I need a plan - short of money till 28th

[janeofyork]

Hi

So after a massive car repair bill and having to pay the balance for ds school trip ( which we had forgot about) we are left with £347 to last us until 28th November! Thankfully all of the bills are paid so we only need to worry about food and general spends!

I need a plan as I don't want to use the credit card!

@PotentiallyPolly

haha - well done you! So satisfying. My DD brought a spider plant back to life that had been dead as anything.

We easily get used to living up to our income. Have all of you who are being so judgemental here never had a salary increase, thought 'right, I'll save that extra money. But not just yet...' and, before you know it, you've got used to being that bit more flush and your savings are still nowhere?

Anyway. OP, you say you don't want to use your credit card. So get cash out each week, use that and leave the card at home.

Plan meals. Use up what's in your cupboards and freezer. Google 'meals on a budget'. Be creative.

Its like if the person posting isn't as poor as them, they should not complain nor ask for advice. Its a pretty shitty attitude to have.

Can you take on an extra job to get you through these tough few weeks?
Buy a mother-ship chicken - you can make it last at least 5 days' worth of meals.
Add lentils to everything.
Meal plan and batch cook.
Shop at Aldi/Lidl
Walk rather than use the car.

I disagree with the 'if you are used to spending that amount' comments. It's not difficult for an adult to sit down and say 'right, we have X amount, we need to be cautious and budget until pay day'. The only time 'being used to spending' would work as a reason would be if the lesser amount was problematic to survive in, which it is absolutely not.

We are six and I can feed us evening meals for £60 a week. £80 for all meals.

Get the petrol first. Meal plan around what's left and buy in online so there is no temptation..put £10 aside for milk and bread next week. Don't buy snacks or fruit. No booze. Don't go out for two weeks..you have the credit card for emergencies.

That's what I would do. I'd also eat beans on toast a lot. Tinned soup and toast. Let's be honest if you bought two cheap loaves a day, four tins of beans, four tins of soup, spread and milk it would feed you all for a day and be under £10 in lidl. Swop the soup for two 80p pizzas and a salad bag.

But tbh I could eat normally and we'll on that with only £50 needed of petrol.

Meal plan

When I say I CAN feed us all for £80 that's not to say I always do but I can, and have done regularly