AIBU to think people begrudge weekly food costs but spend more freely elsewhere?

[IlovePhilMitchell]

People will spend money on subscriptions, takeaways, the cost of a weekly shop on a meal out, £10 on a candle but begrudge £80 on the week shop.

Food is one of the most important things to us as humans, it nourishes us and keeps us well. It should be a priority above most things we spend money on, not just an annoying necessity.

We have been lucky in the past with extremely cheap food costs and yes I know things have increased a lot and not in line with wages, but it’s not actually that bad if you don’t buy brands and cook.

I do appreciate a lot of people don’t have have room in their budget for any increases. I think my post is more aimed at those who whinge when they spend freely elsewhere.

But you presumably spend your money on what you prioritise and that’s what most people do. The pearl clutching by some at the idea that some people can afford organic food but don’t buy it is hilarious

I buy food for babies and toddlers for the food banks.

But it's just wanky to say 'wasteful coffee' if it's what someone rose chooses tk spend their money on.

Personally I think £2500 in a handbag is ridiculous, but I'd never say to someone that it's a 'wasteful handbag'. Or magazine subscriptions or Netflix ...

I'll sometimes buy coffee out, it's coffee from freshly ground coffee beans & milk, it does not have wayyyy tooo much sugar in it. It has the exact same ingredients I'd use at home in my sage barrista coffee machine. Coffee & milk. Rarely it's shit, but then so are other drinks/food, do you never buy anything to eat or drink away from home?

Yes. It's more expensive than making it at home. But when I buy one out, I'm not at home. I'm out & want a coffee. I'm enjoying the location of meeting a friend or whatever. I'll pay for the pleasure of not having to make it myself. The convenience, the location, their overheads.

I think I mostly begrudge the fact that the increases on food costs has rapidly outstripped the increase in our wages. As have mortgages, council tax, utilities etc. You see the increases every time you do a shop and remember that X cost 50p less 6 months ago, which is fine when it's one item but it's not. I doubt farmers are currently being paid fairly either.

What were good wages 6 years ago are not going very far these days. It's an odd scenario when you used to have a better lifestyle with substantially lower wages. Added to which, when you have older kids who eat like adults it's a huge increase in cost.

I don't think it's unreasonable to hope that you might be able to afford nice things on top of the basics.

Isn't it relative. Food costs have risen so much - my favourite chocolate has more than doubled in the last 5 years. But I will spend £50 on take away but begrudge paying for a pair of jeans for myself even if needed

You’re missing the point you have to eat to survive, all your money should not have to go on food just to survive. You should be able to buy/ do something that brings a little joy in life.

I haven’t read the thread but I broadly agree people have the wrong priorities. I think this particularly with regards to dentistry and other healthcare-related costs. Yes, it’s expensive. But you only have one body so it’s bloody worth it. And it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than your holiday every summer.

Obviously I know people are struggling and some people genuinely can’t afford things.

I find it odd too. I know someone that always tells their kids no as everything is too expensive but each week him and his girlfriend go for an expensive meal. My husband and I (and kids) have stopped eating out as much, we do once in a blue moon so we can add more to our food budget and still afford things that are important to the kids, everyone is different so each to their own, just because I find it odd doesn’t make them wrong I guess. My mil is always moaning about how she’s so stretched and everything is too expensive but she shops in M&S and gets a takeaway every Saturday!! I hardly think you can moan about money if you food shop in M&S!

Most people I know go out for coffee because it's a place to meet a friend. Just going for a walk isn't always an option, and neither is going to someone's house if you live with others, hate where you live or you live two unreliable buses away from your friend's.

Uhm, food is expensive and so are all those other things you highlighted.

No, we have had normal priced food shops in the past. Big business is taking the mick these days and they love people like you.
Just willing to bend over and take it.

This is because since WW2 the govt has encouraged the production of as much cheap food as possible,so British people have spent less on their groceries than everyone else for generations,the French spend about a third of their wages on food which is very high quality,we spend between 10-20% we are used to having the difference as disposable income -so that is why.

We're heading back to Victorian times where the rich were very rich the poor had nothing and the middle class barely existed.

Have you shopped in France recently?! Where do you go?

it's easy to track prices elsewhere, lots of YouTubers take you around- ask anyone who has lived in France, the French respect their food and are willing to spend freely on it- it is seen as one of the most important sensual pleasures- we have been encouraged to see it as fuel only.

I’ll take that as a no. I spend a lot of time northern France and its mainly Lidl and carrefour. It’s giving ✨Tesco✨

It’s possible to be able to afford the odd takeaway or meal out and still be horrified that the cost of groceries has doubled in the past few years.

Yes I have shopped in France and Spain recently- I stand by what l said , food is more expensive but better quality.

Just this.

What l begrudge is not so much the cost of food, it's the increase in the cost of other necessities such as council tax, water rates, gas elec, tv licence, stamps etc a lot of those are diffinitely not value for money and we have very little control over them.

Think back to before mass production, food took 30 percent of the average wage.
I grew up and married in that time.
We ate very simply.

And in the 1970s the average rent was 9% of the average salary. People could afford to spend a third of their wages on food.

Now the average rent is 42% of the average wage. That’s the same proportion that people spent on food AND housing 60 years ago.

Also I think people are choosing to miss something that has revolutionised the world in the last 40 years, and reduced the price of all consumables- technology.

practically any consumable you can think of was more expensive to produce in the 80s without the technology of today.
Handmade plates vs machine made.
Typing in a computer instead of a typewriter with paper.
People putting parts on cars rather than robots.

farming is no different. Prices have reduced through the power of supply chain yes, but it’s also significantly reduced due to technology, and is genuinely far cheaper to produce.

on top of technology you have industrial farming, globalisation. All of which has reduced the cost of production to the farmer and the end consumer.

I know of someone who uses food banks, can’t afford the 3 kids she has and then had a fourth and smokes like a chimney. She always seems to have money for wine and fags….

Do you mean the people who cry poverty,. Play the system rarely work and live off the state and get seem to always be have plenty of cash.
And they can afford to

1. Have 3 large pedigree dogs.
2. Loads of piercings and tattoos.
3. False nails a go go.
4. Hair extensions.
5. Live off take aways.
6. The latest trainers.

7..Have Amazon on speed dial

1. iPads and iPhones.
2. Lots of children.

10. A large people carrier