Cost of Living #5

[Kendar]

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.

It can also be worth it if you have a lot of medications (or your pets). Our dog's chemo med was $250 cheaper than it would be at the vet (and $75 cheaper than Chewy).

 

[November]

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

I dont think prices are whats driving people away from fast food. At least, not in Oz. We've had advertising like this for almost a decade now - it worked for smoking so they're using it for everything else.

I saw a news report on schoolies week (end of school celebration) usually the kids get drunk (on alcohol). This year they were lined up at a juice bar. Some even went on health retreats instead of having a party week. There is a definite shift from 20 years ago.

It will be interesting to watch how the fast food evolves as purchase price does not seem to be the issue here as much as the fear of getting fat or unhealthy. Medical costs might be influencing that too, its very difficult to find bulk billing doctors.

 

[nightshade]

Like locking up the wheels of trolly so it cant leave the store,

They used to do that here, but stopped for some reason, now you find trollies in the stream all the time.

Pay rise for me in April, announced in the autumn statement yesterday. Goes up an extra £1 per hour. So I'm looking forward to that. Obviously got to get through winter first.

 

[November]

Google be spyin. Just popped this on my screen!

Christine put a hand on a customer's trolley to investigate suspected shoplifting. Then she was punched in the face

The prolonged cost-of-living crisis is continuing into a what is traditionally a period of financial stress, creating fears in the retail sector of increased abuse of workers over Christmas.

www.abc.net.au

And I duno why they go on and on about no staff. They are picky with what staff they hire, I know cos I apply!

 

[Taake]

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?

I read in Business Insider that supposedly a lot of stores let you steal/shoplift small amounts over time, while "building a case/log" against you, basically waiting to prosecute when you reach significant larceny levels. Not sure how that would work though, I suppose they get you on camera, but I doubt they keep files on people... Maybe if you always go to the same place and do it though.

 

[Hunga Munga]

I was locked up with most of a shoplifting crew . These big cases can be very real . In the case of the UK , a thief might get a dozen shoplifting convictions ..and maybe get 2 short custodial sentences . However , if you get charged for the whole pattern of crime , you're getting years .

This crew weren't 'trolley dashers' . They were 'tinfoil bag' RFID spoofers . They line a bag , fill it with booty , then they can pass through the anti-theft scanners . They were followed by the Police for well over a year . They went down hard . In the UK , if they can prove 'conspiracy' , you are getting serious time .

This was before the digital revolution as well . Now it would be even worse , every trip , every item ,every sleight of hand , every shop ...all preserved forever in glorious HD resolution . Facial recognition as standard , they can even take your fingerprints off a photograph 😀 . The moral of the story is , if you must do crime , stick to drugs ... and stay indoors 😉 .

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I saw a news report on schoolies week (end of school celebration) usually the kids get drunk (on alcohol). This year they were lined up at a juice bar. Some even went on health retreats instead of having a party week. There is a definite shift from 20 years ago.

Yeah, there is definitely a big interest in being sober with the younger generation. I think it's great. They seem more health-focused then my generation was.

However, I read something that 1/4 of this generation vapes, and in my experience, most of the people I know who are teens or in their early 20s I know do. For some reason, they think vaping is harmless, but smoking cigarettes is bad.

 

[nightshade]

Energy prices due to rise another 5% in January.

It'll be interesting to see if I managed to reduce my bill during the saving session, that I did last week. If so then, while it'll be a long winter, I should be able to counter that increase.

My biggest issue is going to be getting clothes dry though, as I have the dehumidifier on all day and often put the heated airer on as well.

 

[nightshade]

Got my saving session results, and for the hour, I've been awarded £1.67 in energy credit. So I'll definitely be taking part again. I'm hoping they do the free/low cost energy sessions too, so I can then use the oven or other high energy items during that time.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Things are pretty bad for me and most people I work with right now. We have been so slow for months at the restaurant I work at, much slower than last year. Many of us are looking for new jobs, but the whole service industry is struggling now in my area. People are feeling the strain of inflation and not going out to eat or drink as much. I have applied for several other jobs, but not gotten any call backs yet. I am good at getting work and it's been frankly sort of scary not getting any calls back. I've been trying to get into bartending for a while, but it's hard to get anyone to train you.

Thankfully, early next year I can get started on my career change into teaching, and plan to look into getting a teaching assistant job to start. I'll still have to work at a bar though because the assistant job pays very little. But it will be good experience and a good way for me to transition into my new career. But for now? I feel completely helpless with getting caught up on my finances, and also trying to pay off debt and I can't afford to save at all.

Overall, I've been very stressed and feeling very helpless as I get father and farther behind financially. I've had to borrow from several friends and family just to make my car payment and utilities.

On top of that, my little side hustle selling vintage on eBay, which has been a pretty steady source of income for me for years, is pretty much dead in the eater. Despite having almost a hundred nice items for sale in my shops, I've not sold anything in over a month. I do have a booth at a vintage market in May, but that's so far off. At least I know I have enough inventory for it.

I've become so desperate I am considering getting a roommate. I really, really don't want a roommate. I resent that I can't afford to live on my own, as I should be able to, as a person with two jobs, living modestly and in an area with a low cost of living. I love living alone with my dog. My house is very small, and I have an unusual schedule. I think it would be very hard to live with someone else.

Some things that have been helping me are I am practicing gratefulness daily for that which I do have. Also spending more time in nature is very beneficial for me. I found a lovely nature preserve nearby where I walk. I'm really enjoying the fall colors.

I want to feel hopeful for the upcoming year, but I have a feeling things won't get better. Inflation and the rising cost of living is killing me. I have no help here. I qualify for no aid.

Ways I have been saving money is by eating very simply and totally vegetarian, and shopping with coupons. I've also stopped using my oven completely. I also try to use the heat as little as possible.

I hope everyone is doing okay and hanging in there. These are hard times for sure for many of us.

 

[November]

Some things that have been helping me are I am practicing gratefulness daily for that which I do have. Also spending more time in nature is very beneficial for me. I found a lovely nature preserve nearby where I walk. I'm really enjoying the fall colors.

This is lovely 🙂 its rough when money is so tight, but you've done well to find some light through it.

I hope you dont have to get a roommate. I still struggle to understand quality of life issues, but if its going to reduce your quality of life, it may not be worth it.

Is there much need for disability support workers where you are? Its one of the well paying casual jobs in Australia, just due to shortage. Especially for night and weekend workers. I am too far from clients to do it here, but if they have a similar scheme over there, it could be more steady pay than relying on tips. Not far off your future career path either.


I've had a good week this week because mum came down with an esky full of food. I have been eating like a king - smashed avocado and egg for breakfast 😆 my neighbour just sent me home with white onion, lettuce and rhubarb after I attempted to help him with his phone. So the food is good. Just paid a vet bill and without Christmas, I can get through on $600 until next year, no worries. I think homes are getting another $200 power credit as well.

 

[TamsinValencia]

Microwaves take up a lot of electricity on a meter. wow

 

[NotASlayer]

Microwaves take up a lot of electricity on a meter. wow

I mostly use my microwave as a sealed box to let things defrost normally in!

 

[nightshade]

Microwaves take up a lot of electricity on a meter. wow

Not as bad as ovens, showers or heating. I don't put the heating on, don't shower everyday, and very rarely use the oven.

Anyone else in the UK got the energy saving session this evening? I know EDF and octopus are doing it, not sure about other suppliers.

I should put up my payment by at least £20 a month really, but I'm still in credit at the moment so keeping it lower so I can get the credit card paid off. I've got one more payment on that, so by February I'll be able to pay a bit more towards the energy. I think I have enough to keep my payments as they currently are until then. Of course by then an extra £20 won't be nearly enough to cover the cost!

 

[nightshade]

@NotASlayer you have to be signed up for half hour readings with a smart meter. But it looks like Eon Next does it.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/10/octopus-ovo-energy-pay-to-cut-electricity-use/

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I hope you dont have to get a roommate. I still struggle to understand quality of life issues, but if its going to reduce your quality of life, it may not be worth it.

Right. I work with people, and alot. My house is my little "sanctuary" where I can be alone. This is important for my mental health. Having a roommate would completely ruin that.

Is there much need for disability support workers where you are? Its one of the well paying casual jobs in Australia, just due to shortage. Especially for night and weekend workers. I am too far from clients to do it here, but if they have a similar scheme over there, it could be more steady pay than relying on tips. Not far off your future career path either.

I'm not sure. I have not looked into this. I could certainly help someone with anything they need; cooking, cleaning, errands, etc. I would enjoy that actually and I like helping people.

I've had a good week this week because mum came down with an esky full of food. I have been eating like a king - smashed avocado and egg for breakfast 😆 my neighbour just sent me home with white onion, lettuce and rhubarb after I attempted to help him with his phone. So the food is good. Just paid a vet bill and without Christmas, I can get through on $600 until next year, no worries. I think homes are getting another $200 power credit as well.

Nice! I love a fried egg and avocado on toast! Topped with chili flakes 🙂

I wish we had this power credit thing in America...would sure help offset the rising rates...

 

[nightshade]

I have to admit to being terrible at remembering to look at coupons when i go shopping. I think it's mostly as I do the majority of my food shopping online, which saves me money anyway as I'm not adding random items in as I walk down the aisles.

I need to get back into doing free games and competitions. I didn't win anything, well I did win some tickets to gardener's world show, but nothing I can sell. I have though made a little bit doing free games. I don't play often enough to really make money on them.

 

[Dogs of Winter]

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

I doubt it. But there are companies over here that have reduced portion sizes while keeping the same price and claimed they are doing it out of the goodness of their heart to help people eat healthier and not just to increase profits !

I've become so desperate I am considering getting a roommate. I really, really don't want a roommate. I resent that I can't afford to live on my own, as I should be able to, as a person with two jobs, living modestly and in an area with a low cost of living. I love living alone with my dog. My house is very small, and I have an unusual schedule. I think it would be very hard to live with someone else.

I want to feel hopeful for the upcoming year, but I have a feeling things won't get better. Inflation and the rising cost of living is killing me. I have no help here. I qualify for no aid.

I hope everyone is doing okay and hanging in there. These are hard times for sure for many of us.

I don't think I could go back to living in a shared house with people I don't know well.
Hopefully things will improve for you when you change into teaching

 

[nightshade]

@NotASlayer I didn't think I could have a smart meter, but octopus said its fine and made it work. I don't have one of those screens though that I can see the difference on. Just a regular meter outside, well outside and down a dark alley! I've been reading up on last year's one, and it seemed to run until about March time. I've done 3 so far, and while I won't gain a lot of credit for it, I could get an extra £20 maybe for doing nothing, just remembering to switch everything off during the set times.

My tesco order is due tomorrow morning, so I'm still tweaking that, so I have enough food for the month, including something special for Christmas.

 

[TriBel]

But there are companies over here that have reduced portion sizes while keeping the same price and claimed they are doing it out of the goodness of their heart to help people eat healthier and not just to increase profits !

Bugger football and cricket. "Telling lies" is now officially our national past-time. Personally, I blame "Pants on Fire" Johnson (but I blame him if I break a nail).