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Original poster

To have found increasing costs making a positive impact?

469 replies

Optimisiticcautiouslyso · 16/04/2022 10:50

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?

OP posts:
godmum56 · 16/04/2022 11:22

@Agrudge

I'd be more interested in knowing what people are doing to make more money to offset the rising costs?

Everyone whines about how costs are going up.

Do something to improve your situation instead complaining

Theres always a way to make more money if you have the right mindset

oh here we go take in ironing get more hours at work get a promotion
ConfusedByDesign · 16/04/2022 11:23

I get what you’re saying op and it has made a lot of people refocus on priorities.
However, it doesn’t take much to now put people into hardship.
We’re feeling the effects of daily hospital visits for a very ill close relative. Others may struggle to replace expensive necessary items if they break down.
While things are on an even keel, yes for many it’s walk more, buy less, be mindful but it’s still a worry.

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 16/04/2022 11:23

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Luredbyapomegranate · 16/04/2022 11:26

There’s nothing wrong with the topic OP, it’s the title that is tone deaf

Start a thread saying - Any more ideas to save on energy? - and you’ll find people are happy to talk, whether it’s also a financial issue for them or not.

Have some consideration.

DrSbaitso · 16/04/2022 11:27

I do actually remember feeling a bit like this when I first moved out and money and bills became more of a reality. There is an odd sort of pleasure in it that disappears completely when you find yourself in a situation where it's no longer a game or a mindfulness exercise and literally a constant, grinding fear.

Funnily enough, as depressing as a shit, freezing cold flat in an ugly area was, I wasn't too bad about layering up and eating basic meals. (It certainly helped that I was single and without children at the time, since I didn't have any responsibilities to others.) What broke my heart was having to ask for money for the travel fare to get to a family funeral, and to borrow a black dress to wear for it, since I had nothing suitable and couldn't afford anything. Then later, I couldn't afford a wedding present for a dear friend or a new dress for the occasion. I did have something so it wasn't the end of the world, but it was very old and didn't suit or flatter me, and I felt ugly in it.

That was worse than beans on toast and a campfire blanket. Which did surprise me.

Schmz · 16/04/2022 11:29

@Agrudge

I'd be more interested in knowing what people are doing to make more money to offset the rising costs?

Everyone whines about how costs are going up.

Do something to improve your situation instead complaining

Theres always a way to make more money if you have the right mindset

OMG !!!!!! There’s always a way ….. yep sadly there is - We are likely to see an increase in sex work / exploitation of women desperately trying to keep head above the water 🥲
EmpressCixi · 16/04/2022 11:31

No, nothing positive about this for the vast majority of us. Most privileged people like you won’t even be more mindful or aware, so you’re teeny tiny minority who are playing at pretend fuel, heat and food poverty.

EmpressCixi · 16/04/2022 11:32

Theres always a way to make more money if you have the right mindset

Only if you are able-bodied. Forget it if you’re disabled and on the paltry disability benefits.

Blossomtoes · 16/04/2022 11:34

@PurpleDaisies

If you can’t see that not going on holiday is not the same as not putting the heating on or not buying food because you can’t afford it, this is even worse than I first thought.
This.
Tabitha789 · 16/04/2022 11:36

God you must of been really privileged.

People have been doing this for years, and it's now at a stage where we these measures aren't working for us all. So yeah, it's not really a good thing. People are choosing to heat or eat. Feed them or there kids! This is so tone deaf. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hrpuffnstuff1 · 16/04/2022 11:37

I agree, becoming aware of energy usage and other habits is prime example changes in behaviour to mitigate the increased costs.

I'm not fussed about the transport costs increase as I can offset that against my tax bill.🤣🤣

Villagewaspbyke · 16/04/2022 11:38

I get what you’re saying op - one positive of the current situation may be a favourable environmental impact. That doesn’t mean that anyone else’s negative impacts are less serious or worrying. It is what it is.

CandidaAlbicans2 · 16/04/2022 11:38

What you're doing OP is what I've always done as I was brought up not to be wasteful.

If a journey is within walking distance I'll walk not drive. Why wouldn't I, I need the exercise. It's a waste of petrol and increases wear and tear on the car doing silly short journeys that could be walked in under 30 mins

Putting on warmer clothes rather than the heating when possible is something I've done since childhood. That's what growing up fairly poor is like. Same as switching off electrical things like lights and TVs when not in use

Being mindful about the food I'm buying? Always have been as I hate food waste.

It's great that you're finally doing these things, it's just a shame it needed the current situation to prompt you.

CocoLoco123 · 16/04/2022 11:39

@Agrudge

I'd be more interested in knowing what people are doing to make more money to offset the rising costs?

Everyone whines about how costs are going up.

Do something to improve your situation instead complaining

Theres always a way to make more money if you have the right mindset

Yeah, just stop being poor, right?
Blossomtoes · 16/04/2022 11:41

Yeah, just stop being poor, right?

There are a few like this on the Panarama thread. Completely out of touch with reality.

TimBoothseyes · 16/04/2022 11:45

@Optimisiticcautiouslyso

So is any thread on holidays also tone deaf?
Having enough to eat, being able to afford to heat or even having enough money to put petrol in the car in order that you can go to work, has a far greater impact on people's lives than whether they should ditch the Seychelles for a week in Skegness.
MarriedThreeChildren · 16/04/2022 11:46

Great for you to have finally opened your eyes to what you are doing.

Just a reminder that

  • some people haven’t needed to be prodded like this to realise the waste they were creating by being wasteful. They’ve started to be ‘green’ a while ago because you know… climate change etc…
  • some people haven’t waited for a huge financial crisis to happen to do that because …. They were ina financial crisis before hand and have had to be that careful for a while. You know because they are on MW and basically poor.
I’m not sure you realise how privileged you are to boast about the fact this current financial crisis is good because it’s making you take basic steps against mindless waste.
CocoLoco123 · 16/04/2022 11:46

Good for you OP, really. I wish you could have the full experience of being poor, imagine how much more resourceful/mindful you could get! Not using car AT ALL (because you can't afford the fuel), skipping meals altogether (so your children can eat) and having a romantic dinner with candles and a nice cold bath (because you could pay the energy/gas bill). That's how some families have to live like. Such a positive experience, innit?

ilovesooty · 16/04/2022 11:46

@Hrpuffnstuff1

I agree, becoming aware of energy usage and other habits is prime example changes in behaviour to mitigate the increased costs.

I'm not fussed about the transport costs increase as I can offset that against my tax bill.🤣🤣

That's nice for you.
ninnynonny · 16/04/2022 11:46

We have been in that place where food was carefully, so very carefully bought, and jumpers were worn instead of heating. Now, we are in a position where we can get by and have a bit of space. However I am furious and heartbroken and doing what I can to help those who are twenty times worse than we ever were. I would never glibly post about how jolly exciting playing at being poor is.

Charlize43 · 16/04/2022 11:47

Well, I suppose near starving to death without choice is one way of achieving the weight loss equivalent to look like a Supermodel.

Sadly, not to be able to afford heating means that Hypothermia, may finish me off as my super thin body won't have any fat to keep warm.

My last consolation of being found looking beautiful in death as a well preserved frozen Supermodel has been dashed... as I'll probably get eaten by my cats in their attempt to stay alive.

Note to myself: must look harder for positives.

lameasahorse · 16/04/2022 11:51

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PetuniaPlum · 16/04/2022 11:53

How lovely for you. I'm sitting here trying to put together a decent lunch for my ds(8) and wondering, what's the least amount I can give him take sure the food I have last until next week.

Do went out this morning and bought;

Toilet roll
Chicken
Hotcross buns
Frozen burgers
Cheesestrings

And it cost £17!!!

bellaiceberg · 16/04/2022 11:53

yes OP i do believe this will TEACH POOR PEOPLE TO SPEND LESS, seeing as it's actually THEM who are suffering the most impact from this.

What an incredibly ignorant attitude. Blinkered tory-ism UK.

ninnynonny · 16/04/2022 11:54

@Charlize43

Well, I suppose near starving to death without choice is one way of achieving the weight loss equivalent to look like a Supermodel.

Sadly, not to be able to afford heating means that Hypothermia, may finish me off as my super thin body won't have any fat to keep warm.

My last consolation of being found looking beautiful in death as a well preserved frozen Supermodel has been dashed... as I'll probably get eaten by my cats in their attempt to stay alive.

Note to myself: must look harder for positives.

How dare you have cats when you're a poor. This is why people cant eat and heat - cats and tellies. (A genuine twitter thread I saw today...)