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Are you struggling with the cost of living πŸ˜•???

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963
β€’18 Replies

This might be a hot potato of a subject, but I'm shocked at the prices these days, everything, food , utility bills, mobile phone contracts, insurance, there's many more to be mentioned .I can't believe how this country (UK) is paying the price for political failure we've got more food banks than McDonald's, poverty is rife, more families living in so called hotels , I know I've been there and it was truly awful, and councils paying million for the " privilege " of these places.

We've even got " warm banks " my word it's frightening, and people are accepting this as the new normal, you go to the shops and there's security tags on numerous food items, I never witnessed this when I was a child, and time's were difficult then ,the1960s , we have entered the new world of corporate greed, and dare I say corruption on an industrial scale .

Our services are cut to the bone, and paying even more and supposedly we've got leaders who are meant to be honorable, and are highly educated.

In the olden days politicians were respected members of the community and worked on your behalf for nothing , gratis, FREE, that's because they had money and they were entrusted to be our guardians, now its all lies , misappropriation of taxpayers money, scandals and sleaze, I've never seen such a bunch of individuals filling their satchels with taxpayers money and running off into the sunset.

I'm disappointed in the way things are

" progressing " and we've already got excuses saying things will be tough, yeah right!!!

and they say we feel your pain, hmm, I think the country has had enough of the excuses , and I envisage more problems on the horizon, well I'm sorry if my points don't agree with everyone, have a pleasant evening all of you πŸ˜€

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Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963
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18 Replies
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Millie09 profile image
Millie09

Chris I'm with you on every single thing you have said!! .. things will not get any better either I'm sure of that .My rent along with service charges for living in a small claustrophobic flat in a god awful area costs Β£740.a month

Now I know I get higher disabled payment on universal credit and some help with the rent but I still have to pay towards it ,and pay a portion of my council tax , each week my food shop delivery seems less and less for more money , im supposed to have a good diet with high protein and veg and low sodium etc .. now that costs so I end up eating rubbish at times which isn't good ,I put my cats before myself because they are the only company I have ,I don't like the people who live in the building, never ending gossips and backstabbing and I detest being part of that so then I get talked about for not conforming in their nasty little groups and sub groups etc. Grrrrrr.. lol .sorry for my rant lol πŸ˜†

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963 in reply to Millie09

Awe, your right putting your fur babies first, even the cat sachets have had 15 mg reduced from the packets, I had a rant and sent an email to purina who manufacture the food, and some young kid tried all the generic excuses under the sun.Wow your rent is mega expensive, mine is really cheap £279, yes it's a bargain, there a private let going for £300 next door to me, come up to Bonnie Scotland 🀣

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to Cb1963

Thank you Chris.. you know l have not even noticed a reduction I the cat food pouches .. having 3 fur babies they eat it faster than I can put it out for them lol ,Wow is that per month? .. right ..hang on whilst I pack my case ..Good grief! Yep ! My rent is disgraceful.. hence why I'm now looking at alternatives..

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963 in reply to Millie09

Yes that's per month, free prescriptions, a great health care service wonderful views and a free bus pass at 60, plenty of eating establishments and an outdoor heated swimming pool which the guardian newspaper gave top marks, it's absolutely stunning and a nice long flat walk along the esplanade, definitely worth a visit for a few days πŸ˜€

Colour
Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to Cb1963

Oh wow !!! That's stunning Chris I'm well jealous, nothing at all like where I live in the city of Birmingham.. sounds perfect . Yes I agree with you , definitely worth visiting ,never ever been to Scotland ever.. that's given me a bee in the bonnet now 😊

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963 in reply to Millie09

Yes its a different world here, I never realised how big Scotland is, I've worked all over the place around Scotland and I've not even touched the sides, I even tiled a kitchen floor for an ex England manager, I won't mention names for security and out of respect for him, met a couple of well known Scottish actors as well when I was working its a lovely way of life πŸ˜‰

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to Cb1963

Sounds lovely Chris, I know friends of mine used to travel to Scotland each summer , a lady in this building spent all Xmas and new year in her friends cottage in Scotland, not sure where but she loves it .You've certainly had some great jobs and meeting famous people.. definitely look in to it

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963 in reply to Millie09

Well keep it in mind, you can even jump on one of the numerous ferries to do a bit of island hopping, and wymess bay train station takes you back to the early 1900's its a stunning bit of architecture and the cafe opposite dies the best square sliced sausage, I've never tasted such a wonderful roll with a runny friend egg, or try the fired bread rolls, yummy or the crispy rolls are just as good, that's me just eaten two custard doughnuts looks like I'm on the night shift lol πŸ˜†

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54

We have a new government now and I hope that things get better for all of us. It will take time though as we have huge debt and many issues.

I too remember the 60's and life was different then. In some ways it was better but in others worse. I do believe though that there is no point harking back to a lost past. All we have is today so try and live in the present.

I will say though I was born in the 50's but have never known so many people to be so demoralised as now, and divided with so much hate and anger around.

I am glad I have entered the twilight of my years as I don't think I would enjoy being young today.

Like with all things new technology brings both the good and the bad but concentrate on the good as it means we can all communicate easily with each other and sites like this couldn't exist.

I also don't know how I ever lived without a mobile phone Lol

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963 in reply to hypercat54

True a mobile phone is your best friend, to everyone,its akin to your own personal tag, following you around every where im still very unsure about a future that's going to move us forward, certain things are already getting people's backs up, they've squeezed the pips out of everyone who are at the lower edge of living standards already and austerity has never gone away. The utility companies are saying there's over 120,000 people in debt and its over 3 billion pounds, however the companies have added extra on our bills to pay for this and also the failed companies when all the smaller companies collapsed, so it's bit strange saying there's billions of pounds of debt, I know someone who hasn't topped up his meters and was told if he started to pay his " debt " it would take until 2034, seems these individuals are quite happily playing the system especially when they have access to money and just don't pay!

Society has changed, for the worse,and I can see it kicking off again, the money in society has disappeared to corporate greed, and people are on minimum wage, whilst everything has gone up, that's why shop lifting is rampant, never in a million years would you see a security tag on a joint of meat or a jar of coffee?, or security in hospitals of all places!!!

Politicians are firmly to blame, and won't take responsibility for their actions, the word man up rings a bell, or recently woman up for a few weeks, these are causing the issue, would you trust them to stand at your side in a battle field operation, er no chance, they'd run for the hills,

I'm very cynical of Politicians and the trust has all but gone!

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply to Cb1963

I don't want to get political but I do know that under a tory government the gap between the have and have nots always grows a lot wider. Its currently at its highest ever level now for many years.

Historically under Labour it has always lessened quite a lot. I am hoping for that now.

I am not expressing political views - just stating checkable facts.

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57

I'm currently downsizing, single and a pensioner, forced to move, because of financial and worsening health reasons, practically living off my wits now, I'm terminally ill, so what to they do, no pensioner bonus for me this year, Oh! I see a nice big pot hole outside maybe I could take over that! 😀😀😀😀

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963 in reply to Adlon57

Oh boy I'm truly sorry to hear of your health condition, sadly I feel that the UK is following a lot of American " principles " and we're having ghettos in various towns, homelessness and street begging is a common event, sending you hugs and kindness πŸ’™

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57 in reply to Cb1963

Maybe a bit over the top, certainly not much, last couple of months, reality has hit me hard! The whole system for me has shown me there are big yawning cracks in it, this is Northern Ireland for you, and there are plenty of people around here in near same situation, and no push this, swipe along that, stream this, "you need a new app" is going to help ANYBODY in my plight!😀

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply to Adlon57

Yes I know you are Adlon as I am aware of your story on the lung site (which incidentally after around 12 years have now left for good after being ripped apart there including by members I thought were friends and had known for years). But that's another story. I will tell you in pm if you want to know more.

Do you qualify for pension credits? Are you getting Attendance Allowance?

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57 in reply to hypercat54

There are, my GP when I asked him, grunted, then looked at me saying nothing. I learnt later there is a long laborious "system" whereby I fill in a form which is passed on etc... on average, from a good medical friend, due to Civil Service running the province [πŸ™„they had to, the politicians certainly did not for a few years] it usually takes circa. 6 months to work through back to me [I have one now 'officially' sent in the pipeline] but it is COMPLETELY different to rest of UK [currently lining up an Irish passport, my grandmother was born in DublinπŸ‘Œ]

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply to Adlon57

Your bio says you are in the UK? In which case it surely comes under UK rules?

As you are of pension age you claim Attendance Allowance. The questions are tricky but you got expert help to fill it in of course?

The criteria (apart from a few specified illnesses or have terminal diagnosis within 6 months) is not what illness you have but how it affects you.

I hope you chose your worst day. I also hope you answered no to as many question (but be truthful). If you answer yes then qualify the answer. If for example you say yes you can cook then no points. The criteria is also if you can do it in a timely and safe manner. So if it takes you twice as long and takes you eg 2 hours to recover, that's where the points are.

I applied for and got AA and am on my 2nd year now. Not sure by what you mean about 'foreign influences' but mine only took around 6 weeks to process and I got the full rate with no problem.

I have spinal stenosis and use a mobility scooter. Also I have copd and depression of course too.

A friend used to be a manager at one of the over 60's charities and she helped me fill it in. It did take quite a while though as like you said there are loads of questions.

I didn't even have to attend an interview or anything either. You often don't with AA whereas you nearly always do with PIP.

Good luck and I hope you get it soon. Take care x

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57 in reply to hypercat54

Changed a bit since the good times of PWB, a lot of 'foreign' influences have not really helpedπŸ™„

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