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

MovingForwards

@Spendless with any liquids, I put the container into a sandwich bag and then it goes into my handbag. Easy to contain spills, rinse out and dry ready for later / next day.

euronorris

DD has this water bottle and we find it doesn't leak (unless she has left it open! *rolls eyes*). Tinc Tribal character-design Flip & Clip lockable leak-proof dishwasher safe water bottle with BPA free plastic - 500ml https://amzn.eu/d/5xhpe69

Appreciate that it's aimed at kids with a kid design though. She actually has two, so one can be in dishwasher, whilst the other is in use.

TheAble

Chilly bottles are great, I've had mine for years. No leaks and they keep the water cold. Nice designs too. They cost a bit but I've found it to be a good investment.

www.chillys.com

arnoldy

I use an old 1 litre squash bottle, free. It is very light weight, does not leak and holds a large volume. If its really hot I put it in the freezer, that way I can dink a litre of "glacial" melt water water during the day.

Elisheba

I've been using a Gelert outdoor bottle for about 15 years now.  Something like this  https://www.leisureoutlet.com/8641-gelert-1-litre-aluminium-drinks-bottle--bayou?gclid=CjwKCAjwoMSWBhAdEiwAVJ2ndocCTSI5g2MbCyjIygC9tWAW2RJcvozMlNujkYCbC7drq1sNocHXEBoCnOsQAvD_BwE ut 
Had it all over the world and its never leaked.

Florenceem

We went shopping at Aldi yesterday and noticed price rises and items not in stock.
Last week my SA had a big donation of salad stuff from a local greenhouse company. Boxes of cucumbers and tomatoes were put outside with a sign - saying please help yourself - free. Everything quickly went and there were some people who offered money donations which was lovely.
Food bank was busy today again.

Doom_and_Gloom

Just did my half year budget check in. From January 1st to June 30th with money in vs money out and we are averaging a nearly £20 deficit a month as it stands. This is not as bad as I feared it would be at this point if I'm honest.
We will get the £400 Grant in October like everyone else (this is just a money printing like exercise if you ask me as they could just make the provider reduce prices as the same basic principle but meh) and I believe the PIP £150 is due sometime in September so we will be getting £550 to help with fuel increases. However if we are already depleting the savings in the basic account by nearly £20 average a month it is only going to get worse when prices go up in October and when it gets cold. The £550 will help but it is not going to fill that increase completely.
Like everyone in this position I'm having to work on a plan of attack now so we are ready when it all comes to blows.

Jellytotts

Popped to the butchers yesterday for our normal 5k box of chicken breasts, used to be £20 but up to £29 yesterday, still very good value as they are huge breasts and 1 easily feeds both of us. They’ve been divided up for the freezer along with a giant pack of bacon.  Luckily the garden is providing us with daily veg and salad now so that’s a huge saving.

YorksLass

Yesterday I brought forward my weekly mid week Co-op visit so as to avoid being out in the heatwave and managed to get some ys items - x 4 lamb chops and a pack of mini egg bites (both half price and now in the freezer) and a pack of mushrooms.  Total saving of £3.62.  As they say, every little helps,  

My next challenge will be dealing with gas & electricity as our fixed price plan finishes at the end of August.  Our supplier has already sent an email with their renewal prices and unless I can find anything cheaper - which I doubt very much - I think we'll be staying with them.  Currently paying £80.36 pm; new DD for variable will be £147.53 pm or £244.94 pm for fixed.  The dilemma is choosing between a cheaper variable that could go up or down at any time or a more expensive fixed that would stay the same for 12 months.  On the plus side, neither has an exit fee.  I think I'll ponder on it a little while longer before doing anything.

CKhalvashi

For £1200 with no exit fees, I'd be tempted to risk it and go for the deal.

Check the terms (including SVT changes and any costs for this) very carefully though, and as always calculate against your usage.