I honestly cannot afford to live

[Inkdrinker]

I work 40 hour weeks, yet I was paid 6 days ago and I'm already completely out of money. My rent is more than half of my pay, council tax is a further 250 pounds, my energy bills are ridiculous despite trying to cut down on using so much.

I have 3 kids to look after. How are people going survive this? This is by no means a ploy to ask others for money, I do not want anyone's money. I just want to know I'm not alone in this situation

We, 3 adults & 12 yr old DS who eats the same as us, spend on average £50 a week on food & household items. This includes all meals including packed lunches for the week.

May I ask
Where do you shop
Budget similar to ours

But you dont buy single loo rolls. So there will be a couple of quid or more of that a week on average for non food if it’s included. It’s important to know what a benchmark is based on if you’re looking for a comparison

@Everyonehasavoice I shop online at Tesco, we live rurally so cheaper to get the shopping delivered on a £4.99 pm delivery pass. I search the Aldi price match items and use lots of those. Cook from scratch and don't buy any brand names.

That's very good! I could get ours down but after years of not having a choice about it I feel a bit down about going back to that kind of budget, for a month, no problem, but not for the foreseeable future.

Yes I get what you mean
But we ve always cooked like this

The only real difference for us is
I now make up my own bread flour as Aldi don’t do it anymore and it’s gone up from 50p / 1.5kg to £1.30!
and we buy less crisps, which isn’t a bad thing.

I meant averaged out. So, say, £2.80 for 6 loo rolls every three weeks. £4.40 for washing powder is a big hit in the week it needs buying, but 40 washes on the box is 80 if you use half like we do, so pence each week. Of course, it all adds up but only a small percentage of our grocery bill is not food.

Looking back over the last couple of months i averages to less than £2 a week on non food groceries.

Mine is about £80 per week for 3 adults which includes all cleaning supplies and basic toiletries. But
we are veggie
don't eat fake meat
only cook from scratch mostly
don't drink at home
eat about 10 different types of lentils and greens ( not to save money but bcos we like it)

Shop at Tesco's and the Asian provision store.

Yes wish we had an Asian provision store locally.
We had one near us in London, my favourite shop
Lots of exciting stuff you just can’t get in our supermarkets, buy in bulk and so much cheaper
Plus your money is going to a local shop.

I have experienced both sides of the coin, years of being frugal due to lack of finances, followed by years of excess, eg filling a big trolley in Waitrose because I could. I enjoyed popping luxuries in the trolley.
After lockdown I realised a huge trolley full of food and cleaning materials is not necessary, less catering for family meals and visitors and buying treats just in case.
I now but simple food fruit and veg salmon, chicken and eggs and minimal cleaning materials , use half the recommended amount of washing powder and have returned to being frugal out of choice.

Sorry wrong thread . Life is very expensive and we are cutting out anything unnecessary from the weekly shopping.

All I know is I have very little to look forward to other than two cups of tea a day and one bath a week to help the aches and pains from stress. Though every year my son gets more independent which is easier on me and quite rewarding to see.

Gosh, I just read this and would like to give you a big hug and all the cups of tea you could possibly drink. Bless you 💐

the father is not chipping in at all?

Thank you yes he contributes but exists off a pension credit arrangement. It will stop end of March is his final modest maintenance payment. D's is 18 mid March.

Thank you I Have a caffeine intolerance somewhat as am on the autism spectrum. Bless you.

I would love to cut down on food bills. Just been to Aldi and it was £90 and I will need a top up of around £30 at Asda.
That is for 3 adults and 3 children including treats but no alcohol.

I managed to spend £94 at Aldi too. It wasn’t even a proper shop it was snacks, milk, bread, fruit and veg, cereals, big pot of yoghurt, some freezer bits, sandwich fillings, cleaning stuff and toiletries. Feeding five. Everything is just so expensive.

At 18 is your DS chipping in with a part time job? I would hope so.

Ds is in between jobs as his festive contract finished Xmas Eve and his supermarket employers just aren't hiring. Yes ds will begin contributing as soon as he gets a full time job as he has finished his studying and He is keen to earn a living asap. He is aiming for a fast food job as he enjoyed his food industry retail job immensely (shelf stacking). Thank you for asking.

Oh that will be helpful OP. Glad he is going to be chipping in.

Move up north , dont. As someone who lives up north . I'm 140 a week to heat one room.

i dont believe that at all
care to enlighten me??

Are you burning priceless artwork?