Cost of living crisis - how are you affected? Is it just me?

[Eve223]

Name changed for this post.
How are people coping with the cost of living crisis? It is hard to believe there is one when the shops and supermarkets are packed, restaurants fully booked and people still taking expensive foreign holidays, buying new cars and houses etc. Are people just living on credit? Is it just me who has had to tighten my belt?

Genuine questions, not trying to be goady.

We're certainly in a lucky position - this time last year I was a sahm (although just waiting a start date lol)
I've got a job that I enjoy and fits in with school hours about a 6 minute walk away, our mortgage was up for renewal this month so when they sent us the letter in May letting us sort it 6 months early we went for a low as possible for as long as possible since it looked like a recession was imminent. We sold my car back in August/September and haven't replaced it, just using one car.
So naturally a few cuts in expenses and an increase in income.

We're definitely more aware of what we are spending on, and every day at work we hear people talking about how worried they are, small things like our free period products have tripled in turnover rates, we're being set up as a warm welcome etc. Then there's conversations we have with fire fighters who have been called out because people have lot a disposable barbeque in their living room to try and get some heat, or the paramedics who have gone out to people who are starving.

People will definitely have differing levels of struggling depending on their start point and it will get worse as the recession continues (all 2023 and part of 2024 is predicted to be in it) so as savings dwindle, energy rates and mortgage rates come to an end etc etc

Lots of people still have money even if their bills are higher simple as that really.

Since dh passed away I've found it harder to cope with bills and everything rocketing. I usually can afford a small treat for je and the dcs but really feeling the squeeze now.