Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Things have changed so much , so quickly?!

647 replies

doodlywoodlydingdong · 22/08/2022 18:07

I just had my grown up kids around for dinner, not unusual but it got me thinking how much things have changed in the last 3 years. We are a very typical family. I'm 45 , 4 kids aged 13-25. Between me and my DH we have an income of around £34k but very soon it's going to drop by £4k annually.

Three years ago I would go food shopping and buy pretty much whatever I wanted. If I fancied it, it went into the trolley. Full English breakfast every Saturday, big fat roast dinner with a nice joint every Sunday. Two v cheap foreign holidays a year. I enjoyed making our money stretch as far as it possibly could with holiday bargains etc. Christmas was always glorious with loads of food and some nice gifts. Lots of entertaining. fast forward 3 years.

Today I was stood in the kitchen picking the meat off 6 chicken thighs to feed seven adults and a baby. The roast dinner was totally packed out with veg and spuds. Barely any chicken compared to what I would have served 3-4 years ago. I can't stretch to a joint of pork anymore, a whole chicken is a rare treat. So thighs it is. My kids are eating more and more pasta /noodles based dishes with hot dogs as protein. I have to think twice about what is the most efficient method to cook whatever meal it is to save money on the electric. My dogs are now on the cheapest possible kibble I can find. I was actually relieved when my lovely old cat suddenly died (?!) as I wouldn't have to find the extra money for vets fees as she was knocking on a bit. Thats now £ 18 a month I'm saving on litter and food and I feel like a monster for even typing that.

I use the l local food waste project wherever I can, save every penny I can, but ultimately I'm going to have to give up my mobility car as the money would be much better in my pocket . The trade off is that I will then be house bound and that "freed up " money will be going straight to EON from October .

AIBU to have a feeling of almost grief over all of this? It's been very slow and gradual trickling of price increases etc but suddenly it's taken 6 chicken thighs to push me over the edge and be ridiculously angry and upset about how our money can purchase so much less these days?

OP posts:
Original poster
doodlywoodlydingdong · 27/08/2022 10:08

Amber9083 · 26/08/2022 15:31

Where am I going wrong when looking?! I had a look for holidays next year for 2 adults 2 children on eurocamp website and was coming up minimum £2k and that’s without ferry?! Looks like no holidays abroad anytime soon for us

Go Saturday to Saturday in the first week of May. The mayday closure means the kids only miss 4 days of school and you can't be fined. Or go a few days before the end of term for the same reason. I once got a holiday that was £68 each flying from Birmingham to Corfu on the first week in May. I think it was 2015 . And that was including flights, transport and hotel. But that holiday was OK by Mumsnet standards as it was before I was in a wheelchair full time and was allowed to live a normal life like an actual human 😁. I bet I lose points for taking the kids out of school that week though 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
Wowyourebitter · 27/08/2022 11:10

@doodlywoodlydingdong I’m amazed you’re back on the thread after the horrific posts on here. There’s no point trying to explain to @Cyw2018 they’re one of the ones I’m named after. There’s no point arguing with stupid.

I read your last post thinking “now you’ve done it” for taking the kids out of school and laughed when you wrote that comment at the end.

I have thought of a money making scheme though, just sell your painkillers out on the street, you’ll be rolling in it. Money and pain.

Original poster
doodlywoodlydingdong · 27/08/2022 11:27

Wowyourebitter · 27/08/2022 11:10

@doodlywoodlydingdong I’m amazed you’re back on the thread after the horrific posts on here. There’s no point trying to explain to @Cyw2018 they’re one of the ones I’m named after. There’s no point arguing with stupid.

I read your last post thinking “now you’ve done it” for taking the kids out of school and laughed when you wrote that comment at the end.

I have thought of a money making scheme though, just sell your painkillers out on the street, you’ll be rolling in it. Money and pain.

I won't lie, I was a bit shocked at the responses initially but as I said, one thing I am is resilient. I don't give a flying shit about what random judgemental idiots think on the internet. I was having a rough day when I posted, everything had just seemed to catch up with me and I'd had a few sleepless nights due to illness and quiet. The chicken thighs just pushed me over the edge. I'm over it now. Life is carrying in regardless and I know I'm in a very lucky position compared to some.

So. Yeah I could sell my oxy and dihydracodeine on the black market. That's a proper niche little business! I'd be in agony but I'd be able to afford my electricity to run my injection fridge AND my food fridge 😂. Maybe even sneak in another term time holibobs with my hubster before I carry on sitting in my chair and twiddling my thumbs (on the days where thumb twiddling is possible) and choosing to fleece the public purse instead of working. Its not a real bunch of illnesses I've got, I'm just actually lazy . Oh, and entitled. Yeah .... lazy and entitled with the CHEEK to go on holiday.

😎

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 27/08/2022 11:27

@doodlywoodlydingdong at one time I would have tutted at taking the kids out ohf school but given Gatwick airport early in July this year- clearly an awful lot of people do it - rightly or wrongly- so to be honest I've got beyond caring much . I don't have school aged kids anymore

user1483646497 · 27/08/2022 19:10

Responses on mumsnet are weird.

OP has been lambasted for being severely disabled and on UC, yet on another thread a different OP has been lambasted for saying that UC shouldn't be used as a lifetsyle choice to fund multiple skiing holidays a year.

BrutusMcDogface · 27/08/2022 22:34

As a teacher, I’ve always tutted (very sternly! 😉) at people taking their kids out of school in term time.

However, then covid happened and now I think as long as it’s not ridiculous, a few days out of school to go on a family holiday is perfectly acceptable. If it means that a family can actually afford time away together then bloody well good for them.

Ukrainebaby23 · 04/09/2022 03:49

faffadoodledo · 22/08/2022 18:50

I think some politicians need to read what @doodlywoodlydingdong has just written. It's very powerful.
They won't. Obviously. But they ought

I think many people are finding themselves in similar position this year, and many more will as rising energy costs and high fuel prices push up costs everywhere.

Doingprettywellthanks · 23/09/2022 10:32

doodlywoodlydingdong · 22/08/2022 19:01

I don't work, I'm in receipt of highest rates of PIP . My DH works 50 hour weeks and we have two teens left at home, one is about to go to university ( hence the drop in tax credits). We are in a council house, a ridiculously large 5 bedroom that suited us perfectly 5 years ago but now is a giant (very hard to heat) liability. The problem is that is been adapted specifically for me, with an adapted kitchen and bathroom so moving isn't really an option as it was only done 3 years ago. So thankfully the rent is cheap at £97 a week.

I am not a stupid person, I've got a BA and an MA. I am genuinely struggling to get my head around how we as a country have sleep walked into this situation.

We can't avoid the drop in income, but I can cancel it out by not renewing my notability car in November. If I keep the mobility party of my PIP as cash, that will be roughly the same amount BUT the vast majority of it will be going to EON for the price rise in October.

am genuinely struggling to get my head around how we as a country have sleep walked into this situation.

I am “genuinely struggling to get my head around how” you enjoyed all the below on a low family income such as yours 10 years ago let alone 3.

Three years ago I would go food shopping and buy pretty much whatever I wanted. If I fancied it, it went into the trolley. Full English breakfast every Saturday, big fat roast dinner with a nice joint every Sunday. Two v cheap foreign holidays a year. I enjoyed making our money stretch as far as it possibly could with holiday bargains etc. Christmas was always glorious with loads of food and some nice gifts. Lots of entertaining.

Doingprettywellthanks · 23/09/2022 10:36

doodlywoodlydingdong · 22/08/2022 20:05

Eurocamp In may, you often get caravans for a week for 8 for £220. Return flights for £50-75 if you book then the day they are released or we would drive to France. Every single holiday we have done abroad has been cheaper than a week in haven in the 6 weeks. But my eldest kids haven't been away with us a big family thing for a few years as they are adults with their own lives.

Its not hard to look for a bargain holiday if you are happy self catering. My sister is currently looking at a week next year. 28th April for a week and including flights it's £110 each.

Show quote history

Including the holiday in Greece you were posting about the week before you started this very thread?

doodlywoodlydingdong · 04/08/2022 08:17
Currently in Greece now, leaving today. The Greeks tend to prefer cash but if you want to take half cash and half card for safety then open a chase account. Is hot perfect exchange rates and you don't get charged for purchases. You don't need your card to make purchases, you can do it with your phone wallet. I brought €600 cash and €1400 on my chase account and its worked really well.

somebody2lava · 23/09/2022 16:35

@Doingprettywellthanks

Lots of people are still taking holidays that were originally booked 2-3 years ago so that's hardly fair. Personally, I always booked my trips at least a year in advance and that was before covid. Some have had to reschedule 2-3 times so trips taken now can very easily have been paid for 2-3 years in advance.

Doingprettywellthanks · 23/09/2022 17:11

somebody2lava · 23/09/2022 16:35

@Doingprettywellthanks

Lots of people are still taking holidays that were originally booked 2-3 years ago so that's hardly fair. Personally, I always booked my trips at least a year in advance and that was before covid. Some have had to reschedule 2-3 times so trips taken now can very easily have been paid for 2-3 years in advance.

The Op in this thread I can't stretch to a joint of pork anymore, a whole chicken is a rare treat

laat week on holiday on Greece where she spent 600 euros cash and put £1400 on her chase account t.

you don’t see something just a teeny tiny bit…. Peculiar in that?

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/09/2022 10:41

somebody2lava · 23/09/2022 16:35

@Doingprettywellthanks

Lots of people are still taking holidays that were originally booked 2-3 years ago so that's hardly fair. Personally, I always booked my trips at least a year in advance and that was before covid. Some have had to reschedule 2-3 times so trips taken now can very easily have been paid for 2-3 years in advance.

This

our honeymoon that was cancelled 3 times due to covid restrictions we finally went on it May 2022

we booked and paid for it in feb 2019 for wedding which was May 2020. Which obv got cancelled

Doingprettywellthanks · 24/09/2022 10:53

@Blondeshavemorefun

thr op is saying she can’t afford a joint of pork

but previous week OP posting that she’s spent 600 euros in cash and £1400 from bank account on spending money on holiday in Greece.

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/09/2022 10:58

I do get what you mean. Does seem a bit suss that can’t afford £20 for meat roast joint but spending hundreds on holiday

Doingprettywellthanks · 24/09/2022 10:59

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/09/2022 10:58

I do get what you mean. Does seem a bit suss that can’t afford £20 for meat roast joint but spending hundreds on holiday

Thousands just on spending money!

djdkdkddkek · 24/09/2022 12:22

I forgot about this thread and the expensive joint of meat

the humanity!!!

LoisLane66 · 28/09/2022 00:10

I manage very well on a basic pension, furthermore, EDF have put £307.50 credit on my gas account this afternoon, which was not there this morning. It's not my credit as they've taken my DD on Monday. I never overpay. Guess I'll be making a phone call when they open later. 😳

Forestfever · 28/09/2022 04:51

LoisLane66 · 28/09/2022 00:10

I manage very well on a basic pension, furthermore, EDF have put £307.50 credit on my gas account this afternoon, which was not there this morning. It's not my credit as they've taken my DD on Monday. I never overpay. Guess I'll be making a phone call when they open later. 😳

Could it be the government payment?

Shoxfordian · 28/09/2022 06:11

@LoisLane66 I read DD as darling daughter so I thought EDF had taken your child as payment- bit extreme even in this economy 🤣

LoisLane66 · 28/09/2022 07:24

@Forestfever Nice thought but there's no gov payment matching that amount. I wish 😂

LoisLane66 · 28/09/2022 07:29

@Shoxfordian
I could think of one DD I might exchange for a few kWh 😉😄

Forestfever · 28/09/2022 07:33

LoisLane66 · 28/09/2022 07:24

@Forestfever Nice thought but there's no gov payment matching that amount. I wish 😂

🤣 Clearly wishful thinking.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page