Prepping for redundancy and recession

[Boltouttheblue]

DH will be made redundant in August and will get no redundancy pay as he will have been there 1 year and 11 months when he leaves. I'm trying to plan ahead to think of how we can best prep for this and the recession we are hurtling into. I'm trying to generally build up our stocks especially of things like toiletries, washing powder and cleaning things although there aren't many offers on currently. What other things can people suggest we prep? We already live a fairly modest lifestyle (eg. no Sky, Netflix etc) so there are few obvious things to cut back on. Thanks

When I've been properly seriously skint the thing that had the biggest impact although it was boring and time consuming, was religiously planning and batch cooking meals to make the most meals with the best variety with the same ingredients. It saves a lot of money. You may already do this so possibly pointless as a suggestion but I wanted to throw that in there. Starting now to build up a stock of 8-12 recipes which are cheap to make but which you know you like and can make with your eyes closed is a good way of prepping for that.
And I'm so sorry you guys are facing this, it must be really tough.

I'm sorry you are facing this. I've been there .
It sounds like you are a sensible person anyway but don't underestimate the importance of morale boosters and treats. It can be grim being sensible all the time. I've know idea what works for you but factor that in somehow.
And there is still time to get a few veggies going in the garden or on the window sill. Being a bit productive, even if it is only small scale, will make you feel better.

It’s 6 months without any new contracts for us now (Brexit/ir35/covid) and we have been living off on our savings. God knows what are we going to do if we have to be here for longer. We are trying to grow veggies in the garden already and I have always been a prepper so prepped a bit ahead. We are managing alright but if this continues for a year then we might have to rethink lots. Costco is my go to place for things like laundry stuff tissues etc and I should say I have saved a bit that way. always compare prices everywhere before you buy anything. For instance, my dd has set her heart on a build a den set that she was asking for her birthday and everywhere something like that was priced atleast £60. I searched the internet and asked around in fb groups who suggested it to buy at the works. Until then I never knew they had something like that for £12 so I bought two for £24 so she can build bigger things with them and also saved a bit.

Thanks, yes I think meal planning (which in 'normal' life I passionately hate, primarily because it's yet another thing to think about) is the way forward. We've got a lot better over the past few weeks at just getting on with whatever we've got in the fridge rather than constantly popping to the local Tesco Express. We're currently trying to grow some veg although the only thing that's taken with great enthusiasm are the radishes of which we now have dozens.
At the moment August seems a long way off but I know it will sneak up on us quickly and DH is going to find this super hard. He's early 50's, has worked since he's 16 and is fortunate to never have been unemployed. He likes to be busy and I worry he will rapidly spiral down if he doesn't get something else by the New Year

Dont give up on the veggies yet. Raddish grow super fast compared to most things.

I'd buy a few new clothes, so that you can 'treat' yourself to something 'new' if you need a boost.

Also if you send cards (birthday, anniversary...) buy them and stamps in advance.

During summer I try to pick lots of fresh berries and freeze for nice healthy smoothies for the rest of the year. Our shop usually sell big trays of strawberries cheap at the end of summer. I also freeze sliced bananas when they start to go a bit brown, instead of just throwing them out.

Sorry to hear that OP.

My DH was out of work for almost a year a couple of years ago and it was really tough.

I reckon there will be lots of shops doing summer sales so might be worth trying to get some bits then. Also TK Maxx always seems to have stuff like chocolates, liquorice etc which could make good token xmas presents that you could get in advance?

Might it be worth applying for a credit card now before his credit rating is effected. Obviously try not to use it if at all possible, but if there's an emergency and you have to borrow it will have a far better rate of intrest then anything he will qualify for while unemployed.

In a similar vein, think about swapping banks to one that pays a switching bonus (natwest offer £175). It requires a minimum pay in before you get it, so swap now while he still has the income, then save the bonuses.

Use a benefits calculator like turn 2 us to work out what benefits you can apply for. Once you have the figures you are in a better position to start budgeting.

Go through your bank statements and for every direct debt either cancel it if it's not essential (he. Netflix, Amazon prime etc.) Or if it's an essential like gas/electric check if your on the cheapest deal.

Sorry, that had paragraphs when I typed it.

Try to think ahead to the colder months and things which you might need then. Stock up on OTC meds, cold and flu treatments, cough medicine etc. Hot water bottles are always good to warm up a cold bed before getting in and might help you save a bit on the heating. Look in the outdoor shop sales for winter coats and warm socks etc if you need to replace them. If you come across food bargains use them to cook meals to freeze or just freeze but keep a list of things you have in your freezer. If you bake, you can make a whole batch of cakes or biscuits for much cheaper than in the shops and a lot of student websites have thrifty recipes for meals. I'm really sorry that you are going through this and hope that your DH finds another job soon.

Cookingonabootstrap.com is Jack Monroe.

She has great recipes and tells you exactly how much she spends.

Go through all your utilities and see where you can switch to make savings. The odd £10 here & there soon adds up to significant savings. Any savings you make use it to overpay on outstanding debts.

People are selling stuff on ebay & local Facebook pages, so try doing this for good stuff only. Any profits you make can be used to build up your food cupboard or Christmas budget.

Not quite what you asked, but is he applying for jobs (any), has he brushed up his CV? It's easier to get a job when you're in one, which he still is, so it's a good time to apply for whatever jobs are out there, even if they are below his experience. Sympathies OP, it's a difficult time.

Hello @Boltouttheblue just come across your thread and wondered how you’re doing?

Weird from a stranger I know, but I love Mumsnet for that.