Can I live off £8 for 2 weeks?

[spotsandstripes]

I checked my online banking tonight to realise I'm way more shorter than I originally thought and what I assumed was in my account, is indeed only £8. I cannot ask family for help, I have a job, part time & I am a student during the week so cannot work more than what I do. How can I make this £8 last the two weeks I have before payday? Is it managable?

[BettyNoir]

I agree with Ann that Aldi is a fantastic place to go to get cheap veggies etc, if you've got one close by. A carton Of Passata is only 30p from Aldi, and with some onions added makes a healthy pasta sauce. If you're only cooking for 1, you could easily get 2 meals out of a carton and a couple of onions.

[askyourgran]

Best of luck Stars, it's for two weeks, just go to bed early and save on electric, and pray for tips, the food advice is good. If this is likely to happen again you'll have to re-adjust your finances in future.

[boxtops]

S&S is a student, they might not have a freezer - but good luck, S&S - it can be done. Come on here and tell us how you're getting on!

[spotsandstripes]

I am actually overwhelmed with all the helpful advice, tips, food ideas and all the kind suggestions you all have been giving me. I've bought lots of pasta and sauces and a big bag of oats. I think I will be fine for the month. This never normally happens I usually manage just fine so like some of you suggested I think on payday I will fill up my freezer incase this were to happen again. I'm not really going hungry and I should have enough to last me. My cupboards have soup and tuna and a few canned veg too. Im lucky I have 2 boxes of porridge too so I should hopefully be fine. I will be keeping a seperate account I think in future for food so if extra debits come off that I am not aware of then I will just have to grim and bear with a bank charge in future and plan my finances a bit better. What a great lot of advice you all gave on here though. Thanks Its really appreciated right now! :) & to the person who offered my cash haha thank you so much but I will be fine :) Thanks though x

[spotsandstripes]

also having a bit of a clear out of items and clothes I do not use and putting them on eBay so hopefully I get a bit extra cash. I dont want to go down the loans way. I'll survive :)

[DaisyNonna]

Bueno. Bacon pieces. Where?

[Philtaz]

Get yourself to Asda and raid the 'reduced to clear' items, many of which can be frozen. Look in the bakery section too, I've picked up loaves for 10p before, perfect for freezing.

[shoota]

Good luck and well done for not running to parents/relatives at the first sign of a hiccup!

[Eve]

Glad you sorted it :) I've found that a panic situation is, whilst not ideal, a very useful lesson in realising how little you can actually survive on if you need to. I remember some very tight months at law school living onreally cheap tomato soup and pitta breads to get by and some recent ones with recession issues, really makes you appreciate what you have.

I'm sure if you do struggle then friends might help with a meal or two or some food, I know mine would me for and I definitely would (and have done) for them.

Definitely worth keeping some emergency tinned/frozen/packet rations with long dates about in for the future if you tight on funds.

[shoota]

Mind you - when you join the Police you'll get used to living on nothing and eating c**p all the time. Lol

[nfn]

Don't buy pasta sauces!!! Look online for the recipe and make them from your cupboard/freezer/friend's cupboard/freezer! Buy cheap and if you can access a freezer, freeze cheap even if you don't fancy eating it when you shop (does that make sense?) You can feed yourself very very cheaply if you don't buy packets or premade or jars of anything. Get the basics!!!