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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

713 replies

Tuliprain · 06/02/2022 16:07

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.

OP posts:
Vynalbob · 07/02/2022 19:29

I'll have to find an old balaclava... in my teens lived alone in a very old cold house... toilet would freeze solid, slept in the clothes you'd go out in a blizzard....
Isn't it great they're bringing back the good 'ol days. 👀😳

I'll use a different social media account to slag off the people responsible (not sure if responsible has ever been an adjective used for these people)

MiniTheMinx · 07/02/2022 19:29

no one should be living in such poverty while the rich and corporations carry on getting mega rich it’s disgusting

Yep. I say eat the rich and burn Bojo, that overstuffed pig could heat a whole terrace.

mylifestory · 07/02/2022 19:38

Its not just a case of eating or heating, what about all those other things ppl cd give up like expensive tv or phone packages? I know its whats always quoted but there are many other things you can cut back on too, there's so many little things ppl take for granted that they must have, ive learnt to cut back on those a couple of times in my life when its all gone tits up & I never really went back to them so manage to save for a rainy day .....

thickthighs73 · 07/02/2022 19:40

Eat 100%

KurtWilde · 07/02/2022 19:42

@mylifestory

Its not just a case of eating or heating, what about all those other things ppl cd give up like expensive tv or phone packages? I know its whats always quoted but there are many other things you can cut back on too, there's so many little things ppl take for granted that they must have, ive learnt to cut back on those a couple of times in my life when its all gone tits up & I never really went back to them so manage to save for a rainy day .....
And what about those who've already given those up? Have you read the thread?
Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/02/2022 19:43

@mylifestory

Its not just a case of eating or heating, what about all those other things ppl cd give up like expensive tv or phone packages? I know its whats always quoted but there are many other things you can cut back on too, there's so many little things ppl take for granted that they must have, ive learnt to cut back on those a couple of times in my life when its all gone tits up & I never really went back to them so manage to save for a rainy day .....
People who have to choose between heating or eating don't have expensive TV packages. Do you not understand that some people have nothing?
Hawkins001 · 07/02/2022 19:44

@MiniTheMinx

no one should be living in such poverty while the rich and corporations carry on getting mega rich it’s disgusting

Yep. I say eat the rich and burn Bojo, that overstuffed pig could heat a whole terrace.

One issue from people I know is no matter how much they get, because their spending habits are e.g. Takeaways, drinking at pubs, ect they then say they are broke. And yet when it's suggested they cut back, it's almost like omg did x just suggest it. Sometimes one perspective gained from their behaviour is it's like some people want to have the lifestyle of the rich while having a limited budget.
Cromple · 07/02/2022 19:50

Its not just a case of eating or heating, what about all those other things ppl cd give up like expensive tv or phone packages?
When I was in this situation I didn't have a TV package, I couldn't sell the TV as it belonged to the landlord and I don't think he would have been impressed if I flogged it and I kept my phone as I needed Internet and a phone number to apply for jobs and I was still in the contract.

Bortles · 07/02/2022 19:52

@georgeskitchen this is pretty much how I live now! And my electric bill is 70 in summer, 200 in winter. I cant afford it going up.

Chichimcgee · 07/02/2022 19:53

@mylifestory

Can you really not comprehend that other people might be in a different situation to you?

Rent
Council tax
Gas / electric
Water
Internet
Food

Please tell me which of those I should cut down on? The internet so I can’t access the benefit claim and lose it? The rent so I’m evicted? Council tax so I’m jailed? The water that is so sparingly used anyway? It will have to be gas/electric and food.

MissAngorian · 07/02/2022 19:55

@Hmm1234

Stop scaremongering it is never going to come to this! There will be plenty of schemes to help those that need it such as the Big Differnece
Thick as mince, fair play. 🙄
BooneyBeautiful · 07/02/2022 19:56

[quote UndertheCedartree]@BooneyBeautiful - that is the only reason I put the heating on occasionally (and it helps with drying washing) is because I don't want the pipes to freeze! I've got chillblains - hoping my DC don't get them but I'm sure many more people will get them now many of us can't afford to put the CH on Sad[/quote]
I still get chilblains every year on my feet as I keep forgetting to put my slippers on (I have a problem with my right foot), and then I walk on the cold tiled floor in my kitchen/diner. I remember for a few days and then forget again! I agree that many people are now likely to suffer from chilblains again which will be a completely new experience for them and not a pleasant one!

Daffi · 07/02/2022 19:58

This reply has been deleted

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Kelly7889 · 07/02/2022 20:02

No matter how dirt poor you are in this country, (and I am dirt poor now) it's never either / or - it's a bit of both. Husband sent out to find wood today as I'm cold. I am making a ton of soup including for the nine older people in the village. That's a rural thing though.

Poorer people who can't source cheap food and cook from scratch are going to be in trouble. People without an open fireplace and a useable chimney are going to be cold.

MiniTheMinx · 07/02/2022 20:03

Hawkins001 yes some people.

But having a take-away or going to the pub isn't really that ambitious is it?

Besides which, if we all cut back on everything this will have a knock on effect on the jobs of other people. Remember all those recent convos about the hospitality trade, and Rushi's fantastic idea to get us all out eating. He wasn't treating us to free food for nothing!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/02/2022 20:09

@Daffi

Stop being dramatic, you all have a mobile plan or you couldn't post this drivel.
Mobiles are a necessity nowadays especially if you claim UC.
PrincessPaws · 07/02/2022 20:15

I would cut down the food bill as much as I could, but ultimately you have to eat. I would rather sit wrapped in my duvet if I had to

whatthefuckisgoingon2022 · 07/02/2022 20:23

It's appalling.

What the actual fuck is happening - HOW will this deep level of poverty (and then the spiralling shitstorm of homelessness and worsening health issues for a sizeable amount of the population) be resolved?

How will this be fixed?

Chichimcgee · 07/02/2022 20:27

Stop being dramatic, you all have a mobile plan or you couldn't post this drivel.

Mobile plan, what year is this? You can get a phone for £30 and use wifi.

Hawkins001 · 07/02/2022 20:28

@MiniTheMinx

Hawkins001 yes some people.

But having a take-away or going to the pub isn't really that ambitious is it?

Besides which, if we all cut back on everything this will have a knock on effect on the jobs of other people. Remember all those recent convos about the hospitality trade, and Rushi's fantastic idea to get us all out eating. He wasn't treating us to free food for nothing!

But then when everyone is trying to save money to then use for a balance of food and fuel, what's the point of having takeaways if your budget does not allow it, why make others richer and end up being poorer for it ? Yes if you can afford the expenses that's one thing, but why's go overbudget just to prop up other industries ?
whatthefuckisgoingon2022 · 07/02/2022 20:31

Stop being dramatic, you all have a mobile plan or you couldn't post this drivel.

Are you actually this thick for real, or do you just pretend to be because it's the only way you can reassure yourself that bad things only happen to other people who make stupid wrong choices?

maybloss2 · 07/02/2022 20:32

You may have direct debits, but you can turn the heating off to save use of energy. Also shorter showers and no baths. We have blankets in the living room, and shut doors- tho the youths in this house find that hard to remember.
If you have a door curtain it can make a huge difference.
It’sgoing to be tough, even for those of us who had childhoods with frost on the inside of the windows! Another way to keep warm is to keep moving.even just walking around yr house. Better still wrap up warm and walk outside. Sitting still will make you cold. You may use a bit more calories moving but it does actually help.
Sharing heat will be a thing soon I think ‘bubbling’ for the evening with friends or fam, if we took it in turns everyone could save a bit.
Invest in good cold weather clothes if you can.
Our government could make this easier, but they really don’t care.

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 07/02/2022 20:49

My sim only plan is £10 a month. Hardly extravagant Confused

GrandmasCat · 07/02/2022 20:56

@whatthefuckisgoingon2022

Stop being dramatic, you all have a mobile plan or you couldn't post this drivel.

Are you actually this thick for real, or do you just pretend to be because it's the only way you can reassure yourself that bad things only happen to other people who make stupid wrong choices?

Just probably one of those privileged idiots who live in a parallel universe.

Oh, and yes, me too I have a 6 year old mobile and pay £8 a month in a sim plan, at this time I am dithering between getting a new boiler (on credit) or paying to warm the house. And that is working full time and in an interest only mortgage. Incidentally, I earn far more than the living wage and live quite frugally.

Tmu100 · 07/02/2022 20:57

@Mirw

Come to my house in the winter, you get a cosy bundle to wear. Why? I live on the west of Scotland and have no cereal heating, only a gas fore in the living room. It can be 5 degrees in the rest of the house including the bathroom so visitors need the cosy bundle. If they don't like it, don't come and visit... We have never had central heating so don't miss it. May more of hge UK population should try it!
How is this in any way helpful?!! This is 21st century and we live in the 6th richest nation on earth! Having to choose between heat or food is barbaric!! “More of the UK population should try it!” No, we shouldn’t have to try freezing!!