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Cost of living

Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

got my weekly shop with tesco vouchers yesterday, for £30, i dont think my pay is covering my outgoings

62 replies

waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 10:02

but was quite proud that i made a list and crossed some out made another list until it came to the value of the vouchers i had.

i am seriously skint. but a month ago would probably have done my usual shop but put it on a credit card.
i tried to icnrase the credit on my card for christmas but they wouldnt allow it. good for them i spose.
am a very lapsed vegetarian but tbh cant think of any veggie meals. apart from lentil spaghetti
i used to make a mean black eye bean shepehrds pie. but dc didnt like it. so gave up. all my veggie recipes seem to involve a tin of tomatoes.

i have to feed a family of 5, 3 teens.

anyone any further tips on frugal living. really frugal living

OP posts:
Original poster
waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 11:44

our insurance used to be about 70, so i spose it wasnt an awful lot to cancel and is not an awful lot spread out for peace of mind

OP posts:
Original poster
waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 11:53

bloody jacket potatoes are too expensive, if you want a decent size.

have to downsize

will have to unbury my head

OP posts:
RandomMess · 03/11/2013 11:55

StepChange is a charity that will help your sort out debt repayments free of charge.

Do you not just buy loose potatoes and then have 2 each if they are small? Quicker to cook that way! I cook ours in the slow cooker now.

Original poster
waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 11:56

good idea random
thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 12:00

when i looked a money saving about going to CAB to sort out finances I was worried though. Do they limit the amount you can spend?

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dietstartstmoz · 03/11/2013 12:08

I definitely recommend shopping at aldi if you have one. I am now converted and now reckon I spend half of what I used to. I also recommend their frozen jacket spuds, v cheap and 4/5 minutes in the microwave. We had lots of c card debts and we have taken out a loan and paid them all off and are not going to use them again. We pay the same for the loan as we did on monthly repayments only but this way they will be paid off in 3 yrs. Not for everyone I know but it has worked for us. Also doing a budget and withdrawing the cash and using this not debit cards each week. You may need to look at reducing your debt just a little each month and look at finances over a longer timescale.

amistillsexy · 03/11/2013 12:13

CAB will advise you, but they won't force you to do anything! The main thing is to get a plan you can stick to.

RandomMess · 03/11/2013 12:18

They offer you a plan you don't have to do it - but if you don't do something with the debt how much money have you got to spend anyway?

What are your outgoings? Are you actually being silly and overspending where you shouldn't be?

MinimalistMommi · 03/11/2013 12:49

Please read this blog, it will help you:
agirlcalledjack.com

Also this one: www.frugalqueen.co.uk

Also this one: mortgagefreeinthree.com

They are all (extreme) frugal blogs and will help you with ideas to get back on your feet. They are worth taking a look at.

MinimalistMommi · 03/11/2013 13:29

Try this blog too for cheap meals: thriftylesley.com/gnocchi-made-dried-mash-15p-a-serving/

Original poster
waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 13:50

thanks, dont think we are being silluy. have given up smoking, well we now vape.
will put a watch on this thread

OP posts:
RandomMess · 03/11/2013 13:51

If you are being careful with money, don't have a huge budget for food or some expensive hobby then I don't think the plan will be any worse than what you've recently being trying to manage on?

RandomMess · 03/11/2013 13:53

If you can promise to cut up the old card then transfer as much debt as possible on to a low interest deal so you can may off more than the minimum on the standard rate one?

If you can't get yourself out of this debt then it is time to seek advice and a repayment plan IMHO.

JimmyCorkhill · 03/11/2013 14:01

I second finding out if you are entitled to any benefits. You can have up to £6000 in savings and STILL be awarded housing benefit, so if you are struggling and working you might have a good chance. Also child/working tax credits. You can check if you are eligible/apply online government benefits site

Original poster
waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 14:13

pretty sure we are up to date on benefits.

but how to people pay for repairs to the car for example, and car tax. that is an issue in which case we resort to dreaded credit card.

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Original poster
waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 14:17

and i plan to put christmas on credit Blush
i know, i know it is wrong. Sad it is a mess.
will be checking out those websites and being better at shopping.

i did btw transfer but of course after a year they wrote to me and followed up with a phone call asking if i wanted to increase my limit, to which i said Yes. stupidly. i wasnt even using that card before

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AliceinSlumberland · 03/11/2013 14:23

With regards to Christmas have a look at the Christmas bargains thread, if you say what you are after they will help you find it super cheap and there's loads of stocking fillers. ATM there is £160 worth of skincare stuff for £11, £25 worth of Dove bits for £3, loads of stuff for the kids too.

Original poster
waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 14:28

wow thanks

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RandomMess · 03/11/2013 14:28

It does sound out of control. The very first thing you need to do is write down all your essential outgoings including tax & insurance for car & something for servicing/repairs etc.

If outgoings strip income then putting more onto your credit card is just delaying the inevitble...

Original poster
waikikamookau · 03/11/2013 14:30

i know, random. pen and paper at the ready.thanks for your posts.

OP posts:
AliceinSlumberland · 03/11/2013 14:32

Christmas thread

Go through that second post and then if there's anything you want in particular they will help you out.

RandomMess · 03/11/2013 14:35

ON these plans they do allow you to run a car and eat and get some new clothes etc. it really may be no where as bad as you think.

tintingirl · 03/11/2013 14:55

I also recommend Stepchange. They have an online tool which is a good place to start. You can include your car, clothes allowance etc as well. Stop using the CC's as it will just keep spiralling out of control.

MinimalistMommi · 03/11/2013 15:02

Are you able to get to supermarkets an hour before closing? On a Sunday for example?

Just been to local Tesco's and saw the Tesco man was yellow stickering so much stuff, bags of apples for 32p, lots of veg being reduced, pots of fruit for 12p etc. this could help with keeping costs down but I know it's not easy for everyone to be able to there are right time.

Putting Xmas on credit card does not sound good for you right now.

specialsubject · 03/11/2013 18:24

please please please forget big spend at Christmas. You can get decorations in charity shops or Poundland, so things will look pretty. But please get a hold on it.No presents for adults or teens - they are old enough to understand. Home made stuff for little ones. Tell your family and friends that times are tight and make a 'no presents' pact NOW.

so many already starting to say 'worrying about budgeting for Christmas'. CHRISTMAS DOES NOT MATTER. Roof over your head etc does.