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

YorksLass

Nelliegrace said:

Always check the till receipts before you leave the store.  It is a good test of the short term memory. It can save pounds. It is so annoying if you get home and find something on offer on the shelf label wasn’t at the till. With gaps in the shelves recently I have noticed some things placed deceptively to fill the gap over a shelf label for something cheaper. Tricky. 

I do, and this why I always ask for a receipt if one isn't forthcoming - not only is it much easier to ask for a refund if you've been overcharged, but I want one for my own records too.  And yes, you do have to have your wits about you when shopping - no wonder my brain hurts sometimes!    

This morning we both received our DWP pension increase letters.  Looks good on paper but there won't be a lot spare once the annual bills start to roll in.  Still, it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.     I've also used a benefits calculator for Housing Benefit before making an application (can't get Pension Credit) and it looks as if we might, just might, be able to make a successful claim.  Only about £4 or £5 a week but it would be better than nothing.  Don't ask, don't get.    

I love rhubarb and would grow my own if I had a garden.  It's easy enough to grow and needs little attention so I'm quite shocked at the SM prices.  The last time I looked, it was £3.50 (£8.75/kg) for 4 thin anaemic looking sticks, probably forced.  I'd rather have the thicker sticks with red skins that I used to have from my late DF's garden.

Meal plan has been done for the coming week and nothing needed from the shops so my purse can stay closed.    

boultdj

@YorksLass I've grown rhubarb in a large pot, was lovely till vine weevel moved in and killed it off.

Floss

YorksLass said:

...I've also used a benefits calculator for Housing Benefit before making an application (can't get Pension Credit) and it looks as if we might, just might, be able to make a successful claim.  Only about £4 or £5 a week but it would be better than nothing.  Don't ask, don't get.    

Better in your pocket!

Florenceem

I went shopping in Sainsbugs today - as I had a £6 off £30 coupon. Shocked at prices in there. I had just been in Lidl and got most of the things I needed for catering at Cafe Church tomorrow.

euronorris

Prices really vary atm. I got 750g of beef mince in sainsburys on Tuesday for £4.29 as they were price matching Aldi. Seemingly unaware that Aldi had upped their price to £4.69 this week! 

I check Trolley for prices (though sometimes can be a day or two out of sync with prices), and get some stuff in Aldi and some in Sainsburys. But I am fortunate that they are right opposite each other. I know it's not like that for everyone.

Worth keeping an eye on the sainsburys app for their special prices. They're a bit like clubcard prices, but only available if you do the scan and go type shop. But my preferred tissues were on there this week, at 83p a box (which is cheaper than anywhere else).

I must say though, it's so tiring (and time consuming) having to go through all these extra steps just to try and keep to budget. 

sammyjammy

Longwalker said:

Bluegreen143 said:

We don’t have prescription charges here in Scotland so I wonder if the population of Scotland is included in the % who don’t pay as that would skew the figures?

We dont have them in Northern Ireland and I think nor does Wales . So basically England is paying for the rest of us

If we all paid, the charge should go down and those that dont pay anyway wouldn't be affected

England isn't paying for everyone it just means the other three governments have chosen to spend less on something else in the health area rather than free prescriptions.  

The stats provided by YBE is a really sad indictment of this country but I am anecdotally aware that many people who get free prescriptions get prescriptions they no don't use or no longer need.

I have a pre payment cert and am happy to pay.  There are medications for cancer etc that cost hundreds of pounds, against the cost to the user of £9.85 (I think).  We can't have everything for free when it comes to the NHS, thats becoming pretty clear.

zaxdog

With regard to prices we are a fifty mile round trip from the nearest supermarket and then it's only a Morrison's and Co-Op which are stupidly expensive. Once a week we need to travel the hundred and sixty mile round trip to my office so we do a big Aldi/Tesco/Lidl/Farmfoods shop when we are up. Rotating the shop each week to fit what we need and to stock up. Luckily we have a car with a huge boot so it works for us. Also keeping in stock dried/UHT milk, frozen and tinned veg and making sure the animal food is topped up.

Sadly this is all due to the New Highland Clearances 

But at least we live somewhere beautiful now even if it is very remote   

Katiehound

euronorris said:

 

I must say though, it's so tiring (and time consuming) having to go through all these extra steps just to try and keep to budget. 

Being a tad cynical I wonder if this is part of the strategy!

In the end folk will think- 'they're all so similar, I can't be bothered... stick to this one. even if it might be dearer.'

Elisheba

zaxdog said:

With regard to prices we are a fifty mile round trip from the nearest supermarket and then it's only a Morrison's and Co-Op which are stupidly expensive. Once a week we need to travel the hundred and sixty mile round trip to my office so we do a big Aldi/Tesco/Lidl/Farmfoods shop when we are up. Rotating the shop each week to fit what we need and to stock up. Luckily we have a car with a huge boot so it works for us. Also keeping in stock dried/UHT milk, frozen and tinned veg and making sure the animal food is topped up.

Sadly this is all due to the New Highland Clearances 

But at least we live somewhere beautiful now even if it is very remote   

What are the New Highland Clearances, @zaxdog? 

Nelliegrace

In England all of the prescriptions are without charge for people with various conditions, for example if you need thyroid medication you are exempt from any payments.
If you are not on the listed medicines, an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate may be cheaper than frequent prescription charges. 

DH is out to lunch/ meeting today. It does mess up meal plans and budgets if he forgets to let me know in advance. I hadn’t got the meat out of the freezer. I will miss my Sunday roast dinner, an omelette will do, but it means he won’t have any of the cakes this week that I was going to put in the oven at the same time. He can have bread and water jam. How do people cope with feeding teenagers? 

I have rescheduled Sunday dinner and cake making to tomorrow night. On the rare occasion when we have a pub lunch it is just a main course, and I prefer tap water with a meal. Deserts are overpriced and usually far too sweet, and we have coffee at home. DH was pleased that one of the members had a Blue Light Card which got 20% off the bill. A good job he had the cash. 

DH subsidises his hobbies. He volunteers at the football club, doing “Meet and Greet,” and they have given him the season ticket he was going to buy for next season. He buys the early- bird seniors ticket to get the best price, and goes to his support his second favourite team, which is local and considerably cheaper. 

He has done bowls coaching and refereeing courses and passed the exams, so he gets paid something towards a sport he enjoys. 

I do miss the allotment, the 20 foot rows of rhubarb, raspberries, strawberries, currant bushes, small fruit trees, beans, greens, and potatoes, all for £24 a year. The couch grass finally defeated us.