What cut backs have you made recently?
Discussion
MercedesClassic said:
Food savings seem to be a popular choice. Has anyone noticed that reduced items, you know in that short date section don't seem to be the bargains they used to be?
I noticed in Tesco the other day items that were maybe £5 reduced to £4. I thought to myself if I wanted the item I'd probably buy the in date item due to the minimal saving compared to quality and food poisoning risk.
I actually went in to buy a whole cooked chicken. They're about £5.50 now, up in price but worth it for the number of meals I get out of it. Usually they have long dates too.
They were all out of date the next day but full price. Didn't buy any for that reason. Ironically they were on the shelf above the reduced stuff too.
Given the cost of electricity and gas, cooked chickens are a good ideaI noticed in Tesco the other day items that were maybe £5 reduced to £4. I thought to myself if I wanted the item I'd probably buy the in date item due to the minimal saving compared to quality and food poisoning risk.
I actually went in to buy a whole cooked chicken. They're about £5.50 now, up in price but worth it for the number of meals I get out of it. Usually they have long dates too.
They were all out of date the next day but full price. Didn't buy any for that reason. Ironically they were on the shelf above the reduced stuff too.
okgo said:
Just looking down my own list, the dar and away obvious one is childcare. I wonder if this will start to factor in time. I've said elsewhere on here but nursery 4-5 days a week is 1000-2000 a month depending where you live, mine being upper end of that. Reckon could easily chop 1k by finding a childminder or similar.
nursery fees are a bit of a killer here! daughter started nursery in march ‘21 @ £60 per day, june ‘21 they went up to £63.50, in april this year they went up to £67.50 a day. she’s in 4days per week, which means i’m just over a year we’re now paying an extra £1,500 a year! roll on the end of this year till we get some ‘funded childcare ’ hours back! i’m really struggling with all this at the moment, because i’m my mind we are doing every right: we’re not over stretched on a mortgage, no cars on finance, no credit/ store cards etc…. combined we earn a very decent salary, we pay the bills and put money into savings/ isa’s every month and slightly over pay on the mortgage and have an ok amount in the bank for a rainy day.
but at the moment, we just have less and less left over, everything is getting more expensive, our isa’s have lost 15% of their value, we’re thinking should we go on a holiday? is that a waste of money? should we go out for that dinner? hmmm nah let’s not bother with those concert tickets….. thankfully we’re still in a good position, but i really worry about others (friends and family included!) that might not be ok!
my only relief/ comfort is, that seeing this through in an ok position should mean we will be in an even better position on the other side! plus i hope to win the euromillions tonight and none of this even matters!
Go Compare said:
It does make we wonder how close to the sun some are flying with the amount of desirable cars I see being driven about.
I'm surprised that around half of the cars on motorways are still bombing around doing 80+ ! These are not little ecoboxes either, they are your average Audi and BMW saloon type stuff, so at those speeds 40mpg for diesel and 30mpg or less for petrols, and obviously much lower for the heavier SUVs. Where are they getting the money from to pay for the fuel? Diesel is near enough £2 a litre now and petrol is only 10p behind. Are they just maxing out their credit cards and will worry about how to start paying it off next year when the 0% runs out?I think the reality of the situation is going to hit people like a brickwall come October when the energy price cap ends and 50%+ rises are expected. If Russia turns off the taps to Europe as many analysts are predicting then that 50% could easily become 100%. So many people seem to be completely oblivious to the incoming shtstorm.
PF62 said:
ChocolateFrog said:
Washed the dog in the garden with the hosepipe yesterday, that saved £50.
You pay someone £50 to wash your dog? £50!!!It used to be something like £28 for a large dog and they put it upto nearly £50.
He's not been since, but also hadn't been washed for about a year.
r3g said:
I'm surprised that around half of the cars on motorways are still bombing around doing 80+ ! These are not little ecoboxes either, they are your average Audi and BMW saloon type stuff, so at those speeds 40mpg for diesel and 30mpg or less for petrols, and obviously much lower for the heavier SUVs. Where are they getting the money from to pay for the fuel? Diesel is near enough £2 a litre now and petrol is only 10p behind. Are they just maxing out their credit cards and will worry about how to start paying it off next year when the 0% runs out?
I think the reality of the situation is going to hit people like a brickwall come October when the energy price cap ends and 50%+ rises are expected. If Russia turns off the taps to Europe as many analysts are predicting then that 50% could easily become 100%. So many people seem to be completely oblivious to the incoming shtstorm.
Trouble is, there’s a large number of people who will hit that brick wall through their own financial mis-management.I think the reality of the situation is going to hit people like a brickwall come October when the energy price cap ends and 50%+ rises are expected. If Russia turns off the taps to Europe as many analysts are predicting then that 50% could easily become 100%. So many people seem to be completely oblivious to the incoming shtstorm.
We’ll all get to pay for whatever package is thrown to bail them out.**
I wonder if I’m doing this all wrong!
- I’m very aware that there’s a large number of people who’ll get hit by the same wall through no fault of their own. I’m happy with that side of the bail out.
r3g said:
Go Compare said:
It does make we wonder how close to the sun some are flying with the amount of desirable cars I see being driven about.
I'm surprised that around half of the cars on motorways are still bombing around doing 80+ ! These are not little ecoboxes either, they are your average Audi and BMW saloon type stuff, so at those speeds 40mpg for diesel and 30mpg or less for petrols, and obviously much lower for the heavier SUVs. Where are they getting the money from to pay for the fuel? Diesel is near enough £2 a litre now and petrol is only 10p behind. Are they just maxing out their credit cards and will worry about how to start paying it off next year when the 0% runs out?I think the reality of the situation is going to hit people like a brickwall come October when the energy price cap ends and 50%+ rises are expected. If Russia turns off the taps to Europe as many analysts are predicting then that 50% could easily become 100%. So many people seem to be completely oblivious to the incoming shtstorm.
They have a monthly financial buffer and / or they've cut back elsewhere.
Nickbrapp said:
For a lot of people it was already close that if one of them (usually the mum) going to work made sense, lots of parents in admin roles on £18-22kish, or worked 16 hours and get the tax credits for the rest of it. With the cost of everything going up, it makes me think the cost of fuel, trains or childcare one will just give up and be s full time parent. A bit like it was back in the day.
Of course. For us annoyingly my wife and I earn about the same, so it really doesn't make sense not to. Plus I could not do 5 days a week of toddler care tbh. Anyway, as you say, it could well revert to how it used to be for a lot of people.I don't know where the post went that someone deleted, but perhaps it isn't £1k, but a childminder is going to be substantially cheaper than a proper nursery, m neighbour has just taken her kid out of one into a childminder and hasn't mentioned numbers but it is a lot less.
okgo said:
Of course. For us annoyingly my wife and I earn about the same, so it really doesn't make sense not to. Plus I could not do 5 days a week of toddler care tbh. Anyway, as you say, it could well revert to how it used to be for a lot of people.
I don't know where the post went that someone deleted, but perhaps it isn't £1k, but a childminder is going to be substantially cheaper than a proper nursery, m neighbour has just taken her kid out of one into a childminder and hasn't mentioned numbers but it is a lot less.
Like everyone else's our childcare increased in April to around £75 per day.I don't know where the post went that someone deleted, but perhaps it isn't £1k, but a childminder is going to be substantially cheaper than a proper nursery, m neighbour has just taken her kid out of one into a childminder and hasn't mentioned numbers but it is a lot less.
The way i see it is that its not an incredibly well paid job and it is really really challenging.
There is a lack of fully qualified nursery workers at the moment. I know of some nurseries running on around 50% qualified and the others trainees that is pretty unheard of.
I think the cost of living will effect quite a few industries that are on minimal pay such as childcare. In my opinion a nursery is far superior to any child minder in terms of child development.
okgo said:
For some yes. For also some it won't. Unless you can tell me how it will affect me in a huge way for example, perhaps something I've not thought about?
When I was last working the cost of living would have had to go up 300% before it would have caught me out. Now retired its a bit different, but I still think we will will need a substantial rise in costs or 10% + inflation for the next 5 years or so. I don't think I would be that different to many couples in their late 50's or early 60's.okgo said:
r3g said:
Yet.
For some yes. For also some it won't. Unless you can tell me how it will affect me in a huge way for example, perhaps something I've not thought about?I think for many it wont. They'll adjust in other ways. As has been discussed, perhaps cut down on foreign holidays, go somewhere cheaper, less days out, less meals out, less carry outs.
Deep Thought said:
r3g said:
Go Compare said:
It does make we wonder how close to the sun some are flying with the amount of desirable cars I see being driven about.
I'm surprised that around half of the cars on motorways are still bombing around doing 80+ ! These are not little ecoboxes either, they are your average Audi and BMW saloon type stuff, so at those speeds 40mpg for diesel and 30mpg or less for petrols, and obviously much lower for the heavier SUVs. Where are they getting the money from to pay for the fuel? Diesel is near enough £2 a litre now and petrol is only 10p behind. Are they just maxing out their credit cards and will worry about how to start paying it off next year when the 0% runs out?I think the reality of the situation is going to hit people like a brickwall come October when the energy price cap ends and 50%+ rises are expected. If Russia turns off the taps to Europe as many analysts are predicting then that 50% could easily become 100%. So many people seem to be completely oblivious to the incoming shtstorm.
They have a monthly financial buffer and / or they've cut back elsewhere.
If I stick to 50, I might get 60mpg at best.
So for 100 miles of motorway on a weekend trip I'd save 1/3 of a gallon, i.e. 1.5 litres or three quid.
For and extra 45 minutes on the M5. £4 an hour.
The extra cost of driving to the speed limit is trivial, compared to what it costs to own the car and drive slower than my Dad.
I think you are right, there is trouble ahead, because many people will not be able to trim their costs very much and the spending cuts they are able to make will impact the incomes of others.
Less spending on eating out, drinking in pubs, coffee out etc will directly hit jobs.
As will reduced spending on goods.
The low earning third of society were overspending already.
The high earning third will just invest less.
Those in the middle might have to think hard before spending or cut back?
Retired people will burn through more of their savings so the young will inherit less.
Mine are all mainly electricity related, helped by a smart meter. Almost found you don’t need an actual TV, the meter is entertaining in itself to watch.
I’m on elec only (no gas appliances or central heating) with storage heaters.
In no particular order.
Heated throw on the settee and heated blanket in beds. Heating didn’t go on once over the winter. Not a single time. Granted it’s a 2 bed flat, I’m in my own the majority of my time so don’t need to worry about anyone else being cold. Also, I have neighbours each side and below. Get a fair amount of residual heat, plus I’ve got AAA rated double glazing. But I’m not being a martyr. I was at a comfortable temp.
Shutting the living room door when the TV is on made a huge difference. It’s 75” and like most big screens they are horribly inefficient (if you check most are a G rating.)
In the evening the thermometer on a clock I have in the room will go up 2/3 degrees with a few hours in TV watching. It’s basically a massive heater you can watch programmes on
Not using the TV and PS5 to stream and watch TV programmes. Easily save £15 a month watching TV on an iPad instead, or half way house and cast from IPad instead of streaming. So, I’ll watch films etc on the big screen and documentaries etc where it doesn’t really matter on the iPad.
Installing a boiling tap. Has a tank that holds about 2 litres of water. No need for kettle nor putting the water on (which always struck me as wasteful , heating gallons to wash the dishes- the shower heats itself.) Cost 300 installed, will pay for itself in 2 years I reckon.
Using night time elec rates and down to 30 degree for washing. Cut a wash load cost in half.
Using an elec fan to dry washing on a maiden. Works well even in the winter.
Using slow cooker instead of the oven and/or if the oven is on batch cooking stuff to make use of it being on.
Lined my curtains. Keep the warmth in. Added blinds to kitchen window, similar reason. Use LED strip lights (which have the added bonus of being nice and ambient) which cost pennies to run, over normal light fittings in the kitchen and living room.
Shower discipline. Stopped running it to “warm up” and then brushing teeth etc or faffing about.
Put lights on timers and an app.
All the above I think I have shaved £ 30/35 off my elec bill in winter months especially. Extrapolate that out to a bigger property or larger family and it mounts up.
I’m on elec only (no gas appliances or central heating) with storage heaters.
In no particular order.
Heated throw on the settee and heated blanket in beds. Heating didn’t go on once over the winter. Not a single time. Granted it’s a 2 bed flat, I’m in my own the majority of my time so don’t need to worry about anyone else being cold. Also, I have neighbours each side and below. Get a fair amount of residual heat, plus I’ve got AAA rated double glazing. But I’m not being a martyr. I was at a comfortable temp.
Shutting the living room door when the TV is on made a huge difference. It’s 75” and like most big screens they are horribly inefficient (if you check most are a G rating.)
In the evening the thermometer on a clock I have in the room will go up 2/3 degrees with a few hours in TV watching. It’s basically a massive heater you can watch programmes on
Not using the TV and PS5 to stream and watch TV programmes. Easily save £15 a month watching TV on an iPad instead, or half way house and cast from IPad instead of streaming. So, I’ll watch films etc on the big screen and documentaries etc where it doesn’t really matter on the iPad.
Installing a boiling tap. Has a tank that holds about 2 litres of water. No need for kettle nor putting the water on (which always struck me as wasteful , heating gallons to wash the dishes- the shower heats itself.) Cost 300 installed, will pay for itself in 2 years I reckon.
Using night time elec rates and down to 30 degree for washing. Cut a wash load cost in half.
Using an elec fan to dry washing on a maiden. Works well even in the winter.
Using slow cooker instead of the oven and/or if the oven is on batch cooking stuff to make use of it being on.
Lined my curtains. Keep the warmth in. Added blinds to kitchen window, similar reason. Use LED strip lights (which have the added bonus of being nice and ambient) which cost pennies to run, over normal light fittings in the kitchen and living room.
Shower discipline. Stopped running it to “warm up” and then brushing teeth etc or faffing about.
Put lights on timers and an app.
All the above I think I have shaved £ 30/35 off my elec bill in winter months especially. Extrapolate that out to a bigger property or larger family and it mounts up.
I did appreciate this.
We've found the secret to being able to afford multiple luxury holidays a year
Not sure I needed The Telegraph to tell me that the secret is to be f
king rich 
We've found the secret to being able to afford multiple luxury holidays a year
Not sure I needed The Telegraph to tell me that the secret is to be f
king rich For everyone's sake, let us hope inflation will not remain high for too long.
There is a problem though, if we are hoping that some of the current high costs will reduce.
The common published inflation figure, is CPI trailing 12 months. The main huge increases (energy related, fuel, gas and electricity) affected the CPI figure durng a few months recently.
12 months later, those price increases will drop out of the CPI published figure (therefore having a reduction effect on inflation).
However, we might still be paying high prices for energy related commodities, even whilst being told inflation is coming down.
The TV news readers normally read out why inflation has changed. Occasionally we can then shout at the screen, "You idiot, the actual ccause is the big increase 12 months ago, which has just dropped out of the calculation".
Funny old business.
r3g said:
I'm surprised that around half of the cars on motorways are still bombing around doing 80+ ! These are not little ecoboxes either, they are your average Audi and BMW saloon type stuff, so at those speeds 40mpg for diesel and 30mpg or less for petrols, and obviously much lower for the heavier SUVs. Where are they getting the money from to pay for the fuel? Diesel is near enough £2 a litre now and petrol is only 10p behind. Are they just maxing out their credit cards and will worry about how to start paying it off next year when the 0% runs out?
I think the reality of the situation is going to hit people like a brickwall come October when the energy price cap ends and 50%+ rises are expected. If Russia turns off the taps to Europe as many analysts are predicting then that 50% could easily become 100%. So many people seem to be completely oblivious to the incoming shtstorm.
Lots of company cars and people with fuel cards? I have all my fuel paid for so it doesn’t make a difference to me. Others will pay the standard flat rate tax for fuel so don’t pay for it either. Some people are just loaded? I think the reality of the situation is going to hit people like a brickwall come October when the energy price cap ends and 50%+ rises are expected. If Russia turns off the taps to Europe as many analysts are predicting then that 50% could easily become 100%. So many people seem to be completely oblivious to the incoming shtstorm.
Nickbrapp said:
r3g said:
I'm surprised that around half of the cars on motorways are still bombing around doing 80+ ! These are not little ecoboxes either, they are your average Audi and BMW saloon type stuff, so at those speeds 40mpg for diesel and 30mpg or less for petrols, and obviously much lower for the heavier SUVs. Where are they getting the money from to pay for the fuel? Diesel is near enough £2 a litre now and petrol is only 10p behind. Are they just maxing out their credit cards and will worry about how to start paying it off next year when the 0% runs out?
I think the reality of the situation is going to hit people like a brickwall come October when the energy price cap ends and 50%+ rises are expected. If Russia turns off the taps to Europe as many analysts are predicting then that 50% could easily become 100%. So many people seem to be completely oblivious to the incoming shtstorm.
Lots of company cars and people with fuel cards? I have all my fuel paid for so it doesn’t make a difference to me. Others will pay the standard flat rate tax for fuel so don’t pay for it either. Some people are just loaded? I think the reality of the situation is going to hit people like a brickwall come October when the energy price cap ends and 50%+ rises are expected. If Russia turns off the taps to Europe as many analysts are predicting then that 50% could easily become 100%. So many people seem to be completely oblivious to the incoming shtstorm.
Irrespective of what the inflation rate is stated as being its the actual cost of everything seen each week which is the worrying thing especially when you consider that increased electricity costs have yet to really filter through on an annualised basis given the rises expected in October and of course with then winter approaching.
Some food costs have gone up considerably more than 9 or 11% already although perhaps that’s more of an impact of Ukraine etc.
Some food costs have gone up considerably more than 9 or 11% already although perhaps that’s more of an impact of Ukraine etc.
alscar said:
Irrespective of what the inflation rate is stated as being its the actual cost of everything seen each week which is the worrying thing especially when you consider that increased electricity costs have yet to really filter through on an annualised basis given the rises expected in October and of course with then winter approaching.
Some food costs have gone up considerably more than 9 or 11% already although perhaps that’s more of an impact of Ukraine etc.
Just a small drop in the ocean to the millionaires up thread. Won't affect them in the slightest. Much ado over nothing.Some food costs have gone up considerably more than 9 or 11% already although perhaps that’s more of an impact of Ukraine etc.
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