Surviving an Emergency Budget

Hard times are something most of us will experience during the course of our marriages. It is an unusually fortunate marriage which never goes through a financial crisis of some kind.

Sometimes, these things are temporary; sometimes they are extended. Our family has experienced both and no doubt will again. We have little margin, meagre savings (only an REAL emergency amount which we try never to have to dip into) and live from month to month. Partly, this has been as a result of our own mismanagement of resources decades ago, before we were Christians; partly it is because we have chosen to give much, rather than to save much. I regret the former, but not the latter, although this does mean periods of budget gaps from time to time.

When you see a budget deficit looming on the horizon, don't panic! Easier said than done, as I *have* been known to panic! :-) However, there are things that can be done to help you through the period of shortfall.

I'm not referring here to an ongoing situation of needing to be frugal. I'm talking about a suddenly much tighter budget, because of some unexpected circumstances, such as an immediate redundancy or a car repair bill that was beyond expectations.

Sit down with your husband to agree a household budget. Make sure that bills and debts are taken care of. Talk to your children, if they are old enough, and explain the situation and get them on board. Plan something to look forward to which they will enjoy doing, once the super lean period is over.

When you know what your emergency food budget is going to be, and over what time period, you can start to plan.

1. Make a list of what you already have in your freezer and store cupboards.
2. Plan every single meal (including snacks and drinks), making sure that you use up what you already have, in date order. If you have some leftover chicken in the fridge, it makes sense to plan a meal for tonight around that, than to open a can of ham or defrost some mince. 
3. Carbohydrate-based foods will obviously fill people up, although they are the ones which will cause weight gain. Over a short period, it won't matter too much, but you know what your family's tendencies are in this department and will have to adjust things accordingly.
4. Plan meals which will feel filling and nutritious but ease back on the more expensive ingredients.
5. Buy only exactly what you will need. Obviously, look out for budget alternatives to your usual brands. Don't be tempted to buy 2 For 1 offers UNLESS you KNOW how you can work them into your plan as alternatives. This is not the time for stocking up. That time has passed. Now is the time to stick to what is on your list.
6. Post your meal plan on the fridge and stick to it. This will help you and may obviate any whining from the family.
7. Get yourself organised and actually cook. Budget meals will usually involve some extra effort and organising.

Some home made lemon cordial and vegies ready to plant.

 

Some resources that might help.

• I used Hillbilly Housewife's $40 Emergency Menu once, with a few UK substitutions. Food is more expensive here, but the principles were excellent.
• Susanne also has some great ideas for meal planning too.
• There are some good tips and recipes at Sainsbury's Live Well For Less site, but I have to say that 'toast' doesn't seem a great plan for breakfast for growing children.
• There are some delicious budget recipes at Budget Bytes.

Obviously, life will be easier, the bigger your stock pile. Once the squeeze is over, go on a controlled re-stocking spree. This is now the time to look for the store cupboard essentials that are on special offer and refill your freezer.

Chicken and vegetable soup

Good luck, Dear Daughter. You aren't the first to have to tighten your belt for a while. You can do it!

Mimi is a wife to Jamie, mother to two grown up children, a mother-in-law and a grandmother to a darling little grand-daughter. She home-educated her children and now teaches exam subjects to groups of home-educated children. She's a Worship Leader in her church and has a passion for helping women raise children to adulthood with a strong faith in the Lord Jesus.