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

euronorris

We are still having a holiday, but only one. Last year we managed two uk week holidays and a weekend away thanks to sun holidays and a very cheap Butlins deal. This year we couldn't get a cheap weekend with sun holidays, and have booked direct with a caravan owner at a site we like, as going direct was like £1,200!!! Eye watering. So we haven't removed a holiday completely, but we have definitely cut back considerably.
 And yes, I know we are still fortunate to do that.

I do know quite a few people who are going away this year for holidays that were booked and paid for pre pandemic but have been postponed and changed several times due to the restrictions that were in place. If it wasn't for that, they wouldn't be going away still.

This weekend, I visited a bargain foods outlet, which sells food close to, at, or past its use by date. Mostly crisps, sweets, fizzy drinks. But sometimes stuff with plenty of date still on it. And that store has recently expanded to include some frozen food. Was worth a look. I did get some bargains, but you do need to be aware of how much stuff costs in shops as some of the in date stuff was more expensive than in supermarket. Fox's jam creams for example, we're priced at 2 for a £1. I know they are about 45p in supermarket. But they did have spongebob plasters at 4 for a £1, which is great for my DD who loves spongebob and wants a plaster for blooming everything! Lol

I also bagged a morries too good to go box last night. Pick up later today. So did 2 of my neighbour friends, so we will collect together and share the fuel. Excited to see what we get.

I know what people are saying about the mental load. It's a lot, trying to watch every penny, meal plan, keeping on top of what yph have, and what you might need for a meal, paying this bill, oh no that bills due to etc. Its never ending and it feels like a permanent pressure placed on us. I try to find happy moments where I can, and relish them. Some days are just rubbish though.

Oh, and I also cleared out a big plastic box yesterday. I'm going to start putting in it the things that can be sold, and adding them to ebay bit by bit. When I put them to the side, they get forgotten about too easy.

Rosetta92

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). 

I’m more of a lurker than a poster but I’m just popping in with a couple of suggestions. My local council gives carers discounts for its gyms. If you are caring for your DH perhaps your local carers support organisation could point you in the direction of a discount. They also have grants to support activities to help with the stress of caring. Sometimes gyms have offers of free day passes, or bring a friend for free. Perhaps one of your colleagues who is still a member could sometimes sign you in. It’s not a full solution but could be an occasional treat in the meantime.

mandy47

I pay £20 pm for gym membership at my local hospital but you have to be referred for health issues. Wonderful, helpful staff. Bargain but limited opening hours. I'm keeping it going for as long as I can afford it. I feel better mentally and physically and I've met some lovely friendly people. We're a mixed bunch of ages and differing medical needs but we have a good laugh together.

Floss

Auntycaz said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

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.

^^This.

I don't have holidays. I will go & stay with family for a few days to spend time with them & visit local attractions but I don't go "on holiday" because I'm single & have little money left after paying my bills and paying off costs incurred by divorce.

Holidays are not essential items and I get really irritated by those who whinge that they can't afford their usual 2 foreign holidays a year because food, fuel & energy are going up.

littlemoney

Just rewatched the first programme World at War series which Laurence Olivier narrates. There are amazing parallels between what Hitler did in the years leading to WW2 and what Putin is doing, which is reclaiming lands they lost after WW1 and acquiring new german speaking areas. The german population considered the were getting back rightly what was theirs and taken from them after WW1. Putin is after recaliming claiming parts of the old Russian empire or USSR just as Hitler did.

Both leaders offered hopes and promises of regained pride and prosperity. Both populations supported their leader or feared retribution if they spoke out

Although I have seen it before I found the program very disquieting given the current situation.

YorksLass

We used to go on holiday every year (two weeks half board in a family run hotel in the UK) but haven't been since 2019, partly because of Covid and partly because we can't afford it any more.  We were planning to have days out locally instead and use our bus passes but sadly DH's now limited mobility has put the kibosh on that too.  Retirement certainly hasn't panned out to be what we were expecting or how we would have hoped.  That's life, as they say.

On the plus side, we have a roof over our heads, food on the table and the ability to manage within our budget - so far.  I sometimes feel every waking moment is occupied by watching the pennies and dithering over whether to buy something or not.  I am good at budgeting but it's coming to the point where there isn't much else we can cut back on.  It's not as if we have an extravagant lifestyle either.  The luxuries are few and far between nowadays, but we do appreciate the little things like sharing a bar of chocolate now and again.  Yes, juggling the weekly grocery budget is a pain but I look upon it as a challenge and feel a great sense of achievement when there's cash left over at the end of the month.

We've been through tough times before in our lives and have eventually come through on the other side but it does get harder the older you become.  Luckily, neither of us is a worrier, we take things in our stride and retain a sense of humour, all of which I'm sure contribute towards mental well being.  I hope we can all find peace of mind in what is going to be a very different world.

otb666

We do not go on holiday and are recently retired.  We spent one night at a Health Spa Hotel 6 miles away from us. costs Hotel £156 and food £80 This came out of our savings Was so enjoyable and a real nice way to get away from it all from 3pm friday until noon saturday.  We had 3 meals and I had 3 baths with all the lovely products they give you It was heaven. 

ragz_2

mandy47 said:

I pay £20 pm for gym membership at my local hospital but you have to be referred for health issues. Wonderful, helpful staff. Bargain but limited opening hours. I'm keeping it going for as long as I can afford it. I feel better mentally and physically and I've met some lovely friendly people. We're a mixed bunch of ages and differing medical needs but we have a good laugh together.

Our local gyms do a 'health referral' scheme, for people with certain medical conditions. I can refer patients to it through work, but even that is £38 a month for 3 months and only off peak times, so usually people don't take up the offer as it's only £10 cheaper and you can't go before/after work. I was quite shocked that it was so stingy, but we are in the rural South East... 

nannygladys

My youngest dd has a young school aged child and at the old whit week holiday at the end of the month she is off for two weeks and then one less week in the summer, so parents and teachers can get away a lot cheaper!!! She has managed to find a caravan down south for under £200 but when you look at the week before it's over £600 plus!!!!!
A few years ago we (the 3 of us) went to the Gran Canaries all inclusive for £700 the same week, what a lovely school!!!!!
I haven't been on holiday since then, and to be honest it may be a long time before I do.
Nannyg

weenancyinAmerica

littlemoney I have been worried also about my former President - Mr. T. He seemed to be working his way through Hitler's play book and he scares the daylights out of me. I've written a book on Emergency Preparedness even.