AIBU to be totally confused (cost of living crisis)

[LittleBitHeiressLittleBitIris]

AIBU to not be able to understand/ grasp the scale of impending disaster that is building over the increased cost of living?

I genuinely don't see how millions of people with outgoings that are about to be actually higher than income is going to play out.

I'm not trying to be goady and obviously realise no-one has a crystal ball but am I missing something? Has this ever happened before in other recent times/ other cultures and what was the result. I can't even imagine what could happen.

I feel really clueless! Any ideas/ opinions/ further reading much appreciated 👍

I was reading that it's a once in 50 year occurrence or something. I'm really worried!

I can give you an example...I have a relative who can no longer afford to eat and heat. He has had heating off for ages... was in tears to his mum that he was done with feeling cold. His landlord has increased rent by 20%... a huge amount. He is considering suicide rather than living now.

@GreenNewDealNow

Message deleted by MNHQ. Quotes deleted post

Read the threads on here. There's many many people that are still incredibly comfortable and have no real concerns at all. So people.may have to cut their cleaners hours or give up the aupair or have a UK holiday instead of a 6k foreign holiday, but they're still comfortable.

Wait till the uncomfortable out number the comfortable... When the have nots start taking from the haves by force. Then you might see some action by the government etc.

@GreenNewDealNow

Message deleted by MNHQ. Quotes deleted post

You mean you think people should protest?

What exactly do you think that will accomplish? Those that can help in these situations don't GAF because they won't be facing the same pressures.

Someone at work was also saying this about the French

I had no idea. Seems they do get listened to as well

Is the price rise going to get worse or has it reahed its peak right now?

Sorry, I didn't mean to upset anyone. I am extremely angry on behalf of those who are suicidal and struggling. I hate the lack of solidarity in this country. It has been building over the last 12 years of austerity and just gotten worse. I wish we were a better society so that people's suicidal family members don't get to that point. They should have hope that they won't be abandoned. It was an angry post at British society in general. I work with people who would sooner die of starvation than protest. I don't get it.

People cant afford to protest, the government have done a brilliant job in making sure that a large percent of people are either just keeping their heads above water, but one dish falls and thats them in the shit. Or they have already sunk and just don't realise it.

I could protest in my town, since that is walking distance, but I cant afford to get up to London to protest or any big city for that matter

@Munchcrip

Is the price rise going to get worse or has it reahed its peak right now?

In terms of energy, that is likely to get worse because the price cap is due to be lifted again in October. I get the sense most businesses haven’t yet raised their prices to account for rises in their own energy bills but they have started to - so hairdressers, hospitality and so on will all become more expensive.

In terms of food, if the Ukraine crisis continues then wheat production is going to be significantly affected with a knock on impact on food prices. And fertiliser production could also become a problem for other food crops.

Fuel I’ve no idea about - depends if Saudi and others can plug the gap in supplies.

Then the NI rise will mean less money in people’s pockets

What a miserable little country we are.

Thank you x

@XenoBitch

I can give you an example...I have a relative who can no longer afford to eat and heat. He has had heating off for ages... was in tears to his mum that he was done with feeling cold. His landlord has increased rent by 20%... a huge amount. He is considering suicide rather than living now.

Can you give him a fake oodie? They're not expensive (the fake ones that is) but really warm. I don't need to put the heating on in the evening when I wear mine.

what did people do in the 20's; well simple meals, extra clothing and nothing new. homes were tiny and furniture sparce. people used their time making and selling. no tv, no "nail art", no phones in most homes, people added things to meat to stretch it out (oatmeal in ground beef, eggs and breadcrumbs). oil filled lamps for a couple hours after sunset and in bed by 8-9. awake with the sun. they used scraps of material to make rugs in the winter. but everyone was in the same situation (although some were very wealthy).

@CannaBelieve

Someone at work was also saying this about the French

I had no idea. Seems they do get listened to as well

They probably get listened to because they have an electoral system where people’s votes count, rather than the sham democracy we have here.

For starters people will default on any unsecured debt they have because they won't have a choice.

@LittleBitHeiressLittleBitIris

AIBU to not be able to understand/ grasp the scale of impending disaster that is building over the increased cost of living?

I genuinely don't see how millions of people with outgoings that are about to be actually higher than income is going to play out.

I'm not trying to be goady and obviously realise no-one has a crystal ball but am I missing something? Has this ever happened before in other recent times/ other cultures and what was the result. I can't even imagine what could happen.

I feel really clueless! Any ideas/ opinions/ further reading much appreciated 👍

I expect that on a personal level there will be a lot of people who have been relatively comfortable, who will no longer be. The poverty porn documentaries from years ago, about families surviving on a pittance from the state, often with their electric meters empty, cupboards bare and freezing homes will become the norm for working folk as well as those who are on benefits.

I've lived in that situation, and it was fucking dire.
Evictions will go up, debt will go up, food Bank usage will go up, and the mental health crisis that this country is already facing will continue to worsen. In some cases obesity will go up- those who can still afford to (but barely) eat will rely on foods more that are obesity causing, and many others will lose the ability to eat at all, thus having health issues from malnourishment.

It's going to become dire.

I'm part of some pages on Facebook where people trade saving money tips, there are already people who have turned off their water heating, and are talking of washing with just cold water in the sink once a day, turning the water heating on once a week. Boiling kettles once a day to make flasks of tea, planning no heating on at all. Some are having 2 hot meals a week, because their budget doesn't stretch to food and the cost of running an appliance to heat food too.... and it's all going to get worse.

I second this recommendation! They're fab!

This was always gonna happen.

The only questions were when and how bad

@fallfallfall

what did people do in the 20's; well simple meals, extra clothing and nothing new. homes were tiny and furniture sparce. people used their time making and selling. no tv, no "nail art", no phones in most homes, people added things to meat to stretch it out (oatmeal in ground beef, eggs and breadcrumbs). oil filled lamps for a couple hours after sunset and in bed by 8-9. awake with the sun. they used scraps of material to make rugs in the winter. but everyone was in the same situation (although some were very wealthy).

Sounds great, can't wait

I think people can dig in for a tough time / short time knowing they'll be an end to it but it's the long term poverty that is totally grinding .

People are saying it's a result of the war and pandemic causing price increases now but for many they've not lived well at all since forever.

Imo though it's not down to the government to ensure people have good lives .