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

OrkneyStar

QueenJess said:

OrkneyStar said:

Isn't it so sad that we are evening having to discuss these options, how the wealth divide is as big as it ever was. On that note I am off on a walk to enjoy the free sunshine and maybe see if the Coop has any decent reductions. Stay safe all. 

Although actually I think inequality has been getting worse for some time in the UK. I can’t find the exact article, but there’s loads of stats around.

Inequality makes us less happy: https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2022/apr/17/rich-countries-that-let-inequality-run-rampant-make-citizens-unhappy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

That was basically my point too, maybe I didn't put enough words in the sentence for it to make sense to anyone other than me.....oops! 

TheAble

OrkneyStar said:

poppy811 said:

Porridge two to three minutes in the microwave. 

For most of us that's fairly straightforward, unfortunately less so for those who cannot afford to use electricity.

But that electricity would cost like 1p. I know times are hard but 1p?

-taff

Spendless said:

Not all parents going without food won't have some form of heating they're using for their kids meals. Cheaper options that feed the whole household are better than some going without. 

I agree that there could be better education regarding meals that can be made cheaply, melas that can be prepared without g&e, but i'm not losing sight of the fact that are literally a million people who are not eating every day because the increases in services, food, petrol etc have had such a big impact.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/07/1m-uk-adults-go-entire-day-without-food-in-cost-of-living-crisis

That's completely ridiculous and scary and unimaginable in todays society. When I walk past the local community larder there's a queue before it opens.

OrkneyStar

TheAble said:

OrkneyStar said:

poppy811 said:

Porridge two to three minutes in the microwave. 

For most of us that's fairly straightforward, unfortunately less so for those who cannot afford to use electricity.

But that electricity would cost like 1p. I know times are hard but 1p?

I was thinking of someone with a top up electric meter - if they have used all their credit, and the emergency, and have no access to money to top it up, then they will essentially be without electricity.  We don't have a normal meter and pay by d.d. so for us it would be a very nominal figure to consider, but it doesn't work like that for everyone, sadly.

Some children don't even get a hot meal at home, often eating sandwiches or something else cold for dinner, it's fortunate that some of these will be entitled to a hot school meal, but not all of them. Being able to eat hot food should not be seen as a luxury, having a hot meal has psychological benefits too, especially if you have had a long, hard, tiring day!

EssexHebridean

In some cases also there has been so much said about the rising cost of gas and electric that people are scared to use it because they can imagine getting a bill that's a fortune just for cooking a single meal, for example. We're pretty savvy about the cost of living on here for the most part, but we're not representative of the general population at all.

Siebrie

My husband comes from a very poor non-European country, where his family were poor. He grew up with 1 meal a day provided by his Mum, for the other meals (from age 4...) he had to make friends with families that were better off. He has been living in Europe for 20 years now, but still doesn't have the habit of our mealtimes, and happily goes without a meal until 18.00. Although, he started seeing the benefits of 3 regular meals when he started snacking during the day and overeating on his one main meal, and grew a few sizes.

BTW: porridge does NOT fill me up; I get hungry after 30 minutes, ravenous in fact. For me it's better to not eat, than to eat porridge (and that makes me sad, because I do like porridge!).

Florenceem

I have been to membership/light lunch followed by Bible Study at my SA today - I lost count of how many times the doorbell went - people asking for food parcels and help.

greenbee

bupster said:

Today I have heard stories about people eating one meal a day so their kids can eat. Whilst the sacrifice is understandable, I was a bit surprised that adults expect to eat 3 times a day. Do they?

I eat five times a day at least, meals and snacks - I'm bloody starving otherwise. Yes, most adults expect to eat three times a day! 

It's definitely an expectation. I had a conversation with the CFS support team about this - when I'm struggling with fatigue eating (let alone prepping meals) can be a massive effort. The relief of being told I don't need to eat 3 times a day (or even once - until I'm underweight which is a LONG way off and TBH as I can't move much, unlikely to get closer) every day was enormous. I'm better off not eating than eating stuff that makes me worse or wearing myself out just thinking about it. 

But yes - most people eat 3 main meals a day, and many more snack, particularly if they are in physical jobs. My boss needs feeding constantly regularly, but he's a skinny SOB who runs/cycles/swims/goes to the gym when he's not working. 

OrkneyStar

Florenceem said:

I have been to membership/light lunch followed by Bible Study at my SA today - I lost count of how many times the doorbell went - people asking for food parcels and help.

It is wonderful that places like yours exist, it's sad that they have too though, in such numbers.

Rosa_Damascena

OrkneyStar said:

TheAble said:

OrkneyStar said:

poppy811 said:

Porridge two to three minutes in the microwave. 

For most of us that's fairly straightforward, unfortunately less so for those who cannot afford to use electricity.

But that electricity would cost like 1p. I know times are hard but 1p?

I was thinking of someone with a top up electric meter - if they have used all their credit, and the emergency, and have no access to money to top it up, then they will essentially be without electricity.  We don't have a normal meter and pay by d.d. so for us it would be a very nominal figure to consider, but it doesn't work like that for everyone, sadly.

Some children don't even get a hot meal at home, often eating sandwiches or something else cold for dinner, it's fortunate that some of these will be entitled to a hot school meal, but not all of them. Being able to eat hot food should not be seen as a luxury, having a hot meal has psychological benefits too, especially if you have had a long, hard, tiring day!

Again this is something that just doesn't register as being weird, what's wrong with that? It's unusual for me to eat hot food (beverages yes, not food). I might whizz some Weetabix round in the microwave for a couple of minutes but it's a rarity. 

I eat once a day, might have a sweet snack with my afternoon coffee (this is not a meal) but generally all food is cold / room temp.