To ask when is the cost of living going to go down?

[scotpancakes]

When will working hard start to pay off? I scrape by every month. I can't afford to save, so I can't afford a house! I live in the South East and rent prices are crazy. Will this country ever become more affordable? For the past 16 years it's been doom and gloom and it just goes on and on!

I wouldn't count on it happening any time soon.

What could you do to improve your situation?

Privately renting in the south east means you will never have any money, any salary increase will just go to increasing rents. Your best bet is to look elsewhere for jobs.

15-20 years,?

I'm 60 and in my experience the cost of living has only ever gone up.
I remember my mum saying in the 70s that when oil prices go up so does the price of fish and chips, but when oil prices go down the price of fish and chips stays up.

Never only up.With the floods in Spain glass houses have been destroyed so there will be a lack of imported fruit and veg this year so prices will rise again.

@NuffSaidSam I'm a
Single parent. I can't move away from where I live as my child is settled and near her father! Other than get a £70k + job or down sizing to a one bedroom flat, there isn't much I can do! (I won't downsize as I want to at least enjoy my home). I don't turn the heating on unless I really need to.

Businesses have to absorb the new NMW and higher NI costs. Prices are only going to go up.

I'm 66 and agree. Some prices drop - usually technology, for example - but inflation is a constant. The best to hope for is a low level of inflation.

You can’t expect costs to come down. You have to change what you spend your money on, increase your income, or both.

If you are in a career with limited scope for progression then it is difficult.

I suppose retraining/changing jobs is your best bet then.

And/or looking around to see if there is somewhere cheaper within commutable distance of your ex.

Are you claiming everything you're entitled to? Have you got the best deals on bills/bank accounts etc? Look at MoneySavingExpert for guidance around this.

I'm not in my '60s but I was going to say the same thing. I think it only goes up doesn't it? I mean here in the US politicians talk about decreasing the cost of living but nothing ever really happens.

Can you expand on what you mean? Inflation has reduced since the col crisis, I am not sure it will go backwards though?

Short answer: it won’t. Prices for most things almost never go down. They just go up slower or faster. Unfortunately there hasn’t really ever been a time when a single parent on an average income renting in the south east has had it easy.

Is your child’s father contributing financially? Are you claiming all benefits you might be entitled to?

Thanks for all your well meaning replies. It's not as easy as just moving, this costs money. Also, moving to cheaper area means changing schools and my daughter is happy! I can retrain (how do I become a hedge fund manager?!?) I work in the media, so notoriously lower paid than most other industries! I was hoping someone might offer a glimmer of hope! But I guess I'll just put up with my lot! Just sad we're such a 'rich' country and hard work doesn't seem to pay!

"Can't afford to save"

Life will only ever get more expensive over time

Work overtime
Work a second or third job
Move somewhere cheaper
Train for a better paid job
Get a job that pays more
Check your budget & cut expenses
Investigate side hustles where you swap something for something
Look at discount schemes, vouchers, points, cash back, switch your bank account & get free money
Sell stuff or sell a service that you can provide
Use Olio or Too Good To Go or yellow sticker
Pay into a work pension

Have you done any of the above ?

The main issue in the uk is low wages. If wage inflation were to increase far more rapidly than it has for the last 10
years, and RPI/ CPI and house prices stabilise, then your life will become more affordable.

but that’s how it happens, not by things you buy getting cheaper

Is it hard work? Is it is just work? No need to be a martyr, it doesn’t sound like you’re down a coal mine. Uk wages are shite but so is productivity- we are not a hard working nation.

It's terrible and it's a political decision. Personally we plan on leaving England, although I grew up here I am originally from elsewhere. I appreciate it's a privilege that we can make that choice. Otherwise the only hope is that enough people decide they've had enough and initiate proper political change but so many people think these difficult living conditions are somehow not inevitable and nothing to be revolting against. I do have some hope in the younger generations!

Sadly OP, i think this is the new norm, and we all need to adjust to it.

It isn't.

@AquaPeer I'm not being a martyr! I work full time and freelance on top of that! Thanks for your lovely reply ☺️

It’s not coming.

@CharityD0nationwithGiftaid thanks for these suggestions. I'm already doing some on the list but there are other things I haven't thought of. Appreciate this xxx

UK productivity is low not because people don't work hard but due to a combination of factors such as long term lack of training and lack of investment.

@Dilemma8188 yes! I'm always up for political protest xxx I am regularly in touch with my MP too!