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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have cried in asda

705 replies

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 :(

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Ragruggers · 02/04/2022 21:38

If you are unable to get to the food share because you are working could you speak to them and explain ,here someone will drop food to your house if you are in need and can’t get there yourself.Are your bills very high and you mention maintenance is that why you are struggling?Hope things Improve for you.

jennakong · 02/04/2022 21:39

I'm really sorry OP. There's nothing I can say, except that hopefully the war in Ukraine will be a short-lived one. Living in the summer is cheaper, and we could be in different circumstances by autumn, the market could be flooded with cheap oil and gas if the sanctions against Russia are lifted. Putin could be deposed, we don't know what may happen, but things may look brighter in a month or two, fingers crossed.

oakleaffy · 02/04/2022 21:40

@WakeyCakeyHeart

I don't have any advice, I'm so sorry in this day and age that children are going cold and hungry. I thought those days were over but even I'm out scavenging wood to heat my home at nearly 60 years of age. I thank the Lord it's just me and I don't have young children to feed and keep warm :-(
My Mum collects wood from the Common in her Eighties. I saw some wood locally in a skip, but it was tanalised, {To protect against decay}which is so~ say dangerous to burn.

Mum's woodpile is quite big now.

People with oil storage tanks for heating in their gardens really need to guard against theft from those.

MNCar · 02/04/2022 21:40

Please speak to the food provision who are only open when you are at work. I almost guarantee they will find a way to support you.

Thoosa · 02/04/2022 21:40

Oh bless you. I remember similar times. It’s a hard mental load to keep carrying week after week.

I hope things get better for you soon. Flowers

Paul72 · 02/04/2022 21:40

six months ago I would have said that we were comfortable, some savings and good pension.
Now I am wondering what we can cut down on to make a balanced budget.
Something has to change. We can't all cope with these price rises.

Original poster
Littlemissdan · 02/04/2022 21:41

Can I just say that (with the comedic exception of LondonCalling!) I’m blown away by the kindness on this thread. I was so apprehensive about posting and was expecting to be torn a new one by the “pick up extra work and spend less” brigade, but thank you. You’ve made me cry again but not in a “sobbing over the bakery aisle in asda” kind of way.
I’m so so sad that so many of you are in the same boat as us.

OP posts:
ickky · 02/04/2022 21:41

For ANYONE on Universal credit you can get BT broadband for £15. If you are already in a contract with BT, you can switch over with no penalty, if you are with another provider, it's worth giving them a ring and see if they will release you from your contract.

www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

Hope it helps someone.

oakleaffy · 02/04/2022 21:42

@jennakong

I'm really sorry OP. There's nothing I can say, except that hopefully the war in Ukraine will be a short-lived one. Living in the summer is cheaper, and we could be in different circumstances by autumn, the market could be flooded with cheap oil and gas if the sanctions against Russia are lifted. Putin could be deposed, we don't know what may happen, but things may look brighter in a month or two, fingers crossed.
That would be excellent for so many people..

Unlikely, but maybe could happen?

Fingers crossed along with yours.

SnowingInApril · 02/04/2022 21:42

Our nursery fees just went up. I absolutely understand why. They suffered through the lockdowns and didn’t raise fees the entire time so I don’t begrudge them at all but it’s increases like this that feel hidden.
I lost my income during lockdown 1. Got about 6 months of work before lockdown 2 shut it down again and then my industry was the last to have restrictions lifted.
Finally getting back on my feet so can keep my youngest in nursery until they start school in September.
The school my older DC attend will arrange food parcels through the local food bank to be delivered by a fabulous volunteer who does it. Might be worth seeing if there’s anything close to you that will do this.

howardmoonseyebrow · 02/04/2022 21:44

Flowers I’m so sorry it’s really shit, I hope things get better for you & your family x

Madre123 · 02/04/2022 21:44

Bless your heart.....have you considered a food bank....I live close to a community centre who distribute food to those in need etc....absolutely no judgement ever.....contact cab to enquire if there is any further help available for you and your family....sending you a gentle hug and best wishes...x

GrandTheftWalrus · 02/04/2022 21:44

[quote VladmirsPoutine]@GrandTheftWalrus What kind of chicken are you buying for 20p?

OP, I know it's been said on this thread but I empathise. It's truly a very shit time with no end in sight. Ensure you're getting all your entitled too. A lot of people for instance didn't know they can get support if e.g. have a higher energy usage down to medical needs.[/quote]
It was from the reduced section near the end of the day. From £3 to 20p.

ickky · 02/04/2022 21:45

@ickky

For ANYONE on Universal credit you can get BT broadband for £15. If you are already in a contract with BT, you can switch over with no penalty, if you are with another provider, it's worth giving them a ring and see if they will release you from your contract.

www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

Hope it helps someone.

Sorry, should have said also eligible are people receiving ESA/JSA (income related) and Pension credit.
jennakong · 02/04/2022 21:45

@WakeyCakeyHeart

I don't have any advice, I'm so sorry in this day and age that children are going cold and hungry. I thought those days were over but even I'm out scavenging wood to heat my home at nearly 60 years of age. I thank the Lord it's just me and I don't have young children to feed and keep warm :-(
Everyone now is so reliant on gas. I know it is a cleaner burn than coal or wood, but I would so love to have an open fire or woodburner right now. My mum got three bags of coal and one of logs for £25 a month ago and has still plenty left - fair play to her.
itrytomakemyway · 02/04/2022 21:46

For some quick money - never going to make you a huge amount, but it is instant try doing some online surveys. Very boring but they can be done whilst sitting in front of the TV. Qmee is probably the easiest to get set up.

user1419 · 02/04/2022 21:47

@Londoncallingme
WTF?

AnotherDelphinium · 02/04/2022 21:47

@Londoncallingme

Get an electric bike for work?
Actually, if you look at the maths, it is feasible. OP has stated her commute is costing £10 a day, that’s at least £200 a month.

Go to Halfords, they offer 36 month Klarna for electric bikes, and that works out at £18 a month, she’d therefore be saving at least £100 a month (and I’m assuming significantly more, since my electric car is less than £80 a month).

Alternatively, her work may offer the cycle-to-work scheme, but I can’t remember all the figures in that and if it’s got to be paid off on 12 months or longer.

Finally, OPs commute might not be feasible to move onto a electric bike, but someone else who’s just seen theirs go through the roof could use this as a cost-effective alternative, so maybe a little less of the hee-haw-ing.

CocoPlum · 02/04/2022 21:47

We were told about a week ago we wouldn't get them for Easter, so I would assume many councils will start to drop them after this ...

stuntbubbles · 02/04/2022 21:50

If you’re in the north east, That Bread and Butter Thing might be useful: www.breadandbutterthing.org/members

PassThePringles · 02/04/2022 21:50

Such a sad thread to read... The tea and biscuit comment really got to me too... It's absolutely disgusting that anyone is struggling to eat or have a warm home in 2022... The powers that be could make everyone's lives easier worldwide if they chose to. My heart breaks for anyone struggling. I sincerely hope times get better soon ❤️

Mischance · 02/04/2022 21:51

It is a disgrace; more so because the person (and his spouse) making the financial decisions on our behalf has more money than I can even visualise. Sickening.

CocoPlum · 02/04/2022 21:51

Argh, that was supposed to quote the poster who said something about FSM vouchers for the holidays stopping ...

DomingoinLittleOakley · 02/04/2022 21:53

I don’t quite know where I’m going to pull an electric bike from?

Out of your arse, which is where @Londoncallingme clearly pulls their helpful advice from.

oakleaffy · 02/04/2022 21:53

@Littlemissdan

Can I just say that (with the comedic exception of LondonCalling!) I’m blown away by the kindness on this thread. I was so apprehensive about posting and was expecting to be torn a new one by the “pick up extra work and spend less” brigade, but thank you. You’ve made me cry again but not in a “sobbing over the bakery aisle in asda” kind of way. I’m so so sad that so many of you are in the same boat as us.
Bless you, OP! It has amazes me with how lovely people are on this thread is, too .

I'm going to get out of my awful virgin internet deal.. it is massively dear.
Like the proverbial fart in a windstorm though, compared to energy bills.