Can you easily absorb a 20% rise in your grocery bill?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

I am worried about this, predicted to come early next year. I moved abroad last year but have people I love in the UK, some are budgeting very tightly already, and there's nothing I can suggest when they are worried.

I find it really troubling. Surely this is going to be the straw that breaks the camel's back for quite a few people who are coping with limited money? It could mean the difference between being able to get by and being stuck?

Would a 20% increase in food prices be difficult for you, or just a pain in the arse?

Is there any way a price hike can be avoided?

We already have tbh. Since lockdown in March ours has increased that much

Yes food bill has gone up a lot since lockdown. We can absorb it though at the moment.

You say it’s predicted? What is your source?

Ours has gone up because we're eating all meals at home, but is offset at least a bit by not having lunch and coffee out etc.

We can, thankfully. If the food is there to buy!

We can afford it luckily but I'm still preparing for 1st jan and the predicted supply chain issues by making sure we have essentials in the house and the freezer is stocked with things like cherry tomatoes, peppers and soft fruit.

[https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/brexit/tesco-chairman-warns-of-short-term-food-shortages-after-brexit/649458.article#.X408LpmsuGw.twitter]

Article from the Grocer

Brexit with no deal will mean 40% on EU products. Wine, salad, pasta etc. I hope you brexiteers are ready for that.

The end of Transition is going to be messy.
those who will be least able to cope are the least prepared

We will just have to eat poorer quality food

We can afford to not go hungry, but the quality and variety of food we eat will inevitably decrease.

We can afford it but I'll still be annoyed about it.

We could absorb it - 2 less takeaways or one less meal out per month (equivalent) so would not make much of a dent.
I would prefer to pay more than eat lower quality food

I'm not sure. But we would be impacted to a high extent. We already eat most of our food cooked at home (even pre-covid) and we already buy mostly value and own brand ranges.

We'd manage, we'd cut out the booze and reduce meat which would go a way towards it. I have never wanted Brexit though, this morning my phone showed me photos of us marching to protest it 2 years ago today.

@Oysterbabe

We can afford it but I'll still be annoyed about it.

Yes, it is bloody annoying also as well as being a worry.

Decent quality food is very expensive where I am. A cucumber is $3. A small pack of sliced ham, guaranteed free from antibiotics and other shit I don't want, is $6.

It was hard to adapt to, after being a die-hard Aldi/ Lidl fan and used to great value! I could feed myself veggie meals for next to nothing.

I’d have to meal plan harder and have more beans on toast nights. This time last year our shopping bill was on average £70-£80 all in (2 adults, 2 dc, 2 cats) toiletries etc all included. Now I’m lucky if it’s under £90 and my shopping habits haven’t changed. I’m not buying more extravagant things than I was last year. Don’t tend to buy brands etc.

I’d just eat less.

Could be worse. We could be on ration books.

We’d be fine but it would likely mean not getting a meal out or going on a family day out or similar to offset as we’d want to keep saving and all that has a knock on effect for a sector that’s already suffered a lot through Covid if it’s multiplied up through lots of families. We are lucky to have many options to save elsewhere

Why should we have to do this :( fucking Brexit. What good is if if overall quality of life is worse. How is it worth it

We will be fine but will have to cut back in other areas. Very annoying though

I haven't noticed food costing more. I tend to stock up on certain things like coffee, butter/margarine, cheese, breakfast oats when they are on offer and don't do a standard weekly shop of the same things though.

I’d just eat less.

Not everyone can just eat less, without it becoming too little food. One of my loved ones eats very little, in no small part due to the constant stress of never having much money. I really don't want them restricting food even more. Very proud and wouldn't dream of asking for help either so yes, it is worrying.

I’m going to diet.
Less food will probably do me good.

We could but I know plenty of families who couldn't.