3rd of people cutting back on food to pay housing costs

Graham_Devon

As from the MSE story....

More than a third of people have cut back on their food spending in the last year to help cover their rent or mortgage costs, showing the "tough" choices faced by families, housing charity Shelter has said.

The figure is a 44% rise since 2008, as people have had to cut back on essentials to cope with the squeeze on their incomes, the group says.

Just over one in five people surveyed said they had spent less on gas and electricity in the last 12 months to finance their housing payments, a 60% increase on four years ago.

The latest survey could equate to 16 million people cutting back on food spending and 10 million reducing fuel bills to cover their rent or mortgage if the figures were projected nationally, Shelter adds.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, says: "These staggering findings show just how many millions of people are cutting back on essentials as the continued squeeze on incomes starts to really bite.

"It demonstrates the tough choices families are now having to make, between heating their home, putting a decent meal on the table or paying for the roof over their head.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/shopping/2012/01/millions-cut-back-on-food-bill?utm_source=forum&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=box

I make no comment on the figures!!!

However, it does show there is a trend, and that housing costs are hurting more and more people.

Thrugelmir

No one is giving up their mobile phone or sky subscription though.

The_White_Horse

yeah all these people have the big widescreen, car, internet, mobile, booze, fags (if they smoke), holiday, dishwasher etc etc.

when I see people looking poor with my own eyes, then I will believe it.

LilacPixie

Not sure what side of the fence I am on with this one. There is certainly a trend within our circle of friends for cutting back and saving money. It's not because they can't pay bills more that they are cutting out wastage and unneeded spending.

Rinoa

Graham_Devon wrote: »

As from the MSE story....


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/shopping/2012/01/millions-cut-back-on-food-bill?utm_source=forum&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=box

I make no comment on the figures!!!

However, it does show there is a trend, and that housing costs are hurting more and more people.

Judging by the size of many people these days this could be a blessing in disguise.

Anyway, Shelter's surveys are about as reliable as anything geneer posts.

tartanterra

Yet another vested interest, scaremongering survey from Shelter which they will use to raise their profile and hope will increase donations.

I would have a bit more respect for Shelter if they passed on the money they raised to those who desperately need it.

As I have mentioned before:

tartanterra wrote: »

I am always amazed, that when people give money to Shelter, they genuinely believe it is going directly to the "homeless".

Shelters income last year was over £39,000,000.

Of that, almost £32,000,000 was required for staff costs, and £433,000 was actually given out as grants.

ILW

There is a difference between cutting down on food spending, and cutting down on food.

Replacing the M & S with Tescos stuff will not affect your health.

Thrugelmir

LilacPixie wrote: »

Not sure what side of the fence I am on with this one. There is certainly a trend within our circle of friends for cutting back and saving money. It's not because they can't pay bills more that they are cutting out wastage and unneeded spending.

Having a few friends who work in in the Health Service. There is a growing realisation that disposable income over the next few years will be reduced. As they are at the top of their grading scales (many service years). So will be restricted to 2 years of 1% increases by 2015. Out of which they will be paying increased pension costs.

No complaints. Just an acceptance of what's to come. Maybe its a generational thing in being thrifty. As many remember childhood days when times were tougher.

torontoboy45

at last! britain's obesity problems are at an end!

heathcote123

torontoboy45 wrote: »

at last! britain's obesity problems are at an end!

Fantastic, maybe the FTB's will be able to fit into that 2/3rds furniture they put in show homes & stop whining about the size of the houses. Everything is relative.

Carl31

Thrugelmir wrote: »

No one is giving up their mobile phone or sky subscription though.

Oh hooray this old man comment again


Yawn