To ask how you are economising

[contentedsoul]

We’re all going to be affected either personally or close friends/relatives

Just wondered if you’ve all started cutting back and how extreme

Heating not been on for 2 days
Still have hot water
All lights not needed switched off
Hallway, lamps etc
Airport flask filled first thing (holds 2 full kettles) lasted all day
I’m on a mission to cut back to the bones - not spending anything except bare essentials.

Thank god winter is almost over - had it been before Xmas... what with Xmas shopping, heating etc etc

@Leaannb
Your last post does nothing to show you in a good light.
Arrogance is never a good look.
Not quite sure how I deserved the “judgmental and classist” comment.

Back to topic....hope everyone is ok.
Thanks for contributing ideas.

My son last night sneakily cleared his plate of carrots in the bin - then raided the biscuit tin! I really hope this doesn’t impact on kids.

Once again grown up adults have fucked up - RE: the initial outbreak.

@Leaannb**
Your last post does nothing to show you in a good light.
Arrogance is never a good look.
Not quite sure how I deserved the “judgmental and classist” comment

I don't think you're being fair to @Leaannb
Here really and wonder if you've misinterpreted her posts. I came on to say something similar, my income is unaffected for now so I won't be cutting back, the opposite, I'll be spending where I can and therefore putting money into the economy. Eg my childminder, cleaner and kids piano teacher will all be being paid although they won't be doing the work and I'll be buying take aways and gift vouchers from local businesses and contributing to food banks/hardship funds where I can. Cutting back is important for many people who's incomes are now compromised and I have massive amounts of sympathy for that, but if those of us who can afford to spend, choose to squirrel our money away instead that would actually be massively more damaging for the economy ultimately.

@Matildathehun77
@Leaannb claims to have empathy, her glib post on this thread shows that she doesn't.

If she had, have come on here and just urged people who aren't affected to put more back into the economy, then perhaps.

The 'judgemental and classest' comment certainly wasn't deserved. It reminds me of the Tory politician who responded to her constituent's fears with 'get a life'.

Or those that respond to Charity posts on FB, with their 'I'm alright jack' type responses. What good did her posts on tgis thread do?

I'm not an essential worker, but I will be very busy from today so fingers crossed, my income should be ok.

However I'm reducing leftovers as much as possible and rationing the bog roll!

Trying hard not to buy just because things are in stock - milk, meat etc. I have plenty and no more freezer space so I need to eat what we have.
Going to try the kid's snack box today: put in all snacks for the day, plus a cup for drinking and when snacks are gone they're gone. Maybe I'll do it for me too... I'll be the side of a house before the end of any lockdown if I'm not careful. I always graze when WFH.

In fact I increased our expenses for this year by meeting with organizations to donate monthly to the people who need it most.

I don’t get this. Don’t you just go on a website and set up a direct debit?

That doesn't sound virtue signally enough though @Luc1nder

I didn't waste food in the first place. Have started cycling to work (was planning to start anyway).

I was saying to DH last we're going to save a fortune with social distancing. No more trips to cafes, cinemas, retyayeabts, swimming pools etc. All our trips out now will be to park, woods, countryside with a picnic.

Thank you for the the thread @contentedsoul

It's day two of self-isolation here. Going batshit, if truth be told.

I've switched off the heating after reading this thread, though for some reason the thermometer was on full whack, so not sure how long that's been like that for.

I'm batch cooking spag bol today and instead of dividing into three portions I'll split it into four using extra veg. And that'll be with the hope that my online order will arrive week after next.

Today I'll be cancelling swimming lessons. That's also with the hope that this thing will bugger off shortly.

Just made 2 cups of tea from 1 tea bag, the thought of running out is tipping me over the edge.

Kids and DH are eating dinner, I eat what’s left to avoid any food waste. Will have potatoes fried with butter and veg for lunch today.

Most of the money I earn is spent on unnecessary things like petrol, cinema, theatre, visits to London, weekends away, holidays, hairdressers and manicures, gym membership, new clothes, cafes and restaurants.

Suddenly I won't be buying any of that.

I will try and support businesses though, I will keep up my arts cinema membership for example even though it's closed. I also really like the idea of buying gift tokens.

It's made me realize how much money I waste...

We are planning our meals, using less, nothing is being wasted, bread portioned up and put in freezer bags. When I think about how much bread, bagged salad has gone into our kitchen bin over the years, it makes me feel really bad. Getting ready for some weird meal combos as supplies deplete.

I am usually shocking when it comes to saving leftovers (DH even worse) but now all food is being guarded ferociously and every bloody uneaten morsel is saved and stored for the next day!

2)eggs will be 1 at a time (instead of usual 2 or 3) twice a week

This is a good one. I eat eggs like candy - okay, not really, but I do eat a LOT, so will try to ration.

If you still have income and some savings please don't stop spending. If possible, spend at local shops or order from small businesses online.

Everyone cutting back spending will make the economic crisis worse, which means all of us will have less money.

Those lucky enough to still have an income need to spend - I'm not promoting waste, just saying don't cut spending to the bone.

@TeaAndDarkToast
Just opening a crack, so a breeze comes in is enough. I used to tell dp off for opening the windows in winter but mould quicky started appearing so I appologised and we now crack the window open in the bedrooms in the day, the living room when we are in the kitchen and the kitchem when we are cooking or in the living room. Half an hour will do just to keep the circulation.
We will be alright now because its march and warming up.

I had to stop posting though because everyone got mean and thought I was a troll! [Blush]

I'm on day four after developing symptoms on Monday - only ten days to go 🙈

I feel much better today. The last few days I've felt too rubbish to really do much - which is probably good for my bank balance.

I've cancelled things like Spotify and unnecessary online viewing services - managed to save about £6 "cancelling" NowTV so they offered me three months at a discounted price - every little helps!

Otherwise I'm not driving anywhere so saving on fuel and all the coffees I buy at the petrol station

Buying more than a weeks worth of shopping drop a meal plan.
Using the wood burner in the evenings instead of the heating.
Making meals that might do 2 days worth or dinner one evening and the following lunch.
Bigger meals for the kids at mealtimes so they don’t keep asking for snacks.

We’ve asked the banks for breaks on everything possible. We’ve reviewed everything like mobile phone contracts. Not going to the office I’m saving a packet on food and coffee. Reducing meat next I guess.

I should add our situation is not so bad as my work seems stable. But my partner’s income is now zero as a direct result of the situation so we are cutting back. Thoughts with everyone who’s feeling scared about their financial circumstances. This is going to impact lots more families and it’s going to feel very unfair.

Batch cooked, portioned it out and frozen, to reduce waste. Will bulk portions out with rice. As someone else said, pasta will be a treat...

Like the idea of filling up a flask each morning.

I've practised economies since my DH died as I shit myself about money.

1. All re-charging of devices done on cheap rate lecky or at work.
2. Dishwasher run after 10.00 p.m
3. Washing machine ditto, also coolest shortest wash.
4. Out of the room, turn off the light.

We are trying to be more mindful of our food usage . Even DD who is super fussy. I have told her If we have to have Beans on toast for supper or Ravioli then thats all we can have .She is OK with this (no choice really!) As far as heating /lights are concerned try to be careful anyway!Trying to get everyone on board with Loo roll ,maybe just a wee stand and shake! This is a wake up call really, to show how much we consume and how if theres no choice we really can eat everything!

I'm one of the fortunate people who knows they will still get paid, and like some other posters, am thinking that I will save quite a lot of money with restaurants, cinemas etc not being open. Where we often slip up is in wasting food bought for home, so I have been meal planning ferociously these last few days. Have also packed my online shop with sensible foods not so much crap. All welcome changes!