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Please help keep costs low!

24 replies

AllTwerkNoPlay · 22/09/2013 15:52

Currently we have no heating (but are toasty warm as we have thick jumpers on and are snuggled up under duvets on the sofa! Smile I actually love this) to save money. Funds are very low.

So, we have no heating on to save money. At night, we use hot water bottles so we aren't cold that way either. We are saving water by timing showers and because DD LOVES showering with me Hmm so it's quicker. We have had massive clear outs and have sold a lot of stuff online and at boot sales. We have a water butt, we have low energy bulbs and we aren't using the kettle as often to save energy.

Clothes are charity shop and Primark, we have found that both last well. I have been forced to pay for a new set of uniform after DD's was ruined last week after she jumped in muddy puddles, because buying a new set was cheaper than washing it over and over as they're quite cheap, so that wasted some money.

But when it comes down to it, we have £15-20 a week to spend on food...and I'm crap st budgeting!

Other tips and advice would be gratefully received!

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LaurieFairyCake · 22/09/2013 15:56

For how many is that to feed?

And why so little? Have you got debts your prioritising?

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AllTwerkNoPlay · 22/09/2013 16:16

Only us two, DD is 4- so actually better than it seems. Why so little? Had to move out from partner's home very, very quickly but am not prepared to do a legal battle for a variety of reasons. He has left us with zilch and I don't receive any support as DD's father went off one day. Have spent money on making sure we have nice warm clothes, basic equipment for the future, making sure the stock cupboard holds stuff, had to buy general household objects. I was a SAHM so was in a bad place financially, so the things I saved up went on beds/a table/chairs and so on.

In all of this, our benefits have been messed with Angry Rhey said the would make sure if would be resolved urgently. Too long ago. I am lucky that for the last few days, I have been abroad (for free) so we have had a fun few days and saved money actually.

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2kidsintow · 22/09/2013 16:21

If you boil the kettle, fill a thermos with the leftover hot water that you haven't used. It should still be nice and hot next time you want a hot drink.

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QuintessentialShadows · 22/09/2013 16:21

Well done on being thrifty!

Now that your dd is in school, you might be able to find a job? Then you wont need heating or electricity on in the day. Should save you a fair bit. Might even make it possible to heat the home for an hour in the morning and for a bit in the evening when dd is home from school!

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QuintessentialShadows · 22/09/2013 16:22

Left over hot water can also be mixed with Ribena concentrate to make a nice warm blackcurrant drink for dd.

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LaurieFairyCake · 22/09/2013 16:25

Ok, so it's just a short term thing then until your benefits come in ?

Chase the CSa for support too - they take ages.

Baked potatoes with fillings are your friend - more vitamin c in the skin than most citrus fruits.

Vegetables in season so plenty of courgettes and squashes.

Big pan of mince with lentils, passatta (Lidl one is very cheap and good)

2 course meals feel filling - veggie soup followed by the baked potato is a good one.

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BikeRunSki · 22/09/2013 16:37

There' s a website for eating very cheaply set yo.hubs single mum who was made redundant. I thi k.it is called "A Girl Called Jack". She uses a lot of pulses and Basics.

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BikeRunSki · 22/09/2013 16:41

A Girl Called Jack and she' s a MN blogger

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QuintessentialShadows · 22/09/2013 16:41

Home made pizza is also great. Make your own pizza base, add tin of chooped tomatoes, any thing left over, some ham or just cheese to make a Margarita. Any left over dough can be made into rolls. Making your own bread rolls is much cheaper than buying them.

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cupcake78 · 22/09/2013 16:48

Pasta with broccoli, pesto, tomatoe sauce, jkt potatoes, beans on toast, veg soup filled out with pulses, porridge, jam/honey sandwiches. Think veggieGrin

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AllTwerkNoPlay · 22/09/2013 16:52

It's short term, with benefits it'll mean I will spend more initially on making sure the house is more economical (gradually- fleece lining for windows, things to stop draughts, warmer clothes, as well as to put aside for more economical equipment hopefully) as that is my main priority as we have food but obviously not that much. So when benefits get sorted, it'll be £30 possible spend, more likely £25 to ensure that we are warmer and have things which don't cost us too much to use. Or is this the Wong way to go about it? Confused

Will check out everything on here! Smile

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MinimalistMommi · 22/09/2013 18:01

Google ' Frugal Queen' she has an amazing extremely frugal blog you will find very helpful. I was also going to say A girl called Jack but someone beat me to it.

Turn vegetarian while times are hard, it's a lot cheaper.

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dorisdaydream · 22/09/2013 19:46

I find soups to be extremely cheap to make, and also very filling. Go to the supermarket late in the day (although our local Asda reduced mid morning) and buy whatever reduced-priced veg you can find. Add a couple of stock cubes, boil it all up and then blitz it. You can add lentils to make it more filling. I usually buy the bags of partly cooked rolls from Aldi (£1 per bag) and we have those with soup, but it's probably even cheaper to make your own rolls.

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souperb · 22/09/2013 22:01

Try to be out during the day (especially when DD is at school). Libraries are warm and have internet, newspapers etc. I hear some even have books.
Free tea/coffee in Waitrose with loyalty card if you have one locally. Volunteer anywhere that will be warm and may offer free tea/biscuits (even local playgroups will often welcome an extra pair of hands for clearing up/setting up/manning painting table). As well as being warm and vaguely good experience if you apply for jobs at some point, I find it better for morale to be out and about than feeling cold (and maybe a tiny bit skint and down) at home.
OAPs know where is warm and cheap and where the food deals are because not only have they been doing it longer, but they often have a network of other OAPs. So, befriend and/or stalk old people.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 23/09/2013 08:13

A tempoary waitrose card also entitles you to the free drink and can be used straightaway.

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commonsenseplease · 24/09/2013 18:52

Freecycle was my friend for getting stuff, eBay for selling stuff. When it's really cold, I switch my electric throw on (a Lidl special and 2p an hour last I checked - prolly cheaper than boiling kettle for hot water bottles).

Even when your money comes in you prolly should get into the habit of trying to scrimp as much as poss - for a rainy day and all that.

Do you have any family that can support you (if not financially, for a cuppa AKA keeping warm on the cheap during the day!).

You sound like you've been through a lot with your ex. Do you have a refuge nearby? Mine was great at helping out with stuff donated (toiletries, hids clothes and even food sometimes) even if you didn't need to stay there. They also have a drop in centre for the day near us.

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commonsenseplease · 24/09/2013 18:55

PS as far as trying to keep your house warm, have you looked into all the grants/freebie stuff you can have done? There are quite a few schemes out there you may be eligible for.

Don't ask, don't get.

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jennyc1974 · 24/09/2013 19:22

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okthen · 24/09/2013 19:29

Go to one of the 'bargain' chain stores eg Quality Save, B&M Bargains for dry food items. Stock is not predictable- you don't know what they'll have from week to week. But savings can be big. Eg 4 x tins of John West Tuna £2.99. Same item £8 in supermarket!

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Cindy34 · 24/09/2013 23:16

Make your own draft excluder using tights and stuffing with scrunched up newspaper, plastic bags, old material.

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Cindy34 · 24/09/2013 23:21

Draught excluder - I knew draft didn't sound right Smile
MSE has some suggestions for how to make, what to use for stuffing. MSE Draught Excluder

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valiumredhead · 25/09/2013 08:45

Do you shop at Aldi? I've just started and can't believe the difference. 1.29 for chicken thighs instead of nearly 4 quid in tesco. Huge difference.

Hope things get better soon OPSmile

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cariadmawr · 26/09/2013 11:36

Voucher in mirror today £5 off £40 know.over your budget but if could manage 2 weeks in one bit of a saving , or check if family or friends need anything so could share voucher or be really cheeky and say you will do shop but have the discount .

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okthen · 26/09/2013 11:44

Also OP, go to supermarket at end of day. Big bargains! I got 9 Froobs for dd's lunchbox for 35p!

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