Finding it hard to budget in IVA

[kallis3]

We buy lots of reduced stuff as well - as you say, if you freeze it then it will last for a while.

Hubby does big batches of stuff when he's cooking so that lasts us for several meals.

[andrea1968]

my hubby is the cook in our house-thats his job!!!(in the merchant navy)-he does batches of stuff for me and the little un before he goes away.
Also my mum still cooks for six and there is only 2 of them so she is always inviting us down for tea-cant beat mums cooking.

[carole2662]

Kallis. We get £320 for two adults and then £80 for Henry who is 21 so £400 per month.

[kallis3]

I've actually managed to get ours upped this year - we manage quite well on the £320. Then again I don't eat a lot and daughter isn't always here. It does help that I get 10% discount at Asda as she works there part time.

[susieq73]

Hi - I've been managing to stick to a £30 a week budget for 2 adults - Luckily we don't pay for our lunches as its free but for meals - I make a dish like chilli, curry etc and it lasts us for 3 days. Our weekend is always a big pot of homemade soup ie lentil and bacon and I buy some new potatoes and we have that in a bowl with the soup - lovely winter warmer and I've worked out that the soup dish costs me around £8 and it lasts 3 days, my other dish ie chilli etc costs around £7 and the remaining money is on milk, sparkling water etc. On weeks where I need household items I up my budget another £20 to get washing powder, loo rolls etc. It is hard and I am not in my IVA as yet but I get very inventive with dishes and also have a breadmaker and slow cooker which are great for cheaper alternatives.

[carole2662]

I do think that there is a north south divide when it comes to shopping. Mt sister in law lives in Hull and she reckons its would cost her another £25 per week to shop down here in Sussex. I know when we visit her we stock up and bring store cupboard staples back with us.

[Broke of London]

I'm just on my way to Asda...I'll let you all know if there are any good specials!

[sophie0119]

I'm allowed £200 for food. I tend to shop online from Tesco or Asda at the beginning of the month stocking up on meat, tins and anything thats on special offer for the cupboard and freezer, usually its about £60-£70. And then I go to Morrisons for the fruit/veg/bread etc every week. Pre IVA I couldn't tell you how much anything cost, now I know the price of everything ! lol

[winter_blues]

Too true Sophie!. Good idea doing the online and grab the offers at the start of the month. Will try that

[kallis3]

Online is something I never do, especially Tesco as our nearest one is half a mile away so I can't justify the delivery costs.

I also like to look at what I'm buying. Veg is from the farm shop and the bread and meat from local bakery and butchers.