What are your thoughts about the cost of living crisis?

[homie]

What do 'we' think of supermarket price-comparison apps? I can see loads on my phone but does anyone use them and which would you recommend? Are they worth the faff?

The problem with the ones I Looked at is they weren't very good at comparing own brand products. Which is what I mostly buy.

Tesco and Aldi are the 2 main shops I use and they price match each other on all the essential products anyway so I've never bothered with the faff. I think it can become a bit obsessive.

A better way to save money is to stick to own brands and keep a look out instore for multibuy offers and short dated or damaged stock reduced to clear.

 

[Jute]

The problem with the ones Looked at is they weren't very good at comparing own brand products. Which is what I mostly buy.

Tesco and Aldi are the 2 main shops I use and they price match each other on all the essential products anyway so I've never bothered with the faff. I think it can become a bit obsessive.

A better way to save money is to stick to own brands and keep a look out instore for multibuy offers and short dated or damaged stock reduced to clear.

Thanks. That's what I wondered. I'm an own-brand sort for most things, so I don't think I'll bother.

 

[Lemonade23]

What do 'we' think of supermarket price-comparison apps? I can see loads on my phone but does anyone use them and which would you recommend? Are they worth the faff?

I think subscribing to store emails can be good if you don't mind the junk mail. Then you can stock up on the offers.

 

[Frugalgal]

What do 'we' think of supermarket price-comparison apps? I can see loads on my phone but does anyone use them and which would you recommend? Are they worth the faff?

I have just downloaded "Trolley" app. It seems to be clear and easy to use. I used to use one ages ago and then it closed, but I found it really useful and saved lots using it. If you live relatively close to a lot of supermarkets like I do, then it is really useful to be able to compare prices.

 

[Jute]

I have just downloaded "Trolley" app. It seems to be clear and easy to use. I used to use one ages ago and then it closed, but I found it really useful and saved lots using it. If you live relatively close to a lot of supermarkets like I do, then it is really useful to be able to compare prices.

I'll take a look. Thanks

 

[katykicker]

The Latest Deals app has a good one for comparing branded items too.

(I worked with them on an AD a while ago but I use it myself and it's helpful!)

I wish there was one that had all the basic lines.

I'm worried about the cost of living crisis mostly for my loved ones like my disabled sister who is also a single Mum of 6. We've been tightening up on everything ready, and have skipped a Summer holiday this year too, which is a shame, but at least we've got these areas to cut back on!

 

[Frugalgal]

Yes, I expect most people on this site are already utilising as many money hacks as possible, as well as doing extra side hussles to earn extra cash. What happens to those who don't have anymore to sell or cut back on? The money savvy will be cutting back on holidays, and unnecessary expenses. Those who can, will have to dig deep and help those who can't. In a way, a new financial reset may end up being good for society, but there will be a lot of pain to come. I suppose the real impact of home fuel prices will not be seen until the fixed rate tariffs end, and fixed rate mortgages end? It is dia that we are the 5th largest economy in the world and yet we have so much poverty and hardship??.... We cannot rely on the Government to bail us out...so hopefully people will come together to get us through these hard times.

 

[homie]

What happens to those who don't have anymore to sell or cut back on?

This is a good point and its why, even though the cost of living crisis will affect everyone, the poor are going to suffer the most over the next year despite any government hand outs. If you're rich and normally shop in Waitrose, you can cut back and shop in Tesco to save money. If you normally shop in Tesco you can cut back and only buy own brands, or shop in Aldi. But if you already shop in Aldi buying only basic items then there is nothing to cut back on - no way to save money on what you have to spend just to survive.

 

[Sherliarty]

This is a good point and its why, even though the cost of living crisis will affect everyone, the poor are going to suffer the most over the next year despite any government hand outs. If you're rich and normally shop in Waitrose, you can cut back and shop in Tesco to save money. If you normally shop in Tesco you can cut back and only buy own brands, or shop in Aldi. But if you already shop in Aldi buying only basic items then there is nothing to cut back on - no way to save money on what you have to spend just to survive.

I find this crisis really worrying as I honestly don't think we have the right people in charge to steer us back to more stable waters. They seem so childish, more concerned about giving sound bites for the media than coming up with actual policies to deal with problems. The attacks on Martin Lewis by some senior Tory people on Twitter also seem bizarre, as if discrediting the messenger will mean that this crisis will stop being one. I despair.

 

[homie]

I find this crisis really worrying as I honestly don't think we have the right people in charge to steer us back to more stable waters. They seem so childish, more concerned about giving sound bites for the media than coming up with actual policies to deal with problems. The attacks on Martin Lewis by some senior Tory people on Twitter also seem bizarre, as if discrediting the messenger will mean that this crisis will stop being one. I despair.

The whole political system of competing parties needs putting in a barrel and throwing off a cliff if you ask me.

The government can't even govern at the moment because they are still waiting for a new leader to be elected. Which seems to be taking longer than a full general election, even though 99% of the population can't vote on it.

 

[Sherliarty]

The whole political system of competing parties needs putting in a barrel and throwing off a cliff if you ask me.

The government can't even govern at the moment because they are still waiting for a new leader to be elected. Which seems to be taking longer than a full general election, even though 99% of the population can't vote on i

I think they honestly believe that this leadership race is more important than the running of the country! It's so embarrassing watching these self-indulgent muppets talking about themselves and their shopping preferences.

 

[Frugalgal]

The Conservatives are absolute Sham, and shame on Boris too for not handing over to a deputy while he gads around the World on holiday, so at least Government could sit and deal with pressing issues instead of leaving the public to stew about the Cost of Living crisis.

I am not confident that they know what to do about the economic crisis or the impact of the War in Ukraine and relations with China and Russia at the moment which is all affecting our economy. The knock on effects of a major cost of living crisis that is not tackled soon is going to cause so many dia consequences to our society where people were already struggling.

 

[Frugalgal]

Liz is really after publicity now....proposing ending speed restrictions on motorways????.....what has that got to do with the cost of living crisis or anything remotely a priority for our country??? I hope she does another U-Turn.

 

[mrcbo]

Liz Truss is only interested in Daily Mail economics. Which often involve ignoring reality and proposing fluffy ill thought ideas to appeal to well off people (such as tax cuts that generally benefit well off most). The motorways thing including mentioning about ending smart motors was a Daily Mail campaign thing.
On the upside unlikely to win a election with increasing right wing politics, going to extremes voters disappear.

 

[Sherliarty]

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing? I've had to do a major repair to the house which has eaten a lot of savings but on the plus side it has meant I have not had time to watch the news on the latest leadership race. It will be interesting to see how this one will handle the problems facing the UK whilst also having to balance a party and membership that hate each other. I assume Boris has returned to his holiday and won't return unless it looks like he has another shot, lol.

 

[EdibleDormouse]

Pretty certain I've woken up in some kind of alternative hell. Mum's beautiful, friendly care home is closing mid-January (thanks, Tories...you've priced them out of the market) so I've got to move her which will lead to an inevitable drop off a cliff in her dementia - her decline has actually slowed down where she is, as they get so much stimulation. Going to take out bridging finance on the house, renovate upstairs, and get some lodgers (it's part-converted into two flats, so that shouldn't cost too much, and I live entirely downstairs). I hate sharing my space, but the debts from trying to keep her out of the hands of an inept adult social care department back in the early summer are HUGE...

My dad used to say that we came from a long line of duckers and divers; this is where I really have to test that out.

 

[Lemonade23]

That's such a shame @EdibleDormouse This government has a lot to answer for, can't imagine the next will be any better either

They've been struggling to get staff in my supermarket job so my hours have trebled the last few weeks. The money is useful but I'm permanently shattered....

How's it going for you @Sherliarty ?

 

[EdibleDormouse]

That's such a shame @EdibleDormouse This government has a lot to answer for, can't imagine the next will be any better either

They've been struggling to get staff in my supermarket job so my hours have trebled the last few weeks. The money is useful but I'm permanently shattered....

How's it going for you @Sherliarty ?

It's a nightmare. Nobody can get staff. I suppose that's the only upside to anything, jobs are - mostly - there. It's certainly the only thing that's stopping the care home staff completely collapsing in despair, they know they can walk out of there on the last day, and straight into the care home up the road the next. I've been asking the staff which homes they're going to as she's formed a really strong bond with a couple of them. Same with a couple of residents, but sadly the local authority funded residents - her two best friends are two of them - don't get any choice and could be shunted anywhere in the county.

I wish my general health was better so I could not just light the candle at both ends but stick a flame under the middle as well. I just want to make sure that we continue to a) have choice where mum is concerned, and b) I don't lose my home. This house was/is my pension.

 

[Frugalgal]

Sorry to hear about your woes.....this is a new take on the financial squeeze that I have not heard. There has been lots of talk about choosing between heating and eating, and nhs horror stories. But when nursing homes and chidcare facilities are forced to close, the impact will be huge. Plus, I hear charities that used to help those in need are now themselves struggling, with food banks not able to provide for the number of people in need?!...The country seems to be in a mess. True, other countries are also in a mess too, but our politics is in a mess thanks to Boris and Brexit. I feel we all need to be braced for a tough few years where it will be survival of the fittest, and the luckiest. We have to all just look out for one another, our neighbours, friends and family and watch out for money saving hints and tips.

 

[EdibleDormouse]

Sorry to hear about your woes.....this is a new take on the financial squeeze that I have not heard. There has been lots of talk about choosing between heating and eating, and nhs horror stories. But when nursing homes and chidcare facilities are forced to close, the impact will be huge. Plus, I hear charities that used to help those in need are now themselves struggling, with food banks not able to provide for the number of people in need?!...The country seems to be in a mess. True, other countries are also in a mess too, but our politics is in a mess thanks to Boris and Brexit. I feel we all need to be braced for a tough few years where it will be survival of the fittest, and the luckiest. We have to all just look out for one another, our neighbours, friends and family and watch out for money saving hints and tips.

It's happening all over, apparently. And those that are local authority funded are likely to end up HUNDREDS of miles from family and friends, in the cheapest, most basic home imaginable. My mum is on the cusp of CHC funding which would mean her medical needs meant her fees were covered by the NHS, but I think I'll sleep easier if I keep paying. At least then I have total control over where she is. The worst of it is, anyone that is sent home, there's no guarantee a care package can be put in place, so they'll end up bed-blocking in geriatric wards as they're not safe at home and beyond family care. I struggled probably 18 months beyond where I should with mum at home (but I wasn't putting her into residential care in a pandemic), and she's much worse now.

The economic and energy pricing crisis is at the very least Europe-wide (with a knock on to the US accordingly), but no one has had it mismanaged quite so...ideologically as we have in the UK. Even Tory voting friends - I still have a few - are saying they need a decade or so in opposition to think about what they've done.