To wonder how people will financially survive?

[Cupcakeicecream]

To think that many people are struggling already. Food price rises, gas and electric costs. The general cost of living due to inflation from either brexit since the pandemic and Ukraine war. But come on some people were struggling before any of those factors. Financially people will be pushed to breaking christmas will be off the cards general life will stagnate no meals out leisure activities cinema socialising new clothes treat foods. The threat of blackouts and wondering how we will pay bills to keep warm or keep a house running. Never mind buying food the price of it plus the large gaps on shelves. Winter will be miserable. It's becoming impossible to live in this country.

@caringcarer 👏

As yet we have not had to send UK troops over. I hope it does not come to that.

we can't, that are the rules

Then aspire to better. You are writing as though it’s someone else’s responsibility.

It isn’t. There is only one person who is responsible for your well-being, and that’s you.

Have you done it? Have you aspired to do better, planned out the route that will take you there, and put it into action?

If not, why not? What are you waiting for. Start now, today, don’t wait until you have children and responsibilities.

@gogohmm actually the retiring early is something under discussion for DH. It is being considered but it will not be as early as first anticipated. I hadn’t actually considered that it wouldn’t free up his job for someone else to have.

DS will be living at home for longer than anticipated as well.

Agree too

Think very carefully about who you vote for at the general election next year.

What election?
Also, give it a rest. The Tories are a joke, but do you really think that this is all going to just go away if we get a Labor administration?

It’s not that I’m worried, just more surprised that it was nearly fully booked in August when according to mumsnet the cost of living crisis seems to be affecting 99% of people.

@StillGoingStrongToday same here, we’ve spent years sacrificing holidays and eating out, new cars etc to pay off our mortgage early. It was paid earlier this year. So we’re in a decent position, I realise we’ve been privileged to be able to work hard and not have illness/disability to deal with but we’ve worked hard and long hours to get to this point as well.

Not the same. And "suffering" is a hyperbolic word. Much of the benefit money was spent on alcohol. Benefits were higher now. The problem was my parents having children they could not afford, and spending benefit money badly.

are higher now

Not to turn this into a politics thread, but Labour at least acknowledges a cost of living crisis actually exists. It’s a start.

If we don't support Ukraine, both with finances, training and war goods, then Putin will win and then will go after Moldova next, then Romania. That is what dictators like Hitler and Putin do.

Is anyone saying that we shouldn't support Ukraine ? We aren't the only country supporting Ukraine, France is providing aid and weapons too, they have managed to cap their rise at 4% and frozen it on gas.
I am not convinced it is a either/or scenario ?

EDF is suing the French government for something like 8 billion euros because of the price cap so it will be interesting to see how that turns out.

If you can find a series of books by an American, Amy Daycyzion they are a great help to living frugally. A Must.

People will die and the Tories don't give a shit. They are utterly devoid of morality.

I hope all you turkeys that voted for Christmas remember it when the time comes to get rid.

France have nuclear power.

@StillGoingStrongToday it's a peculiar situation I find myself in. I'm a mid 50s disabled single mother working three jobs but I'm stuck in a weird kind of benefit trap.
In order to leap out of it, I'd have to earn double what I'm on now. I rent privately, extortionate SE rent. My career ended after an RTA some years ago, then I made some dubious relationship decisions resulting in bankruptcy.

I would LOVE not to be at the mercy of the benefit system, seriously. So while i understand there are some that may be happy to plod along on low pay, being supplemented by the government, I'm definitely not one of them but I can't see a way out.

I can't afford to retrain, either financially or mentally, also don't have the time.

I'm waiting for the kids to finish school in three years, then will return 'north', although has its downsides as one of my jobs is very niche and I'll struggle to find similar elsewhere.

200 quid a month reduction in my income will make life considerably more crap.

It would be our children and the young adults will need to pay back for many years! Income Tax and VAT cut will help though

l was born in 63. I paid for WW2 until 2006. It didn’t blight my life for ever. That’s just the way it is. I had no choice and never even thought about it.

*Then aspire to better. You are writing as though it’s someone else’s responsibility.

It isn’t. There is only one person who is responsible for your well-being, and that’s you*

Yeah, like one person can bring about the societal changes that led to a rise in living standards over 40 years or so🙄😂

Society changes, not individual people.

Yep! There's always going to be something that needs paying for, thats just the way it is.

Yep, l paid for WW2 for 21 years. No big deal🤷🏼‍♀️

The problem with this analogy is that you’ve decided covid and the fall out from
tje Ukraine war are the only catastrophes this generation will endure. We have climate change looming over the hill, super volcanoes ready to go in the US. Further pandemics already festering. Somehow we have to accept this is probably the start of a lower standard of living. It’s a fucking bitter pill to swallow, but lifting lots of countries out of grinding poverty has made demand on supply a real issue.

???? I also paid for the war in Korea, and every other war since then. Lots of it before l was old enough to earn.

Theres always disasters……..

do you really think that this is all going to just go away if we get a Labor administration?

Of course not but a Labour government would deal with it far better.

Im not convinced they would but they will get their chance soon enough. So I will watch and wait.