a family of 4 soon to be 5! Approx 800 after every single bill. But that doesn't include groceries or petrol. We manage, still manage a takeaway once a week or paint for the house etc we aren't desolate.

Swanfeet · 07/04/2023 18:45

You’re not actually asking are you! I think you know the answer and just want us all to confirm that you’re doing well and have more than most.

Cheesyball · 07/04/2023 18:46

I'm barely over a £1k a month before bills 🤣 Holiday every year. 1k spare would be amazing.

moomoo1967 · 07/04/2023 18:59

I'd be better off than I am now !!!

Happyhappyday · 07/04/2023 19:04

It would be a huge lifestyle change for us, but I guess that depends what you lump in to bills? DC gymnastics/swimming etc as part of bills or fun? One off bills like car insurance?

We could make groceries plus petrol work but I wouldn’t be very happy about it. Not Uk though and food is a lot more expensive here.

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 07/04/2023 19:07

I could make that work, yeah. We have more than that now, thankfully, but I do know how to stretch an income, cook on the cheap, do free stuff and coupon for things etc. We also don't have to commute which would be a massive help.

celticprincess · 07/04/2023 19:15

Wow, that would be nice. I only earn about £1100 and then get about £800 in tax credits, plus child benefit for 2. I don’t really have ‘spare’ money. Everything is accounted for.

Plingston · 07/04/2023 19:28

Yes I could. It would probably be a shock to somebody who has never had to worry about budgeting before though.

When my eldest was young, I had to live on benefits for a while. We lived on £1000 a month and rent was £550. That was difficult. I know that I'll always be ok after managing to get by on that.

anaconda1831 · 07/04/2023 19:29

Yes we do!

mumda · 07/04/2023 19:32

We live on that including bills.

ivfbabymomma1 · 07/04/2023 19:33

No. Not with the food bill included in that. However I could live off approx £500 after all my bills, food, petrol, savings etc

MrsRandom123 · 07/04/2023 19:37

OnaBegonia · 06/04/2023 20:39

There is no need for £1000pm food bills, £33 a day on food is more than easily cut back.

i spend about that just on fruit & salad type bits!

Kay286 · 07/04/2023 19:39

It’s not really a lot if it’s has to include food petrol surely once that’s paid out barely anything for fun left !

RoyGBivisacolorfulman · 07/04/2023 19:45

Swanfeet · 07/04/2023 18:45

You’re not actually asking are you! I think you know the answer and just want us all to confirm that you’re doing well and have more than most.

Think it's clear from this thread that isn't the case.

TheOrigRights · 07/04/2023 19:46

MrsRandom123 · 07/04/2023 19:37

i spend about that just on fruit & salad type bits!

Show quote history

You spend £33 a day on fruit and salad? How many people are you feeding?

MrsRandom123 · 07/04/2023 20:08

TheOrigRights · 07/04/2023 19:46

You spend £33 a day on fruit and salad? How many people are you feeding?

Show quote history

I meant a week as i misread the post & can’t edit. I took it as a dig as my food bill is £1000+

However, having checked what i’ve spent on fruit & salad & veg this week the average is about £16 so half of that

MrsRandom123 · 07/04/2023 20:09

MrsRandom123 · 07/04/2023 20:08

I meant a week as i misread the post & can’t edit. I took it as a dig as my food bill is £1000+

However, having checked what i’ve spent on fruit & salad & veg this week the average is about £16 so half of that

Show quote history
  • per day on average and 5 of us
Swanfeet · 07/04/2023 20:12

RoyGBivisacolorfulman · 07/04/2023 19:45

Think it's clear from this thread that isn't the case.

Show quote history

No I don’t agree, I don’t think that’s at all clear. I stand by my observation, I think it’s a very odd ‘question’

Doingtheboxerbeat · 07/04/2023 20:16

All this illustrates is that people on single element benefits are living massively under the threshold of what is expected to be considered livable. And I don't mean people who's lifestyle on benefits, but those who are in between situations for various reasons. £80 per week for ALL your bills, food etc 🥺.

Twinedpeaks · 07/04/2023 20:20

I could, but I wouldn't want to. Call me crazy but I like not having to worry!

RoyGBivisacolorfulman · 07/04/2023 20:21

@Swanfeet there are many people who say they couldn't with food and petrol and many who do but it's hardly a stealth boast. It's not living the high life or even having a holiday.

Elaina87 · 07/04/2023 21:17

Oh wow, yes sadly a lot of us do!!! Lucky you!

iolaus · 07/04/2023 21:31

We could and have for a long period of time- but it would be tight