Need to economise…

welshgirl2017

Germanshepherdsmum

Roast lamb doesn’t have to mean a joint. Lamb chops or steaks will be just as tasty with the usual accompaniments. Same with pork. Swap a whole chicken for two breasts. You can still have a lovely roast for a fraction of the cost.

Two chicken breasts will cost almost as much as a whole chicken. We buy a whole chicken and my husband cuts it up - we have a roast with the breast, use the legs for either pasta dishes or cawl so we get at least 3 meals, sometimes 4 out of a whole chicken.

This is true if you are a couple and can afford a whole chicken large enough to make several meals plus soup from the carcass, but some people can’t stretch to that and, if working, often don’t have a lot of time for cooking. As a working single mother many years ago I often bought two chicken breasts for Sunday lunch for my son and I. The time for inventiveness with leftovers came when I retired. In those days it was a question of what was inexpensive, quick to cook, acceptable to a child whist being healthy, and no waste. Chicken breasts and thighs were very useful and I could probably write a book called ‘101 Ways With Mince’!

We have a separate bank account for our pensions each and two joint ones for bills . My husband gets more so he pays the big bills and myself the car and meals out etc - it works for us .

I know of couples with all manner of managing their finances and most seem to work fine. My husband and I have always (for 51 years) had a joint account for almost everything. In the beginning we were so strapped for money there was no other way to make sure we coped. Once I got my qualifications things were better - but not for long as children came along and I became a housewife - for about 4 months before getting a part-time evening job. Even then, all money went into the joint account. However, DH was hopeless with budgeting and was happy to leave it all to me. Today it's the same. I frequently take him through our finances and attempt to discuss things with him but he prefers to leave it to me cos I do a good job. There was a time when we both had "extra" jobs and kept our own moneys, and I still have one so that account still exists and pays for a few small luxuries for us - like our subscription to Which? If the balance builds up in either account it gets shunted into a savings account and we periodically decide together what to do with that.

We only went into overdraft for one month when I had a strop and decided that he should manage the finances - never again!!!

Our elder daughter has the same arrangement with her hubby cos he is simply not interested in the responsibility.

Younger daughter has a different approach with her hubby but I'm not sure exactly what it is.

Of course, these approaches are all fine if there is enough money to go round, however it is managed.

I had a joint account during my 19 yeAr marriage then my husband cleared the account leaving me and my three children with no money for bills ,mortgage and food . I found a job straight away but it didn't pay for everything. My house was repossed and we had to live in a council flat with no lifts and very thin walls the children never recovered from the shock of it all. I will never have a shared account again

Jane43

My daughter-in-law of 31 years was diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year, it is inoperable and has caused lymphedema in her right arm and hand. She has been unable to return to work as she cannot yet drive, write or use a computer. I persuaded her to ask McMillan if she is entitled to any benefits, she was resistant at first as she has worked since she was 16 but after her chemotherapy she did enquire and she found she could claim PIP which isn’t means tested; her claim was approved and she began receiving payments just before Christmas. I suggest you look into this as it could make a difference to your financial situation.

I was diagnosed with terminal cancer last march and my sarcoma nurse applied for DLA for me under the special rules. You need to be expected to live less than 3 months to get it. My nurse said not to google the forms but I was immediately given higher rate for care and higher rate for mobility. The mobility part can be used for a motability car. I was awarded both indefinitely. I hope that your dil keeps going for a long,long time.

Mamma66 Didn't think you could have a joint ISA. Interesting to read you and DH have individual and a joint one.

4allweknow

Mamma66 Didn't think you could have a joint ISA. Interesting to read you and DH have individual and a joint one.

I was recently told by my bank that DH and I needed individual ones, it was not possible to have a joint ISA. 🤔

If you are on a phased return to work then you should be on your contracted pay. I would look at your contract and maybe phone ACAS.

If you eat out at restaurants then try to limit the number of times you go out. Eating out eats up money!

Hope you feel better soon,try to use stuff you have stored in your cupboards & research cheap meals,you can do a lot with chickpeas ! Cancel any subscriptions you don’t really need——— have a timer you can set for heating & water,if that would work in your house.Be careful how much powder or liquid you use in your washer,apparently you need at lot less if you have soft water.Good luck.

Husband and I have separate bank accounts mainly because I am not very good with money - not spent on me I hasten to add! However since I have retired on a very small private pension and state pension I still have to pay towards bills and I am struggling, husband gives me a little
Money now and then but I have to wait til he offers . He is still working and has large amounts of savings . I feel like a 50’s wife and the stress of no money is awful

nancynunu - same thing happened to one of my dear friends. Fortunately, she found a good job, and rebuilt her life with her 3 children. However happy your marriage is, please be aware of your finances. Glad I did.