How are so many people still spending as normal?

[nc1962]

I'm so confused by what I'm hearing compared to how people seem to be living their lives.

On the one hand, it's everywhere about job losses, redundancies, people not being able to pay mortgages. But on the other - a lot of people I know/vague acquaintances are going on holiday at every opportunity, buying a lot of stuff and spending a lot of money on house renovations.

Our household has been hit badly by all of this, with a massive drop in income.

Of course it's different for everyone and up to people how they spend, but I'm so uncertain what to think. Are there really so many households (normal as opposed to very rich) who have been able to carry on as normal? I thought we were very typical in terms of having taken a big hit, but now I don't know what to think and whether this is a short term or long term thing.

I wanted to ask what others are finding to be the case - are a lot of people you know carrying on as normal, or has there been a big financial impact?

I'm saving about a fifth of my salary every month from not commuting, holidaying, going out, buying work clothes etc.

My window lock just broke, not closing, kettle stopped boiling and need new oven. Ahhhhhh

During the first lockdown I was a student, living off my student loan and tax credits for the kids. I spent the lockdown homeschooling my 3 younger ones while working on my dissertation and our placements went ahead, although some were wfh.
Since July when I finished my degree, I have been looking for a job in the healthcare sector (you'd think that would be easy) without success and when my carefully-budgeted student loan ran out mid August I have been trying to pay my rent and feed 4 kids, one of whom just turned 18 so I no longer get benefits for them, on tax credits, child benefit and housing benefit which doesn't cover the rent. Their father contributes nothing.
At least they now get a hot dinner at school and I'd have gone under if I hadn't had the food vouchers in the summer. Plus now the heating is on when the kids are home.
I'm hoping to get a job soon but life is pretty shit atm. As soon as I get a job my benefits will stop so I don't think we'll be any better off ☹️

We're ok at the moment but not taking it for granted at all.

Its never going to end. Just been for petrol 7 people in garage 4 without mask 😱

It's funny @Ddot I only hear of ppl being exempt on Mumsnet...I work in a huge company and we have over 700 employees...WE HAVE to wear a mask on site...ALL DAY, except when eating. And everyone adheres to the rule...no one is exempt...funny that!!

I live up north, very few adhere to rules. Social distancing, mask wearing it's a nightmare. Police got goverment money last lockdown to control virus, spent huge amount on sandwiches for their lunch

I've said things to people about wearing mask keeping distance and been swore at a few times. Shopping is awful

@EmmaGrundyForPM yup our heating bill is going to be awful - previously we just had it on in the morning and evening for an hour or two, now it's on all day :S

@Poppyismyfavourite if you are wfh you can claim £6 tax relief a week because of the extra costs like heating - look on the money saving expert website for info

There are plenty of people whose income isn't affected. I've worked throughout, very hard but from home, in my permanent and secure job.

During the previous lockdown period we saved a lot of money on commuting, children's school travel, kids' activities, work clothes, cleaners, gym membership, not holidays or socialising etc etc

Both mine and DHs industries are thriving at a result of Covid.

In the last month DH has made a significant step up in title and salary/bens.

@PattyPan ooh thanks I'll have a look

We are saving about £1k a month, no commute, no lunches, no coffees, no going out!