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Christmas

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Original poster

aibu to think food prices are sky-rocketing.

150 replies

JingleBellez · 22/12/2021 18:09

I just bought some bits at local co-op. It came to 72.99 and it wasn't much.

How on earth do those on a low income cope?

Are prices getting very high very quick or is it just me?

OP posts:
PiddleOfPuppies · 22/12/2021 19:47

@Nevermakeit

Just you wait.... I work in the food industry and I can tell you we have some big price increases planned for next year, and that is based on the belief our competitors will be doing the same, as commodity prices have increased. So that will be an entire category increasing significantly (about 20%)..... and I imagine it will be the same in other food categories!
I work in food packaging and we're in the same position. Wages have increased sharply to recruit even the lowest skilled jobs, plus raw materials and energy prices have gone through the roof. Our pallet costs have increased by 30% in the last 6 months.
flowerycurtain · 22/12/2021 19:50

I think you bought expensive food.

I'm a farmer. The product I produce is sold in the same price as 7 years ago. That's 7 years of feed, Labour, electric costs going up for us.

I'll eat my hat if they don't go up much further next year. Nitrogen shot up to a ridiculous amount this winter. If it doesn't drop there'll be a lot of farmers not planting next autumn.

dottiedodah · 22/12/2021 19:53

I think Co Op are expensive .They trade on being local I think . You are right though .We are on an average wage and can absorb the costs .People on NMW must use FB I imagine at least for some things

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 22/12/2021 19:54

Yes prices are through the roof- I can say that I am definitely tightening my belt, even without corona I’m really not eating out for the foreseeable, I need all the money I can for the “basics”

Original poster
JingleBellez · 22/12/2021 19:54

@cherryonthecakes

Yanbu but Coop is amongst the priciest supermarkets imo.
I know. But captive audience.
OP posts:
Original poster
JingleBellez · 22/12/2021 19:55

@dottiedodah

I think Co Op are expensive .They trade on being local I think . You are right though .We are on an average wage and can absorb the costs .People on NMW must use FB I imagine at least for some things
must have to x
OP posts:
Original poster
JingleBellez · 22/12/2021 19:55

@OnlyFoolsnMothers

Yes prices are through the roof- I can say that I am definitely tightening my belt, even without corona I’m really not eating out for the foreseeable, I need all the money I can for the “basics”
I'm in same boat. I don't like the look of what is on the horizon.
OP posts:
Newcomer68 · 22/12/2021 20:02

You're dead right. I've kept diaries all my life including occasional receipts from shopping and everything is suddenly shockingly expensive. And likely to get worse in the New Year thanks to the decision in 2016 plus global issues. Just one example - 6 pack of crisps was 99p, now £1.50. We'll be eating a lot more veg in 2022, making our own bread, and growing what we can. We won't be buying any new clothes, even secondhand, apart from socks and undies. I already do a full time job and additional freelance work. This coming year my national insurance and our council tax both increase. As will heating and petrol costs.

Beyond the car, Netflix and prime, we have very few luxury items and holidays are a distant memory. I had a better life 20 years ago on half my current salary. I never expected the cost of living in the UK to get this absurd.

I don't know how the heck people on low incomes, like the income my parents somehow brought us up on, are going to survive.

KateF · 22/12/2021 20:06

I'm getting quite scared to be honest. Just started a new job and hit the magic £10 an hour. In nursery work that's a good rate but it's being swallowed up so fast. I'm single but dd3 spends half her time here and is at an expensive age. I'm happy to live simply but there's only so much you can cut back before life becomes unpleasant, i.e.cold and hungry. The worry is overshadowing Christmas for me this year and I've had to reduce spending on presents for the dds but we'll still have a nice day on Boxing Day (they'll be at their dad's on Christmas Day).

LaurieFairyCake · 22/12/2021 20:15

I just got my energy bill through for last 26 days (I live in a 2 bed flat)

£186

(£86 for gas Shock) - I have had the heating on but about 4 hours a day

felulageller · 22/12/2021 20:15

Inflation is due to hit 5.5% in January, the highest in 30 years.

TractorAndHeadphones · 22/12/2021 20:24

I haven't noticed any significant increase but we buy the same things every week. Crisps/chocolate, pork, chicken, fresh veggies.
When they run out frozen veggies, pasta.
No lamb, beef or other processed foods

Original poster
JingleBellez · 22/12/2021 20:27

@felulageller

Inflation is due to hit 5.5% in January, the highest in 30 years.
Oh MY!
OP posts:
Original poster
JingleBellez · 22/12/2021 20:27

@LaurieFairyCake

I just got my energy bill through for last 26 days (I live in a 2 bed flat)

£186

(£86 for gas Shock) - I have had the heating on but about 4 hours a day

That's VERY high - is it right?
OP posts:
Original poster
JingleBellez · 22/12/2021 20:28

@Holothane

Everything is going up, we’ve scaled right back this Christmas.
I've had to cut down on kids pressies x
OP posts:
Dontgetyerknicksinatwist · 22/12/2021 20:30

I’m really worried. I only went to Sainsbury’s to get a few bits earlier and it cost me £60. If things carry on as they are I think things will get very hard for a lot of people. I’m not looking forward to Christmas as I’m absolutely dreading what next year will bring…

Newpuppymummy · 22/12/2021 20:32

Things that were £1 a few weeks ago are not £1.50! It’s crazy

52andblue · 22/12/2021 20:49

The Co Op is really expensive sadly! I'm a Carer for my 2 Autistic children. My husband left us so my Carers allowance of £67 p/w is topped up by Income Support as I'm now a single parent. I'm rural (hardly any buses) & my nearest Aldi is 10 miles away. I shop at 9pm & buy anything yellow stickered. We have some weird meals right enough but we DO eat enough (they're teens now and eat like horses) Otherwise I couldn't afford heating too.
The price of food, fuel, gas & electricity are all really high atm.

icelolly12 · 22/12/2021 20:54

Petrol and Diesel is astronomical, and having a knock on effect on everything.

icelolly12 · 22/12/2021 20:56

Are prices rising elsewhere at similar rate or just the UK?

52andblue · 22/12/2021 20:56

Sorry, that was an overshare about my circs, didn't mean to sound like a pity party! I got some good bits last night inc 2 packs of 2 x salmon fillets for our Christmas eve tea: £4.50 per pack (!) reduced to £1.44 per pack. V happy :)

icelolly12 · 22/12/2021 20:58

@flowerycurtain

I think you bought expensive food.

I'm a farmer. The product I produce is sold in the same price as 7 years ago. That's 7 years of feed, Labour, electric costs going up for us.

I'll eat my hat if they don't go up much further next year. Nitrogen shot up to a ridiculous amount this winter. If it doesn't drop there'll be a lot of farmers not planting next autumn.

You think those costs don't transfer to the consumer and it's only famers absorbing the cost?! Open your eyes
MatildaIThink · 22/12/2021 21:02

@icelolly12

Are prices rising elsewhere at similar rate or just the UK?
It is running around 4-4.5% in EU countries, 6.2% in the USA, around 3% in Australia and New Zealand, 5% in China and depending on when the year is taken (calendar or fiscal) it will be 4.6-5.6% in the UK.
StyxBankDweller · 22/12/2021 21:05

Yes, and it will get worse when more brexit customs controls start in January. Shipping and costs are more expensive because of brexit.

"Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said a combination of new regulations hindering trade between the EU and UK, a shortage of lorry drivers and a global lack of microchips had combined to create conditions for future inflation." www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/brexit-shop-prices-driver-shortage-b1912246.html

LaurieFairyCake · 22/12/2021 21:05

Jinglebellez

Yep, totally right - proper meter readings Sad