Is it possible to survive on £80 per week?

[pampam]

after bills? The money needs to cover food, household stuff toiletries etc(family of 2 adults and 1 dc still in nappies). Any tips on how to cope until I get some more work coming in? (am self employed).

yes after bills £80 is easily doable. I used to do 2 adults, 3 children (one in nappies full time, one in nappies at night plus baby milk) for about £50-60 a week.

ok, that gives me hope, thanks FAQ. Any tips?

Easily. Cook from scratch using basics fresh veg and fruit, carry water so you don't buy drinks/snacks out, buy basics washing powder/washing up liquid/shampoo etc. Do stuff with the kids that doesn't cost much - libraries, museums, parks, nature hunts, blowing bubbles in the park etc.

DH and I would consider £80 a week after bills quite comfortable, after some of the shite months we've had over the years.

plan your meals, buy supermarket own brand, for non-perishables buy the biggest pack/bottles/carton available. they ALWAYS work out cheaper in the long run,although that one "expensive" shop may seem a lot when you balance out how much you'd spend each week buying smaller quantities definitely worth it.

Look out for BOGOF's and other special offers on things you use regularly, even if you don't "need" it that week usually worth buying them while on offer so they're in the cupboard when you do need them.

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We manage it okay. There's not many 'treats' like coffees out, but it's fine. A weekly menu plan is a big help and also prevents waste.

Its a little more than we spend - if you don't include diesel for car & tram fares.
We go to local markets for meat, fish, fruit & veg (sometimes Lidl too) cos it's cheaper

After bills absolutely!

It's doable: cook in bulk if you can (lots of pasta sauces, risotto, stews etc), value brands of things that can't be messed up too much (tinned tomatoes, butter, washing powder, nappy bags), look up local free entertainment. To make it bearable, try to budget for one 'treat' for the adults per week such as bottle of cheapy wine to share on Friday night, or packet of real coffee or something.

Not if your out goings are £90

yeah, thanks for that sarkin
Thanks everyone, dh doesn't think we can manage it but i also think it's doable and i know it's more than some people have coming in every week. The problem is that dh is a supply teacher at the moment so we are desperately trying to scrape together enough money to survive the summer and we just moved house so had to fork out a huge wedge of cash for fees, removals etc and it means that i'm starting my business again from scratch so will take a while to start earning a decent amount.
Will have a look at money saving expert once the little one is in bed.

Write down all your outgoings for a couple of weeks, you will have much more of an idea.

yes its doable
shop at primark but dont buy asda smart price mushy peas, they are bloody whitey yellow

thats my advice anyway

Easily.

2 adults and 1dc in this house (no nappies although 2 fat cats). My weekly shop last week was £36 in Morrissons and another £5 in veg shop and £3 at bakery. I'd say thats a standard week for us. Sometimes might spend slightly more if need dishwasher tablets or other cleaning type stuff.

Tips -

grow as much veg as you can.
Make a shopping list and stick to it.
Meal plan
Try and make double and freeze half for the next week as often cheaper.
Buy own brands. Morrisson's own brand fishfingers are 49p compared to BirdsEye at £1.50. There is actually a higher % of cod fillet in the own brand ones. I can't tell the difference.
Soap nuts are cheaper than washing powder.
Stock up on BOGOF offers when they're on.
I buy toiletries in town - think the shop is called SuperSaver or something, usual brands but cheaper than in the supermarkets.

If you eat pulses - chickpeas, butter beans etc. cook whole bag full then freeze in freezer bags. Lots cheaper than tins, makes it much easier to stick to good intentions as can whip them out at a moments notice and can pack into servings you will use. I avoided spending any money on clothes for ds (apart from shoes and odd winter coat) by swapping with friend in return her dd got my big girls clothes. Must have saved £££ over the years and v. green too as well as really nice seeing your babies stuff resurfacing.