SKINT SKINT SKINT

[Hermione1]

I was just wondering or perhaps it is just me, but we are always skint at the end of the month, and even sometimes two weeks into the months money, No matter how hard i try, just seem to have no money. Does anyone else have this, bearing in mind i have no c.cards as such.

Does anyone know of a good budget sheet or something you could use to work out a budget??

Also, do you stick to a budget? Is it easy?? HOw do you do it??? i can't seem to.

HELP!!!

ooh tee I didn't think to do that, normally if we're there and it's out I grab some but other wise i've been shopping a the butchers, DH agrees the meat from there is much nicer.

We've recently been on a "budget" month and I agree it is amazing what you can save when you put your mind to it and make yourself aware of exactly what you are spending.

On budget month I make all food from scratch, including mayonaisse, hummus (you can make a ton of this for very little at home especially if you use dried rather than tinned chick peas)and its great to take to work for lunch,salad dressing made from scratch etc. Any leftover casseroles or meat based dishes get turned into a pie with some (ready bought I confess) puff pastry on the top, vegetables get a cheese sauce bunged on top. I make soup from leftovers and serve that up for supper with cheese and crusty bread, a whole chicken does roast one day, pie the next and then the carcass is made into stock. I make my own bread (loads cheaper over a month), lots of vegetable based dishes - it is absolutely amazing how much you save. Also cakes for the children are so cheap homemade and much nicer imo. Wouldnt want to do it all the time but agree with Loobywoof that 2/3 times a year and you really can rein in the debt. And it is amazing how long you can live out of the freezer which drastically cuts down on the shopping bills.

Also agree with online shopping no temptations or impulse buys. Especially with the Tesco vouchers!!