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

euronorris

Definitely feeling the pinch. I was entering tonnes of competitions before Xmas to help with this, and thankfully had some success that helped but burned myself out a bit so taking a break.

Have noticed that food is still going up, but we can still save there by stopping deliveries and just going out to Aldi or Lidl instead. 

But the energy prices have me so worried. We're already on the default tariff and that saw our bills jump to £142 per month this winter (would be less in summer). The hike in April is going to make it even harder. But October terrifies me. I'm putting aside the usual council tax bill money this month and next for that purpose (as we pay over 10 months  Feb and March are our payment free months), and I intend to keep putting aside £142 each month, even once we get to summer so that hopefully we have a bit of a buffer to help us out after that. But we may still have to cut out a few other things if they go up that much! But even that would only create a saving of about £26 a month. 

But I appreciate that we are more fortunate than most, and I am so worried for those who are already struggling with nowhere left to cut back on!

Will be making a draught excluder this weekend for the front door I think.

CapricornLass

Its not just Britain though.  One of my friends told me that the Spanish energy bills are going up by 700%! ouch!!!!!!

euronorris

700%?! How on earth is that sustainable? Were they ridiculously low before? Or maybe the Spanish typically use less as they are in a warmer country. But wow, that's floored me!

CapricornLass

Did me too.  No other information.  But Rob only sent that little morsel though to let us Brits know that we aren't the only ones!

YorksLass

CapricornLass said:

Its not just Britain though.  One of my friends told me that the Spanish energy bills are going up by 700%! ouch!!!!!!

How much?????  That's more than an "ouch"! 

bouicca21

I’m not badly off - but even so a bit worried.  My utility supplier was one of those that went bust. The new supplier already thinks I should increase my direct debit by 40% and that’s before the April hike in rates.  I’m a great believer in extra layers rather than turning the thermostat up, so there’s not a lot of scope for reducing energy costs.

Was having deliveries through pandemic but now back to Lidl and Aldi.  Currently living out of cupboards and freezer - but I’ll need to do some major restocking soon.  I hardly use the car and wonder about getting rid of it as I can do most journeys by bike or public transport. But there’s  just always one or two really awkward journeys that are too far for the bike and are extremely inconvenient by bus/train.

i stopped putting extras in the food bank bin - decided they should have a regular donation instead.  I live in a reasonably affluent area, the idea that even here people need food banks makes me so angry that it is really bad for my blood pressure.

jimpwarsop

bouicca21 said:

I’m not badly off - but even so a bit worried.  My utility supplier was one of those that went bust. The new supplier already thinks I should increase my direct debit by 40% and that’s before the April hike in rates.  I’m a great believer in extra layers rather than turning the thermostat up, so there’s not a lot of scope for reducing energy costs.

Was having deliveries through pandemic but now back to Lidl and Aldi.  Currently living out of cupboards and freezer - but I’ll need to do some major restocking soon.  I hardly use the car and wonder about getting rid of it as I can do most journeys by bike or public transport. But there’s  just always one or two really awkward journeys that are too far for the bike and are extremely inconvenient by bus/train.

i stopped putting extras in the food bank bin - decided they should have a regular donation instead.  I live in a reasonably affluent area, the idea that even here people need food banks makes me so angry that it is really bad for my blood pressure.

Now is a good time to get rid of your car. Even we buy any car are paying decent money.

Auntycaz

Has anyone else noticed that it is the budget brands that seem to be missing from the supermarket shelves, with only premium branded more expensive stuff on offer. And the buy one get one free offers are mostly junk food like pizzas or biscuits and cakes rather than nutritious food.

Living_proof

I am definitely noticing price rises but I manage quite well for food from Olio and local food pantry so if anything I am spending less. I limit myself to £1 a day in petrol regardless of the cost per litre so that is self-limiting. Having fixed my gas and electricity price last May I missed the huge hikes even though my payment has doubled I live in a very well insulated house and count myself really lucky. All my direct debits have risen recently and I dread the council tax rises as it’s already 200£ now. Inflation is the bane of my life particularly now the pension triple lock has gone. It looks like getting more difficult year by year. 

trying_to_stay_afloat

We moved to Catalonia in Spain 2 years ago and our electric has gone up by 625% since we got here. We do everything we can not to use the electric but still have horrific bills.
Re the comment about it being warmer, last year we had 1ft of snow and the last 3 weeks the mornings have been -2!!
The food is getting more expensive and although there have been attempts to start up Olio collections it's not taken off. Sadly Spain very rarely marks food down and doesn't seem to have BOGOF offers. We grow as much as we can but people here are really feeling the pinch, on a more positive note at least the sun shines most days.