Page 16 | To have found increasing costs making a positive impact?

Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 2022-04-16T09:50:17+00:00

Increasing petrol costs - so I’m actively cutting driving and walking so much more than ever Increasing energy costs - so I don’t think I’ve ever been more aware of lights off, putting on an extra jumper rather than spinning the heating upwards Increasing food costs - much more mindful with what I’m buying and much more thoughtful with my cooking and eating Anyone else?

Blossomtoes · 16/04/2022 19:29

@Longcovid21

Op it conflates deafness and ignorance. That's why it's not a nice phrase.

You are having a laugh, aren’t you? Popsugar doesn’t know what it’s talking about.

Longcovid21 · 16/04/2022 19:30

Gosh. Some people will argue black is white. I'm off to hang out with my adorable deaf son and leave you to split hairs.

TabithaTittlemouse · 16/04/2022 19:30

@Longcovid21 I’m with you, I hate it.

Although did chuckle that people have ‘accused’ @Optimisiticcautiouslyso of being middle class and therefore having no concept of what it means to be making cutbacks. Mumsnet has changed!

cafedesreves · 16/04/2022 19:33

No, we're struggling loads. Having to watch every penny and pay increases no way matching it. Yes it's making us even more frugal but it's no fun.

Greyisgood · 16/04/2022 19:34

A shame this thread has become sidetracked. The OP may have been well intentioned but comes across as saying that there are great benefits from spending less. Maybe that's true for the wealthy but not for most people.

I've worked in a supporting role with people on the margins for too many years. On a daily basis I am now coming across poverty related issues that are well beyond anything I've ever seen. The reality is that if you're poor all your mental energy is expended in survival. Many people already don't heat their houses even in winter due to affordability. In the past of course you could go to the library and read as well as keep warm. For many that's no longer an option due to closures.

Poverty one uppence (is that a phrase) is offensive.

Vanderpump · 16/04/2022 19:37

@Lex345

Oh dear, I feel like the positive environmental impact is going to become akin to the fuzzy sovereignty that was promised to keep us all fed after Brexit.

I had to give up my career in nursing because I have had a complete mental breakdown due to managing a care home during COVID. I earned 45k a year. I was able to give my children nice things sometimes and could afford the occasional treat. Now I am waiting to start a NMW job. I have worked since I was 14. I am 37 now and my career has fallen apart.

I look at the gas and electric meter multiple times a day, I ration using my oven. The heating hasnt been on for a month. I cook from scratch and bulk out meals with grated veg, pulses etc because I need to stretch the food I can afford for longer. I have done online surveys and sold things so I could buy DS trainers (he has outgrown them, its not even a treat as such, he needs shoes!) for his birthday. I feel mum guilt every single day because I cannot provide any of the nice things that my children deserve just as much as everyone else's children. I dont care about me and what I have. It breaks my heart that they deserve better than I am able to give them.

I dont think the OP was meaning to be out of touch with what is happening. But honestly at this point I couldnt give a stuff about the positive environmental impact poverty is having.

You sound like a fantastic mum but I get what you mean

I did a similar role during covid and have also managed to escape, people will never understand what it was like in health and social care at that time 💐

LondonQueen · 16/04/2022 19:43

How insensitive.

desiringonlychild2022 · 16/04/2022 19:47

In some ways the cost of living crisis might spur the change that so many of us have been campaigning for. Since I arrived in the UK in 2011, that was at the height of austerity. These problems were very acute for plenty of people i.e. eat or heat, low pay, deprivation etc. But a lot of people blamed them because at the same time, there were plenty of people who were 'just managing'. A lot of these people also voted Tory, they were far from comfortable but felt entitled to the moral high ground because they managed to pay bills without relying on the state and maybe even buy a house in a cheap area. A lot of the older ones also had pensions that kept pace with inflation and had homes where the value soared due to low interest rates... Today the cost of living crisis has meant anyone hanging by the skin of their teeth is in trouble. Anyone who had to carefully budget will be in trouble..I hope this would encourage people to not vote Tory. I am hopeful that the Tories will lose a lot of seats this election, particularly in areas where the voters have never been rich (and therefore never had any business voting Tory).

QueenCamilla · 16/04/2022 19:47

What we need is famine. That would have a great positive effect on the average waistline and would help the NHS. And the overcrowding. Great!!! 🙌👏

KaptainKaveman · 16/04/2022 20:35

@QueenCamilla

What we need is famine. That would have a great positive effect on the average waistline and would help the NHS. And the overcrowding. Great!!! 🙌👏

Yes I agree. It's just a shame that more people didn't die in the Covid outbreak which I feel has had a really positive effect on people's life perspective. I think they are so much more...mindful, wouldn't you say, OP?

KaptainKaveman · 16/04/2022 20:36

Now all we need is pestilence. Bring on those swarms of locusts.

cansu · 16/04/2022 20:38

I noticed today how the most wealthy have the best insulated houses and electric cars etc. I have wealthy friends who have installed solar panels, air source heating pumps, bought tesla cars etc. They have the money to make sure their energy bills are lower than others. They buy electric bikes so that they don't use their cars as much etc etc. They are the sort of people who start these kinds of threads. It is indeed lacking in empathy and understanding.

Sirzy · 16/04/2022 20:42

Even tough time are geared towards the wealthier who can afford to shop around, to bulk buy, to pay out for solar panels etc. those who are living hand to mouth can’t even consider any of that they have to do what is needed to survive that day

Chewchewaboogie · 16/04/2022 21:00

I think the op has a complete right to express her views and describe her experience. That is not reserved for one section of the potulation ...

emuloc · 16/04/2022 21:04

@lemongreentea

The majority of posts on this thread make the UK sound like a 3rd world developing slum of a country.

What has happened to Great Britain that mothers are having to starve themselves so their children can be fed. So upsetting and wrong.

OP I have always been frugal and walk around switching off lights, the quickest of showers and shop with a list so meals are all planned and 100% no food waste. It either gets eaten, frozen or given to neighbours. I also wrap up warm before even thinking of putting the heating on and walk everywhere or cycle. I mend all my clothes and socks before rushing out to buy new ones. No disposable wet wipes here as use old clothes as rags and keep rewashing them. People have commented that I'm tight (anf uptight about switching off lights and electricity switches but I dislike waste so much so I'm not bothered by comments)

Its good you are being more environmentally aware, more people need to be.

Sorry to everyone who is struggling. Many people have already said they have nothing to cut back on. I suspect the next things to go will be buying presents for childrens birthdays and celebrating Christmas. Very depressing.

The start of your post is offensive and untrue.

Imlovinglife · 16/04/2022 21:10

I don't give it much thought, tbh. I don't live a flash life and spend a fairly low % of my income. If I get to the point I'm worrying over a few litres of fuel, I'll probably have bigger problems

vickyc90 · 16/04/2022 21:23

I'm going to come out and back up the OP, what's wrong with being honest about her situation. I will be giving up my current car/baby for a hybrid that although nice, isn't as exciting, but I'm sick of the petrol prices.

We are batch cooking to save money as the food shop has noticeably gone up yet the veg is actually going off quicker.

Once the extension is complete we will look at solar panels.

We both spent 4 years at uni, did an unpaid internship then studied post graduate qualifications to get the salaries we are on. It not a privilege to be where we are it's the result of bloody hard work!

I'm currently curled up on the sofa with a hot water bottle as I've hurt my c section scar decorating today as I can't get a tiller for love nor money. We bought a renovation project as we didn't want to spend >100k more for a house when we can get this one to the same standard for 20k.

Yes some people will be hit hard by this, hence we will be donating to food banks and local animal charities over the coming months. No doubt as a country we could get cheap Russian oil and gas right now but ethically we can't do that.

My point is the OP privilege is earned not given! If people could stop attacking each other because they are in a better or worse position as a country we could come out the other side of this stronger and more prosperous.

Good on you OP for using this situation to make positive changes

lameasahorse · 16/04/2022 21:27

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

PeachesToday · 16/04/2022 21:31

What a gimmick to live like the poor.

Laszlomydarling · 16/04/2022 21:48

Someone said to me the other day I should try M&S baked beans. Apparently they're very cheap and you can't tell they're not Heinz. I told her I'm already buying smart price 23p beans and there's nothing cheaper.

She didn't really understand that some people have no way of living cheaper. They're already saving every penny and choosing the cheapest option every single time.

I just don't know what to do. And you say it's good!? Unbelievable.
Keep the heating low and drive less you say? Any more amazing money saving tips? Please share

ChateauxNeufDePoop · 16/04/2022 21:55

@vickyc90