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

[waikikamookau]

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

[Fluffycloudland77]

Don't forget aviva for house insurance, I got building & contents for £180 (which is what dh was paying just for contents when we rented) but I got £63 back in cashback from topcashback.co.uk.

I got a contents quote from them last year for £75, with cashback that's £12 a year.

[MinimalistMommi]

Totally agree with SpecialSubject
Christmas is simply one day.
Put it into perspective.
There are lots of 'free' things you can do to get that Christmas magic.
Walking out to see the lights.
Hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Cuddling up on sofa under blankets to watch Xmas films.
Make (cheap) Xmas cookies together etc etc.

[prettymess]

There are so many lovely vegetarian meals. Try things like Cowboy Hotpot and use quorn (buy when on a deal!) or other meat subs for adapting meat dishes to be veggie. Make your own pizza. Get recipe books from the library.

[prettymess]

And prioritise.
Basics first. Food, rent or mortgage, utilities, warmth, clothes.
Then anything luxury.
Great book is 'Orchids on your budget' by Marjorie Hillis. It is old, but still so good.

[waikikamookau]

been on stepchange this morning. What a wake up call. Noted all debts. without ignoring any.
they recommended a debt management plan.
can't imagine dc will accept a frugal christmas. but it will have to be the way!
thign is they said to change bank accounts. who would give us a bank account??
are banks fussy?

[Fluffycloudland77]

You might get a basic account with no overdraft, rejections apparently don't show up on credit ratings.

Halifax might still be offering £100 to switch.

[MinimalistMommi]

The teens should be old enough to understand to be honest and they're going to have to suck it up, now is not the time to be getting further in debt. Have you checked out the mortgage free in three blog I mentioned yet? She's a strong lady and says it how it is, I think she would give you inspiration to stay strong. Try reading her archives. You've made the first very important step by noting all your debts.

[RandomMess]

Are your teens old enough to get paper rounds/babysit/wash cars for pocket money? Perhaps now is the time they learn the true meaning of money!!!! Give them the choice between eating, heating, new clothes, christmas presents and ask them to prioritise?

Once the debt management plan is sorted have you got anything to sell on ebay? Have the teens????

[keli5325]

co op cashminder is a good basic bank account if you are entering a dmp

[MinimalistMommi]

OP how are you getting on?
Here is a post about having little money/Christmas and children.
www.frugalqueen.co.uk/2013/11/debt-repayment-if-you-have-children.html

[waikikamookau]

thanks minimialist, interesting read.

[waikikamookau]

Must learn better to say no