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Original poster

I feel utterly miserable about the state of everything. Anyone else?

97 replies

nellyelloe · 07/12/2022 15:58

As I sit in my freezing cold home, about to try and pay my monthly £300 energy bill (heating on a few hours a day), after spending £140 on a shop that was £100 not long ago, and waiting for 18 months and counting now for a pain management referral and an operation, I am beyond miserable. I work full time in a professional position, but there's no joy from payday anymore, as it's instantly swallowed up.

I just feel total despair at how miserable everything is right now, and would kill for 2019 back Sad

OP posts:
grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 07/12/2022 16:06

I'm really sorry you are feeling down.
I think being cold is something that really make people feel miserable.
I'm wearing knitted scarf in the house as well as carry around small hot water bottle everywhere, don't feel that cold without heating on.
Hope the things get better for you soon.

Quirrelsotherface · 07/12/2022 16:07

I know what you mean. I think a lot of people are really struggling and it manifests in everyday life. People seem more angry, less tolerant of others, lots of road rage. It feels bleak.
I am trying my best to create some magic for Christmas as I have 3 young children but it's difficult. Doesn't help that this week it's freezing cold and the cold seems to hit deeper.

Agree about the food too, exactly the same in that I'm now spending 140/150 on a shop that used to be 100.

Hopefully better times are to come.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/12/2022 16:11

I have to say I don't feel that way, and if you are working full time in a professional job, I'm not clear why things are so difficult that you have to sit in a cold house?

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MintJulia · 07/12/2022 16:22

No, I don't.

I'm wearing a Tui thermal long sleeve t-shirt (£12) under a woolovers sweater and a shawl and I'm warm if not stylish. I have a rug over my knees while I wfh.

Christmas is in 18 days so I will get some time off. I'll get to spend time with ds because he breaks up on Friday.

There is £45 of food in the cupboard and firewood in the basket. It might not be fillet steak but we won't go hungry.

I have enough to buy ds some presents. Money is tight but we are healthy and safe . Ds is happy which is what matters. I think you need some fresh air and exercise to clear your mind and perk you up. You are working full time and have £140 to spend on groceries. Things could be so much worse 😊

Venetiaparties · 07/12/2022 16:31

I am sorry but you really have Putin to thank for this. This is all entirely deliberate and meant to hurt you, as an indulged person of the west.

When I am cold and miserable, I think of the people in Ukraine and what they are going through. Things are not so bad we have electricity and food, and security.

I have found lighting candles makes it feel warmer, why not light lots of candles? I have also switched to amber glow lightbulbs which makes everything feel much warmer. Christmas lights on the trees, christmas films etc all making me laugh. Warm soups and heated socks etc all work brilliantly.

Are you wfh and getting depressed op?

shreddies · 07/12/2022 16:32

I feel the same OP. Today has been particularly bleeurgh.

Venetiaparties · 07/12/2022 16:34

I also saved a lot of money by shopping in the market for fruit and veg and switching to the butchers instead of supermarket meat.

RestingMurderousFace · 07/12/2022 16:36

Things in general do feel bleak at the moment, the cold is certainly not helping. Seems like everything is a struggle, even things that should be simple like parcel deliveries and making appointments are needlessly difficult. Wading through treacle is what it feels like.

BobbyBobbyBobby · 07/12/2022 16:37

What steps have you taken to make your home warmer?

thermal curtains for example?

Itssooooocold · 07/12/2022 16:44

Candles are expensive in relation to electricity

Becgoz7 · 07/12/2022 16:49

Yes completely agree. We shouldn't be living like this. The petrol is going to be going up again soon along with food and energy, we are only just managing now so it will be a case of getting a second job soon even though we are exhausted and run ragged as it is.

QueenCoconut · 07/12/2022 17:02

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/12/2022 16:11

I have to say I don't feel that way, and if you are working full time in a professional job, I'm not clear why things are so difficult that you have to sit in a cold house?

We are high earners and can afford the energy bills and the increased food prices etc. that doesn’t mean that we want to burn through our money just to heat the house. I too am sat in a cold house and it’s making me miserable. I am also trying to stick to a strict food shopping budget and go for non -branded items to save money, rather than just increase the budget allowance.

I don’t understand the attitude I’ve seen on here that people with better jobs or savings are not affected as they can cover the increase. I am used to saving money and being able to put my disposable income towards other things - that’s the whole point of having a good job so your purchasing power goes further than just the necessities. We already spend nearly £300 per month on energy based on today’s meter reading- it’s not something I’m happy to accept, so unfortunately the radiators are off after a few hours of heating.

Pelo2022 · 07/12/2022 17:08

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/12/2022 16:11

I have to say I don't feel that way, and if you are working full time in a professional job, I'm not clear why things are so difficult that you have to sit in a cold house?

Because everything has gone up? I mean what's a professional job, I work for a car brand and earn min wage plus commission
Paying everything (because I'm single and live alone) on £1300-1500 is not easy
My wages covers my bills and food, that's it
If anything goes up any more I'm stuck
Mortgage + council tax + management fee is nearly half my wage gone

Fuwari · 07/12/2022 17:08

if you are working full time in a professional job, I'm not clear why things are so difficult that you have to sit in a cold house

I work full time in a professional job, but it's public sector. I have no partner to share the bills. My house is old, with single glazing. I can only afford to put so much in the meter. Any clearer?

I hear you OP. I've managed to get a bit of overtime to help things along but it's tough going. I really don't know how people are going to manage further increases in energy bills. I'm trying to buy less and less food each week as I see so many things now where I'm thinking "I'm not paying that much". I do think things look pretty bleak right now. But I'm trying to keep a smile on my face as much as I can. I've had worse times in my life. I am looking forward to a few days off at Christmas, although it's a scaled back version this year! I do try and focus on the small things that make me happy, but it's true that underneath that there is this ongoing worry.

MissyB1 · 07/12/2022 17:10

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/12/2022 16:11

I have to say I don't feel that way, and if you are working full time in a professional job, I'm not clear why things are so difficult that you have to sit in a cold house?

Seriously??? You don’t have much imagination then do you….

Useruser1 · 07/12/2022 17:12

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/12/2022 17:16

I don’t understand the attitude I’ve seen on here that people with better jobs or savings are not affected as they can cover the increase.

Well let me clarify. Speaking as someone on an average income and with modest savings, I can absolutely afford to put the heat on enough that the house is not cold.

So when people on Mumsnet post that despite being a household of two fully employed and well paid adults with lots of savings they are sitting miserably in a freezing cold house, I tend to think "Why don't you put on the heat? You can afford to do so, so why are you choosing to be cold?".

Babyroobs · 07/12/2022 17:26

Agree. I've just spent almost £20 for the ingredients to make one dinner this eveing ( nothing special ) for seven of us ( 4 adult kids plus one's gf who is living with us ). Car is in the garage and likely a massive bill, ds1's job not going well and he may quit, huge bill for spring term Uni accomodation for ds3 looming. I see nothing of my wages for myself. I'm even thinking of cancelling hair colour at the salon because it barely looks any different after paying £80. This is the one thing I spend on myself. Also struggling with the cold - I seem to have very poor circulation in my feet and they never get warm in fact they just hurt constantly when it's this cold.

Rubbishname101 · 07/12/2022 17:34

Same here - I’m currently to unwell to work and on UC and PIP having eaten through my meagre savings but have succumbed and put the heating on tonight, first time this year - It sucks, the whole state of this country sucks!

Rubbishname101 · 07/12/2022 17:35

And should state that I have NEVER voted conservative

Babyroobs · 07/12/2022 17:39

Fuwari · 07/12/2022 17:08

if you are working full time in a professional job, I'm not clear why things are so difficult that you have to sit in a cold house

I work full time in a professional job, but it's public sector. I have no partner to share the bills. My house is old, with single glazing. I can only afford to put so much in the meter. Any clearer?

I hear you OP. I've managed to get a bit of overtime to help things along but it's tough going. I really don't know how people are going to manage further increases in energy bills. I'm trying to buy less and less food each week as I see so many things now where I'm thinking "I'm not paying that much". I do think things look pretty bleak right now. But I'm trying to keep a smile on my face as much as I can. I've had worse times in my life. I am looking forward to a few days off at Christmas, although it's a scaled back version this year! I do try and focus on the small things that make me happy, but it's true that underneath that there is this ongoing worry.

I wanted to buy digestive biscuits to make a cheesecake at Christmas. sainsbury's were charging £1.80 a packet and they had no own brand alternative at all.

VinoDino · 07/12/2022 17:42

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/12/2022 17:16

I don’t understand the attitude I’ve seen on here that people with better jobs or savings are not affected as they can cover the increase.

Well let me clarify. Speaking as someone on an average income and with modest savings, I can absolutely afford to put the heat on enough that the house is not cold.

So when people on Mumsnet post that despite being a household of two fully employed and well paid adults with lots of savings they are sitting miserably in a freezing cold house, I tend to think "Why don't you put on the heat? You can afford to do so, so why are you choosing to be cold?".

What OP did you read then?

Pascor · 07/12/2022 17:45

QueenCoconut · 07/12/2022 17:02

We are high earners and can afford the energy bills and the increased food prices etc. that doesn’t mean that we want to burn through our money just to heat the house. I too am sat in a cold house and it’s making me miserable. I am also trying to stick to a strict food shopping budget and go for non -branded items to save money, rather than just increase the budget allowance.

I don’t understand the attitude I’ve seen on here that people with better jobs or savings are not affected as they can cover the increase. I am used to saving money and being able to put my disposable income towards other things - that’s the whole point of having a good job so your purchasing power goes further than just the necessities. We already spend nearly £300 per month on energy based on today’s meter reading- it’s not something I’m happy to accept, so unfortunately the radiators are off after a few hours of heating.

Show quote history

So you have more than enough money to heat your house, but you would rather sit there, cold and miserable?

Your choice, but don't join in moaning with people who actually have no choice in the matter, while you play at poverty. It's offensive.

Leemoe · 07/12/2022 17:50

Gosh I'm nostalgic for the pre 2020 days and it's not even due to the cost of living crisis.
We were objectively worse off in 2019 as DH was a sample so we were surviving on one wage. Now we have a very comfortable income and I'm very grateful.

No, its just that the world has gone to absolute shit. The NHS has been demolished via the back door to usher in privatisation.
We are rushing headlong towards automation of everything and a massive financial collapse and probable universal basic income with a large proportion about to be dependent upon the state.
The media are constantly fearmongering, People are depressed and as you say much less tolerant of each other.
Paedophilia is being normalised.
That's without mentioning the war mongering of both Putin and the US (again)
Society is fractured and even without immediate financial concerns I am very, very sad and have a constant underlying sense of fear.

Leemoe · 07/12/2022 17:50

Sahp not sample.