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How are you going to spend the money saved during lockdown?

(145 Posts)
JenniferEccles Tue 09-Feb-21 11:02:39

It’s said we have saved an astonishing £150 billion during lockdown!
What will you spend yours on?
Some people will use it to pay off debt but it’s expected that a lot of people will go on a spending spree - holidays, clothes, meals out.

For me, I seem to have lost the inclination for clothes shopping.
Looking through my wardrobes spread among bedrooms, I have found things I had forgotten about plus some I have never worn.
Holidays and meals out with family and friends when permitted do appeal though.

MaryXYX Wed 10-Feb-21 12:42:27

I'm retired so I didn't lose my income. I will have saved some money on petrol but I think I spent more extra than I saved on groceries because of having to buy more expensive brands in the shortages. Who saved those billions? The government perhaps?

TrixieB Wed 10-Feb-21 12:39:59

I’ve recently spent the equivalent of a holiday on a puppy following the loss of a much loved 12 year old dog. Worth every penny!

Nanananana1 Wed 10-Feb-21 12:30:27

Money? What money? My husband is self employed and hasn't had a day's work since last March Lockdown began. We can't claim any Universal Credit as my state pension and very small private pension are deemed to be 'enough for two people to live on' Ha! I know there are people far worse off than us and at least we can cut down and down where as families can't.
Our only pat on the back is that we have never been in any debt so we congratulate ourselves and are trying hard to be glad we have a roof over our heads, food in the cupboards and the heating is on!

Severnsider Wed 10-Feb-21 12:26:39

The Garden Centres are open around here so I think I'll invest in some new gardening tools and maybe a new wheelbarrow.
I'm really looking forward to spring.

Jo1960 Wed 10-Feb-21 12:26:11

Good grief! I'm amazed so many have saved money. It cost me much more as I still need to keep my car insured, maintained and taxed, having to shop online means I need to pay far more than I normally would. I usually use an Asian food shop and bulk buy rice, lentils, Yoghurt, so now buying pricier food, not being able to look in the reduced stuff, £4.50 for delivery etc. More heating & lighting costs yet I'm one of the lucky ones.

I feel really sorry for those who have lost their livelihood and are struggling to feed their children (or themselves) and have been donating a bit to local appeals as well as my usual MVAWG organisation so a wee bit into my overdraft at the moment.

BusterTank Wed 10-Feb-21 12:23:53

I have bought new white goods for the kitchen .

Aepgirl Wed 10-Feb-21 12:14:52

I’m worse off now than I was before lockdown. I am self-employed so not eligible for furlough, so am watching my savings dwindle.

GolferGrandma Wed 10-Feb-21 12:10:50

Peasblossom
Good luck with buying a shed. We had difficulty finding any available (needed special specifications to suit space where an old one was being replaced) but finding a suitable one put in an order mid September. Possible delivery due in 10-12 weeks. Finally had it delivered yesterday - in the snow!!

gillgran Wed 10-Feb-21 12:02:54

We must have spent a lot less on petrol, but we don't seem to have a surplus..!!
Our grocery bill is much higher as we've had Ocado deliveries,
( instead of going into Aldi & Tesco).
We've also spent more on our children & 5 grandchildren.
The TV licence charging came just as DH was 75, so no change there.

We live well, but are quite frugal & careful.

JenniferEccles Wed 10-Feb-21 12:01:57

Well I guess people have saved money they would otherwise have spent on foreign holidays (although some people did get away last summer), meals out and shopping generally.
I am not a fan of online clothes shopping so I have bought very little for over a year now.

We have managed to save but I agree that the figure quoted for the country as a whole does seem extraordinarily high.

Jaxie Wed 10-Feb-21 11:57:53

I’ve already been buying things for my children & grandchildren that they wouldn’t afford to buy for themselves: new felted wool Haflinger slippers, faux fur jackets or dressing gowns for the girls, smoking jackets for the chaps, books galore. They need cheering up. I’m not virtue signalling but I also find myself giving more than usual to charity.

Susieq62 Wed 10-Feb-21 11:54:15

We have ordered a new base and shed for our allotment. We have had new blinds fitted in the lounge plus new oak handrails and a glass staircase . It has transformed the hallway. Just waiting for the decorator to do the wallpaper as it is 2 huge drops. Other half constructed a great canopy over the patio ( similar to a car port) but is wonderful as we can now sit out in all weathers. We would not have done any of this without lockdown but we have missed a lot of holidays plus all my 70th celebrations did not happen except seeing my daughter . Could be worse couldn’t it? We are wondering why we are saving given our age but it has been instilled to save fir a rainy day and always have a financial cushion just fir emergencies.
Don’t need shoes/ clothes but bought new walking coat which has been a godsend plus plenty of books as well as used the library.

jaylucy Wed 10-Feb-21 11:53:14

Have no idea where they get their figures from!
In my case, haven't saved anything ! The grocery bill has gone up, mainly because I am having to shop at Asda rather than Aldi or Lidl because neither of those do either click and collect or deliveries in my area.
Any pet food or items or in fact the majority of the things I need may well have had to come by mail order, but then I have had to pay anything up to £7 or at least £4 sometimes per item when, if doing normal shopping from a shop, I would be able to get several items all in one trip !

tictacnana Wed 10-Feb-21 11:52:55

I haven’t saved anything as my OH lost his job and, because I have a good pension , he can’t get any benefits. He’a 64 so not much hope of a job when this situation ends and he won’t get his state pension for a couple of years.

buylocal Wed 10-Feb-21 11:46:53

We have lost not saved. Lucky we are low spenders anyway so can still float.

grandtanteJE65 Wed 10-Feb-21 11:45:21

My first reaction was "What money?"

Prices here have gone up for groceries and the like since the first lockdown started. I doubt we have saved anything at all.

Do tell: how have you all managed to save?

helgawills Wed 10-Feb-21 11:28:20

I bought an electric bike. With a lung condition I'm not fit enough to go far/ uphill on my normal bike, though I love getting exercise outdoors. Can't wait for warmer days, lifting of restrictions, to cycle to a canalside pub (16 miles away, near my daughter's) to meet up

Happysexagenarian Wed 10-Feb-21 11:25:28

I don't think we have saved any money really. We have shopped pretty much the same as we always have except that everything has been delivered, and that of course incurred delivery charges. We have probably bought fewer clothes but any saving from that has been spent on the garden or hobbies. We discovered several local food suppliers so have been enjoying delicious meat, veg, dairy and bread products produced just a few miles away and supporting the local economy at the same time. They tend to be more expensive than the big supermarkets but better quality and flavour. I think our theory was if we're likely to be wiped out by a virus we might as well eat well in the meantime!

Joesoap Wed 10-Feb-21 11:16:25

In the country where we live there isnt a total lock down,I have saved a bit even so, as there are restrictions, however I am helping two of my Grandsons who are at university and need extra money,I dont need much for myself, except more money for the extra electricity used during this freezing weather,all money well spent.

Tish Wed 10-Feb-21 11:16:08

I haven’t managed to save anything. Can I respectfully point out there are thousands still being furloughed, on minimum wage or living wage and stay on their own so have no one to share the bills with, I have been at home during the day all winter... goodness knows who I will be able to afford my heating...

nipsmum Wed 10-Feb-21 11:11:09

How can I save when anything I saved is having to pay the increased gas and electricity bills from April. I have to again pay TV licence, the council are raising rent and rates. Food bills are more expensive because there are no special offers , and the price of petrol and transport costs are rising too.. I am not on the poverty line but have to watch the pennies.

leeds22 Wed 10-Feb-21 11:09:39

Private hospital knee replacement as the NHS waiting list will be horrendous.

jenpax Wed 10-Feb-21 11:04:40

Savings!! I have spent more on heating and food deliveries and helping out my adult children whoes income dropped!, youngest DD’s ex slashed child support (due to being furloughed) and I have had to cover the child minder fees! I could go on?

timetogo2016 Wed 10-Feb-21 10:58:31

Me too Kate1949.
We have spent wisely i believe.

Fernhillnana Wed 10-Feb-21 10:55:16

I’m so sorry that many people have suffered financially so much. Sending you my love.