To ask you what specifics you’re cutting back on

[Bunnyfuller]

The only trickle down I can see from Tory economic policy is lots of people’s incomes dropping. As this recession really grips, the small number benefiting from the tax cuts at the top won’t be enough or spend enough to keep many businesses profitable.

what things have you cut back to help you manage your household finances?

caveat: I 100% realise that there are many people who are already cut back to the bone, and have no further cuts they can make. I think there will be a growing number in this situation as prices continue to rise, and people only spend if they have to.

so us -

we used to go to Waitrose/M and S for occasional treats or stickered items. No more, price increases mean even stickered items are too expensive.

Main shop at Lidl. Stopped going to Sainsbury or Tesco as the quality isn’t much better and it’s too expensive.

Go to Asda for branded items because the fucking cat some want only the original

Haircuts - will get them done 4 months/6 months and I’m not having the colours done any more

Window cleaner - stopped

Restaurants - only on 2 for 1 vouchers, once every 2 months if that. We drink tap water

Takeaways - we make 1 Chinese last at least 2 meals, one takeaway a month from a Saturday night every week.

DIY - we had planned to recarpet upstairs and get wood flooring downstairs. Won’t be happening.

Were going to get garden fences painted (large garden so lots of fences) - not happening

Ditto the door on a cupboard upstairs, the bi-fold doors in the living room and the wall move/2 bathroom revamps

No new clothes, Charity shops/Vinted/eBay etc

No new furniture, as above if needed (recently bought a heated surer to avoid using the drier).

We’re a family of 4, I’m not sure what that takes out of the economy annually. I am conscious of the knock-on effect to hairdressers, Tradies etc. This in turn will force them to spend less…..

I've always shopped at Aldi and Lidl .
I'm taking more packed lunches to work.
Will not be buying new clothes or footwear this winter unless essential.
We rarely eat out anyway.
Won't be renewing my car lease agreement, but will pay off with a lower costing loan.
No foreign holidays.
It's going to be all work and no play by the looks of it.

The airfryers do look good.. but I don't want to have to learn anything new.. are they as complex as they appear?

@rrrrrreatt hopefully your mortgage will be fine as they’re valid for ) months, and now you’ll benefit from the change in stamp duty!

6, sorry

I started the thread with the thought of how people were cutting back, and those impacts on those in those type of careers…

MN has been fab for money saving ideas, I was just wondering about services etc that will no longer get the income they were - like window cleaners, hairdressers etc. Say 9 other people my window cleaner does decides to stop, average £25 a clean - that’s his monthly income down £250 before he even starts .

my point being the trickle down theory is more about immediately negative trickle down effects, and not more money from the rich having a positive effect.

• Haircut done by fiance, rather than going to the hairdressers. For now actually prefer it, he's just as scissor happy.
• Big shop choosing cheaper rather than more expensive options, and less treats and unnecessary items. Considering switching from branded to unbranded detergents etc.
• Takeaways only when necessary. Eating out done on Tesco vouchers
• Trying to use the oven less and pressure cooker more, but tricky with a fussy preschooler.
• House improvements only being done if completely necessary. The redecorating I was looking forward to has gone on hold for the time being.

Rationalised snacks crisps, weetos, dark chocolate is out, packet of own brand ginger snaps for 50p that lasts 3 weeks is in. No hair cuts for me since pandemic. I cut down further on meat for myself, dried beans done in pressure cooker rather than tinned beans. Ditto don't buy bread for myself and use breadmaker instead. Haven't bought any new clothes for myself for over 2 years, and that time it was just work clothes as starting new job. Wearing second hand shoes. Household things I don't really buy anymore I wait until I can pick one up for free from a neighbour putting out, or whats app group. I am trying to focus on still buying a healthy diet, but have cut back slightly on fruit and buy the cheaper veg. However I would consider myself almost a middle earner in terms of disposable income, its just that I am desperately trying to save money for essential (roof leak type) repairs on my house I own. Must admit I am still spending money on days out for my son, only child and difficult to entertain on waiting list for neuro assessment, but I am gradually admitting I will have to cut back on those (currently end up spending £5 on average on a day out).

@mamabear715 we have 2 teenagers, they have part time jobs. We did ask them if they wanted paying to do the fence, it was a resounding no! Don’t know any other kids locally.

We cut our outgoings years ago during a redundancy and didn't really start spending again which has helped us be in a better position as we are not having to cut down on luxuries we were used to.
We don't eat out at restaurants often, maybe once/ twice a year. Takeaways are perhaps once every couple of months. I try to recreate our favourite meals at home so don't feel like it's a hardship.
We always shop at Lidl / Aldi / B&M.
The key is making your home the place you want to be ime. I'd rather watch a movie at home than cinema. My bed is cosier than a hotel.

The only thing we have cut back on is our dry cleaning service, gone to once a week instead of twice a week.

Thankfully we don't need to cut much so are fine financially keeping up with M&S and 6 weekly hair appts

Main thing is I have radically cut down on alcohol. That was my biggest useless spend. A glass of wine when out adds £9 to any meal.

We also used to go out for dinner fairly often- about once a week when I was working in the office as my workplace is really toxic so it was a Sunday night-before-work-hell treat. Now we go out maybe once a month and will probably whittle that down.

I am also making choices about food. Red meat is out, more veg meals, more cheapy frozen fish burgers, more pasta etc. Paying really careful attention.

We have an electric shower that the DCs use so have turned off our hot water completely and we all use the electric shower. We have not yet turned our central heating on and will try and get through the winter at 17.5 degrees. Our house is big and inefficient and we have shut down every room we do not need to use and now limit to the kitchen, the sitting room and the bedrooms.

Also yellow sticker shopping when I can. We have already shopped at Aldi for years.

We are financially solvent- 2 DCs at a private school so we are definitely not poor. But living costs are eye watering and we are actively and purposely cutting back because the forthcoming year is scary.

Along with a plan to earn more money by taking on extra jobs (I appreciate not everyone can do this), we've stopped eating out, no takeaways, heating has been turned down a degree and boiler temp turned down, no berries/avocado/lamb/beef anymore. We use Too Good To Go for treats and have found the local store ones like Londis/Co-op to be good. Toiletries are bought when on offer only.

We've not swapped supermarkets as we have a delivery pass and the time and fuel it would use to go visit a decent sized supermarket like Lidl/Aldi far outweighs the potential savings.

We've been more conscious of what doors are open and closed in the house to keep the heat in, so when cooking, the heat from kitchen will also warm up the lounge if the door is open.

Main thing in our house is the food shop. I always did online with Asda, but I’m now using Aldi and Lidl much more than ever before. Also started using Iceland food warehouse too. I’ve really cut down on treats and wine etc and now buy less meat and never fish. Things like salmon are just far too expensive now.

So really looks like most are cutting back across the board, but can see things getting difficult fairly quickly - service industries and lots of the self-employed.

Do people think the stamp duty break with help anything? I can’t see mortgages being as affordable to those vital FTB will be absent.

@Bunnyfuller Might be worth advertising? A free ad, obviously! I imagine people will be wanting to earn extra money towards Christmas.

I forgot to mention holidays too, the kids & I had a 5 day caravan holiday in late Spring for £117. Fab! No complaints at all. :-)

similar to others here.
Besides the obvious (a lot more mindful when using gas, electricity and water, not doing unnecessary car trips etc) We had our first meal out in the uk this year last Sunday and that was mostly paid for with a voucher dh got from my sister on his bday.
we probably won’t eat out again this year. We use to eat out once or twice a month.

My other main one is hairdressers too. Was having balayage but now is now £115-£125 and I just won’t pay that. I paid £100 back in May and 4 weeks in it was a complete different colour due to being out in the sun, not hairdressers fault obv but just feels such a waste. I cancelled all my future appointments and I’ve box dyed it twice since then and it’s fine but prob won’t want to do it forever but I won’t be paying for balayage.

We have a Tesco delivery every week but I’m trying to spend less on that and top up at Aldi as I can park on the Aldi car park to collect my dd from school (so no special trip)
I am spend the same a week but Im getting a bit more for my money.

I'm cutting back on top up shops - once something (besides bread, milk, oats) is finished we will have to wait until pay day.

Central heating will go on on 1st Nov at the earliest.

Eating out and cinema for birthdays only, paid for with vouchers.

Days out by bus/rail will now only happen over the main holidays (not half-term).

Driving test and purchase of new car postponed indefinitely.

Clothes will only be bought to replace worn out essentials, working on a two out one in basis.

Christmas presents will be limited to one large-ish item between two DC and small stocking.

Planned summer holiday to South East will likely not go ahead.

CURSE this government. ⚫

@Bunnyfuller Also forgot to reply re the self employed. I see people often advertising for window cleaners, so I guess there are more grubby windows than there are tradesmen!
Hairdressers, not sure - I never see an empty salon but I'm sure any hairdressers on here will speak up.
I can't imagine Stamp Duty changes making much of an impact, tbh. If buyers are afraid of not being able to afford a mortgage, the process stops there. Then there's the lack of new furniture & carpets being bought, new kitchens, & so on, & the tradesmen in those jobs.. a lot of posters here have already said new decorating, carpeting etc won't now be happening.. it's not looking good, is it?

The main thing that's helped us is being mindful of where we drive.

Just this morning we explored an overgrown Bridleway near home that we didn't realise existed and discovered a lake and beautiful stream / almost a river. Full of fish and perfect for poo sticks.

DS had the best time. Usually we'd drive 25 mins to the beach.

I won't be getting my haircut as often. And I won't be getting highlights anymore. So the salon has lost out on my £75 every 6 weeks. Feel awful but I can't justify it.

Unfortunately I could no longer justify CBT sessions at £65 a session.

We used to have Fish & Chips every month but have stopped this too.

I won't be getting teachers and TAs gifts this Christmas but it seems like they wouldn't notice as they're inundated anyway.

Most on here maybe

Irl maybe not

Don't forget it's been a long time since most on MN were middle class with good jobs. Many are on the breadline on here

Ah the Air Fryer. False economy.

DH and 16 year old DS have cancelled their gym membership
Cancelling Amazon
We already shop in Aldi but I'm planning in getting better with the meal planning to cut down on waste, not that we have much with 16 year old DS!
We've stopped having takeaways, rarely eat out
Our lovely holiday we had planned for next August will now not be booked
We've cancelled our national trust membership
Not yet cancelled the window cleaner but its something we might do
I'm going up to 6 days a week instead of 5 a couple of times a month
DH is considering a second job too but I've told him no as he already works around 60 hours a week
The home improvements are no longer going ahead

We both work more than full time to sit in a house we can't afford to heat with nothing to look forward to because we can't afford a 2 for 1 in wetherspoons never mind a cheap holiday in Spain. God, I could fucking cry

I think there are lots who will cut back. But as this thread has already shown, lots were already cut to the bone, and many others who do cut further will choose different areas to cut back on.

At the same time, there are some of us who are either shielded from some cost increases with fixed energy/mortgage/rent prices who genuinely aren't feeling the extreme pinch that many are.

I am not cutting back/out:
Window cleaner
House cleaner
Gardener
Gel Nails
Lash Lifts
6-weekly facials
Hairdresser
Extra Curricular Activities for DC
Doggy Daycare
Takeaways (we just didn't have them often to begin with)

So, whilst many will, many also won't. I don't agree with trickle down economics, but I also think the gap between brassic and affluent is huge and there are many of us who are not struggling, though we do have huge empathy with those who are. In fact, I think it's important that those of us who can afford to keep spending, to an extent we're comfortable with, do exaclty that. If we all start to hoard/save/be 'frugal' even though we don't "need" to, we're not helping the wider economy at all.

As a side note, when DH and I went out last night (last Friday of the month before payday), the restaurant was rammed. It's not a budget place. There are a lot of comfortable people in the UK.

Get a secondhand air fryer. Lots available on FB.

I agree hairdressers, restaurants etc still look full, but I think that’s going to slow down as this bites more and more people. Even extending the gap between haircuts will have an effect when it’s lots doing it.

The self-employed cleaners, mobile hairdressers/nails/eyelashes etc. are the ones I feel for, because they have no cushion.

My nails - usually £25 once a month, I've knocked that on the head.

Central heating - this time last year it would 100% have gone on in the evening already to take the mild chill off the air, whilst we all swanned round in t shirts. This year it's not yet on and the dc are told to put a jumper on. Last night I left the oven door open once I'd turned it off, it was really surprising just how much it warmed up the kitchen and adjoining hallway!

Window cleaner, £32 every 6 weeks. We've just had them done and I've told him I'll contact him in the Spring now. We usually continue through winter.

We're going to sell one of our cars. The majority of the time, one is sat on the driveway - we've decided to deal with the probably once a month inconvenience of only having one car, where a second would be helpful. Its not worth two lots of insurance/tax/maintenance as most of the time one is enough.