Food Budget

[pitstopbunny]

I am on Incapacity sickness benefit and after paying all my bills etc, I have the vast total of �5 to spend on food and toiletries for the fortnight - any ideas?? The only toiletry item I'll need to purchase is toilet rolls so the rest can go on food - the cupboards are nearly bare apart from 3 half boxes of cereal so I guess milk is a must. Any help and ideas would be appreciated very greatly! I do make sure my 2 dogs and cat are fed first - they have a luxury budget of  �20 for the fortnight, but hey it isn't their fault I'm sick.

[beerbelly]

its not your fault either .
being on benefits is all about sacrifices .
im sorry , but the dogs ( and cat ) have to go ,
if you starve yourself to death , what good is that to your pets ...?
its not possible to feed yourself on �5 per week .
for your sake and your animals , give them to a decent home , and start to EAT.............b..b

[funkychicken]

stock up on things when they're on offer, especially things which keep for a long time like tins and jars or things you can freeze. Also buy fruit and veg from a greengrocers, much cheaper than the supermarket. If you prefer to cook from scratch it works out cheaper to buy bigger packs of things so make big batches of food and freeze it. Soup is cheap to make, is filling and healthy. I also like freezer shops (like the kinds in indoor markets) but its best to buy makes you've heard of rather than whats the cheapest.

[shehin]

Are you sure you are getting all the benefits that you are entitled to? Nobody can survive on �5 for a fortnight.

If you are unable to claim any more money perhaps you could contact local animal charities to see if they could help with food for your pets while you are ill.

Meanwhile you have no choice but to cut back on what you spend on your pets, you may love them very much, but you must put your own needs first.

I hope this is just a temporary situation and that you are soon back on your feet. Good luck!

[beerbelly]

good point FUNKYCHICKEN its easier to cook in bulk , and soup / curry /casserole is excellent to fill the freezer .
hope you sort it out .PITSTOPBUNNY.
good luck....b..b

[pitstopbunny]

My dad has tried to make me give up the animals but they are all very old (16 yrs) & the only company I have. They are all very well looked after & cared for. I do appreciate your views but to me being without my companions is a big 'no-no' as I cannot leave the house & without them would have no contact at all.

[beerbelly]

I can understand you not wanting to give up your animals , I have a 4 year old labrador and i would be lost without her .all i can suggest is what SHEHIN has already said .
get someone to check that you are on the right benefits . because it sounds to me that your not !
take care ....b..b.

[shaneystar]

Even if you didn't have the pets this would leave you the grand total of 12.50 a week to feed yourself. Are you sure you are getting the correct benefits.You can get help with your rent,council tax and so on.I would have a word at your local CAB..they can advise you on exactly what you should be getting.

[Piper-AK]

If any of your bills are actually repayments (credit cards etc) then you need to contact whoever your creditor is and agree a repayment plan that you can afford.  As the post above says, definitely go and see the Citizens Advice Bureau regardless.

[Buenchico]

Well, I've survived a week before now on a large packet of muesli and a few pints of milk so maybe you've got something going for you if you've got some cereals in the cupboard!

This might sound daft but one of the things that got me through that week was the fact that I had plenty of tea bags in the cupboard - I regarded drinking a cup of tea as my 'little luxury' - it helped to ensure that I was keeping my fluid levels up while also providing the pleasure-enhancing chemical contained in tea (which lifted my depression). So, oddly, if I was in your position, some cheap tea-bags would be on my list of essentials. Other than that, if you can get to an Asda store, they do some incredibly cheap canned meals which might be worth a look. (They also sell very cheap pet foods so you might be able to save on the dog food budget - but don't try to economise with the cat food 'cos if cats don't like it they just won't eat it!).

I'll also give my backing to those who suggest a visit to the local CAB.

Hoping things work out for you.

Chris

[jennean]

i live on pasta when i'm skint its cheap and simple to prepare. heres a few suggestions: mix the cooked pasta with some butter amd some grated cheese and season with salt and pepper and any herbs of your choice. or in a pan fry some onion and garlic for a min than add a tin of tomatoes and small tin of tomato puree(optional) and season serve with pasta and a little grated cheese -this will probably make few meals so u can freeze the remaining sauce.

if u buy some bread you can eat cheese on toast also buy a large pack of eggs which will last you the 2 weeks and are very verstile

[VINNY100_2]

The problems got to be what you spend out on your bills etc...write to the companys involved...go to the c.a.b..for god sake,you cant live on a fiver every 2  weeks..even if you just ate pasta?Ive got a feeling you owe a few quid to credit companys..get it soughted..phone these people monday morning..!!!!

[jennean]

Maybe you could cut down by getting rid of your internet (if you have it)and rethink having your pets rehomed if you are struggling that much.

[WendyS]

A large bowl of porridge cooked in the microwave should start your day off well and you can always make it more interesting by putting in sultanas or some chopped apple.  If you have any local markets nearby ask the veggie stall for any leftover cabbage, carrots, etc. "for your rabbits" and make a vegetable soup with it.   Red lentils thrown in will add bulk and substance.  Look in supermarkets for their damaged tins and special offers on food about to expire its "sell by" date.  Buy"own label" products rather than Heinz, etc as these are usually cheaper. . Bread can sometimes be bought cheaply at the end of the day in supermarkets.  Macaroni served with grated cheese is a cheap dish, and very filling.  Baked Beans are the impoverished student'sstand-by.  Carrots are not expensive and when grated with a little apple, will  make a sandwich which will provide vitimin C.    Brown bread is more nutritious and filling than white.bread. 

[Lindylou]

Ask your GP to refer you to a Social Worker.  You could even refer yourself.  Check the telephone number in yellow pages.  They will ensure that you have access to the correct benefits and will help you complete forms etc.  You may be entitled to various aids to help in the house.  Alternatively contact the CAB who should point you in the right direction for assistance with benefits, etc.  You don't really give us enough information to advise you properly.  i.e. are you a tenant?  an owner-occupier?  your age (roughly!) and the reason why you are on sickness benefit.  i.e. a disease, an accident, congenital, etc. etc.  You should certainly have more than �5 per fortnight to live on although I do think you could cut down slightly on the cost of the pets' food. 

[nicola_red]

Back to the subject of food, I used to feed myself on �5 a week when I was on a low income, and i used to buy pasta as others have already mentioned, also big bags of loose potatoes and rice, which are easy to prepare and filling.  Make sure you shop at the cheaper supermarkets and avoid anything which looks like it's excessively packaged.  Some things you can get away with buying the 'economy' versions and others not - you will soon figure out what they are - eg I'm quite happy with the cheapest toilet roll, kitchen towels and jam but won't compromise on tissues or teabags!  Good luck!