QApologies this is a bit of an essay
We regularly have about £300 pm after bills for all food and travel, often less
we make it work, sometimes its tight but generally we are ok.
Make a list of what you currently have in - in terms of food and household consumables
make a shopping list around what you already have in
check the aldi super six and use veg around that
try to have a few vegetarian or on toast dinners to keep costs down
what travel costs do you have for the next 3 weeks don't forget to factor those in
how many people do you need to cover for the rest of the month
if you are short look at selling some bits on FB market place - always good for a few extra quid
we spend approx £45-60 a week in aldi 2 adults 2 toddlers (it is cheaper on weeks we don't buy nappies) here is an example shopping list for us
fruit - whatever is on super 6 or something cheap like apples and bananas
veg - super six + cheaper options e.g. carrots, swede, potato's, onions, cucumber and celery this time of year i always get a lettuce too
10 pack "normal" sausages
veggie sausages
porridge oats
2 packs of biscuits
ham
butter
milk - swap to UHT for hot drinks much cheaper keeps longer and I cant tell the diff
tinned toms
baked beans
coconut milk - tin
2 tins of pulses chick peas/lentils/white beans
rice
pasta
pesto
tomato puree
soft cheese
naan bread
cheese - I buy extra mature then I find I need to use less for a strong flavour
bread
wraps
yogurt
raisins
box of ritz crackers
tea and coffee
eggs
usually one or two store cupboard things we have ran out of eg oil, curry powder, flour etc
frozen peas
frozen chicken portions you could get frozen mince if you prefer
2 bottles of pop
non food things we spend on regularly
nappies/baby wipes etc
household things bin bags, cleaning spray etc - usually need to replace one thing a week
toiletries - loo roll toothpaste etc - usually one a week needs replacing
Meal plan:
sausages, either as a casserole or with veg and mash
veggie curry with the chick peas
chicken, weather dependant ill do either skewers with roast veg and salad, hunters chicken or even a stew
veggie chilli either with wraps or rice
something on toast, eggs, beans etc - add sausages if you need more
day before shopping we see what is left and cobble something together, pasta, roast veg bake type thing
lunches are leftovers, sandwiches or wraps for the children, sometimes I'll make soup with the last of the week before veg
breakfast is usually porridge, with fruit or raisins, occasionally I buy brioche for the children at the weekend we might have eggs
snacks are raisins, biscuits, fruit, soft cheese and crackers, celery and peanut butter etc.
It's not miserable its just how we have always lived since we had children DS free nursery hours will come through in Sept and that will really help too.