VAT increase, has this affected what you buy?

[LizHF]

Hi All!

With the increase in VAT starting yesterday, has this price increase stopped you shopping or buying anything?

Has anyone found any shops, companies or websites that have defied the VAT increase?

Liz :)

[kitbit]

It's just a general shake down for us and a reminder to pull the belt in a bit. No unnecessary spending, cheaper food, more meal planning, less car usage, everything really.

[Charliiee]

i just noticed that Baby formula got up with the VAT increase from 8.97 to 9.99!!!!! Is baby milk not food item????

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

Hi Journalist!

No it hasn't!

Byeeeeee!

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

Oh you're from Harveys Furniture, sorry.

[LizHF]

I think the VAT increase would stop me buying large items as that is where the increase will matter the most to me, but small items like shampoo, I agree with you TheBrandyButterflyEffect, I will still continue to buy my normal brand as that has not gone up massively in price. I have heard that shops were particularly busy at the beginning of the year where people were probably trying to buy things before the VAT increased.

I have spotted a few shops that have not put their VAT up on their products yet. Has anyone else found any?

Liz :)

[higgle]

I'm just going to be more careful all round, especially with buying clothes. I'm also going to be sure to ebay my surplus stuff off the moment it becomes surplus, not months/years later when it is worth less.

I used to be very casual about claiming expenses at work, and often didn't bother to claim mileage for short journeys, which will have to change now petrol is so expensive.

I shall also be getting DH to contribute more to paying for household stuff - I quite often buy new duvet covers or crockery etc. that we need without asking him to chip in towards them - I'm afraid he is going to have to pay 1/2 more often now, instead of frittering his income away on hobby stuff.

[expatinscotland]

I'm not going to buy much of anything besides the necessary. I'm going abroad in summer and will buy clothes, shoes and goods there instead.

[mafog]

Yes.

I reckon that the VAT increase means we will have to pay £300 more per year in tax, rather than being able to use that money in any other way. Our income has not gone up by £300, so we will have to buy £300 less worth of things. Simples.

[LizHF]

The VAT increase has made me realise that there are many things I can do without or just re-use. Things around the house I used to replace frequently will have to wait now. I agree higgle, petrol has increased massively and I am feeling the pinch most in day to day travel. I would take the bus or train to places I cannot walk to instead of using the car, but train and bus prices have also increased making it so expensive to get anywhere!

Liz

[Dropdeadfred]

it's just an exra 2.5p in the pound...so only an exra £25 if you buy something that was £1000....can't see how it's going to affect people that much...?