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Original poster

Worried about money this month

57 replies

Magzchester · 08/03/2023 22:20

Hi,

feeling stressed about our money this month. We’ve had to pay a big unexpected bill ands it’s really hit our spare cash. It’s 8th march today so there’s 20 days until
we are paid. All of bills and debt payments have been made and we have £729 to last until payday. Out of this we need to buy food and fuel. I have a real fear of running out of money!!

OP posts:
CrackersCheeseAndWinePlease · 08/03/2023 23:09

Threads like this annoy me
I get paid next week, I've got exactly £1.50 to last until then. Don't get me wrong my bills are paid but if I had £243 a WEEK left after bills I'd consider myself well off in the current climate.
Definite gloaty post

sghtnmk · 08/03/2023 23:10

Sure OP 🙄

greenspaces4peace · 08/03/2023 23:11

this thread is posted in money matters NOT AIBU.
maybe if she wasn't attacked she would return explaining what her concerns are.

CrackersCheeseAndWinePlease · 08/03/2023 23:13

greenspaces4peace · 08/03/2023 23:11

this thread is posted in money matters NOT AIBU.
maybe if she wasn't attacked she would return explaining what her concerns are.

She's stated she needs food and fuel out of it. Unless she's driving miles and miles a day and has about 10 kids I'm sure she'll be fine

Gossipxox · 08/03/2023 23:14

After tomorrow I have £80 after bills to last me all month and I am a single mum with a 7 month old.. I would just cut out usual luxuries and shop savvy.

catfunk · 08/03/2023 23:27

How much is your weekly spend on fuel op? Then we can advise

canonlydoblue · 08/03/2023 23:44

I get it op, I would massively struggle as well. We live rurally and have to drive everywhere so fuel is at least £100/week. We're also a larger family and spend around £150-200/week on food. Lots of cheap meals and use the car as little as possible. It won't be fun but you'll get there.

BadgerLovesMash · 08/03/2023 23:48

I could only dream of having that left after bills! What you have left weekly is what i spend monthly on food!!!

But as you asked for money saving suggestions, what I do when I have less money than expected which I need to stretch further is,

  • do a food/freezer inventory. Meal plan with everything I have. And only buy things to complete meals. Its amazing how many meals you can make without shopping.
  • Go down a brand or think do i really need it. Eg condiments, snacks etc.
  • When buying anything, think do I need it, can it wait until next pay day.
  • do I need to use the car/bus. I could walk instead.
  • is there anything lying around not being used i could sell on.
  • avoid going to the shops unless it's for a specific item and do not deviate off list when going to the shops.
  • if we are going on a day out bring drinks in a thermos, lunch box. Stick a dinner in the slow cooker so there's a meal when we get in so no temptation to grab a takeaway.
randomusername2020 · 08/03/2023 23:57

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request due to privacy concerns.

billyt · 09/03/2023 08:54

One of the biggest issues I find with these types of threads is that the OP only has to deal with her 'problem' for a few weeks.

Many, many others have worse issues all the time with no end in sight.

No sympathy OP, I'm sure you'll survive.

BarbaraofSeville · 09/03/2023 09:08

OP, did you miss out a decimal point in your post and meant to say £7.29?

Otherwise, surely you must know that £729 is a huge amount to buy food and fuel for even a larger family?

What was the 'unexpected bill'? Often, when people say that, it turns out it's something like car repairs or a larger than anticipated utility bill. So not unexpected at all and, for someone with a reasonable income, like you appear to be, should be a trigger to review your budget to make sure you're adequately saving for annual and irregular expenses before you spend on non essentials as your savings might be lower than they ideally should be.

Otherwise @BadgerLovesMash has given good advice in how you can make the money go as far as possible.

Okunevo · 09/03/2023 09:09

Assuming a family of 4, £100 a week for food would leave £143 for fuel. What are your fuel costs?

HistoryFanatic · 09/03/2023 09:14

No idea why you were reported OP. I am sure you will manage a couple of weeks. People have to manage on a lot less all the time.

nurseynursery · 09/03/2023 09:18

Oh do fuck off with this. People are actually struggling in this country!

Coffeellama · 09/03/2023 12:12

canonlydoblue · 08/03/2023 23:44

I get it op, I would massively struggle as well. We live rurally and have to drive everywhere so fuel is at least £100/week. We're also a larger family and spend around £150-200/week on food. Lots of cheap meals and use the car as little as possible. It won't be fun but you'll get there.

Why would you struggle massively? If you kept fuel the same and tried to stick to £150 on food that’s £750 for 21 days, or £714 for 20 days and the OP has £726 for 20 days. So you wouldn’t struggle ‘massively’ that’s your normal budget. Cutting back a bit and keeping an eye on your spending for 20 days is not the same as ‘struggling massively’ especially in the current climate.

hattie43 · 09/03/2023 12:31

nurseynursery · 09/03/2023 09:18

Oh do fuck off with this. People are actually struggling in this country!

Not everyone .

BrutusMcDogface · 09/03/2023 12:33

hattie43 · 09/03/2023 12:31

Not everyone .

Show quote history

The poster didn’t say “everyone”. They said “people”.

hattie43 · 09/03/2023 12:35

@BrutusMcDogface

Then she should say SOME people .

BrutusMcDogface · 09/03/2023 12:35

Right.

BrutusMcDogface · 09/03/2023 12:36

I mean, MOST people probably got the implication because MOST people are fully aware that not EVERYONE is struggling at the moment.

EllaCook24 · 09/03/2023 14:46

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

MLMsuperfan · 09/03/2023 16:13

How much do you normally spend on fuel and food OP?

namchangeanxious · 10/03/2023 06:25

A lot of very unfair posts here. If this is all her money, including savings, then her fears are just as valid as someone who only has something like £1.50 left for the month. If you're used to having a bit more back-up cash, then the thought of these savings running out can be pretty scary.

Totally shitty behaviour to report her.

carriedout · 10/03/2023 07:05

namchangeanxious · 10/03/2023 06:25

A lot of very unfair posts here. If this is all her money, including savings, then her fears are just as valid as someone who only has something like £1.50 left for the month. If you're used to having a bit more back-up cash, then the thought of these savings running out can be pretty scary.

Totally shitty behaviour to report her.

Are they though?

Do you actually think that having £729 is the same as having £1.50? Confused

My view is it is not remotely similar.

Okunevo · 10/03/2023 07:17

namchangeanxious · 10/03/2023 06:25

A lot of very unfair posts here. If this is all her money, including savings, then her fears are just as valid as someone who only has something like £1.50 left for the month. If you're used to having a bit more back-up cash, then the thought of these savings running out can be pretty scary.

Totally shitty behaviour to report her.

The OP hasn't bothered coming back to answer any questions about her family size or fuel costs to explain why what looks like plenty of money will be a struggle for their family. They may have a large family and high fuel costs but posting and running means no one can offer any advice.