BUDGETING HELP NEEDED PLEASE

[bigknickersbigknockers]

I am a SAHM and need to get a grip with the finances in the BKBK house. My major downfall is tescos, I know I need to meal plan, shop and have a bit of cash spare for bread, milk and other fresh goods.
The household bills seem to be escalating out of control.
DH gets paid weekly (wednesday) and I pay the bills as they arrive. Have thought about changing some to DDebit but not sure If we could afford to do this with all of them.
Any tips on money saving and belt tightening welcome please.

I should add that popping to tescos for a few bits is costing me anywhere between £15 and £30 a visit

And i visit A LOT

change to direct debit
change gas and elec supplier
change phone supplier
menu plan and have a small reserve for milk/bread etc
shop online and get discount codes

go onto moneysaver.com
this is a fab website with millions of brilliant tips on this. Its Martin Lewis. you will be amazed.

all of what popsycal says.

POPSYCAL..WHAT IS DISCOUNT CODES??? PLEASE.

menu plan week to week.
buy what is on the list and only that.
I spend £22-£30 a week on Tesco shopping for 3 of us. its easy once you get your head round it.

when you do your tesco shopping you can get discount codes which get you money off - usually at least covers delivery which in turn stops you going to tesco and impulse buying

do i find them on the web site?
i always go, have never done an on line shop.

tesco codes

Anyone else with any ideas please

Just stop going. Go once a week, and fill your freezer with bread. Buy in enough milk to last a week.

What are you typically running out of?

Oh I always run out of something, usually for packed lunches or else I need something for tea. I KNOW I have to menu plan and shop for a week as DH gets paid weekly. I cand work out whether I should do this on a wednesday when its pay day and plan meals wed to wed or should I put money aside and shop on sunday then I should have things for packed lunches for rest of week.
Also think I shall change either gas or electric to DD just to see how it goes.

definitely do a weekly meal plan and freeze any excess food. If there are any deals on milk or bread, buy as mucu as you can to stick in your freezer. Make a shopping list and stick to it. Pay bills by DD but make sure you put the money aside for them each week.

if you have a garden, grow some vegs and swap excess with neighbours. I don't have green fingers but a friend of mine did it with her neighbour and got a good free supply of fairy cakes in return for carrots and tomatoes!!

Other non food ways of money saving:

Always use your local library for dvds, computer games and books. Saves a packet!
Before you buy anything, check out freecycle, it is amazing what people no longer need. Most of the stuff given away is good quality.