Life for Lucy on £5 per day: It's Day 2

Freedom from Torture staff and supporters joined STAR for a week of action in support of asylum seekers (20-26 February 2012). This is Lucy Bloxam's second blog about her week of living on £5 per day (the national asylum allowance). Lucy is an English Language teacher and intern in London. 

Day Two is Tuesday. Today I was less organised and as a result I'm a little disappointed at my efforts to keep things cheap. I didn't manage to take lunch in to work so after quite a hungry morning I found myself searching around a supermarket looking for something around £2 to £3 to get me through until dinner. I bought a meal deal for my lunch and tin of beans and a loaf of bread for my dinner – all in all £5. Just on food!

I feel like I've failed because even though I haven't overspent there's so many things I haven't factored into my budget – a lot more than just food. For example, my shampoo, toothpaste, make up and the internet connection that I'm using right now to check my emails and Facebook! I'm lucky that I'm enjoying riding my bike to work so much because public transport is clearly out of the question. If you add a bus ticket to everything else you wouldn't have any money left for food!