Life on the breadline

SHOPPING sensibly for a week’s groceries for a family of four is one thing. Shopping sensibly for that family on a ripcord tight budget is quite another. Stressful would be a good word.

A look at my entire budget for the week — just over €400 (see accompanying social welfare figures, right) — and it’s painfully obvious I daren’t exceed €180 on groceries.

I enter the supermarket with trepidation.