Anyone hoping to clear debt in 2015

[Sunnydays999]

Me and husband owe aprox 8 k . I'm going to try to get my food shopping down to 80 a month and generally be more sensible with money - anyone else in a simular position

£20/week for food? What are you planning to live on? Oxo cubes?

£80 a month?? Presume you mean per week?

Yes I have debt I want to get rid of.

Hi no you read right - there is a web site called feed your family for £20 a week - it doesn't include toiletries or cleaning stuff just the actual meals

I have down loaded a spending app - I think the other expense is kids groups and social lives . Going to try to cut back on what we spend maybe trying to socialise at home more ? Does anyone have a budget they stick to social life ? We don't we just tend to spend what's left that obv has to stop but I don't waNt to make everyone misserable

Sorry but £20 a week is ridiculous.

You've got to prioritise and I would respectfully suggest that you put feeding yourselves properly way above things like kids' groups and social lives. Without good nutrition.... and there is no way you will be well-nourished on £20/week as a family.... you are looking at poor health, maybe time off work, and it's just not worth it.

You don't have to be miserable but, if you are skint, you have to be realistic and make some sacrifices. Get the whole family on board, be honest about the financial straits you are in, choose one or two social activities for the family that you all enjoy and ditch all the rest. Maybe have friends round once a month (because you won't be able to entertain on £20/week either). Find other things to do together that are free.

I would contact Step Change as they can do a more realistic budget and you may find you have more than you actually think to throw at the debts and maintain an ok lifestyle.

You do need to think carefully about the social stuff, I had to cut my DS swimming lessons for example, but I think of it as temporary because things will improve and he can go back again.

You need to be transparent about all this with your husband and the children to a point. But get everyone on board and thinking of ways to be frugal and still have fun. There are loads of free/low cost activities done by local councils which can keep kids happy.

Just don't go all guns blazing and cut the food budget as you'll be miserable and not at all likely to stick to the change.

If you don't have decent food at home, you will go out more, ergo you will spend more.

Do your budget first for necessaries, then work out how much you can pay off your debts.

Food comes before debts.

Tbh I was quite shocked at this face book group the menus are quite healthy yes less meat but plenty of food she lists and prices everything so u can see now it works - thankfully we don't need to stick to it I'm just going to try cutting down and part the reason I liked it is the meals are healthy

The website Mortgage Free in Three is good for this - she genuinely lives really well on £25 per week for herself and 2 kids. Their food is awesome! She does it by buying dried goods on Approved Food and exclusively shopping in Lidl. All her recipes have worked really well for me and I do think she's the real deal financially.

I think you need to take a look at ALL the things you spend your money on before focusing on cutting back on food. Food, good food, is essential for health. There are probably bigger and easier savings you can make

Il have to have a look at that web site .the one is saw is called feed your family for £20 a week
What do people think is a reasonable budget for food for family of 4 ( just good not toiletries cleaning stuff etc

Add message | Report | Message poster sportinguista Thu 27-Nov-14 12:01:51
I would contact Step Change as they can do a more realistic budget and you may find you have more than you actually think to throw at the debts and maintain an ok lifestyle.

"You do need to think carefully about the social stuff, I had to cut my DS swimming lessons for example, but I think of it as temporary because things will improve and he can go back again.

You need to be transparent about all this with your husband and the children to a point. But get everyone on board and thinking of ways to be frugal and still have fun. There are loads of free/low cost activities done by local councils which can keep kids happy.

Just don't go all guns blazing and cut the food budget as you'll be miserable and not at all likely to stick to the change."

I really don't want to cut their clubs ,obv if it was that and rubbish food been hungry no question but if I can still eat healthily on that I'm tempted to try - if I feel we are missing things il obv buy them

Add message | Report | Message poster PeoniesforMissAnnersley Thu 27-Nov-14 13:56:05
"The website Mortgage Free in Three is good for this - she genuinely lives really well on £25 per week for herself and 2 kids. Their food is awesome! She does it by buying dried goods on Approved Food and exclusively shopping in Lidl. All her recipes have worked really well for me and I do think she's the real deal financially."

Can I ask what u have learnt that has made the biggest difference ?

It was her idea of setting aside a few ££s to build up a store cupboard - she has a cupboard stuffed full of rice, pasta, dried beans etc. she calls her armageddon cupboard, she then only needs to spend a bit on fresh foods each week and to top up things as they run down.

It is doable to spend that on food, but one thing to factor in is if you are staying in more it may actually work out cheaper to have a few nicer treats rather than always eating the cheapest meal, it removes the temptation to say fk it and order a takeaway or something.

OP
Come join the big debt thread
food is a teeny tiny part of living expenses
you have to learn to budget for the black swans

OP
Come join the big debt thread
food is a teeny tiny part of living expenses
you have to learn to budget for the black swans

Thankyou I will do

It is important to stay in a loop. Make a perfect plan to pay off your debt. But it shouldn't be too hard which it is impossible to achieve. But if you are so confident enough go ahead and show the world how you achieved this. As you said, food is a teeny tiny part of living expenses. You have to bring down the other major expenses as well. Hope this article can help you to deal with the present situation. www.richescorner.com/how-to-pay-off-your-mortgage-faster/

Yes I am. I have around £3000 debt and my goal is to pay it off next year as well as building up an emergency fund (and going on our first holiday abroad with my dd).

I think I will sleep better knowing I don't owe anyone any money (apart from the mortgage).

I find the fact that people are berating your choice to reduce you monthly food spend shocking! I manage to spend £40 in the butchers and about £50 in the supermarket, have a 4 week meal plan and manage on that expenditure perfectly fine. personally have just under £10k in debts and hoping to at least halve it by new year into 2016 :) fingers crossed! also the 30 minute buns on the mortgage free in 3 site are immense!!!