Living within means!
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VictoriousBeauty
Posts: 135 Member
Hi
I am trying to live differently the end of this year compared to how I have previously. I want to live inside my income, not use credit card etc. My battle is medical care, extra dislocation means extra cost, and boy oh boy am I dislocating badly these days but, that will mean less money for food if I am to manage that not using credit card. So, I am going to have to exist on 1000 calories ish a day (dont repeat that to my niece who is smaller than I am and I have told her that is too low) I know that is too low but, I cant cope with the stress of owing money any longer. I am planning on this level for three weeks. Not sure what budget will mean after that but, hopefully in three weeks I shall be out of credit card use.
I know things are often deemed essential in life that 30 years ago wouldnt be deemed so, so two years ago I stopped signing up for new mobile on contract just have sim only deal, hoping phone doesnt die just yet. All other bills I check regularly, just about to do household insurance. Suspect other bills due to be evaluated also will check paperwork to see if I can release money.
Why now you might ask?
All my immediate family are now deceased, my oldest niece's grandmother passed September, and that hit harder than I expected, it brought into perspective that should I die soon there is no funds to bury me, and it should not be my nieces and nephews responsibility to do so. Can I squirrel away enough, I dont know, I doubt it but, I can ensure I do not leave debts behind.
God bless you
xoxox
I am trying to live differently the end of this year compared to how I have previously. I want to live inside my income, not use credit card etc. My battle is medical care, extra dislocation means extra cost, and boy oh boy am I dislocating badly these days but, that will mean less money for food if I am to manage that not using credit card. So, I am going to have to exist on 1000 calories ish a day (dont repeat that to my niece who is smaller than I am and I have told her that is too low) I know that is too low but, I cant cope with the stress of owing money any longer. I am planning on this level for three weeks. Not sure what budget will mean after that but, hopefully in three weeks I shall be out of credit card use.
I know things are often deemed essential in life that 30 years ago wouldnt be deemed so, so two years ago I stopped signing up for new mobile on contract just have sim only deal, hoping phone doesnt die just yet. All other bills I check regularly, just about to do household insurance. Suspect other bills due to be evaluated also will check paperwork to see if I can release money.
Why now you might ask?
All my immediate family are now deceased, my oldest niece's grandmother passed September, and that hit harder than I expected, it brought into perspective that should I die soon there is no funds to bury me, and it should not be my nieces and nephews responsibility to do so. Can I squirrel away enough, I dont know, I doubt it but, I can ensure I do not leave debts behind.
God bless you
xoxox
9
Replies
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Eat the 1200 calories a day at least. Eating 200 calories less isn’t any cheaper especially when your health is involved.7
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Are there any churches with food pantries near you? That should at least increase your caloric allotment to a healthier range. Our church ALWAYS places the largest jars of peanut butter into all protein bags, plus eggs and meat for 3 meals at least, usually ground pork. These are meant to assist people like you. Please find one. Register. Answer questions honestly, as that will aid with the volume of food you get. If you have your niece eating from the same kitchen too, admit to the plus one person. Most of us working at church food banks ate volunteers, and we will not assume to know your struggles.9
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First, a question: What are dislocations in this context?
And then, my opinion:
Health, both financial and physical, takes a long time to improve upon. One of my (many) "triggers" that got me started on this physical health journey was the realization that I've finally come out the other side of my financial struggles...and if I could do that, then what is stopping me from realizing my physical best?
Something to keep in mind- there is a difference between living and surviving. Yes, sometimes survival is all we can manage. But you're on a path that, for long-term success, is much more of a balancing act. What you've described above is much more like diving off into the deep end of a pool with minimal swimming ability.
How much is starving yourself for three weeks really going to help- physically or financially? Maybe stop and take a deep breath (I know firsthand that this can be difficult in and of itself when you feel so overwhelmed). Take a look at the bigger picture- sit down with all of your finances, and break up the repayments into a manageable schedule. Unless there is a specific reason you haven't mentioned, there is no reason you should have to be out of credit card debt in three weeks. Like weight loss, improved credit happens slowly: while you put yourself in a deficit- enough to make a dent, but not enough to starve yourself.
While you're doing that, put a little something aside in savings. It doesn't have to be much at first (I started off leaving my credit card at home and paying for everyday purchases in cash. The remaining change at the end of the day was my savings for quite some time). As your debt gets payed down, put those scheduled payments towards your savings.
Maybe this won't be helpful at all. Maybe I'm way off base. But whether your plan ends in three weeks, or on New Year's Day- those are just days on the calendar. What are you going to do after that?
Anyway, excuse my ideas if they are totally off base. Good luck on your journey.5 -
It’s interesting that the biggest nutritional problem in the United States associated with food affordability is obesity/overweight. Fruit, vegetables, quality proteins all tend to be more expensive than a lot of the junk that is readily available. So yours is a rare problem.
I don’t know what your food budget is, but there are ways to stretch it...eggs are a great and inexpensive protein source. So are beans. If you buy them in the dry form they are very inexpensive and easy to cook, as are most of the whole grains which you would need to add to complete the proteins. Buckwheat is a complete protein and generally pretty inexpensive in dry version. Frozen vegetables are often much less expensive than fresh and nutrition is often better than fresh. Look for the items on sale and go with that.
With thanksgiving on the horizon, look for bargains on turkey, if you have a freezer to store leftovers. Supermarkets often will ‘give away’ the turkey to lure customers. Same is true of canned pumpkin.
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Are you eligible for any government assistance if not already taking part?2
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Assuming you're in England.. ... https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/2
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After declaring bankruptcy about 17 years ago my dh and I have not had credit cards. We have received some assistance for a time from government/family but not now.
Make a budget. Write down everywhere your money is going. Cut back where you can on things not necessary to sustain life. Compare prices before you buy things. Save up for purchases where you can.
Sell things if you have anything you can sell.
If you qualify for government assistance look into that. Churches or food banks might also help. Tell people in your life that you are struggling.
Where I live things like beans, rice, lentils, oatmeal, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, peanut butter, bread, canned vefetables and fruits, frozen vegetables and fruits, canned tuna, flour, eggs, whole chicken or chicken thighs, pasta are low budget friendly food. It should not be hard to get 1200 calories.5 -
Try this website for recipe ideas. http://www.budgetbytes.com2
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Thanks everyone for your replies, WOW!
I agree 1200 needs to be my minimum intake.
Lots of lovely support thank you. Why three weeks, well I need to repay government money by April 5th (in this tax year) so, after three weeks it will be repaying that. After these three weeks my housekeeping budget for everything, my food, cleaning, toiletries, and cat food is £65 from next week but, each time I need a second appt with chiropractor then that takes out £34.50 which is the battle, medical care or food is the choice.
I have a budget, it is just impossible to keep to when I dislocate hip, it rotates backwards and, so I need another trip to the chiropractor which has to come out of food budget. This week I have about 1100 calories a day in house, but just made winter green, and squash soup so that hopefully will take me to 1200! I am on benefits, or welfare. Sadly the less expensive foods like beans pulses eggs, grains I dont tolerate (sorry stupid gut issues called Mast Cell Activation Disease) When I next shop tho I can buy cheaper meats etc. Shopping around isnt cheap as I have to pay someone to take me shopping so by the time I pay extra fuel, and hourly wage it ends up dearer than buying in one shop. This week I spent £35 on food, out of my benefits, IF I dont see chiropractor at all this week until Tuesday 13th I can afford to spend another £7 but, my hip bone is grinding on my socket so, not sure I can tolerate the pain that long, as is my shoulder so, looks like credit card only option. Sorry this probably isnt making sense.
Will do what I can
x6 -
Last year I had a close call with one of my pets and realized how close to the edge I was living, and decided it was time to get my financial house in order. This included a very strict food budget. I can tell you that every sacrifice was worth it. If the health concerns I've been dealing with this year had happened last year, I would have lost my house. So please know that, yes it's a struggle, and some hard choices needed to be made (selling stuff, cancelling memberships such as Netflix, changing insurance companies, shopping around and purchasing only necessities, taking public transit), but it was worth it. My concept of what was a necessity shifted considerably.
For shopping around, I used Flipp, which is a flyer app, and allows you to compare sale prices. This allowed me to make a focused list for a few different stores, and make purchases of items on sale. For meat, I still look for the stuff that is expiring soon and therefore marked down. This allows me to get 30% off. Anything that won't be eaten by expiry date goes straight into the freezer. I didn't shop on impulse, I bought what was on sale, and then planned my meals around that. Great website for meal planning is myfridgefood.com. You enter in what you have on hand and it gives you recipes. This way you can use those cheaper food items and try some great new recipes (I have never been disappointed by one of their recipes yet).
You can do it.4 -
You can't get to see an NHS chiropractor?0
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TavistockToad wrote: »You can't get to see an NHS chiropractor?
+1 .... My thoughts exactly.0 -
the nearest chiropractor to me who is on the NHS is 20 miles away by the time I pay hospital transport to get there it is just as expensive as seeing my private one, plus they are only allowed 6 sessions so, what do I do when those are used up?
my hip is extremely painful as it has rotated externally so, my decision, ignore it, keep going, and pretend all is well until 13th when my next lot of benefits come in, or pay for it with the £7 I have left, and the other use credit card for to have it adjusted. FOOD or Medical care
x0 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »Last year I had a close call with one of my pets and realized how close to the edge I was living, and decided it was time to get my financial house in order. This included a very strict food budget. I can tell you that every sacrifice was worth it. If the health concerns I've been dealing with this year had happened last year, I would have lost my house. So please know that, yes it's a struggle, and some hard choices needed to be made (selling stuff, cancelling memberships such as Netflix, changing insurance companies, shopping around and purchasing only necessities, taking public transit), but it was worth it. My concept of what was a necessity shifted considerably.
For shopping around, I used Flipp, which is a flyer app, and allows you to compare sale prices. This allowed me to make a focused list for a few different stores, and make purchases of items on sale. For meat, I still look for the stuff that is expiring soon and therefore marked down. This allows me to get 30% off. Anything that won't be eaten by expiry date goes straight into the freezer. I didn't shop on impulse, I bought what was on sale, and then planned my meals around that. Great website for meal planning is myfridgefood.com. You enter in what you have on hand and it gives you recipes. This way you can use those cheaper food items and try some great new recipes (I have never been disappointed by one of their recipes yet).
You can do it.
I do not have netflix, tv licence, or any extras. I pay the bills, water, electric, insurance, mobile is sim only, cheapest internet availalbe where I live, and council tax. I have a strict food budget however, that disappears if I need medical care so then its eat, start, healthcare. I dont have stuff to sell, and by the time I pay someone to take it to post office to post it then whatever I would of made would of been spent on their wages. I cant walk to the local post office its a couple miles away, I cant walk to the nearest bus stop it is half a mile away. I am disabled so use carers, hospital cars and they cost between 45 pence per mile and, 55 pence per mile plus booking charge so, saving money is only possible by not leaving the house. No idea what Flipp is but again savings would go in fuel cost to carers unless it is in one shop, cant follow set recipes as lots of food I cant eat.
Wondering if you have read my initial post and replies, or just the first post most of this I have already said although maybe not so directly
Off to evaluate how to cope with hip rotated, and a shower!
x1 -
VictoriousBeauty wrote: »nutmegoreo wrote: »Last year I had a close call with one of my pets and realized how close to the edge I was living, and decided it was time to get my financial house in order. This included a very strict food budget. I can tell you that every sacrifice was worth it. If the health concerns I've been dealing with this year had happened last year, I would have lost my house. So please know that, yes it's a struggle, and some hard choices needed to be made (selling stuff, cancelling memberships such as Netflix, changing insurance companies, shopping around and purchasing only necessities, taking public transit), but it was worth it. My concept of what was a necessity shifted considerably.
For shopping around, I used Flipp, which is a flyer app, and allows you to compare sale prices. This allowed me to make a focused list for a few different stores, and make purchases of items on sale. For meat, I still look for the stuff that is expiring soon and therefore marked down. This allows me to get 30% off. Anything that won't be eaten by expiry date goes straight into the freezer. I didn't shop on impulse, I bought what was on sale, and then planned my meals around that. Great website for meal planning is myfridgefood.com. You enter in what you have on hand and it gives you recipes. This way you can use those cheaper food items and try some great new recipes (I have never been disappointed by one of their recipes yet).
You can do it.
I do not have netflix, tv licence, or any extras. I pay the bills, water, electric, insurance, mobile is sim only, cheapest internet availalbe where I live, and council tax. I have a strict food budget however, that disappears if I need medical care so then its eat, start, healthcare. I dont have stuff to sell, and by the time I pay someone to take it to post office to post it then whatever I would of made would of been spent on their wages. I cant walk to the local post office its a couple miles away, I cant walk to the nearest bus stop it is half a mile away. I am disabled so use carers, hospital cars and they cost between 45 pence per mile and, 55 pence per mile plus booking charge so, saving money is only possible by not leaving the house. No idea what Flipp is but again savings would go in fuel cost to carers unless it is in one shop, cant follow set recipes as lots of food I cant eat.
Wondering if you have read my initial post and replies, or just the first post most of this I have already said although maybe not so directly
Off to evaluate how to cope with hip rotated, and a shower!
x
Yes, I read it. I was just saying how things worked for me, and that it can be done. Just trying to be helpful and supportive.
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Yes, I read it. I was just saying how things worked for me, and that it can be done. Just trying to be helpful and supportive.[/quote]
Sorry didnt mean to snap, its difficult to balance the books, eat right, and cover medical care. Decision was made at 7.15 that I shall have to function with hip rotated until the 13th when my benefits come in again as I cant afford the care. Disconnect mentally from pain in body, and carry on!
xoxox3 -
VictoriousBeauty wrote: »
Sorry didnt mean to snap, its difficult to balance the books, eat right, and cover medical care. Decision was made at 7.15 that I shall have to function with hip rotated until the 13th when my benefits come in again as I cant afford the care. Disconnect mentally from pain in body, and carry on!
xoxox
I'm sorry you have to make that kind of decision. Hopefully, someday you won't. Living with chronic pain can be emotionally draining.3 -
Thank you for understanding
Made it to Church PRAISE GOD, I decided might as well go if I am going to be in pain then might as well be there and spiritually fed than home feeling sorry for myself. Due to cancellation of fireworks last night as it was a tad stormy ;-) there was food after so, I grabbed a coffee, and a jam donut (will pay for it later but, hey ho needs must) the baking potatoes bought for the event were bagged up on the table with a please help yourself so, I got a bag of potatoes which will mean I can get my calories up to 1600 a day this week Another provision PRAISE GOD ;-D
God bless you
xoxox4 -
Catching up on this thread... what is your height and current weight ?0
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Glad you got some food from your church.
Have you reached out to your church, charities, friends, family for help with transportation, food or help covering medical costs?
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