It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Woolsery

Rosa_Damascena said:

weenancyinAmerica said:

Rose - all through history there have times like this. And people have survived okay. Take a deep breath or two. I have been tracing family histories for over 60 years. What I have discovered is that every generation has its problems. And there is no generation I would trade places with. It will get better. And it really doesn't take that much to survive. Thank goodness. 

When I go back in time to May 2007, I was about to make a major life change that more or less meant making a vow of poverty for a few years. I remember thinking at that time that we'd never had it so good. Come October I had made the change but the economy was falling to pieces and I couldn't live with the thought of what was to come. So I went back to my comfort zone, which involved earning a good salary but having no life.

Our selling-up in 2007 was to make a life change too; it just took till 2009 because of the lessons we had to learn in the recession. We decided our business wasn't going to take over our lives again, so we moved to a place where our earning power would be limited and we could slide gracefully into semi-retirement.

It didn't happen like that, of course! We totally underestimated how much work and money would be needed to sort out the property we purchased, so 13 years on we're still trying to finish things, but we have more security in terms of the basics, like feeding ourselves and keeping warm. I still work about 6-7 hours a day on average; it's just unfortunate no one pays me!

Rosa_Damascena

94% of Britons are struck by the cost of living crisis: https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/britons-hit-cost-of-living-crisis-most-people-cutting-back-food-heating-clothing-1604207?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Essential%20-%201%20May%2022&utm_term=inews

When you look at the stats I'm surprised it only 39% cutting back on leisure activities including holidays. I've got to the point where I fear that even setting foot outside my door is going to cost when logically I know it could do me a lot of good.

ragz_2

We've had to cancel our holiday we had planned for this year, can't afford it. 
We went to a friend's wedding yesterday, up country so a stay in a Premier Inn was required. Paid for that a few months ago, but drinks at the event, pizza afterwards as a buffet at 5pm isn't sufficient especially for hungry teens, snacks for the journeys (I refuse to stop and eat at services and we were travelling over lunch times) and a tank of fuel mean I'm now short for this month and having to cut from other areas of the budget.

I'm constantly tweaking the budget and mentally moving money around and at the moment, the strain is starting to show. I actually feel exhausted by it, it's such a mental load. 

joedenise

We'll still be going on holiday to France this year but tunnel and ferry were paid for way back in 2020 and as we have a motorhome our holiday doesn't cost much more than if we stay at home.  Of course we also save on gas and electric while we are away so that money can also be used for the holiday!

Auntycaz

Rosa_Damascena said:

94% of Britons are struck by the cost of living crisis: https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/britons-hit-cost-of-living-crisis-most-people-cutting-back-food-heating-clothing-1604207?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Essential%20-%201%20May%2022&utm_term=inews

When you look at the stats I'm surprised it only 39% cutting back on leisure activities including holidays. I've got to the point where I fear that even setting foot outside my door is going to cost when logically I know it could do me a lot of good.

Maybe the reason only 39% of people are cutting back on holidays is that some of them couldn't afford holidays before the recent price increases so there is nothing to cut back on.

OrkneyStar

Auntycaz said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

94% of Britons are struck by the cost of living crisis: https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/britons-hit-cost-of-living-crisis-most-people-cutting-back-food-heating-clothing-1604207?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Essential%20-%201%20May%2022&utm_term=inews

When you look at the stats I'm surprised it only 39% cutting back on leisure activities including holidays. I've got to the point where I fear that even setting foot outside my door is going to cost when logically I know it could do me a lot of good.

Maybe the reason only 39% of people are cutting back on holidays is that some of them couldn't afford holidays before the recent price increases so there is nothing to cut back on.

Or some may have holidays which have been paid for but have been put back during Covid, and only spending money is now needed.

C_J

I don’t post very much, but I do regularly read many of the threads on this forum. I’m starting to notice a worrying trend of anxiety percolating through, which is I fear indicative of the mood throughout the country. I hope people are doing whatever they can to take care of their mental health, and it’s so good to see that there is such a supportive network on here to give advice to those who may not feel comfortable seeking it elsewhere.

OrkneyStar

C_J said:

I don’t post very much, but I do regularly read many of the threads on this forum. I’m starting to notice a worrying trend of anxiety percolating through, which is I fear indicative of the mood throughout the country. I hope people are doing whatever they can to take care of their mental health, and it’s so good to see that there is such a supportive network on here to give advice to those who may not feel comfortable seeking it elsewhere.

I am seeing it too. I recently started up my Pool/Gym membership again - we worked out we can afford the £22.50 a month, and already after a week since having it I have gone to the pool twice and two water classes (which comes to approx £22 in just one week, so I will get my money's worth). I know that it will keep me healthier, and also swimming was so good for my MH in the past, plus it takes up time and so saves me ending up spending money on other stuff. The pool does have limited opening hours but I am able to find classes/swims which fit in ok with my life just now. I am also showering after a swim so that will be less home showers too. I walk too, which always clears my mind. I hope that people find things which bring them joy, be it exercise (free if need be, with a friend if that helps), a hobby, a pet, doing little things to help feel in control, and so on. We can hopefully support each other virtually too.

ragz_2

OrkneyStar I wish we had such an affordable gym! I joined one near work last year, but even with my NHS discount it was £46 a month and had to give it up when DH stopped working (he's on ESA at the moment). It was a lovely private one, close to work so I could go in my lunch break which saved fuel cost on making a special trip. The 'council' one locally (10 min drive away) doesn't have a pool and is £38 a month, it has a tiny gym and really isn't worth the money.
Once DH is working again, I will definitely get back to the pool as I loved my lunchtime swim. 

OrkneyStar

ragz_2 said:

OrkneyStar I wish we had such an affordable gym! I joined one near work last year, but even with my NHS discount it was £46 a month and had to give it up when DH stopped working (he's on ESA at the moment). It was a lovely private one, close to work so I could go in my lunch break which saved fuel cost on making a special trip. The 'council' one locally (10 min drive away) doesn't have a pool and is £38 a month, it has a tiny gym and really isn't worth the money.
Once DH is working again, I will definitely get back to the pool as I loved my lunchtime swim. 

Yes, I realise we are fortunate and my strategy won't be an option for everyone. Even a walk out in the sunshine can do wonders for mental health, by water (river, sea, lake), through trees, or even pounding the city streets. I just think that exercise is such a good way of boosting our mental health when we are a bit overwhelmed.