What cut backs have you made recently?

[r3g]

paulguitar said:

r3g said:

The real "cutbacks" we all need to be making is stop paying taxes and get these parasites out of power and string them up from lamp posts.

Why the shock? Or are you suggesting that the government is doing a fine job of managing the country with our taxes? Because reading this and other threads, hundreds of thousands of people and businesses are going to be wiped out in the coming months, which is entirely the fault of the government and their complete lack of foresight and planning.

[paulguitar]

r3g said:

Why the shock?

r3g said:

string them up from lamp posts.

[r3g]

paulguitar said:

r3g said:

Why the shock?

r3g said:

string them up from lamp posts.

Perhaps a little extreme. Let's see what people think about the government in 6+ months time when they have no job, can't afford food, electricity or heating and they are freezing to death in their homes, fending off bailiffs every week?

[paulguitar]

r3g said:

paulguitar said:

r3g said:

Why the shock?

r3g said:

string them up from lamp posts.

Perhaps a little extreme. Let's see what people think about the government in 6+ months time when they have no job, can't afford food or heating and they are freezing to death in their homes, fending off bailiffs every week?

I suspect we'll be more civilised than to go full Mussolini.

[r3g]

paulguitar said:

I suspect we'll be more civilised than to go full Mussolini.

The history books suggest otherwise once people have nothing left to lose.

[OutInTheShed]

GT3Manthey said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Very sadly I think you are right . Kennels are going to become overwhelmed with stray and disowned dogs. Makes me very sad.

Costs- yes that’s the issue.
We pay £60 per month just for our dogs insurance & then there’s a £500 excess with any claim.

I’ve no idea tbh what we spend on her food & treats but I’d estimate another £50 a month.

Dog charities are already struggling.

[DT1975]

Whistle said:

Next door is going to have a damp problem very soon.

Don't worry I wouldn't bang something like that up against a neighbours house wall and they wouldn't let me. It's actually a free standing double bricked boundary wall about 15 / 20 feet from next doors house. Notwithstanding due to the slope their driveway is halfway up the other side of that wall. As a result there's not much we can do with the space (fully enclose it etc) as the wall will always be damp.

Edited by DT1975 on Wednesday 24th August 11:32

[lornemalvo]

Kickstart said:

r3g said:

Neighbour has got shut of their dog of 7 years. Thought it was quiet over the past couple of weeks as it yaps at the sound of a pin dropping a mile away and is generally a pain in the arse. Apparently it was costing too much to keep so they sent it off to a rescue centre. Feel sorry for the dog but can't say I'm sad to see the back of it.

They've still got the cat for now, but they've said if cat food goes up much more that will be going as well.

I think Mrs K would get rid of me long before the dog…

Heartless bds. I hope the dog finds a better home

[James6112]

r3g said:

Neighbour has got shut of their dog of 7 years. Thought it was quiet over the past couple of weeks as it yaps at the sound of a pin dropping a mile away and is generally a pain in the arse. Apparently it was costing too much to keep so they sent it off to a rescue centre. Feel sorry for the dog but can't say I'm sad to see the back of it.

They've still got the cat for now, but they've said if cat food goes up much more that will be going as well.

Assuming they are in genuine trouble, times must be pretty desperate to have to do this. More dire than I can imagine.
Refer them to food bank?, they can supply animal feed:-
https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/a35...

Edited by James6112 on Wednesday 24th August 15:01

[r3g]

James6112 said:

Assuming they are in genuine trouble, times must be pretty desperate to have to do this. More dire than I can imagine.
Refer them to food bank?, they can supply animal feed:-
https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/a35...

Edited by James6112 on Wednesday 24th August 15:01

Thanks. It's perhaps worth mentioning that the neighbour, kids and dog fit most of the 'council' stereotypes found in the thread elsewhere on this site, so in some ways it's probably a relief for the dog.

[mattyprice4004]

lornemalvo said:

Kickstart said:

r3g said:

Neighbour has got shut of their dog of 7 years. Thought it was quiet over the past couple of weeks as it yaps at the sound of a pin dropping a mile away and is generally a pain in the arse. Apparently it was costing too much to keep so they sent it off to a rescue centre. Feel sorry for the dog but can't say I'm sad to see the back of it.

They've still got the cat for now, but they've said if cat food goes up much more that will be going as well.

I think Mrs K would get rid of me long before the dog…

Heartless bds. I hope the dog finds a better home

That's absolutely horrendous - pets are part of the family.
Our cat is an absolute pain in the arse, but I'd go hungry before I let her go.

[Regbuser]

I dunno, a cat can make a damn tasty stir fry

[ARHarh]

Regbuser said:

I dunno, a cat can make a damn tasty stir fry

My cats rubbish at cooking, especially stir fry's

[twing]

ARHarh said:

Regbuser said:

I dunno, a cat can make a damn tasty stir fry

My cats rubbish at cooking, especially stir fry's

[johnnyBv8]

We're lucky that this time last year we fixed our mortgage at 1% for 5 years, our combined 'take home' net income is around £12k/mth, and we don't have very many outgoings. The major exception is being in the middle of a major property refurbishment. I've always kept an eye on what I spend, and have never had car loans/PCP/leases etc. The main frugal areas for me are:

- Turned hot water temp down.
- Last winter turned the heating down by a bit, closed off rooms not being used, and the house is set into zones so that when wfh the heating upstairs is still off.
- Usual switching off lights etc.
- Rarely buy takeaway coffee (though my wife does!)
- Keep an eye on renewals...breakdown cover, insurance etc etc.
- Buy most food from Lidl (or sometimes Tesco) - used to always be Waitrose, and it's a big difference.
- Carefully shop around for building materials etc, reuse timber etc where feasible, and do most of the work myself.

Also considering cutting down on cars.... to be honest could probably manage with 1 (though would probably add a tension as my wife doesnt really look after cars!).

None of this is needed month to month, but they're all choices that fundamentally make minimal if any difference to quality of life. I'm always a bit surprised to see how much people seem to spend (new leased cars etc).

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Saturday 27th August 07:44

[gotoPzero]

At £12k a month I wouldn't worry too much!!

[BlindedByTheLights]

gotoPzero said:

At £12k a month I wouldn't worry too much!!

Yes that’s a very nice income!

[Fusion777]

gotoPzero said:

At £12k a month I wouldn't worry too much!!

Agreed. Being spend-conscious is useful, but let’s be realistic/pragmatic.

[johnnyBv8]

gotoPzero said:

At £12k a month I wouldn't worry too much!!

I think for me it's more that if cutting back makes no difference to quality of life, then why wouldn't you. I totally acknowledge that in my current situation these aren't cuts to make ends meet, but I've never been particularly wasteful and that hasn't been influenced by being more comfortable.

Things can change, and whilst I still owe other people money (i.e. a mortgage) and whllst I still have to work, it seems sensible to keep an eye on spending.

[gotoPzero]

Each to their own, you are right its sensible to make savings where its easy and low effort.

Would I be eating 35p Lidl bread vs a really nice proper loaf from the local bakery to save £2. No.