9:14am Wednesday 18th February 2009
By Charlotte McDonald
Most people have had to tighten their purse strings during the recession. For the six weeks of Lent reporter CHARLOTTE McDONALD will get a taste of life on minimum wage during these hard times.
Next Tuesday is one of my favourite days on the calendar - Pancake Day.
But after I have munched my way through a fair few crepes lathered in sugar and lemon, I will be preparing myself for a six-week Lent challenge.
As I am over 21, the national minimum wage for me is £5.73 an hour.
I have done the maths, and worked out that after paying rent, taxes, bills and my travel card, I will be left with less than £15 a week to pay for food and anything else I need.
This fills me with fear as I could easily spend more than that on a meal out with friends.
What will I gain from this exercise? I'll hopefully see what I spend my money on while appreciating what it feels like to be more restricted by cash.
I know that for some people, living and surviving on minimum wage is a harsh reality.
As a single, twenty-something living in London with few responsibilities, I like to go out and socialise, barely paying attention to how I spend my cash.
But making £15 last a whole week will mean making every penny count.
As the recession has started to change people's spending habits, I don't think I will be alone in trying to find enterprising ways of economising.
I have no children or relatives who rely on me, meaning I can spend all the money I earn to support myself.
Fortunately I have no mortgage or car and I share a flat with three others so we split the burden of utility bills and council tax.
In this respect I am lucky, but I am still not relishing the amount of cash I will have.
The Government has set £5.73 an hour as the minimum acceptable wage - let's see how far it goes living and working in a London borough.
Follow Charlotte's recession Lent challenge
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