Please tell me crazy things you've done to cut back cost of living

[Moneyschploney]

I'll go first and share some of the lengths I've gone to.

Cut own hair.
Gone days without eating a main meal.
Stay home every weekend and make zero plans for weeks on end.
No birthday or Christmas presents for anyone, except DC.

I'm in £7k debt and need to pay this off by halfway through this year. Single income/parent household.

Historically I tended to use olio a lot at the end of the month.
it’s a right pain as it often sees you travelling around at 10pm to collect things ( supermarkets release the stuff at about 8.30, then the volunteers need to upload and sort them)

it’s a great idea to stop food waste / save money if you don’t need desperately too, but I must admit I tend not to bother unless I really need to supplement my food

I'm sorry you're going days without a main meal thats really hard. I hope this doesn't sound patronising but are you taking advantage of Olio/toogoodtogo/community kitchens etc?

I myself haven't really done anything crazy to cut the cost of living but I have taken on a lodger which at least helps with utility bills.

Do you have adult DC or are they still children?

Not crazy but taking on 2 extra shifts of overtime pcm . I work ft and would do more but id burn out.

DC are teens, so grocery shop is at an all time high. I've tried to good to go before and found I didn't save much. I do buy reduced price items when I see and need them.

There’s a community food bank in Berkshire called Fair Share if you’re close? All about reducing food waste and you don’t need a referral. If you aren’t in Berkshire, perhaps there’s something similar in your area?
Nobody should be going without a meal for days at a time, I hope things improve for you. X

Sorry, it’s not Fair Share - it’s Fare Share. https://fareshare.org.uk/

Go veggie and fill the teens with bread and jam and pancakes

walk more - walk to the shops daily not drive weekly - -you exercise as well

dont stay at home , find free events and places to go to. Unless you are rural when it gets harder to walk

Spend time in a Nice warm library and get some books to read

Those are some good tips. I do most already. I will have to look out for free or low cost events/activities nearby.

I'm very low in energy at the moment. I do wonder if I'm a bit depressed. My mood's not low though. I feel money problems and lack of options are pressing down on me. Still, I have paid off a lot of debt and never default on payments so I guess things aren't as bad as they could be. I have had a recent unexpected expense though, which is why I've posted this thread for new ideas on cutting costs.

Switching to veggie meals will save you lots and will fill you up.

Make a huge chilli con carne with carrot, celery, onion, peppers sautéed in spices and then just chuck in cans of mixed beans in tomato sauce. It can be served with rice, jacket potatoes, in wraps with cheese.

Make a big bolognese using carrot, onion, celery, mushrooms and then a bag of red lentils with tinned tomatoes. Pasta or jacket potatoes to go with this.

Make a big curry with any veg you like/have left over and for the sauce simply use coconut milk with curry powder. Chucking in tins of chickpeas fills this out and fills you up.

If you don’t batches of these they will last a few nights over the week or you can freeze for an easy dinner another time.

Cutting out a main meal is not advisable, noting your lack of energy, but the other items in your list are reasonable.

I’m sorry OP, that sounds really tough. I hope things improve for you

I’ve been walking more, anything that is less than 50 minutes away I’ll walk rather than take bus or tube

Well if decent food is in short supply and treats are missing altogether you will lack energy and feel low if not depressed - but you should be proud that you are getting in top of your debt

roll on the summer when it may feel easier

Can you increase your income at all?

Stuff you can sell on Vinted?

Meal plan, it really helps save.
For weekend treats, homemade popcorn is super cheap, every Thursday Aldi have a new wine on special, it’s usually £4.99.
Go through all your subscriptions and standing orders and see what you can stop.
Try a food delivery offer, Gousto normally do 50% off your first couple of boxes, you can stop at anytime.
Hello Fresh has similar offers.
If you have an Iceland Food Warehouse near you they are super cheap for the sort of food that will fill up teenagers.
If you haven’t already seen a debt counsellor then contact Citizens Advice, they can get your debts consolidated so you pay less interest.
Good luck on your journey and well done.

Yeah, not great. Lack of sunshine and vitamin D has added to lack of proper nutrition.

I have a few things I could sell on Vinted that might cover a week's worth of groceries.One of my DC needs new essential clothing items, so it would probably go towards that.

Things will undoubtedly feel easier as the days get lighter and longer 🌞

Please visit a food bank. You shouldn’t. Go without a meal for days

Look at community fridge/ pantry/ larders near to you - can collect either free food or pay a nominal amount to use and it has the bonus of saving food from landfill.
Always loads of fruit, veg and bakery items and also meat/fish/dairy etc, plus ambient items.
Theybare for everyone to use, not income based or needing a referral and can find them all over. The food is predominantly donated as surplus from supermarkets.

Are you definitely getting all the financial help you should be? Do you claim the single person discount on your council tax?

I don’t spend my weekends in but also don’t spend a lot of money, going for walks, exploring local places, picnics, free activities etc all don’t cost anything.

these are not crazy, but cumulatively it feels it. So I am a new ish single SEN mum and I have had to really count the pennies. We can't do big stuff (hols, cars, days out) but I have had to cut out my little lifts so: fresh flowers, air freshner for the car (I like getting a seasonal one), candles, a take away coffee (I could never eat out with my dc due to SEN so my coffee out was like a spa day lol) and magazines.

I have done a few swaps which involved a little planning: I bought a bunch of fake daffs £4 asda which is the cost of one bunch, and will last all spring (/forever); I got a LED candle for xmas, so that's staying out, no more candles jumping into my basket in the home aisle; I am using my thermos cup for taking a hot drink out with me; I haven't replaced the car air freshner (I know they are not great for health, but I liked them)

I already DIY my nails, no beauty treatments or anything, I have pretty much automated my online groceries to add weekly to reduce impulse/random purchases.

I will need to spend £2 in the car wash because the mud and grit and snow has made my car ridiculously dirty and I live in a flat so no way to wash it at home. But I will limit the car wash to needs-must, rather than monthly, as was my preference attempt at civilised life

Google free stuff to do in the area, museums, fun days, etc.

There always tons of stuff going on, most of which you can find out about online

Also a single parent household here.
Cut own hair - first hair cut in over 2 years was 3 months ago. Have completely stopped dying it - used to have highlights but can't justify it. Ditto with manicures and pedicures and massages, which I used to try to do every few months.

I now live on soups in the week with half a can at lunch and the other half at dinner. I keep the "good" food for DD. Tbf my appetite has been sketchy for about 6 months anyway so this doesn't feel like a great hardship and I always have a crumpet if I am still hungry (so cheap!). Also stopped paying for window cleaners and getting garden hedges done once a year rather than the usual 3.

Why do you NEED to pay it off by mid year?

you NEED to prioritise your health. Follow up on advice here re free food, but you NEED to buy & eat healthy food.

you won't get it paid off if you become ill & you being ill won't help you or your child/ren