Scraping the barrell

[charliechalk08]

Basically, Since me and hubby bought our own house just over a year ago, we have no money left at the end of the month. By the time we've paid the mortgage, insurances, council tax, bills and food shopping we have nothing left. I know it was our choice to buy a house but I just wondered if any one has any ideas how we can cut back? We already shop at the cheapest supermarket, and we don't have any luxuries. I work 3 days a week as we have DS. Hubby works full time. My car has just been for it's MOT and I've had to pay £400 for repairs! Has anyone else been in this situation? We would like another baby but don't think we can afford it :-( Has anyone got any advice how we can make a bit more money a month or save in anyway? Thanks.

Have you got a list of outgoings?
We sat down and listed everything that we pay out, and went from there. Cancelled things that weren't essential, checked comparison sites to see whether we could get insurances etc for less. Do you meal plan each week? We do, and do a list of what we need and stick to it.
Could you sell stuff on ebay/facebook? Know its not a regular income, but if you could have a clear out it could give some extra cash?

Also, are you paying for childcare? We are, but only a few months till we get some free hours for dd, which we are looking forward to!

Could you cancel/change your tv package if you have one? Bulk buy stuff if you can. I buy toilet rolls and kitchen towels on groupon - it saves me a fortune on that.

I do a big shop at lidl once a month. I then take out the rest of the cash out of the bank for the rest of the shopping - fresh stuff and put it in a tin. I then take out money as I need it. You soon realise how much you have left and don't buy stuff if you don't really need it.

I also do things like use supermarket carrier bags to put rubbish in to save on black bin bags. Its small stuff but it will make a difference.

instead of buying handwash, buy a cheap bubble bath and decant that into old handwash bottles.

Don't throw out ANY food! (yep, sounds common sense, but I used to bad at not eating the ends of loaves of bread. I stopped being so precious and it's made a (small) difference)

Don't buy expensive cleaning products. We don't need anti-bacterial stuff if we have soap and water and a bottle of white vinegar is meant to be an excellent cleaner. (Disclaimer: I haven't tried white vinegar yet, as I'm still finishing off 'normal' products first!)

Full budget of all money coming in and going out is first place to start. Cancel what you don't need, look to reduce the things you do ie shop around for better deals. Meal plan! I have all outgoings down to minimum, only thing left with any room to reduce was food...I manage on 45-55pw for DS, DP and myself, but can only keep to it by meal planning.

Can incoming increase any? Extra hours,2nd job, sell anything?

Absolutely agree with Mum2Fergus... First write out a warts-and-all budget; then shop around for insurance, gas/leccy, phone and broadband; start to think of things like tv packages, gym memberships, second cars as luxuries... Only you know whether they're worth more to you than a financial buffer.

Then take measures to be more frugal with gas and electricity at home, and with food shopping: Packed lunches for you and your husband; go veggie on weekdays; drop brands; meal plan; turn down thermostats and limit heating to a very few hours a day; dry clothes outside; switch to low energy bulbs; turn down washing machine temperature.

Definitely engage your husband in the whole process, so he doesn't feel like you're curtailing his lifestyle just for the sake of being annoying!

Can you rent out a room for a while?

Mse budget brain. Covers pretty much anything you may spend on. And tips on cutting down.
Once you know exact in/outs we can make you miserly!

Are you good at your job? Do you go the extra mile? Then ask for a pay rise. You are a woman and it's pretty likely you are underpaid compared to a man. Don't think because you were part time you shouldn't be paid well for the role you do.

I know it's a tough one, but honestly it's got to up there with all the money saving ideas. If they refuse ask what steps you need to take to improve your position.

hi,

try this: www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php

read this: forums.moneysavingexpert.com/index.php
especially the "debt free wannabe" and the" old style"boards, they are fab .

meal plan at least weekly, using what is already in your cupboards /fridge /freezer to base your shopping list on.

have a look here too, soon adds up: www.topcashback.co.uk/home

parkatmyhouse.com or similar if you have a spare space on your driveway. My DH used it to park and it worked fine .
Yes, I very rarely throw any food away and always use veg from meals for soup to take for lunch for myself and for DD to school .

We are mainly veggie in the week.
Cut flowers from the garden from now brighten the house up. Growing from seed is very satisfying.

I also work three days a week. I have a little one who's just started school. I top up my earnings doing mystery shopping and work as an extra in films and TV occasionally. The mystery shopping you might be able to do with your little one in tow, but you'd need childcare for your little one- and be warned that call times for some productions can be as early as 6am.

Neither earns much but I save it in a separate account for treats.

PM me if you want details of agencies etc.

Doh - I mean you'd need childcare if you were doing the TV and film work!

Try these:
Slivers-of-time (slivers.com) or myoddjobs.co.uk
Proof reading £10 an hour - homeworking-directory.com
Peopleperhour.com
Workingmums.co.uk

I haven't had the chance to look at them myself but was going to when I'm on maternity leave.

Keep things as simple as possible.
Write down everything you spend & receive for a month at least.
Pare down what you buy. eg avoid buying water in various guises; soup; pasta sauces; liquid soap; ready-made/ready-to-use stuff etc.
Try swapping things with friends & neighbours - from clothes to the unwanted bits of BOGOF stuff.
Wash clothes less often - how dirty can they really get? Use less detergent/conditioner when you do.
Wash hair less often - and only use shampoo once.
Never use a tumble-dryer.

I probably sound bonkers, but I forage for the tips of nettles and use them in pasta sauces, risottos, curries etc. Use them (and young dandelion leaves & wild garlic) like spinach - it's free food.

I'd suggest trying mystery shopping as you can pick shops and visits that you can take your little one with you. I'm a mystery shopper have found that React Surveys do really good visits that you can take your little one too! Some of the visits require purchases that you get refunded, or you can do enquries or food visits or I've taken mine to some of the good day attractions and my little one loved it - and it eliminated the child care worry.