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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:
Caramac555 · 16/04/2022 12:09

Maybe a bit tactless OP but I get what you mean. I'm planning car journeys more strategically, I'm meal planning more because I'm guilty of bad fridge discipline, I'm also buying more gently used stuff for the kids and being more thoughtful about fast fashion. Will check my wardrobe for an outfit for special occasions before mindlessly shopping online. I needed to replace my car so I've bought a secondhand runaround with a small engine and low emissions, because that's all I need rather than want. I'm growing veg with the kids as an activity. I'm trying to offer outgrown toys and clothes to where they might be appreciated.

And I know compared to some I'm very lucky, and I'm trying to teach my kids about making economies and how they have always been cushioned from poverty. I think this very important as a parent, they must learn a respectful, compassionate way with people who are finding finances hard, because anyone can fall on hard times. They need to know a lot of people will next winter very hard.

AchillesPoirot · 16/04/2022 12:09

@Agrudge betting?! For someone who has no money? Where’s the stake coming from?

Jesus wept.

BlancmanegeBunny · 16/04/2022 12:09

I'm very pleased to hear that you are no longer being wasteful and more aware of your spending. However, this is a normal way of living for very many people, some by choice some by necessity.
I don't see sky-high energy prices as a positive thing!

Wheniruletheworld · 16/04/2022 12:11

@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

Is that you, Norman Tebbit? Give the slackers a bike so they can leeave their kids to find work elsewhere...
TabithaHazel · 16/04/2022 12:11

We can luckily absorb the rising costs by cutting down but I can’t see any positives in this. What are we supposed to think ‘oh great I am working for the same wage but cannot afford anything but the necessities now’ and I know we are fortunate, OP do you not have any empathy with those who are already struggling and this will push them over the edge? I agree with all the previous posters this is so tone deaf.

itsgettingweird · 16/04/2022 12:12

I've been on my bare arse before.

I'm comfortable now.

Rising costs are being felt though.

I don't his is a tone deaf thread. People should always be able to post what they want - or is it only those who have the hardest lives allowed?

If rising costs mean people who usually are wasteful aren't being so then it is positive. Especially for the environment which we do need to protect.

Kirstos1 · 16/04/2022 12:13

@Agrudge borrow from friends and family as you will somehow be paying it back soon? I am assuming the sole purpose of your post was to provoke a reaction but still, it's truly pathetic.

TimBoothseyes · 16/04/2022 12:14

Agrudge...Really???????? You expect people on very limited incomes to spaff money they don't have on betting?? K'ing hell I've heard it all now. Hmm

Newnamefor2022 · 16/04/2022 12:15

@PurpleDaisies

This is utterly tone deaf.
No it isn't. It is just another aspect that can be discussed. I think it has value tbh.
WeDontShutUpAboutBruno · 16/04/2022 12:15

Oh I never thought about taking up gambling, and all I have to do to start up this wonderfully lucrative money making scheme is sell some of my stuff or borrow from people who are equally as hard up as I am. Great, I'm signing up right now Confused

5128gap · 16/04/2022 12:16

No. What you're describing is another negative. People who have enough money not to be forced into these measures, but decide to play at them, snuggling up in blankets by candle light for the novelty factor, just reinforce their own belief that with enough 'resilience' people are just fine really! They're the same arrogant individuals who rush to give tips on budgeting to people in poverty, because at uni they lived on £20 for a whole week once, so they know it can be done!
You're not being some sort of positive Pollyanna, inspiring us all, you're just being offensive.

Charlize43 · 16/04/2022 12:16

[b]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...)[b]

'Britain’s third-largest energy supplier has apologised after it advised customers to “have a cuddle with your pets” to stay warm and save on heating bills.'

Fcuk38 · 16/04/2022 12:17

Do you not get it? Part of the reason the government have not stepped in to help people with energy prices is because they are using the stick to achieve net zero. I am
A sustainability manager and whilst I fully agree that this needs to happen reducing carbon this is not the way to do it. You will create a society who are resentful and will. It give a toss about the wider environment and the moment that they can afford their heating again they will be cranking it up
To higher than before. You really need to start looking at the wider agendas we shouldn’t be being forced to do anything like this.

Lex345 · 16/04/2022 12:17

I think the point is-if price rises are so severe even people who are comfortable financially with a little spare for luxuries and not penny counting essentials- are being careful- what do people imagine the impact is on people who are already without spare for luxuries and already on a tight budget? The only thing you can cut back on is essentials-which were already pretty tightly budgeted. Life is pretty bleak for them now and at the minute not having the heating on isnt dreadful. Its a bit cold sometimes, but not unliveable. October is going to be very, very bad for a lot of people.

DrSbaitso · 16/04/2022 12:17

@speakout

It's almost embarrasing OP.

My OH is from a wealthy family.
I remember once he told me they were so poor as a child that the housekeeper had them huddle round the Aga to keep warm.

It was worth being so poor to be able to tell that story.
Agrudge · 16/04/2022 12:18

[quote Kirstos1]@Agrudge borrow from friends and family as you will somehow be paying it back soon? I am assuming the sole purpose of your post was to provoke a reaction but still, it's truly pathetic.[/quote]
No I posted that hoping it might actually help someone out

Even if it takes a several weeks to get enough money to start .

SD1978 · 16/04/2022 12:22

I understand what you're saying, but your jolly we've tightened a few things and isn't life better for it, doesn't take into account the thousands who were already living that way, and have nowhere further to tighten.

EvilPea · 16/04/2022 12:22

@Agrudge

I looked at matched betting once. Couldn’t afford the stake, let alone the possibility of losing it. You’d be mental to gamble your last £10, let alone having it stuck in an online account you can’t get out for x amount of days.

There’s a reason the national lottery has the Nick name “poor tax”

Sirzy · 16/04/2022 12:24

Also the issue that will come from people in the middle having to cut back means that they have less for the little luxuries which will then have a knock on for the lowest earners again. So if people have to stop having their nails done then that means less work, if people have to reduce or get rid of the cleaner it means less work which then makes things even tougher at the bottom.

I’m struggling to see any benefits

PinkSyCo · 16/04/2022 12:24

As a single mum on a minimum wage I’ve always had to be ultra mindful-shower only every other day, fill up washing machine and oven to full capacity before using, heating hardly ever on etc. I’m hoping, for the environments sake, that those people who drive to the corner shop, have a bath and a shower every day, turn their half full washing machines on, tumble dry clothes instead of pegging them out, have their heating on 24/7 etc etc start making a change, but unfortunately it’s those thoughtless types that don’t need to so unfortunately it’s only the hard up that will suffer even more.

Agrudge · 16/04/2022 12:25

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

DoubleShotEspresso · 16/04/2022 12:25

Christ on a bike OP this post must take the cake for tone deafness.
Thousands have been mindful for decades and are now facing no choices you're clearly incapable of comprehending.
Think before you post.

WithANameLikeDaniCalifornia · 16/04/2022 12:26

@WeDontShutUpAboutBruno

Oh I never thought about taking up gambling, and all I have to do to start up this wonderfully lucrative money making scheme is sell some of my stuff or borrow from people who are equally as hard up as I am. Great, I'm signing up right now Confused
Silly old you for spending your money on bills and food for your children. You should have gambled it all.
HikingforScenery · 16/04/2022 12:27

No changes here

Fedupbuyer · 16/04/2022 12:28

Yes I’m more mindful of what I buy in the supermarket which has actually made our weekly shop cheaper!

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