I know that prices are rising at an astonishing rate but THIS took my breath away

Prices have gone up for everyone. Some folk will ride this wave more easily than others. I’m glad our state pension are to rise by 10% in April. For us, that will cover the increases.

Our nearest Tes co, you could hardly get in the car park. Now it is only 1/3 full, whatever time of day or which day it is.

Lidl on the other hand, has gone the other way about.

We have changed from buying many branded more expensive items to cheaper supermarket own make. The only exception is teabags! I don’t drink it, but my DH insists on P.G.Tips and that’s gone up by a £1 in the last 6 months.

Germanshepherdsmum

The evidence on this thread shows that many people don’t buy what they’ve always bought, and don’t always shop where they always have. They vote with purse and feet nowadays because they can’t afford not to.

Decimalisation happened 50 years ago so not exactly relevant.

Exactly 50 years- so yes, not relevant.

And I agree totally, people are changing their habits. We know lots of people who have switched from buying at Waitrose, then Sainsbury's and now at Lidl. Both my DDs btw, and both on high salaries. Same with many friends we talk to.And they have all switched many brands too.

Dear Dickens. Are you in the UK? Because somebody at our local council certifies that I am still alive for my Swiss Pension.
No charge.

Sorry Wyllow spelt your name wrongly

Whyllo that is excellent treatment you had I honestly was out the chair in 5 minutes and I can’t change dentists because there literally is no one taking any NHS on in my area in fact there are people who haven’t been able to have a dentist for the last two years and are in agony and having to find a way for emergency treatment, sometimes a county away, sometimes going to A and E

nanna8

Our prices are much,much higher than those you mentioned, it’s all relative. I think our petrol is probably still cheaper though.About $1. 90 per litre this week, it varies.

I’m in Australia right now and can’t believe how expensive everything is. Even in the few months since my last visit everything has risen in cost. My DD tells me not to compare with UK prices but I keep screeching ‘but that converts to £14 back home!’ As nanna says the only thing which appears cheaper is petrol. The Aussie wine I buy at home is substantially more expensive here. 🤔
Of course salaries are substantially higher and I am gobsmacked at how much my family can apparently afford to spend on luxuries. Eating out, takeaways, hotels, clothes, cinema ….. I’m rather dreading the return home next week after reading this thread

Germanshepherdsmum

The evidence on this thread shows that many people don’t buy what they’ve always bought, and don’t always shop where they always have. They vote with purse and feet nowadays because they can’t afford not to.

Decimalisation happened 50 years ago so not exactly relevant.

The evidence on this thread shows that many people don’t buy what they’ve always bought, and don’t always shop where they always have.
No it doesn't. Many on this thread are retired and have time to shop around. Young working families don't. And those of us with health problems don't either.

How is an example of profiteering irrelevant?

All the explanations/defence of why prices are rising doesn't change the fact that they are and that it is shocking and difficult for many.

watermeadow

If you have only the basic state pension you are eligible for further help, like Credit Support, which also brings other benefits.
Our benefits system is very mean compared to most other countries but nobody is expected to live off £600 per month.

But they are. Pensioners might not be expected to live on less but working age single people (for instance - they are not the only ones surviving on much less) are expected to manage on the basic monthly universal credit payment of around £334 per month if they are 25 or over. Younger people get significantly less.

And before anyone says ‘they should get a job then’ do please remember that there are many people who are either unable to get a job at all for various reasons) or unable to work because of health related issues.

I don't find them hectoring or lecturing. Sometimes "direct" and to the point - but we all have different styles of communicating.

GN is a social media platform and you're going to get a mixed bag, as with others. I just try to go with the flow - some posters will appear curt and abrasive, and may not be at all in real life. The written word and all that...

Anyway, I'm not sure it's the done thing to ask other GNs to post an opinion on someone who's actually on the thread itself. Maybe you should address GSM directly - that would be the more courteous way, no?

I hope I’m not being too rude and apologies if I am but do all of GSM’s posts come over as lecturing/hectoring/whatever you want to call it or is it just me? I always think, in the main, this forum is meant to be enjoyed for its easy going, pleasant exchanges, am I right?

Chestnut

Our local council has increased the charge for emptying a garden waste bin from £42 per year to £55 per year. Therefore lots of people are saying they won't pay it, they will burn it, and some will just quietly dump it of course. I think rubbish disposal and the local tip should always be free otherwise the council only has to go round collecting the excessive quantities of fly tipping which probably costs more.

Our brown bin has increased to £40 this year from £35 last year.
I always get annoyed at those who choose to fly tip - if you drive somewhere to flytip why not drive to the sodding tip and dispose of it properly?
Not everyone has a brown bin but my neighbours know that if there is space in our brown bin or any of our recycling bins when collection day is imminent they are welcome to use ours. Some families really struggle with the bins which are simply not big enough for all their waste but it's no excuse to fly tip.

JaneJudge
After writing about price of coffee, other half came home with 200g Kenco coffee from B&M reduced to £5 was £6.
Usually don't buy coffee there, but it tasted OK today.
Will try Asda brand next week thanks.

Oh and a good clean as well.

BlueBelle

I am just comparing what it would have been a year or so ago GSM probably doubled well of course he had to collect me not much point if he left me at home 😂😂
It’s a lot for me add that to the ‘two minutes’ I had in the dental chair Prod prod ding with hammer all fine see you in 6 months £23 please ….
It may be nothing to you but it’s a lot to me

Sorry to hear you had that experience, Bluebelle. My £23 NHS worth took 20 minutes lots of detailed prodding two x rays and lots of good advice how to do better and praise for doing well with difficult mouth.

That’s excellent Annsixty. Very pleased to hear about it.

Annsixty
I volunteer in Petbank. Cat and dog food is given out free to anyone who needs help feeding their beloved pets.
It runs in conjunction with Pets at home and Blue Cross and public donations.
Since it started back in September we feed around 30 animals opening 2 mornings a week for 2hours. Unlike foodbanks, no vouchers are needed..
Hopfully it has let people struggling on low incomes to keep their pets and not have to rehome them.

I shop around these days however still find that nearly everything has risen in price wherever you go.
Had forgotten to buy a few things a few days ago when in the larger supermarket so yesterday popped into smaller close by Tesco. I was amazed to see fish fingers a box of eight priced at £4.00 I said to manager of the shop this must be wrong he replied oh everything has gone up now. Needless to say I would not buy them.
Prices are getting worse it will be impossible to live soon.

The evidence on this thread shows that many people don’t buy what they’ve always bought, and don’t always shop where they always have. They vote with purse and feet nowadays because they can’t afford not to.

Decimalisation happened 50 years ago so not exactly relevant.

Germanshepherdsmum:

'Companies who were greedy and taking the mick would go to the wall.'

Not necessarily - competition and market forces don't run like clockwork. Many people shop where they always shop - and buy what they always buy. Comparing prices, changing habits and being flexible doesn't occur to them.

If all the major supermarkets charge more where's the (available) real competition anyway. I remember when we 'went decimal' and every price was rounded up - none were rounded down - blatant profiteering!

Our benefits system is very mean compared to most other countries but nobody is expected to live off £600 per month.

I don't think you can accurately make comparisons though with other countries though can you?

I have a state pension from Norway - but the national insurance contributions were higher.

Working 12 years in that country gives me a pension which is just less than the full state pension here - but it's relevant to the cost of living there. It goes much further here than it does there!

It’s a set fee Dickens, regardless of what their hourly rate for other work might be. When I was a practising solicitor there was a set fee of £5 for witnessing an affidavit or statutory declaration plus (iirc) £1 for each attachment (‘exhibit’). Doubtless it’s changed by now. Partners had to put the fee into partnership income but assistant solicitors could keep it without having to declare it for income tax - so there were a lot of willing assistants for this particular job!

*Bridie, how far ahead do you think manufacturers purchase raw materials? Maybe the price will go down eventually, as petrol prices have.

Germanshepherdsmum

Notaries public operate on a statutory fee scale Dickens, as do solicitors for some small matters such as swearing an affidavit or statutory declaration.

Bridie, none of these people are part of the food supply chain. Many who work in that chain are on minimum wage, which increases each year. I believe Asda has just given its store workers a 7% increase. It has to be paid for.

Notaries public operate on a statutory fee scale Dickens, as do solicitors for some small matters such as swearing an affidavit or statutory declaration.

But don't they charge for their time - or is that included?

According to the prices I looked at , the last quarter of 2022.