Cost of Living #5

[NotASlayer]

My electricity bill is fortunately quite low at the moment. But that is only because they based half a year's bills on a couple of weeks when I had a broken boiler and any heating was electric. They still owe me nearly £200.

I also need to buy a new mobile. I don't want to buy a new mobile, but my present one can't cope with all the apps I need to install on it just to access banking. Either there's no website, or an app is needed to sign in.

 

[nightshade]

Has anyone else just stopped getting haircuts due to them being so expensive now? I refuse to pay $80 for a haircut, which is the cheapest I can find one from a trained stylist. I'm letting my hair grow out and just going to attempt to trim it myself. I already have been trimming my own bangs for years.

Yep, I only used to get it cut around twice a year anyway, but after the cheapest salon closed I no longer get it cut. A friend of mine has trimmed it for me for free, but that's only the once. If it starts to look like it needs another trim I'll either ask her or my mother to trim it. I'm also lazy with my hair, so don't style it or dye it. Currently using the cheap supermarket shampoo and conditioner, so it's not as soft as it was when I used the gruum bars, however they were £5 each, so had to downgrade for a while. I do prefer them though, and they lasted about 3 months so once I've paid off the credit card I plan to go back to them.

 

[November]

Yes I cut my own hair too. Its more enjoyable than sitting in a stinky salon making small talk for 3 hours while they comment on how thick my hair is and show their friends. I prefer cutting it myself, but my scissors are getting blunt now. And last time I only got halfway through because a bird kept swooping me.

Spoiler: Usual ranty

I have been reading the perth reddit and I really, really do not want to move back there. But next time I need an MRI or have a car issue, I cant exactly call a taxi! And lack of ability to save here makes me extremely anxious about that stuff. There is a lot to like about this town, but after yet another food delivery being cancelled this morning, it really lacks the basics of food and water that is needed to live.
I duno why they have spent so much money beautifying the town this year, yet do not have basic groceries and a constant water and power supply. Its like the federal government wants use all to migrate back to cities and services yet the state government keeps pouring in little grants to attract people out of the city. Its very confusing

.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I also need to buy a new mobile. I don't want to buy a new mobile, but my present one can't cope with all the apps I need to install on it just to access banking. Either there's no website, or an app is needed to sign in.

I've been thinking of changing my plan to something for affordable as well. I need to shop round, and do it soon because I definitely can't afford what I am paying now for service.

Post automatically merged: Nov 19, 2023

Yep, I only used to get it cut around twice a year anyway, but after the cheapest salon closed I no longer get it cut...

Yeah, when my friend came to visit, she trimmed it for me. for many years I dyed my hair but I've stopped doing it too due to laziness, lol.

Do you have a place called Costco where you live? You have to have a membership to shop there. They sell cheap items in bulk. My friend let me use her membership to go, and I bought a HUGE bottle of Head And Shoulders shampoo/conditioner which has lasted me for months. Helps that I only was my hair twice a week. As for dryness, my hair gets really dry this time of year too, and I just put some coconut oil in it and that helped a lot. I'm getting used to having hair this long...it's an adjustment.

 

[November]

Do you have a place called Costco where you live? You have to have a membership to shop there. They sell cheap items in bulk. My friend let me use her membership to go, and I bought a HUGE bottle of Head And Shoulders shampoo/conditioner which has lasted me for months. Helps that I only was my hair twice a week. As for dryness, my hair gets really dry this time of year too, and I just put some coconut oil in it and that helped a lot. I'm getting used to having hair this long...it's an adjustment.

There is a costco in the capital city now 🙂 but everyone I have spoken to says its not worth the membership fee if there is only one or two people in the home. Like most big bulk things, its only worth it for families with kids. I get 1L bottles of shampoo from Chemist Warehouse when I can get someone to pick it up for me. Lasts me ages, any bigger than that and it goes all crusty before I can use it all. My hair gets dry when I wash it too much.

In terms of hair cutting, I think I was better at it when I first began! Now I care less about having it even. Every time I went to a hairdresser anyway they always said "oh your hair is SO thick! Lets just layer it" (aka uneven) and I'd say "lets not" yet they always seemed to try it on. I pull my hair around to my eyeline and cut as short as i can with still being able to see it. Moreso because if I try to cut too big of a chunk, the scissors dont get through it! Its probably uneven but I wear my hair tied up, so I dont notice if it is 🤷‍♀️.

Gave my dog a haircut yesterday. The poodle is next!

 

[nightshade]

No Costco here, they've been talking about building one in the city for years but it's never happened.
But yes, you need to have storage space to bulk buy, which is something I'm definitely lacking.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

No Costco here, they've been talking about building one in the city for years but it's never happened.
But yes, you need to have storage space to bulk buy, which is something I'm definitely lacking.

Buy bulk stuff and bury it under your allotment.

 

[November]

Lots of sales online for black Friday, even dog wormer/flea/tick stuff. So I have some of that coming next week for the next 6 month supply.

The fruit on the trees is looking good so far. Pears, peaches, apples galore. Plenty of lettuce and herbs in the garden for me too. Blueberries and strawberries are coming along. My chocko seedling has survived so far and that will go a long way to helping the grocery bill next year if I can keep it going over summer.

 

[Tueuse de Vampires]

I think for people who have thick hair it's impossible to get hair washed properly in under 4 minutes with body washing as well. Especially long thick hair.
For me it's the rinsing out that takes the longest, but I know I've been using way too much shampoo lately. I downgraded the shampoo from bars to bottle, to save money, but I use too much liquid shampoo. You only need about the size of a 10p (American quarter) for normal hair, and I've probably been using double it lately. So I'll have shorter showers once I get that back down. Conditioner I use more of because of the length, I used to try to leave it on for a long time but now it put conditioner on, wash body, rise off and get out of the shower.
I certainly don't wash my hair everyday, twice a week unless I'm going out somewhere special or I've gone swimming.

@Tueuse de Vampires would it help to switch some of the insurance plans to monthly or can you pay for 6 months this time so not all together?

The insurance money already got deducted from my account, so that ship has sailed.

The tax situation is the one I'm worried about more, in any case. It actually got much, much worse since I last wrote. So remeber the 2000 $ they want? For some reason, they now also want me to pre-pay a portion of my taxes per year. For 2023, that's about 4000$, and then going forward about 1000$ each month!

I honestly have no idea how they end up with these numbers! Like, even if I do have to pay them 2000 for last year, how do they arrive at now the double amount going forward? Also this is on top of the taxes I'm already paying via my salary. I urgently hope I can object against this and get it cancelled, because it's really a super inconvenient time for me to lay down this amount of money, even if I will get it back in the next tax declaration.

On a different note, I tried out a new recipe today that's very easy and cost-saving, if anyone's interested. It's lentil pancakes - never did that before, and they turned out great. All you have to do is soak red lentils overnight in water, drain them, mix them with 1.5x the amount of water, add some salt & pepper and puree. Heat some oil in a pan and bake into pancakes, and enjoy with savory toppings of your choice 🙂

 

[nightshade]

The insurance money already got deducted from my account, so that ship has sailed.

The tax situation is the one I'm worried about more, in any case. It actually got much, much worse since I last wrote. So remeber the 2000 $ they want? For some reason, they now also want me to pre-pay a portion of my taxes per year. For 2023, that's about 4000$, and then going forward about 1000$ each month!

I honestly have no idea how they end up with these numbers! Like, even if I do have to pay them 2000 for last year, how do they arrive at now the double amount going forward? Also this is on top of the taxes I'm already paying via my salary. I urgently hope I can object against this and get it cancelled, because it's really a super inconvenient time for me to lay down this amount of money, even if I will get it back in the next tax declaration.

On a different note, I tried out a new recipe today that's very easy and cost-saving, if anyone's interested. It's lentil pancakes - never did that before, and they turned out great. All you have to do is soak red lentils overnight in water, drain them, mix them with 1.5x the amount of water, add some salt & pepper and puree. Heat some oil in a pan and bake into pancakes, and enjoy with savory toppings of your choice 🙂

Is there any free financial services you could go to, to ask about it. Get some advice from somewhere to figure it out and how to respond.

Your lentil recipe reminded me of one i used to make. It's a lentil and garlic spread.
Cook lentils.
Chop half onion and garlic cloves, fry til soft.
When lentils are mushy, drain excess liquid and blend with onions, garlic, dried herbs of choice, salt and pepper.
Pour mixture into a bowl or tub, cover it and keep in fridge.

 

[TamsinValencia]

With all the rising prices at Tesco and Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer's food is starting to look more affordable.

 

[November]

I realized the significant lifestyle creep tonight since 2020. I never used to buy things like tissues and face creams, I used a lot of powdered milk, pasta and beans. Now I have meat most weeks, fresh milk, I can afford my preference of face care, I have many matching socks and currently 3 pairs of shoes. I have my dogs. Its a big jump up from life before.

Im still getting distressed by some things that can only be helped by moving, but reminding myself that 5 years ago I didnt have a fridge or a couch and was sleeping on a mattress on the floor puts into perspective how much more I have now. Othertimes it just reminds me how cruel the world is cos so many people dont have that.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

The Dollar Tree no longers sells ANYTHING worth buying. They've actually removed body wash and Tylenol, amongst other things. So I guess we'll all be smelling like crap and having headaches. 😅 And oh my God, McDonald's prices are through the roof! I could buy a pound of hamburger, buns, and cheese with the money I'd waste on a Quarter Pounder and fries. Jesus. 🙄


I don't know how the theft situation is in other countries, but here in Los Angeles? It's BEYOND insane. People fill their shopping carts/trolleys with all kinds of stuff, then simply leave without paying for any of it. Nobody tries to stop them. And this happens all the time. I'd have a little sympathy if it was food they were stealing, but it's not. Mostly large containers of laundry detergent, name brand shampoo, stuff they can resell on Amazon or at swap meets.

I can no longer afford Caress Body Wash. 🙁 They've doubled the price. I'll just use cheap shampoo instead, and add a little essential oil.

 

[nightshade]

I don't know how the theft situation is in other countries, but here in Los Angeles? It's BEYOND insane. People fill their shopping carts/trolleys with all kinds of stuff, then simply leave without paying for any of it. Nobody tries to stop them. And this happens all the time. I'd have a little sympathy if it was food they were stealing, but it's not. Mostly large containers of laundry detergent, name brand shampoo, stuff they can resell on Amazon or at swap meets.

Same in this country, its not worth staff getting threatened by people for them to chase after them. Big stores have insurance for it, so why should the minimum wage employee be put at risk.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

The Dollar Tree no longers sells ANYTHING worth buying. They've actually removed body wash and Tylenol, amongst other things. So I guess we'll all be smelling like crap and having headaches. 😅 And oh my God, McDonald's prices are through the roof! I could buy a pound of hamburger, buns, and cheese with the money I'd waste on a Quarter Pounder and fries. Jesus. 🙄

I don't know how the theft situation is in other countries, but here in Los Angeles? It's BEYOND insane. People fill their shopping carts/trolleys with all kinds of stuff, then simply leave without paying for any of it. Nobody tries to stop them. And this happens all the time. I'd have a little sympathy if it was food they were stealing, but it's not. Mostly large containers of laundry detergent, name brand shampoo, stuff they can resell on Amazon or at swap meets.

I can no longer afford Caress Body Wash. 🙁 They've doubled the price. I'll just use cheap shampoo instead, and add a little essential oil.

Yeah, I never find anything I want at Dollar Tree anymore. Do you have Dollar General or Family Dollar there? That's where I shop. They both have a good selection of cheap non perishable food, and I get all my paper products there; tissue, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. They also both have an app with good coupons.

And yeah agree about McDonalds! It's insane. I was driving back from Chicago last week and was totally starving and there were no other options so I got a breakfast meal and it came to like $12, which I thought was insane. Yet they still seem to have a line out the door. I miss the days when McDonalds was cheap and convenient.

As for theft, I see that here at Walmart a lot. They have those people at the door who check your receipts, but it's easy to shoplift. I'm not sure what an effect it has on the company though. I've heard the argument that loss hikes the prices up for the rest of us, but I also know that big companies like that have loss built into their business plan so not sure it makes a big difference? I boycotted Walmart for many years, but since I moved to Tulsa I have had to go there. I just can't afford to go anywhere else for groceries. I hate that.

Same in this country, its not worth staff getting threatened by people for them to chase after them. Big stores have insurance for it, so why should the minimum wage employee be put at risk.

This is correct. When I worked at Autozone, we were specifically trained to never go after shoplifters. It wasn't worth us getting hurt. We'd just stand there when people walked out with batteries, etc.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

so why should the minimum wage employee be put at risk.

It's not just that. It's that in CA (and other states) they won't even prosecute. They've basically decriminalized theft. Normal everyday people just go and nick stuff because 'why not? everyone else is doing it and nothing will happen to you' and these are people making goodish money at goodish jobs. They don't need to steal, but why pay for something when you don't need to?

 

[November]

They are trialing tons of anti theft stuff in the cities. Like locking up the wheels of trolly so it cant leave the store, security gates that shut before people get out and there have been plenty of videos online of staff being punched in the face and abused for trying to stop thieves. It all started bad like that here after the covid payments stopped. Shops just stopped putting as much on display. Can never tell whats open anymore cos theres no displays outside haha.

I rekon thats why the shops have been driving such a big push for delivery. No risk of theft that way, and they can gouge us on the compulsory shopping bags. I read about Woolies starting to open grocery warehouses with delivery/pick up options only. No customers allowed in store.

Maccas is still a good price considering the calories ya get 😉 I got it yesterday and its 2/3 days worth of food for less than the grocery delivery, plus I dont have to cook it!

 

[Skanky Vamp]

security gates that shut before people get out

The store and the workers would get sued for that.

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Yeah, I never find anything I want at Dollar Tree anymore. Do you have Dollar General or Family Dollar there? That's where I shop. They both have a good selection of cheap non perishable food, and I get all my paper products there; tissue, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. They also both have an app with good coupons.

We have all the Dollar stores here. But Dollar Tree is the closest to me. Have you noticed how small all the containers of stuff have gotten? Plus, the quality is bottom tier now and they're removed EVERYTHING used to be a good deal. Same with Target and most other places. I haven't shopped at Walmart for a long time, but I've heard about the mind boggling theft problems they have.

It's a good thing I never made a habit of eating thing fast food, considering the prices these days. KFC now charges approximately $14.99 for a three or four piece meal! 😳

 

[Skanky Vamp]

KFC now charges approximately $14.99 for a three or four piece meal! 😳

It's a good thing I never made a habit of eating thing fast food

Do you think that's their plan? To drive the prices up to dissuade people from eating fast food?