AIBU?
To have cried in asda
Littlemissdan · 02/04/2022 20:39
Is it just me that the whole cost of living thing is getting too much for? I actually had a (very small and no one watching!) cry in asda when I saw some reduced bakery goods because I didn’t know if I could afford them alongside my entire smartprice shop. £30 I had for a 2 week shop including nappies, and it just broke me that I actually had to wonder if I could afford a 55p treat for my kids. I can’t believe we’re living like this, 3 years ago we were comfortable and now I’m relying on the free school meals half term vouchers.
Not really looking for advice or budgeting advice here, just a bit of solidarity really :(
Am I being unreasonable?
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leeloo1 · 02/04/2022 20:47
It doesn’t help much with the horrific energy price hikes, but… Have you looked at an app called olio? In the evenings people collect all the food Tesco etc can’t sell and list it in there. Then local people request it and collect it for free. So lots of free baked croissant-type products, plus milk,meat, bread, salad, flowers and all sorts. People can also list their own unwanted food or household items. It might help you a little bit.
CaMePlaitPas · 02/04/2022 20:48
I ran out of money today. I haven't got the money to put petrol in my car. It's just so bloody depressing.
Jobseeker19 · 02/04/2022 20:49
The vouchers come in handy though.
How many children x 2 weeks could be over 80 pounds.
Asda is really cheap.
The 20p pasta and 13p tins of stuff. I went there today. I thibk Asda has actually gotten cheaper.
Littlemissdan · 02/04/2022 20:54
I’m so sorry so many of you are in the same boat, it’s so wrong.
I’ll have a look at Olio, thank you.
Yes, I’ve also ran out of petrol and need to get to work tomorrow. It’s costing £10 a day to get to and from work in our previously quite economical car.
I have no idea what we’re going to do next winter. At least my 2yo will have her funded hours come September so the childcare bill will reduce.
BOOTS52 · 02/04/2022 20:56
I know it is just so disheartening trying to count up the price of things when going around the shop and worrying if have enough to pay at the checkout. Things are just getting worse here also, electric and gas both going up 25 percent here next month and can barely manage the bills as it is. Just feel deflated from it all myself to be honest. I remember a few years ago could put food in trolley without thinking about it all and now that has all changed thanks to our crap government here who keep adding more taxes up on taxes whilst giving themselves a few pay rises a year. So out of touch of reality and how the normal person is living. Big hugs and you sound lovely and so many in the same boat unfortunately.
JackieWeaversLaptop · 02/04/2022 21:01
@Littlemissdan
I’ll have a look at Olio, thank you.
Yes, I’ve also ran out of petrol and need to get to work tomorrow. It’s costing £10 a day to get to and from work in our previously quite economical car.
I have no idea what we’re going to do next winter. At least my 2yo will have her funded hours come September so the childcare bill will reduce.
Really sorry OP
definitely have a look at Olio, that’s a good idea. It might be worth contacting Citizens Advice to see if you’re entitled to any financial support to help with bills and things - have you been in touch with them at all?
AHungryCaterpillar · 02/04/2022 21:02
I think this is the last time they are doing the vouchers just to warn you, I know it’s the last time our council are. So won’t be able to rely on them soon 😕
FloralsForSpring · 02/04/2022 21:03
It's hard when you've had to add it up for a long time so you notice the prices going up and get to the end of the shop and have to wonder what to out back.
Tiredtiredtired100 · 02/04/2022 21:10
YANBU to cry, it is a very upsetting and frightening thing to be on the breadline. You have my complete and utter sympathy.
I always remember a thread on mumsnet from some years ago about meal planning where one poster said that they were so poor they meal planned everything and once a friend and daughter came over and she gave them a cup of tea and biscuit using her last biscuit and bit of milk. They barely drank the tea and the child merely nibbled at the biscuit. When they left she sobbed because that was all she had left. This story has stuck with me as it epitomises how little we know about the struggles of even our closest friends.
I hope things get better soon 💐
Tilltheend99 · 02/04/2022 21:12
Sorry op the whole situation really, really sucks for everyone. I know you should be able to get to work however you choose but is your work close to any bus routes or a train station? If so it would be much less then £10 a day. It might take a little longer but it might not for example my husband walks to work about 25-30 mins if he gets a lift and traffic is good it only saves him 5mins if traffic is bad it is the same time as walking or 5 more.
ReadyToMoveIt · 02/04/2022 21:12
@nalabae
We don’t have an Aldi or Lidl within 20 miles of us.
MrsGHarrison87 · 02/04/2022 21:13
So basically you're doing a weekly shop for £15 including nappies? How? Try cheaper shops.
NannyGythaOgg · 02/04/2022 21:14
Obviously I don't know your exact situation but I found out only last year that if you are on a low income, you can get a council tax reduction.
It's worth completing the 'are you eligible' form even if you don't think you are. Mine is worth nearly £100 a month and a friend who is working and has a son at home who is working part time whilst at college found she was entitled although she doesn't know how much she will get yet.
Be warned, the form is long and soul destroying and if you are entitled you have to o through it all again for real but it hopefully will be worth it.
I am also a big Olio user. I get mostly veg but quite often flowers as well and it has surprised me at how uplifting they are when they are free. Aldi has been signed up to ours recently and flowers are now more frequent. I have currently got tulips, daffodils and alstroemeria. I only asked for one but as there were plenty that hadn't been requested I struck lucky.
PebbleMillAtOne · 02/04/2022 21:14
Use the scanner they have in store and it adds up tour shopping as you go along. My swear by buy is Frozen veg, never get fresh.
Littlemissdan · 02/04/2022 21:15
@AHungryCaterpillar
Thank you, I didn’t know that so at least I can plan for it.
I’ve just downloaded Olio and another app called Too good to go, but I think I’m definitely going to need to start skipping a couple of meals. We (me and DH) haven’t eaten tonight, and probably won’t now. I did get a big bag of jacket potatoes so I’m going to cook them all tomorrow and freeze for lunches over half term. Got plenty of tubs of beans for fillings, and I did buy frozen mince so I can make a big spag bol and bulk it out with lentils and oats (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!). It doesn’t help that my 2yo is super fussy and pretty much lives on strawberries, melon, and cheese sandwiches at the minute.
I’m just rambling now, I think I need a cup of tea and to go to bed to be honest.
FloralsForSpring · 02/04/2022 21:16
@PebbleMillAtOne
Yes always buy frozen if you can. No wastage.
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