How's the economy going?

[FanGirlX]

I've cut back on discretionary spending massively, due to increases in fuel, utilities and food prices. With interest rate rises, NI rise and council tax rises expected early next year, along with another gas price increase, I can't be the only one cutting back.

If lots of us are doing this, then it must be having an impact on hairdressers, beauty salons, coffee shops, clothing retailers etc.

Although, I'm wondering if people are still spending in the run up to Christmas and there will be a slump in the NY.

I think the slump will happen in the New Year when Christmas is over and people start getting the bills for this quarters electricity and gas and see how much its increased in real terms.

I think the slump will happen in the New Year when Christmas is over and people start getting the bills for this quarters electricity and gas and see how much its increased in real terms.

Agree, the usual post Christmas slump plus people cutting back due to the price increases of essential goods such as fuel, food, utilities hitting.

Yep I’m trying so hard to save as much as I can at the moment with impending rises in everything. Main diff is im cutting back on impromptu food trips, buying lunches at work and coffees- not bad things at all, wasted far too much money previously.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers

Yep I’m trying so hard to save as much as I can at the moment with impending rises in everything. Main diff is im cutting back on impromptu food trips, buying lunches at work and coffees- not bad things at all, wasted far too much money previously.

Discretionary spending too.

I take breakfast, lunch, coffee and snacks to work. Lengthening the time between hair apps, doing my own brows and nails. Making do with the clothing I already have.

Has to have an impact on the economy at some point.

I think after Christmas too. November hasn't been too cold here so I don't think people are needing to hear their houses lots yet. Also everyone is trying to get back can to normal and feel they need some treats after and possible before any new lockdowns.

@whatnumber

I think after Christmas too. November hasn't been too cold here so I don't think people are needing to hear their houses lots yet. Also everyone is trying to get back can to normal and feel they need some treats after and possible before any new lockdowns.

Yeah, the news from eastern and Central Europe isn't good. There could be another wave and lockdown heading here too. I'm hoping the high vaccine rate here will protect us. Also, we can't afford another round of furlough and grants, so we will end up with a lockdown but not called a lockdown, so furlough and grants won't be there to keep people going.

@whatnumber

In fact, there could be a perfect shit storm heading our way.

There is no talk of lockdowns. You are being unduly alarmist. The fourth wave won't happen here as vaccination and booster rollout has had a very good take up.

As for the economy some can afford to live as usual and some wont.. Not everybody is brassic.

As for the economy some can afford to live as usual and some wont.. Not everybody is brassic.

I didn't say I was brassic, I said fuel, food and utilities have gone up, therefore I am looking at discretionary spending elsewhere and cutting it down.

There is no talk of lockdowns. You are being unduly alarmist. The fourth wave won't happen here as vaccination and booster rollout has had a very good take up.

I'm not being unduly alarmist at all. Read the news and read my post.

The news confirmed only last night there is no expected increase in cases as we vaccinated early ahead of Europe and our boosters are the highest number in the world.

@Guacamole001

The news confirmed only last night there is no expected increase in cases as we vaccinated early ahead of Europe and our boosters are the highest number in the world.

Read my posts again. You seem to be deliberately misreading them so you can have an argument.

@Guacamole001 this is a chat board. The OP wants a chat! Nothing wrong with that!
There are lockdowns happening in other countries and one country is talking about mandatory vaccines. It's perfectly natural for us in the UK to want to talk about what will happen here.

DDs age 11 & 13 have requested no stocking filler bits, just the 'main bits'. They and their friends are very conscious of the environment and the impact of the throwaway culture.

Times are changing and buy buy buy isn't as fashionable as it used to be.

Times are changing and buy buy buy isn't as fashionable as it used to be.

This is a good point. I think it's going to have an impact as our children's generation become older and make their own spending decisions.

Thanks @whatnumber

I was talking to a small cafe business owner yesterday. She said they have seen a drop off in business since September, and that other local businesses have had the same thing. Seems like people are being more cautious with their budgeting - we certainly are.

@AnotherThingToDo

I was talking to a small cafe business owner yesterday. She said they have seen a drop off in business since September, and that other local businesses have had the same thing. Seems like people are being more cautious with their budgeting - we certainly are.

Yes, this is what I'm saying. I'm not "brassic" as the poster below said but my salary is fixed and I'll look to cut discretionary spending before I think about cutting pension contributions / savings. If others are doing the same then it's going to start hitting non essential retailers / service providers.

@AnotherThingToDo

It could also be seasonal- people are out and about less in the autumn / winter but as another poster said, it hasn't been that cold until recent days.