If food prices have risen by - what? 20% - and fuel is sky rocketing then tell me WHY...

[objectivity]

...are those dependent on state benefits still subsisting on the same paltry weekly allowance?

As a lone parent I have been in work and out of work from time to time, sometimes supported by Tax Credits, other times dependent upon Income Support. The money never really stretches far enough, but how on EARTH are we supposed to survive if everything is now costing more.

An annual review isn't good enough. My weekly costs are rising and rising, from week to week pretty much, so if my allocated benefit is the minimum I need to live on in April, and prices have risen since then, how am I supposed to be surviving in June?

Anyone else REALLY struggling- more than ever?

yy - market fruit and veg in this house too, and our local butcher is cheaper than supermarkets these days and also gives you as much as you want whereas I find the supermarkets increasingly sell meat in bigger packets that you don't need.

I agree it wouldn't work for everyone Effie but it would work for quite a few I reckon.

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PosieParker, tho' I've agreed with some of what you've said on this thread, we don't need to pay an extra 3% tax thank you very much.

We're on a very healthy income on paper, but by the time we've paid our mahoosive mortgage and paid for everything else there's very very little left over, and no rises for either of us this year.

Dh and I were just talking last night about, if we're feeling the pinch, how the hell are people on benefits managing?

I have started a best and cheapest meals thread in recipes....
I haven't put anything in as I have no idea of cost, I put things in my trolley with a 'la la la' fingers in ears style!!

lucky you!
i add it all up down to the last penny.
then put some back

We have a good income too but I am soooooooo rubbish with money that if they took another £xk a year I'm not sure we'd notice.

Scrap the last two posts I sound like an arsehole.

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Me too Mamazon! I add it up in my head and once I get to £75 I either stop shopping, or if I still haven't got something essential, I replace something.

Last week I realised I couldn't afford much fruit, which isn't good....

Ended up jettisoning a £4 punnet of strawberries in favour of a bottle of v cheap wine!

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did Xenia change her name?

just wondering why, when n a thread about people struggling financially, you would come and post such comments posie

Lucky us too - what we have is from hard work and education - why the feck should when things start getting hard we be the ones who are hit yet again????

You will get sod all sympathy on here if you are a top earner and are taxed to the hilt already regardless how you got there!

Martin Lewis recommends changing a few items and downbranding, ie if you buy brand buy supermarket, supermarket go value.... supposed to save 30%.

Mamazon, I never shop with my Nanny, she does it..... no I'm not Xenia!!!! I am a little tactless.

Stick to seasonal stuff, which is hard to fathom as it's all always in the shops!!!

i almost forgave you when you seemed to realise what a total wanker you sounded....im glad i didn't

Fio, that was my attempt at humour, I don;t have a Nanny if someone's going to ruin my children I want it to be me!!

Martin Lewis has got loads of tips, on moneysavingexpert.com.

dont jump on posie she cant help being loaded and ditzy

get fruit from local market or wholesale place (much cheaper) or stick to stuff on offer. I got one of the Tescos £1 pineapples and it was lovely

the thing i do miss is having my kids round for sunday lunch as i cant afford it now

well i cant afford it and fuel to see bf

cant really afford that either

but i have mastered the art of bad timing and having a bf who lives 100 miles away eptiomises it somewhat

Hey I'm not loaded, I'm a little out of touch , but soon to have to find my feet as we're supposed to be saving. I will know not to moan though.....

just joshing posie