Challenge? There is just me and dd.. what's the minimum I could live on in a 4 wk month?

[MascaraOHara]

Right I need your help?

next month between pay days is 4 weeks.. I have a lot of expense coming up on top of my outgoings that I can't spread so...

I use £50 worth of petrol a fortnight. On top of that what is the minimum amount of money you think I could live off for the month the money would have to coverday to day living costs (food, housefold sundries, petrol)

I really need to spend as little as poss and how would also be good..

I have some food in freezer and I intend to meal plan

how many adults/children do you need nappies etc too???

it's just me and dd. no nappies (for either of us) lol

I've currently got my fruit & veg down to £5-10 a week..

I have some meat and fish in the freezer so don't need to buy that..

is value loo roll uneconomical?

i will need washing powder

Would £200 be too little?

right lets see £100 of petrol

then I (personally) for just 2 could probably do the food/household sundries etc for £100 or less).

I usually spend around £200 a month for me and 3 DS's, including nappies, cleaning stuff etc....

so I would say £100........

sorry that should be I'd say £200 (to include the petrol)

I will need things for dd's sandwiches, cold meat cheese etc.. that all adds up

I think maybe 200 too FAQ but I think it'd be really tight

I take it you meal plan? where do you shop?

I do packed lunches for DS1 - so that's included in there and I buy the "dreaded" cheese strings for him too

Is this just for 1 month? If so:
Eatvery basic food from Lidl (beans on toast, baked potatos, mince based meals). Make scones, fairy cakes, sponge cake for snacks.
Plan cheap/free days out (school hols ). Swimming, picnics, beach, library.
Set budget with DD ie 1 comic only, no clothes, colouring book or something.
Don't buy a thing for yourself .
Avoid shops.
Only spend cash.

You can probrbly get by on £30 food, £20 sundries plus petrol / week.

instead of sandwiches could you make up pasta salad?

Value loo roll is ok. You could use cheaper washing powder?

A good thing for sandwiches is to make a roast chicken (you can get one for about £3.50) then once you've had your main meal, slice the leftovers for sandwiches. If you froze some you could prob. get about 5 sandwiches out of the leftovers.

have to confess I often forget to meal plan - usually do one "big" Asda shop a month (especially for my bulky stuff as I don't drive), and use Morrisons for everything else.

Buy boots nappies so I can get my advantage points (and because I don't like Asda or Morrisons own brand nappies LOL)

Get big box wash powder from Lidl (£6) and use 1/2 cup per wash. It will last the month.

I make a big box from Asda (think about the same price as the Lidl one you mentioned) and make it last well over a month

oh and on the £200 I spend for the 4 of us I get at least 2 bottles of wine too (well it's top of the shopping list actually )

£6 on washing powder? the last box i bought cost 89p and lasted me a week and a half lol

DD will be at CM and I will be at work so although we both need packed lunches I don't need to worry too much about days out, we can stay in for the mo st part at the weekends this month

I can buy a cheap chicken and roast it, someone mentioned freezing it, do you freezer the meat after it's cooked? does it defrost ok?

I can make dd pasta salad yes, I'm not sure she'd be very happy with it but will try her lol

I think I have enough pasta and rice.. they key will be being organised I guess (?)

Do you guys never need to shop in between main shops? I seem to be forever just nipping to the local shop for something and bang goes another £10 lol

I do buy bread and milk and other bits and pieces between shops - but I only use cash for anything other than the main shop - much less tempting to spend it then

We're potty training FAQ.

scatty - I'm nighttime training - DS1 has a wet bed EVERY night - so it's duvet cover, sheet and pillowcase every day, plus his PJ's

I'm keeping the nappies firmly on at night for now lol. She gets through several trousers and knickers a day as it is (and we started in Jan!)

Sign up to Pine Cone research website. You get £4 luncheon vouchers for each online survey they send you. Ok, so I only get one every 6 weeks or so, but every little bit helps, and £4 is a bit off the shopping bill.

Sign up to Buzz Agent and if you are selected to do one of their market research things you get sent loads of coupons. I got £5 worth of free yoghurt this month.

Also, go through your local paper with a fine tooth comb for coupons. Some supermarkets, I think Asda is one, take coupons even if you aren't buying that product.

Share "Bog Off" offers with mates. Eg. You don't need 2 bags of satsumas, they don't need 2 bags of peaches - swap the free ones over?

Also - cash in your supermarket loyalty cards. I enquired recently in Sainsburys if I could use any nectar points towards my shop. I didn't realise I had £8 on my nectar card. My shop was only £9. So I only had to pay £1!

Buy bags of pulses chickpeas, haricot beans - cook the whole darn lot and freeze them in user-friendly portions. Much cheaper than tins and much cheaper than Sburys who may just have nicked my idea!