Page 6 | What cost of living crisis?

pagopago · 2022-08-31T20:51:24+00:00

Beauty salons mega busy and some with waiting lists of a month or two. People piling trollies high in supermarkets, carrying bags of shopping in shopping centres Airports and flights busier than ever. Tradesmen e.g. plumbers, painters/decorators, carpet fitters booked well into next year. Is this people burying their heads in the sand? Or making the most of things while they can still afford to? Right now it doesn't really feel like there is a shitstorm approaching.

Mumwithsons · 01/09/2022 00:27

Inequalities doesn’t look like people wandering the streets starving with no shoes. It looks different. But it is still there. There is a real difference between those that have, and those who do not.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 01/09/2022 00:35

Afterfire · 31/08/2022 22:46

It’s really naive to think it’s a media frenzy.

Lots of people are and will be seriously struggling.

Just this week on the energy forum on Facebook there’s been someone’s child apologising for wanting to use a nightlight because they know their mum and dad are worried about the increasing bills (obviously mum and dad reassured them that their nightlight can stay).

Another one where an elderly woman has resorted to eating cat food because it’s cheap.

And another one where a woman with lung cancer has been sitting in her house in the dark scared to put the lights on because she literally can’t afford any increase in her energy bills.

All of these families are entitled to the extra help from the government but it isn’t anywhere near enough.

Lots and lots and lots of families this year won’t be able to use their heating at all - we are one of them.

Just because you can’t see poverty yourself doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. You just aren’t looking in the right places. The high street / beauty salons etc aren’t the places to look for people already struggling.

Show quote history

Am I buying the wrong cat food price per oz my cats eat more lavishly than I do.

Honestly… I think there’s a lot of hysteria going on at the moment. What will people do… the same thing they always do. They’ll get by. For some it won’t have but an irritating effect (if any) for others it will be damned hard.

HelloDaisy · 01/09/2022 00:37

Not all tradesmen are booked into next year, well certainly not us and all the ones we know. Some may seem busy but often are catching up on bookings from covid, and lots of customers are now cancelling.

Along with that is not making any profit. Customers can’t afford to pay for any increase and as parts prices are rising weekly so we can’t raise wages or the margin between them which leaves us with nothing. Companies can’t survive like that for long…

Dibbydoos · 01/09/2022 00:44

Hi OP, yiu ANBU, I agree. I think people are carrying on regardless - pretty British thing to do tbh, but there def is a shit storm brewing, so count me out of all that. I get my hair and nails done before Christmas! Until then, my roots will be on show and I'll do my own nails, no doubt badly...!

frenchfancy81 · 01/09/2022 00:46

roopeedoopeedooo · 31/08/2022 21:56

I have had to cancel new stairs carpet. It was £600 that I just can't justify so I'll pay £60 to get my ancient one cleaned again.

I haven't yet booked any holiday at all for next year which is very unlike me, I've normally got alert over bargain break booked to look forward to.

I'm thinking of cancelling our annual Boxing Day party. Because I can't justify spending all that money on food.

Even comfortable people are being sensible. Nobody knows how bad this winter can get yet.

Hi Roopee, could you send out a cheerful note suggesting everyone brings a dish/plate/bottle for Boxing Day? Sure they'll be happy to do so!

jimmyjammy001 · 01/09/2022 00:48

Guess it depends on what circle of friends you keep associated with, around here 2 bed starter homes still going for over 30%/£60k more than they were couple years ago and they are flying off the shelves , people have plenty of cash to splash, not seeing anyone cutting back

Lovinglife45 · 01/09/2022 00:51

As many posters have stated, some people will be less affected by the col crisis. Their cutting back may be taking two holidays instead of three, reducing their monthly savings amount, holding back on house renovations.

I notice many buying coffees in Starbucks/Costa and independent shops on the High Street. I noticed people eating breakfast/brunch at my local park cafe. Prices are not cheap at all!

For some, life has not changed at all.

AgnestaVipers · 01/09/2022 01:03

MibsXX · 31/08/2022 23:44

Maybe not for you, but despite us not frittering money away day to day, my son and I have never once in his 15 years had a holiday...the shitty jobs that I had to to keep us fed and housed insisted that I was always working every bank holiday, all through school holidays and almost every weekend, and all through covid untill I had the temerity to catch it and got fired for being off sick.. I honestly don't think I will be here for a lot longer and now regret not just getting into debt and spending at least some of his childhood having some fun together instead of always being stressed about simply existing and never having the energy to do anything after work. I may as well have done, we'd be in the same boat now but with nicer memories

Show quote history

I really hope you're ok. Your post made me feel very sad. 💐

RobertSmithsLipstick · 01/09/2022 01:30

Me too.

honkeytonkwoman38 · 01/09/2022 01:58

I saw people looking in my trolley in Asda this week but we earn £100k. If I'm going to cut back it's not going to be food it's going to be expensive clothes or media packages or the cleaner. There's absolutely no point judging a shopping trolley. I'm still going to get a haircut because I need to look smart at work. Nails well I've never paid for all that crap anyway.

Nat6999 · 01/09/2022 02:01

Where I live there are doorstep lenders going round door knocking offering loans that are paid back once a week to a collector. The interest rate is shocking but I see them going round to the same houses every week & you can bet as they pay one loan down the collector will offer another loan. With the cost of living I imagine many hard up families will be taking these & payday loans to manage.

TheEggChair · 01/09/2022 02:28

Notwashingup · 31/08/2022 22:02

I think it’s more a ‘hoarding of wealth’ crisis. The company CEOs taking huge, huge salaries, grinding down the workers to absolute bare minimum wages, zero hours contracts and telling them they should be grateful to earn a pittance. Moral is low, money is tight so when you actually get a pay day or a tenner on a scratch card, new nails/ a cupboard full of food/ book the decorator (but by the time you’ve waited 6 months for them to come you’ll cancel cos it’s Christmas and your money has gone on the kids) feels good. I personally am down to my last £28 but bought a pair of £11 earrings yesterday and I felt pretty good when I put them in. I remember my DM saying during times of financial hardship, sales of lipstick goes up. Women particularly will spend a little on things that make them feel nice.

Your mum is right as I’ve just spent £26 on a lipstick & I’ve not done that in a long time. I thought that as all big purchases have been paused, I needed a treat!

felulageller · 01/09/2022 06:55

Inequality and poverty are hidden.

People live in segregated communities. We mostly observe people in a similar wealth bracket to ourselves.

Go to a supermarket near a rough estate. Drive past the gardens. You don't need to see inside a tower block to know there are lots of empty fridges inside.

People spend on what's on show. Eg car washes, nails, hair, make up, phones.

But unless you are inside poor people's homes you don't see the no carpets/ damaged/ soiled walls/ peeling wall paper/ no hot water/ no loo roll/ no toothpaste/ empty cupboards/ broken furniture.

Fivemoreminutesinbed · 01/09/2022 07:02

JaninaDuszejko · 31/08/2022 22:03

As someone who is unlikely to be seriously hit by the cost of living crisis I do rather feel that a sense of responsibility to keep spending and keep the economy running.

And there have been a few people on here saying they are spending now before the cost of goods increases. A jumper keeps you warm if you buy it now for £40 or in 6 months time for £60.

That is an expensive jumper. Go to a charity shop.

FrecklesMalone · 01/09/2022 07:17

saltinesandcoffeecups · 01/09/2022 00:35

Am I buying the wrong cat food price per oz my cats eat more lavishly than I do.

Honestly… I think there’s a lot of hysteria going on at the moment. What will people do… the same thing they always do. They’ll get by. For some it won’t have but an irritating effect (if any) for others it will be damned hard.

Show quote history

Such ignorance. The austerity cuts of the 2010 caused the death of 10s of thousands of people (widely reported if you don't just read media that supports the Tories).
www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/uk-austerity-since-2010-linked-to-tens-of-thousands-more-deaths-than-expected/
This is going to be so much worse. People don't die by running around screaming that they are dying from hunger or cold, they do it quietly.

malificent7 · 01/09/2022 07:19

I think it is the latter op. I spent on hpliday abroad as I know I prob won't be going abroad in the future.

I think the energy crisis is inevitable. We all overconsume but that is the fault of big corporations who need to find more sustainable forms of energy. Aint going to happen atm.

malificent7 · 01/09/2022 07:19

Holiday*

WeAreRuined · 01/09/2022 07:19

hattie43 · 31/08/2022 22:37

@tttigress

Totally agree , hysteria seems to be setting in when in reality no one really knows the impact or what new help will be announced .

I think this is the thing - plenty expect the Gov to bail them out and so are continuing to spend expecting some kind of furlough payment. So they take no financial responsibility and continue spending regardless of the future.

lightand · 01/09/2022 07:27

HelloDaisy · 01/09/2022 00:37

Not all tradesmen are booked into next year, well certainly not us and all the ones we know. Some may seem busy but often are catching up on bookings from covid, and lots of customers are now cancelling.

Along with that is not making any profit. Customers can’t afford to pay for any increase and as parts prices are rising weekly so we can’t raise wages or the margin between them which leaves us with nothing. Companies can’t survive like that for long…

Think there has been the boom before the bust for some.

A builder I know, I can see him leaving home and working elsewhere, before not too long.

Summersdreaming · 01/09/2022 07:33

We are somewhat protected this year, energy rates fixed until the end of winter and mortgage for a couple more years. We put X amount in our joint account for bills and food and we haven't had to increase it yet, there's a small amount left in there before pay day. So personally I'm not feeling it yet. Well aware it's round the corner, so we are paying off the credit card and keeping an eye on energy usage, but no major changes needed yet. I know we are very fortunate so far.

ohdearnotme · 01/09/2022 07:36

My neighbour, two doors down, started a small fire in his garden to cook on last night.

I will not be able to save as much and will not eat out as much.

Stark difference on just one street.

BirmaBrite · 01/09/2022 07:37

Where I live there are doorstep lenders going round door knocking offering loans that are paid back once a week to a collector.

I survived during a very difficult time using Provident loans on and off, had absolutely no idea what the interest rate was and cared even less, borrowed £50, paid back £65. They were very useful to someone with no other means of getting credit.

adamanti · 01/09/2022 07:41

Fags dope and nails aren't affected in the same way as other things.

Metabigot · 01/09/2022 07:57

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 31/08/2022 23:30

If the cost of living crisis were Bohemian Rhapsody we're currently at the gentle and melodic 'Mama, just killed a man' stage. But don't worry, the louder and more frantic 'Bismillah! No we will not let you go!' phase is on the horizon.

This is just getting started.

This has to be the best analogy of all time.

Metabigot · 01/09/2022 08:07

saltinesandcoffeecups · 01/09/2022 00:35

Am I buying the wrong cat food price per oz my cats eat more lavishly than I do.

Honestly… I think there’s a lot of hysteria going on at the moment. What will people do… the same thing they always do. They’ll get by. For some it won’t have but an irritating effect (if any) for others it will be damned hard.

Show quote history

Ffs no one is eating cat food! Besides economy baked beans would be cheaper.

The rubbish some people will believe