Have £245 until the 27th Feb, does this sound ok?

[Cantwaitforaholiday33]

This is what's left over, all bills etc. Are paid, This is for food, toiletries, transport and anything else, for me and an adult cat, I live alone.
Not intending to buy anything else like clothes, make up etc.
Supposed to be meeting up with a group of friends next week but worried I'll have to cancel. I don't drive and the place they want to meet at will cost me around £25 return on the train, and it's a high end restaurant. Wish we could just have a coffee or something but I know they're all high earners.

I've got the credit card as a last resort but really don't want to use it. I'm sure people would manage on less but grateful for any suggestions.

As it happens I've taken my former landlord to court for not protecting or paying me back any of my deposit. I'd be entitled to up to £750 after solicitor fees are paid, the hearing is on 12th Feb and they'd be ordered to pay me within 2 weeks, so I might just get lucky ! But im not banking on it.

Living alone i do feel the sting a little. I don't buy any expensive items but you just feel like toilet roll etc. Goes so quickly. Had to pay £200 for my boiler repair last week which hasn't helped..

I would probably cancel the meet up but that is plenty for food, travel and incidentals, assuming your cupboards/freezer aren’t currently totally empty. Even then I’d say it’s perfectly manageable.

Do you work/commute? Is there a cost associated for that.

It's just over £80 per week till the 27th it's doable but I absolutely wouldn't meet friends at that cost of travel and cost of the meal, if the are good friends explain money is tight so can we meet local for a coffee and if not good friends just state you can't make it this time.

Do you have cat food in already, if not can you bulk order enough from Amazon etc so it's a bit cheaper.

Food wise etc it seems completely doable unless you're wanting steak every day. I'd cancel the restaurant though, that's going to be £60 of your budget with transport. Definitely don't use the credit card for it.

Well I'd def cancel this with your friends. Would you be comfortable saying its because you cant afford it and suggest a coffee on a different date as you'd live to catch up with them.

It also depends what essential cost you have. Travel to work for instance.

Also food wise do you have much in already ? store cupboard/ freezer. Its not going to be luxurious but def doable.

Thank you. Ive got 1 ready meal in my freezer, some rice, some butter and squash atm.

I can either walk to work or take the bus, and then take a train to visit my family.

I might have to cancel sadly, the only problem was I didn't go last time for the same reason. That's the problem with having friends who earn a lot more..

I've got about 5 days' worth of cat food in luckily.

Hi ask chatGPT the question and they will make a meal plan. You can even request the shop you would like and dietary requirements

That's amazing, thank you !

I might get luckily with this court hearing. The solicitor thinks I'm likely to win, and it's proven they've broken the law so why shouldn't I. The question is will they actually pay..

Not enjoyable but definitely do-able.
I’d cancel the meet up though!

I think that sounds ok. I would postpone this meet up with your friends and offer an extra date at yours with a takeaway. I understand it must be difficult as you don’t want to make them feel guilty about earning more and wanting a fancy meal out, but definitely offer an alternative date doing something cheaper.

I would put the meet up on the credit card and then pay if off in full once you get the deposit money back. Look and see if you can buy an advance train ticket to save a bit.

Assuming you have some food and provisions in your cupboards, you can minimise how much you spend on food, go vegetarian for a couple of weeks if you aren't already. How much is transport likely to be?

Let your friends know that you'd love to meet up but things are a bit tight for you at the moment and to let you know when their next meet up is or just to call you if they're up for coffee soon.
Just be wise with what you buy and buy cheap food but healthy food.
Make soups, stews, curries or simple pasta dishes.toiletries buy whatever is on offer.

It's impossible to know if it's ok without knowing your transport costs. Last year I was spending £80 a week on fuel. So in that situation then clearly it wouldn't be enough.

How much will you be left with after transport costs?

Do you feel like it's enough? Is this a one off or will this be every month? Has your income or expenditure recently changed? I'm wondering what's prompted you to ask this question? Your question is a bit vague. Obviously it's not a nice feeling to be worrying about running out of money every month, maybe you need some more practical advice on how to increase income / reduce costs?

If they are true friends, they’ll understand so don’t worry about it. Why not offer to do something else? Like them come round to yours for takeaway? I would lay low for the rest of the month get savvy with your shopping and meal plan.

I was leaning towards going until you mentioned the restaurant.

Yes you could use you your credit card but you wont fully enjoy yourself.

Tell your friends it's a bit out of your budget atm and suggest something else that's comfortable. Friends won't mind.

I think the £200 boiler repair last week has set me back, and I still have 50% of my credit card to pay which is why I cannot use it. I paid £300 on it this month and I've got about £800 to go.

My transport is only a £2 bus to work luckily, it's literally just food and cat food unless an unexpected emergency happens.

I probably wouldn’t cancel the meet up especially if the £750 claim is very likely. Is pop that on a credit card and pay it straight off once you get your money back from landlord or get paid. Assuming it’s 30-60 days interest free.

I am actually waiting on friends coming round to mine. I bought my flat last year, which is why I am partially still skint as every spare penny went into the deposit, fees and furniture.

I've said about a housewarming and put a couple of dates out there but nobody has confirmed yet. I have been to visit them where they live and have given plenty of notice but they've never been here and I've lived in this city for a year now. Some have small children so I understand it's trickier but even before them..

I've often been that person needing to cancel/ not book because of £££. Real friends will understand.

I'm just worried that even if I am likely to win the court case, the landlord will just refuse to pay. Can they do that? I know i can then order some sort of enforcement but that'll be more hassle and time wasted..

I would also not cancel the meet up and offset that by walking to work and eating very cheaply for the rest of the month.

Porridge for breakfast, homemade soup for lunch and pasta for dinner.

If you really wants to go, why not look up the restaurant to check out the menu? See what they have on offer, maybe you could swing it that you were either a bit late and just join in and have a main course. So you can budget this plan the 25 for transport and whatever else the main course costs. And just drink water.