The hidden costs of working!

[Snog]

I lost my job due to ill health this year.
Fortunately DP is working, but we have taken a big hit on income. I have always worked full time so not working is very new to me. Life does seem to be significantly cheaper without the expenses related to working. I am past the stage of needing childcare, however
I no longer spend:
£60 a month on lunches at work
£10 a month on work cards and gifts
£100 a month on work clothes
£60 a year on work meals out
£100 on xmas gifts for my team

On top of this I no longer need to spend as much on other things as I have time to shop around and don't need to do stuff at peak times eg can shop at Aldi

What savings do you make by not having a job?

Yeah don't think OP was saying she is better off - just that their disposable income hasn't dropped pound for pound of lost income.

My biggest hidden cost of working is the holidays. Work is Cheep £6 petrol a day £4 lunch but I work 6 on 6 off shift pattern so time off is £40 day petrol, Meals out, entertainment etc. then you add in holidays and there's another £10-20k a year. so work is cheep for me and I get to pay all that tax to allow the people who think not working is a lifestyle choice and the rest of us should pay to allow them this choice.

Blimey I'm glad that for me going to work is cheaper than it was for you.
Lunches £0. I take my own.
Clothes. £0. I don't buy anything special
Work cards and gifts £ not much. Certainly nowhere near £120 a year - not even a quarter
Christmas. £5. If we do a secret sant
Work meals out. £0. I don't go on works do.