Getting to next payday

[Wyregirl]

Had a super expensive start to September and it’s drained my funds. I get paid in 19 days and I have the princely sum of £310 to live on. Thankfully all bills are paid so it’s that food really for me and two teens. Is annoys else having a ‘tight’ month??

I can only dream of that amount

If it is genuinely just for food that should be more than enough, what does a normal day of food look like for you and your 2 teens?

If you tell us that we can give you some budget versions maybe?

How much do you normally spend on a weekly shop?

You consider £310 to be a "tight" amount to feed 3 people for 19 days? Wow. Just wow.

Agree!

What do you eat, OP? Lobster and steak?

that's almost £150 a week...i am lucky to spend that a month

could you try and be more resourceful ?

I’m sure there’s random stuff in the freezer and cupboard to be used up, and you have more than enough there to do a sensible weekly shop.

Also, do your teens go to school? Work? Do they take lunches? Etc

What about travel costs for the 19 days? Petrol or public transport or is that coveted?

£310 for food for 19 days should be fine really, if that also had to cover petrol/bus passes etc it might be tight.

Yeah come on... I don't normally love the comments when someone complains about not having enough money on £50k a year because everyone has different outgoings and overheads but surely you know that £310 to do a couple of food shops isn't exactly having to be tight.

Is that necessary? Even those who can afford a bit more sometimes struggle and need ideas and support. Not just those on the breadline.

OP - people on here won't necessarily be kind or supportive as it's too much money for some. Ignore the negativity and how they could feed 500 for that amount.

It's not a question of feeding 500 people for that amount of money.

It's the tone deafness of the OP who is suggesting that £310 for 19 days of food is insufficient.

@TheShellBeach - so only those struggling can ask for support?

Tone deafness? Have you thought maybe in the OP world £310 for 19 days with two teenagers (who if anything like mine) never stop eating might not be enough money?

Why don't you go on the style pages and get your knickers in a twist about how much people are spending on beauty calendars at the moment rather than someone asking for support at a time when they are struggling. #bekind

For what it’s worth OP, I think £310 for 3 people for 19 days is tight. It’s a fiver each a day for everything, not just foods but all the incidental costs. Ignore the naysayers - it’s not a race to the bottom.

1. No purchases outside of food, unless absolutely necessary, eg, fuel, etc.
2. No coffees or drinks out.
3. Everyone takes a packed lunch.
4. Cheap, easy meals: egg fried rice, omelettes, pasta, etc.

Batch cook a chilli - pad out with lentils and you could get 3 dinners out of it. One for each week.

Try this really cheap dinner - it’s lovely and so incredibly quick.

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/spaghetti-with-marmite

Only spend what you need to, explain to your teens and get them on board to make sure you don’t over spend. Good luck.

This, plus use up whatever is in your freezer, cupboards etc, even if slightly weird combinations, aka freezer tapas, cupboard surprise.