[Margaret Pilkington]

It is very hard, but you have to look at the essentials.....Rent, utility bills and food......they have to be top priorities........anything else has to looked at ruthlessly and wieghed against its worth.
Buy clothes from the charity shops.......buy the 'value' brands in the supermarkets. Look for the 'whoops' offers.
Put money away when you can....even if it is only the loose change in your purse....it mounts up.
Choose your 'treats' carefully.......and enjoy them to the max when you do manage to afford them.
Don't buy takeaways......cook your own food......use up leftovers.
We have all been there.......you have little option but to battle on.
I have been poor....and it teaches you the true value of everything.

I'm on a pension so I do know what it is like to have a fixed and limited income.