How To Make £200 Last 2 Weeks (Or More)

James Beattie By James Beattie 9 Min Read

If you are trying to make £200 last two weeks, you may feel slightly overwhelmed. However, with some careful planning and budgeting, it is possible to stretch your money and make it last until your next payday. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your money and avoid running out before the end of the month.

Understanding Your Budget

When it comes to making £200 last two weeks, the first step is to understand your budget. This involves assessing your current finances and setting financial priorities.

Assessing Your Current Finances

To assess your current finances, you need to know how much money you have going out over the next 2 weeks. I’m going to assume you don’t have any money coming in until your next payday.

Firstly, take a look at your expenses and see where you can cut costs. This could involve canceling any unnecessary subscriptions or memberships, or reducing your spending on things like clothes, entertainment, or eating out.

If any subscriptions such as streaming services, gym memberships that you don’t use, or clothing subscriptions etc, which are not necessities cancel them immediately. Once you get into a better financial position, you can always sign up again.

If you have any pending payments that you know are going to come out, remove that from your £200 and that will show you how much you actually have remaining for the two weeks. You can then budget with the remaining amount.

If you have payments coming out that are close to or exceed the £200 you need to prioritise where your money goes. You need to decide which expenses are essential and which ones you can cut back on. For example, you may need to prioritise your rent or mortgage payments, bills, and groceries, while cutting back on non-essential expenses such as eating out or buying new clothes.

In the future, you should consider setting aside an emergency fund to cover you so this doesn’t happen again.

Cost-Saving Strategies

Grocery Shopping Tips

When it comes to buying groceries on a £200 budget, you want to feed yourself fairly nutritious meals each day without breaking the bank. Realistically these aren’t going to be the tastiest meals in the world but they will get you through a tough time.

Some of my favorite budget meals are:

  • Super Noodle Ramen
  • Baked Spaghetti Pie With Peppers and Courgette
  • Tuna Pasta
  • Jacket Potato with beans and cheese
  • Rice and Beans
  • Beef/Chicken Stew
  • Vegetable Soup

For the most nutrition at the lowest cost, it’s hard to beat rice and beans.

Reducing Utility Bills

Reducing your utility bills is another effective way to make £200 last for two weeks. Here are some tips to help you save money on your utility bills:

  • Turn off lights and appliances when not in use: This can help you save money on your energy bills.
  • Take shorter showers: Taking shorter showers can help you save money on your water bill.
  • Use Less Heating: Turn the thermostat down slightly in your home and layer up when possible. This will help save some money on your heating bill.

Affordable Transportation Options

Transportation can be a major expense, but there are affordable options available. Here are some tips to help you save money on transportation:

  • Walk or cycle: Walking or cycling is not only good for your health, but it’s also free. If you live close to your workplace or school, consider walking or cycling instead of driving or taking public transport.
  • Use public transport: Public transport can be a cost-effective way to get around. Look for deals such as weekly or monthly passes to save money on your fare.
  • Carpool: If you need to drive, consider carpooling with colleagues or friends to split the cost of petrol.

By following these cost-saving strategies, you can make £200 last for two weeks and take control of your finances.

Earn Additional Income To Keep You Afloat

Earn more money

If you’re struggling to make £200 last two weeks, you may want to consider additional income avenues. Here are a few options to consider:

Part-Time Job Opportunities

Taking on a part-time job can be a great way to earn extra income. Look for opportunities that fit your schedule and skills. Some options to consider include:

  • Retail: Many retailers hire part-time staff to work in their stores. This can be a good option if you have experience in customer service or sales. This is especially popular at peak times of the year like Christmas, when stores like Tesco hire a lot of extra staff.
  • Food Service: Restaurants and cafes often need part-time staff to work as servers or kitchen staff. If you have experience in the food service industry, this could be a good option.
  • Delivery: With the rise of food delivery services, there are now more opportunities than ever to work as a delivery driver. This can be a good option if you have a car or bike and live in a populated city. Apps like Ubereats and Deliveroo are some great ways to make a bit of extra income if you need it.

Freelancing and Online Work

Another option to consider is freelancing or online work. There are many websites where you can find freelance work in a variety of fields. Some options to consider include:

  • Writing: If you have strong writing skills, you can find freelance writing opportunities on websites like Upwork or Freelancer.
  • Graphic Design: If you have design skills, you can find freelance design work on websites like 99designs or Fiverr.
  • Virtual Assistant: Many businesses and individuals need help with administrative tasks. If you have strong organizational skills, you can find virtual assistant work on websites like Upwork or PeoplePerHour.

When considering additional income avenues, be sure to factor in the time and effort required to earn the extra income. Make sure the opportunity is worth your time and that it fits with your schedule and skills.

The best part about these side gigs is you only need to take them on when you need a little extra cash. You won’t have to lock in any long-term contracts or commitments.

Going Into Debt

I would highly advise against going into debt during this period if possible. Especially when it comes to payday loans and high-interest credit card debt. This can end up spiraling into even more problems down the line.

It’s much better to rough it out for a week or two and ensure that you have a solid budget planned for next month so the same thing doesn’t happen again.

You can use our budgeting sheet to help you.

50/30/20 Budget Planner - Google Sheets
Pros:
  • Monthly Budget Overview
  • Custom Categories
  • Transaction Log
  • View Daily Spending Overview
  • Track Needs, Wants, Savings/Investments & Debts

Wrapping Up

If you have £200 left to last you 2 weeks you will need to budget well and make sensible purchases to make it through without going into debt or an overdraft. Prioritize your most important purchases and cut back on anything that isn’t a necessity. Once you make it through ensure you budget well so you avoid getting into the same situation next month.

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I'm passionate about personal finance and making money. Currently trying to FIRE solely by building online assets. Grew my stock portfolio to £86,000 by 26.
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