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

Pixiekazza

I can't believe how much people have to rely on food banks now. We were skint growing up in the 80s and there weren't any then. Although I doubt my Ma would have accepted 'charity'. As a child I just accepted that we had a lot less than others because as a single parent my Ma couldn't take on full time work. 40 years on and it's even worse for some, and they work full time! I've put the odd thing in the foodbank box before but I will make a more regular donations now. 

Florenceem

Pixiekazza said:

I can't believe how much people have to rely on food banks now. We were skint growing up in the 80s and there weren't any then. Although I doubt my Ma would have accepted 'charity'. As a child I just accepted that we had a lot less than others because as a single parent my Ma couldn't take on full time work. 40 years on and it's even worse for some, and they work full time! I've put the odd thing in the foodbank box before but I will make a more regular donations now. 

I think there is more job insecurity now with agency work and zero hours contracts. Also rents are high relative to wages.

Auntycaz

Rents are on the increase and yet the LHA has been frozen for anyone in private rented accommodation. I pay £99 per month on top of my LHA for my rent. I am on state pension topped up with pension credit but I have a good landlord who keeps my home in good repair so I consider myself fortunate compared to some people. It's much harder to tell your children they have to do without than to do without yourself. 

[Deleted User]

This thread fills me with hope for our world- the kindness is extraordinary.

Another small point - if you have a hunch someone you know might be struggling, but don’t want to perhaps embarrass them by bringing it up, there are so many ways you can help indirectly. I often take eggs to a couple of people I know don’t have much, dressed up on the basis that I have a surplus and they are helping me out. 

Or maybe if you know someone who is car-less and relies on foot / public transport for food shopping - maybe offer them a lift next time you go to Lidl? You never know just how welcome that offer will be xx

ladyholly

I was amazed when lock down started at how many people got in touch with us offering help if we needed it. Fortunately we never did but we were quite touched. We did however help out our neighbour who was very ill, mainly with food and supplies for her rabbits as she was eating very little and as she recovered her family who dont live locally brought her big shops.

otb666

i feel that a lot of people use community shops etc to save money rather than actually need to and feel my bit is to not use them for a money saving reason and leave them to the people who needs them I feel the same about sales I would rather have less and pay full prise and leave for people in real need of that bargain Just my opinion I know i am strange at times just read on if offends I am in same position as @Ginger

EssexHebridean

When the first lockdown hit, and there were the awful, shortages in the shops, our local Aldi kept getting in the odd box of 20p spaghetti, literally every few weeks - and each time it would disappear SO DAMN FAST and you just knew that the people buying it - by the armload - could perfectly well afford the next level up, which was also on the shelf, and probably wouldn’t even eat the stuff they were stockpiling. I honestly wonder how much of the food that people bought over that time will never get eaten - or indeed has already been thrown out. My view has always been that yes, I’ll buy that stuff, but I’ll NEVER take the last packet on the shelf, and in fact if stocks are low I’ll leave it on my shopping list and buy it the next time instead when it’s been restocked. Privilege again though - I can afford to wait, because I’m able to operate a storecupboard, so there will always be a pack in reserve. Someone on a really tight budget simply can’t do that, though. 🤷🏻‍♀️

missychrissy

I live on a relatively tight budget - state pension -£760 a month. I do manage to save £250 a month in a regular saver which matures in May and pays my car and house ins and my tv licence. The rest I use for presents for my 4 sons, 4 DILs and 9 grandchildren and any clothes I need. I’m in band E for council tax which is £186 a month (I live on my own so only pay 3 quarters). I’m selling this year to downsize and reduce this.  Things are tight but I am shocked at the increase in some prices. I usually shop in Aldi and have found, for example, their Diet Coke went up a few months ago from 17p to 47p and their apple juice went up from 59p to 75p. I don’t know how they can justify that. I make my own wine, mainly using apple juice, but the increase means I will have to look for something else to use. 

nannygladys

I have been shopping tonight and very surprised how quickly all items are going up - very worrying indeed. I also put half a tank of fuel in my car and it cost the same as a full tank did a couple of months ago.

ladyholly

The weird thing about grocery prices is one of the radio 4 programmes is doing a weekly shopping basket of a range of the cheapest items in a category e.g. 20p spaghetti at the major supermarkets. I seem to remember this week they found that in general the basket was going down or staying the same except in Al** which went up. I do wonder if the supermarkets are manipulating the prices so they look good as I have only seen rises in prices. One example I can give is a cheap gammon steak in Mr S has risen from £1.00 to £1.33.