is it possible to live on 25 pound per week?

Question

after a drastic change in my circumstances, i am been forced to live on a very small budget, after paying my rent, which is all inclusive so no unexpected gas bills ect,i am going to be left with 25 pound a week to live on,for food and other living expenses, i don't want to move because i have spent so much getting this flat just how i like it, do you think it will be possible, and any money saving tips?

Answer 1

It is hard but can be done..If you live nearby to a large Supermarket pop along everyday and buy reduced food items.Stock up on tinned meals,Chilli Con Carne,Irish Stew,Curry these are about 50p per tin or less in Asda and make it go further with Rice or Noodles(9p per pack)

I do hope your circumstances take a change for the better in the very near future.

Answer 2

Hi Yes it is possible but it will require great budgeting on your part.

When buying food always work out exactly what meals you will need for the week and buy accordingly, try to avoid the treat foods (cakes biscuits etc) and where possible buy own brand versions eg tins of beans, which actually can sometimes taste better than the brand names. Try to vary your diet as much as possible and make meals that use cheaper ingredients. Things such as stews can be made to last over 2 meals at not much more cost than 1 just make sure that you follow food safety and freeze food according to recommendations. This can also be done with curries, pasta bake etc etc all of which can be healthy yet cheap ways of making meals.

Switch off all non-essential electrical items such as lights and only use them when needed. Don't leave appliances in "standby mode" as these still use a lot of electric. If you smoke try to cut down if you can't stop to save vital money there too.

Try not to worry about your current situation, things will improve and I'm sure that you will be back on your feet in no time.

I wish you all the best

Answer 3

Yes, it can be done but you have to be creative.
1. Save 1/2 pound per week until you have a suitable emergency fund built up.
2. Cook at home. Eating out is expensive while cooking at home is cheaper and more fun. It also gives you a creative opportunity to experiment and try new things.
3. Look for grocery outlet (dented can or overstock type) stores near you, you will save lots on your grocery bill.
4. Fruits and vegetables are cheaper (and healthier) than meat. Go meatless at least two days a week and substitute beans, peanut butter, or eggs to meet your protein needs.
5. Learn to make some different soups. Soups are nutritious, inexpensive, filling, and best of all they taste great! Figure on soup for two evenings per week. An added benefit-cook once, eat twice.
6. Don't forget to check the mark down bin at the greengrocer's and butcher's departments. Ask what day and time they put out their markdowns. They are happy to tell you.
7. Don't forget the power of pasta. Buy your pasta on sale and make your own sauce. Pre-made spaghetti sauce is expensive. It's almost as easy to make it yourself and much less expensive with canned tomatoes and some herbs amd spices.
8. Ask you Mom or Grandma about the recipes they made under rationing. Or check wartime cook books at the library. Many of the recipes made during wartime tasted great and were made with far less expensive ingredients than most people use nowadays.
These are the things I did during my college days when money was very tight.
Good Luck

Answer 4

If this amount was for food alone then I think it could be done.
However this does not take into account the myriad of other requirements.
Think about it. Newspapers, washing powder, toothpaste, loo rolls, deodorants, shaving gear, travelling expenses etc etc. Not to mention going out, a simple trip to the cinema is going to set you back at least £10. Are you never going to socialise?
I do understand full well how important your flat is to you. However, it will end up owning you if you choose to survive on next to nothing. My only suggestion is to get another part time job, maybe one or two evenings a week. This will make a significant difference to the quality of your living. Good luck.

Answer 5

Can't imagine how you're going to manage on £25. As soon as you walk through the supermarket door, that amount is gone. Can you not look for an evening job that would give you a few more pounds because otherwise I can only see you either getting into debt or being totally miserable and life is hard enough without all that. Hope you can sort things out - I'm a bit worried for you.

Answer 6

You cannot 'live' on £25 but you can survive. As others have suggested make a plan of what you intend to eat during the week. Shop for fruit and veg at markets 10 minutes before closing time. hang around outside large superstores near their refuse bins at the end of their trading days - they often dispose of goods with out of date labels on - they are usually perfectly fine to eat - but cannot be kept for long.
Buy clothes at charity shops. Find cinemas that have discount days or are showing movies that are no longer on wide release. Buy only half pint at the pub and sip it between glasses of water. make friends with people who want to share their video or wii games (e.g. to have an opponent). Good luck.

Answer 7

We live on 55 pound per week for a family of 5. It can be done and it must not be boring. This is wht we did: Setup of a spreadsheet with our needs, search the internet for special ofers, use a bike, use your freezer a lot. Dont buy spontaneously.

Answer 8

My daughter is a student and she has about this amount to live on.She has become an expert on supermarket bargains,and an excellant cook.
Check out student websites such as studentzone,for money-saving tips and recipes.
It can be done !!
Good luck

Answer 9

Depends a bit on where you live. Yes it's possible, but it won't be much fun! You could stop paying for an internet connection. That would save money.

Answer 10

you really can do this!! its hard and its miserable but it can be done. on the food front tinned tomatoes are something you can do alot with and make go a long way! we have moved and sacrificed so much to get this house and we struggle every day really . its worth it though and it is true there are people out there who would love to have 25 pw. good luck