If it comes to it would you choose heating or eating?

[Tuliprain]

We were having this discussion the other night. I would choose eating and husband would choose heating - so we are already stuck. Im thinking we could warm up with blankets and hot water bottles etc but nothing you can do about hunger. He says the house will go mouldy and he’s rather be hungry than cold. Such a depressing subject to be considering.

I stand by my ‘gleeful’ comment. Some posters on this thread seem convinced EVERYONE is over-consuming anyhow so we should just cut down. PP have outright said this. They seem eager to police peoples’ shopping baskets.

There isn't really an option if you want to live, lol. The choice is to eat.

I'm not saying that vulnerable people won't perish because of the cold, but if you are otherwise healthy, your only option is to eat.

I agree OP, it as an extremely depressing thought, and whilst I'm not in a position to need to be choosing thankfully, my mind can't keep wondering about those who are not as fortunate. It's horrific.

@Hearwego, I think you can definitely save at Aldi if you go with the flow and buy what they've got rather than looking for the wider choice at Tesco. Eg, their Super6 fruit and veg are prices like 6 kiwi fruit for 59p (35p each in Tesco) plus savings across the board, eg 1kg basmati rice is £1.35 instead of £1.60. They do a free-range chicken for £3.49 per kg whereas at Tesco it's £5.50 per kg. It's definitely worth giving it a go.

My work shoes at one point were £4 pumps from Asda with cardboard in the bottom where the sole wore through. I had one pair of £6 black work trousers from Tesco and a cheap blouse x3. One black cardigan. That was it. I wore DS old hoodie until last year I was that sentimentally attached to it.

@KurtWilde

I do not think there is any place for anyone to go hungry and cold in one of the richest countries in the world. It’s a disgrace.

I completely agree @Florelei

Unfortunately, the benefits system (and universal credit in particular) is a farce. It's not fit for purpose. They know this and they do nothing about it. Ridiculous sanctions, knowingly leaving families without even enough money for the basics, and saying 'just go to a food bank' is abhorrent. And many of these are working families, too. On unstable zero hour contacts with fluctuating income.

‘You will own nothing and be happy’ (Not Santa) Klaus Schwab

I'd choose to have heating on, ill eat my sons leftovers and just eat basic meals myself if I have to choose! I'm pretending to be in denial about it at the moment though

@Nohypocrate

What you will find is the dramatic people on here are the same prolific posters on the covid boards in 2020. They feed off negativity and are determined to be as negative and downright miserable as possible. Don't let them suck you dry.

Well yeah, it's all Project Fear, surely? It can't possibly be true and they just want to be negative obvs.

I mean, all the racist fucks who voted for this can keep warm by knowing they have Taken Back Control.

[quote ScribblingPixie]@Hearwego, I think you can definitely save at Aldi if you go with the flow and buy what they've got rather than looking for the wider choice at Tesco. Eg, their Super6 fruit and veg are prices like 6 kiwi fruit for 59p (35p each in Tesco) plus savings across the board, eg 1kg basmati rice is £1.35 instead of £1.60. They do a free-range chicken for £3.49 per kg whereas at Tesco it's £5.50 per kg. It's definitely worth giving it a go.[/quote]
Ah I’m dreading this, I currently use Aldi but am about to move to Shetland where there’s only Tesco. Maybe I should just go and be homeless in a hot country

@Haffiana 😃 I like you, you’re spicy 🌶

red30505

lightand
I never get the heating or eating argument.
There are many many things I would cut out before any of those.
Less clothes, less grooming, cheaper tv package. The list goes on.
lots of people have already cut those out.

To be fair there’s stuff I would cut out before heating/eating as well. Like council tax. Trying to think of something else but it’s literally just food/energy/water/internet and can’t pay for anything or order food without the internet!

@ColdandFrosty1

I'd choose to have heating on, ill eat my sons leftovers and just eat basic meals myself if I have to choose! I'm pretending to be in denial about it at the moment though

Your username doesn’t seem to be in denial 😛

@Chichimcgee

red30505

lightand
I never get the heating or eating argument.
There are many many things I would cut out before any of those.
Less clothes, less grooming, cheaper tv package. The list goes on.
lots of people have already cut those out.

To be fair there’s stuff I would cut out before heating/eating as well. Like council tax. Trying to think of something else but it’s literally just food/energy/water/internet and can’t pay for anything or order food without the internet!

Council tax is the one for me too. Probably will be warmer in prison! I think it’s way too high anyway and the council never helped me when I desperately needed it.

Those who say use food banks

How would someone start , do they contact school, gp, hv, church etc

Although heating costs are stupid money at the moment, generally I can afford to heat house on low and shop at Aldi

Tho who knows once April high % kicks in till October 😢😢

But know many aren’t so lucky

I usually donate to food bank as well, either by taking a bag to my local church who do one, or adding stuff to my weekly shop which then Gets put in a basket fir the food bank in the shop

So hence writing the above

How do family,lilies claim and can they go weekly or is it twice a year if stuck etc

@Inspectorslack

My work shoes at one point were £4 pumps from Asda with cardboard in the bottom where the sole wore through. I had one pair of £6 black work trousers from Tesco and a cheap blouse x3. One black cardigan. That was it. I wore DS old hoodie until last year I was that sentimentally attached to it.

Having to live in uncomfortable shoes is extremely demoralising 😞 it’s a shame postage is so expensive, otherwise ebay would be good for finding bargains.

@Blondeshavemorefun

It differs by area, you can contact them direct or if you need referred speak to health visitor if you have one or gp.
Where we used to live there’s a community support group and you message them ok Facebook and someone shows up with a massive box of groceries.

I’d get a second evening job before forgoing either

It’s not just people on UC/benefits who are affected by this. Many people who are just over the threshold for getting help, are also going to suffer, but these people are the ones who most likely will get no help from the government or energy companies if any is introduced in the coming months, because they wont qualify for anything. Just because you own your own home, own a car and both work, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be easier.

@Blondeshavemorefun

Those who say use food banks

How would someone start , do they contact school, gp, hv, church etc

Although heating costs are stupid money at the moment, generally I can afford to heat house on low and shop at Aldi

Tho who knows once April high % kicks in till October 😢😢

But know many aren’t so lucky

I usually donate to food bank as well, either by taking a bag to my local church who do one, or adding stuff to my weekly shop which then Gets put in a basket fir the food bank in the shop

So hence writing the above

How do family,lilies claim and can they go weekly or is it twice a year if stuck etc

Citizens Advice can connect you to a food bank, from reading their website. But GP might be able too.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/using-a-food-bank/

I’d get a second evening job before forgoing either

Plenty of those about with free childcare as well

Trying to think of something else but it’s literally just food/energy/water/internet and can’t pay for anything or order food without the internet!

But who orders food on the internet if you are short of money? I’ve never, ever ordered food on the internet. Not a takeaway, not a supermarket shop.

@daisypond

Trying to think of something else but it’s literally just food/energy/water/internet and can’t pay for anything or order food without the internet!

But who orders food on the internet if you are short of money? I’ve never, ever ordered food on the internet. Not a takeaway, not a supermarket shop.

I did. Asda delivery pass £6 a month.

I couldn’t get to a cheap Lidl or Aldi.

Some people won't use food banks in case they are reported to social services for not being able to feed there children

@BlueMongoose

‘People living in (often rented) poorly insulated and ventilated housing are paying a fortune for heating and are still cold, and still have moldy walls.’

Can confirm! Storage heaters are a particularly cruel joke.

We're fortunate that we have a multi-fuel burner. It's 99% decorative as I know that they're bad for the environment, but if our fuel continues at its current rate next winter, it'll be our only source of heat and we can also use it to make stews if needed.

I'm currently trying to use up all our freezer food to save money this month, then I'll restock it from the whoopsie isle over the next few months.