Is there anything you have had to cut back on due to the high cost of living?

[Turkishdelightchocisace]

For me I was always a huge bookworm and used to buy books pretty much every week, now I go to the library instead. I have also cut back on hair appointments and try to extend them to every 3 months instead of every 6-8 weeks. Anything you have had to cut back on?

Heating went off end Feb, although had it on on one very cold day in March. Come autumn/winter, it will be on very seldom.

No new clothing, unless absolutely essential needs replacing.

Days out - even eg. Trips to the seaside, train journey to free museums and parks. 😔

Good. Let's hope Sunak announces something meaningful today that will help in the long term to uplift working single parent households with a single income - such as secure social housing for them and their families? Start dealing with domestic issues head on fgs!

The BBC is reporting that they're talking about scrapping the £200 'loan' energy bills thing, which was a stupid idea with many holes, and replacing it with a larger non repayable grant, funded by a windfall tax.

So could be much better, but still not perfect, especially if linked to council tax bands like the £150 as we got it as two working childfree adults in a band A house, so don't really need it, but an elderly person struggling on a fixed income in a band E home wouldn't (but there was a discretionary fund and I'd encourage anyone in this position to apply for anything they can, and also people with elderly parents who might be struggling to make sure they do/help them if they don't use the internet for example).

I think before I use the car for errands. I no longer use the tumble drier. My skincare I have stopped using very high end brands and only use Superdrug Boots and Liz Earle. I only ever used to buy clothes on my Next account when half price in the sales but soon will just buy only in charity shops as I like to try things on so EBay and Vinted are out.

I've always been very mindful of what we're spending.

I was very part time and DH never earnt a huge amount when the DCs were little. I found MoneySavingExpert years ago. So I've always budgeted and meal planned. Friday was always concoction day, day before food shopping so using up what we had.

Much better financially now but I haven't renewed Disney Plus and I binned Netflix last year. I wish I could cut down on petrol but we have no public transport options and so no alternative but drive 40 miles a day. I am looking for a job locally, which is sad as I really do love my job, just hate the commute and they won't entertain hybrid working.

That would be much better so fingers crossed.

A year ago I took a yoga class once a week and bought sandwiches at work, that’s stoped. I’m also cycling instead of getting train to work so at least I still get some exercise. But most of our increasing costs we just can’t avoid. Thank goodness the heating is off for summer!

No because we've been frugal since a redundancy 10 yrs ago.
We are conscious consumers and will only spend on things we use. We will however invest in something that will reduce costs for the future like a new efficient boiler to replace the 30yr old monster that was here. We've just got a ninja foodie which has reduced our oven and hob use to virtually nil.

I've honestly not HAD to cut back on anything (yet), but DH and I are eating out and getting takeaways far less than we used to.
A bill for a main meal and pudding each, with a couple of drinks, is always around £80 now, whereas it used to be £50.
We went into Brew Dog for lunch and their basic cheeseburger and fries is £18! That's Michelin prices!

Some nights I couldn’t be bothered to cook and would go with a takeaway but I can’t justify the cost now. So am trying to meal plan more and have something on hand that’s easy to make. Also trying to cut food bills by only buying necessities. I’d already stopped going to the hairdresser, coffees out, and that kind of thing.

I haven’t really had to cut energy use yet. I’m on pre pay meters and haven’t noticed a significant increase. My electric runs out maybe a day or so quicker than it used to, but it’s still ok. Gas I’m barely using but am continuing to top up extra so I have a good chunk there come winter. I don’t drive (live in London) so no extra costs there.

I was lucky in that I also got a small wage increase to cover the NI rise so haven’t lost out there. So really no major changes right now. I’m just having to be a bit more mindful of what I spend, but then that’s not a bad habit to get in to.

I’m assuming people mean next winter?

Getting far fewer takeaways. We used to get one a week and spend about £25. Now we just get nice 'treat' food from the supermarket and I'll make nachos, or loaded potato skins or even just a frozen pizza. We've found out we enjoy it just as much and it's much, much cheaper.

Savings, some food choices

Also longer gaps between haircuts 🤣

I’ve tucked the tumble dryer away in an alcove and hope to discover it under 4” dust in 15 years time. So for now it’s the line when the days allow, but I’m buying a Sheila maid for the winter.

all my money-saving endeavours seem to have cost ££ up-front 🙄. Bought an air-fryer to reduce oven use - big change. Kettle died a couple of weeks ago and I had to use the stove top whistling one from the shed - HUGE difference in the meter if anyone's using one so I was relieved when the replacement kettle arrived. I’ve bought teddy fleece bedding for next winter.

Vinted is serving us very well. I’ve always been a bargain hunter in the supermarket so that’s BAU.

No not yet but I am making my teens walk more rather than phone me for a lift. We live in a town and most places are walkable.

Eating out. It has gone up so much and I also realised how often I didn’t even particularly enjoy the meal. Dc miss it though.

I work extra hours and rarely have coffee out. Made some dinner swaps eg pork chop traybake rather than steak. Buy overall it's fine. We live in a nice area and it's not crazy prices and plenty of free activities.

I have always been frugal, but I'm even more careful now -

No using the tumble drier.
Heating went off much earlier this year than usual. We have throws and blankets to use in the evenings.
Taking out sandwiches and a flask when when we are out walking, rather than stopping at a cafe for the occasional treat.
Buying a dress for a wedding I am going to on ebay rather than buying new.
Walking to work rather than taking the car - it's a 4 mile round trip so not too far.
Cutting down on present buying, or buying practical things instead - son is getting new bedding for his new flat for example.
Not buying my usual bottle of wine every week in the supermarket - better for me anyway!
Getting rid of the landline as I have unlmited free calls on my mobile. Using giff gaff as it gives me better, cheaper options.

Eating at the end of the month.

not washing clothes after 1-2 wears (unless they’re actually dirty), takeaways, Disney plus, haven’t put the heating or electric fire on since the increase. Making more frugal meals, shopping at Aldi instead of Sainsburys.

We have definitely had the heating on less and being in damp Scotland we are feeling it. Tumble dryer rarely on. Holidays have been a thing of the past for a while.

• Cancelled Disney+
• Sharing bath water
• Boil the kettle for washing up bowl instead of turning hot water on
• We’ve calculated how long it takes to heat water for 1 full bath at a temp we like, then we turn the hot water off
• Walk to and from school more to save on fuel (better for our health and environment too)

No heating in March and April (and it was cold, even now it’s only 19 degrees in my house but it’s manageable). There’ll be no heating this winter for us either.
Only shopping at Aldi.
No meals out and no takeaways.
No long trips in the car as all petrol is needed for work.
Reduced Sky package to the minimum.
No new clothes except for DS who is growing like a weed.

Ways to try and make more money:

I got a promotion but ended up with a grand total of £42 extra in my bank.
DS starts a new job next week that doesn’t include a company car to save a whopping £4000 a year on tax!
I’ve taken on a second job but the cost of petrol is making it not worth it. I’ll have to give it up once we become a one car family anyway. We were going to get a cheap 2nd car but I’d end up working hair to pay for the car.

No, but then i never spend a lot any way. Lidl monthly shop yesterday was £20.48 and the Farmfoods bill for 18 toilet rolls was £5.99. I only use the tumble dryer once in a blue moon to soften the towels if they have been left out in the sun too long. I use Freesat so don't have any tv subscriptions. Mobile costs £12/month, heating is wood burners and the wood is free, broadband and unlimited calls are £25/month ( deal from decades ago). Won't ever give up my Prime membership and other than that there is not a lot to cut back on.