Cost of living crisis 2022 - what have you cut back on?

[jmak]

Re packed lunch. I often take leftovers from dinner the night before - this week I've had paella, veggie shepherd's pie and veggie lasagna. Any other spare portions are frozen to take on days when we don't have leftovers.

 

I do resort to sandwiches occasionally, but mostly if there's nothing else left I cook some pasta and add either some pesto or a jar of pasta sauce. I buy jars of sauce when they're on special offer for about £1 which is enough for 3 large portions. So I get a filling lunch for about 60p. I also keep multi-packs of crisps, chocolate and cereal bars in my desk. I used to avoid that, but ended up buying stuff from vending machines or shops which was much more expensive. Some days you're just hungry!

[mavhc]

Re packed lunch. I often take leftovers from dinner the night before - this week I've had paella, veggie shepherd's pie and veggie lasagna. Any other spare portions are frozen to take on days when we don't have leftovers.

 

I do resort to sandwiches occasionally, but mostly if there's nothing else left I cook some pasta and add either some pesto or a jar of pasta sauce. I buy jars of sauce when they're on special offer for about £1 which is enough for 3 large portions. So I get a filling lunch for about 60p. I also keep multi-packs of crisps, chocolate and cereal bars in my desk. I used to avoid that, but ended up buying stuff from vending machines or shops which was much more expensive. Some days you're just hungry!

 

I leave the snacks in the car, then it's a bit of effort required to get them

[36Degrees]

If you know anyone with a Blue Light card, Asda have re-introduced their 10% discount - I believe until October. Not sure if it's only instore, and last time alcohol wasn't included, but worth it just the same. Card holder must be present instore and have supplementary identification.

[Sonic007]

If you work in a school you can often blag yourself a Unidays account. Saved me loads of money.

[asteer]

If you/partner/someone you know works for a blue light service (plus some other random services), you can get a memebership for the company shop. You can also go with a member and be their +1. Though whenever Ive gone ive just bought kilo bags of sweets, which probably isnt good.

 

https://www.companyshopgroup.co.uk/profile/freemembership

[2ilent8cho]

Not had to cut back yet, since lockdown put a stop to travel and I was sitting on a lot of Airmiles I'd been collecting over the years I've been converting them to Nectar at £400 worth each month since November. Then using that for free food and fuel at Sainsbury's.

[Garacesh]

Not had to cut back yet, since lockdown put a stop to travel and I was sitting on a lot of Airmiles I'd been collecting over the years I've been converting them to Nectar at £400 worth each month since November. Then using that for free food and fuel at Sainsbury's.

 

Nice! Free half a tank!

[2ilent8cho]

Nice! Free half a tank!

Not far off , it's £130 to fill my car now from empty.

[CHiLL]

Living alone on a low income has meant I've always kept a close eye on my spending, but always had enough disposable to enjoy life a little. However, with the current cost of living and the fact I've recently started dating someone - it does get to me a little that I have to really consider what we do, where we eat, etc, given I can't afford to spend loads or do it regularly.

 

I'd also like to adopt a cat again, since my previous cat died last year - but I honestly can't justify the costs. I can adopt a cat any time, so it'll be when I can financially commit to looking after it correctly, in terms of quality food, insurance, enrichment, etc.

Edited May 23, 2022 by CHiLL

[Ditto]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61794166 - report indicates a 4.5% drop in pay for public sector allowing for inflation. Sure feels like a lot more for many of us. There's a line in the report about high bonuses cushioning the impact. Er... well, pick your own emoji!

[speakercon]

I've started buying my champagne from Aldi... Edited June 15, 2022 by speakercon

[Sonic007]

Buying a lot less meat and making more veggie dishes. Often put a portion in the fridge for lunch the following day.

[BOOT]

Interest rates hiked again. Now 1.25%

[Ditto]

Interest rates hiked again. Now 1.25%

They're still historically low, but have been so for a couple of decades now so this will be yet another shock to many incomes. Most of my interest payments were in the late 80's and 90's rates where anything approaching 10% felt good, so not personally too much impact but I'm concerned for so many. Are we heading for a 'summer of discontent' - perhaps we are already there? Remember though, keep it non-political even if that's tricky to do.

 

*** EDIT - can't remember if I've comment about this before, but I do wonder if raising interest rates will have the historical impact on putting downward pressure on inflation that it did through 70's - noughties - current economic and global circumstances feel different to previous times within my lifetime ***

Edited June 16, 2022 by Ditto

[robyholmes]

They're still historically low, but have been so for a couple of decades now so this will be yet another shock to many incomes. Most of my interest payments were in the late 80's and 90's rates where anything approaching 10% felt good, so not personally too much impact but I'm concerned for so many. Are we heading for a 'summer of discontent' - perhaps we are already there? Remember though, keep it non-political even if that's tricky to do.

 

*** EDIT - can't remember if I've comment about this before, but I do wonder if raising interest rates will have the historical impact on putting downward pressure on inflation that it did through 70's - noughties - current economic and global circumstances feel different to previous times within my lifetime ***

 

My feeling is a lot of people are going to continue to enjoy a COVID 'free' summer and not worry about finances. They'll continue to work part time and business will be short staffed. However, come autumn things will change, people will have an empty bank account (Likely a lot of loans too) and they'll start to do more hours, take on a second job and roles will be filled again. A think a lot of people just want to enjoy a 'normal' summer.

[Wubbalubbadub]

My feeling is a lot of people are going to continue to enjoy a COVID 'free' summer and not worry about finances. They'll continue to work part time and business will be short staffed. However, come autumn things will change, people will have an empty bank account (Likely a lot of loans too) and they'll start to do more hours, take on a second job and roles will be filled again. A think a lot of people just want to enjoy a 'normal' summer.

 

My thinking is the exact opposite of this!

 

The cost of living is so high now, I think people will stay local as possible over the summer to save money, in the hope that things start to normalise.

[robyholmes]

My thinking is the exact opposite of this!

 

The cost of living is so high now, I think people will stay local as possible over the summer to save money, in the hope that things start to normalise.

 

Maybe there's to camps, ones who watch the bank balance who are adjusting now, and ones who don't until the credit card bills and loan reminders arriving in the post in September. Plenty of people are still trying to board plans so there's clearly some demand there.

[Wubbalubbadub]

Maybe there's to camps, ones who watch the bank balance who are adjusting now, and ones who don't until the credit card bills and loan reminders arriving in the post in September. Plenty of people are still trying to board plans so there's clearly some demand there.

I think the "plenty of people trying to board planes" - although true - I think these are people who already booked holidays (before or during covid) and are only just getting them holidays in. So they are spending previously allocated money if that makes sense. Could be wrong. These are just guess's

Edited June 17, 2022 by Wubbalubbadub

[Davit2005]

Making sandwiches again, not to bad as only going to work 2 days a week. I used to work in a pre-prep and meals were free and work was a 5-6 mile walk/run/cycle (even walking was faster than public transport due to the route), if still working there I'd be defo doing 5 days in the office saving both meal expense and elec by not been at home. No mid week MacDonald's any more. No expensive magazines. Limited pub visits. Edited June 17, 2022 by Davit2005

[southhamster]

Growing some veg to eat. Mrs. SH is a mega gardener but even I can grow a few things! Start small - potatoes grow well in big pots. Window boxes can work in a flat. Those £20 stand up mini greenhouse plastic tent things could be ok for a tomato plant

[HarryMonkey]

B+Q do big builder's buckets for about £1, these are great for growing spuds in. Plant at 2 different levels.

[Ditto]

BBC have published a table of grocery prices rises at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61920559. The final page made me smile.

I still haven't decided if this is a good or bad thing

[mavhc]

If you've previously been buying premium goods and have to now change, you've been doing spending money wrong

[LeMarchand]

Who knew how many of our goods came from the Ukraine? Judging by the price in Cushelle 32 packs (49%) and Kodak Alkaline batteries (75%) it's not just wheat they supply us with.Neither says made there, though...

[southhamster]

Maybe Russian raw materials? I've heard the best quality plywood is more expensive and harder to source as a lot was from there. I always look in builders skips for any useful odd things!