Credit Crunch hows it affected you or maybe it hasnt!!!

[puddicat]

I am trying to live within my means but i am finding it extremely hard going, i have only had one wage rise this year, the 2per cent cost of living rise, when the cost of living is sky high, how are you all getting on with this, and what measures have you taken to pull in the purse strings!!!

[Sachs]

Hi puddi -
Up to now, I can't say we are financially affected by it, well obviously we are by utilities/ food prices going up ect.. but we're not personally affected as such yet. I would say though, I have always tried to get the best deal out of everything I buy, always have done. I buy special offers if they are 'genuine' offers & if freezable will put them in the freezer. I check comparison websites for groceries. I bake when I have time. I'm aware I have started to turn the lights on in the evening as late as possible. On fine dry days I insisted stuff went out on the line instead of the men in the family lazily sticking it in the dryer! xxx

[bensmum]

Hi puddicat. I too will only get a 2% rise this year - we should have had it in April but no sign as yet. I've noticed the cost of a basic shop going up and up so it means cutting back on things. I don't drink or smoke so can't make savings there so it'll have to be the donuts which go! Seriously I recently had a quote from an insurance company which specialises in low risk over 50s (!) and my new household insurance is now half of what I was paying before. I think I'll look around to see how else I can cash in on being over 50!

[puddicat]

bensmum you are a cheap date lol, i am lucky that my mum brings the basics, but i scour the reduced section ,and also the fridge i am the type who could make a meal with a dried pea and nothing else lol, makes me mad that i work hard but its never enough to pay all!!!!

[Bathsheba]

Bensmum- is the insurance company Saga? Cos if it is, check the excess first! xx

[bensmum]

Hi bathsheba - no it wasn't Saga. the excess I have now id]s the same as with my old company so I'm okay there.
Lol at puddicat and the dried pea!

[WhiteBear]

hi Puddicat.

im not effected by the credit crunch much, i only just moved out (under 2 months) from my parents home to an apartment which is closer to work. i have just paid off my council tax. :'( water bill every month, and electric is PAYG. i am actually coping really well. ive had two pay rises in 6 months. i just buy things i need now such as food and essential things rather than buying things i Want. i also look out for special offers like BOGOF, or half prices, and having a loyaty card to collect points such as Boots and Nectar card really helps! i have about �60 saved onmy boots card and they will not be used until i need to!

i have now started bringing my own food to work rather than buying lunch. ive worked out i save about �20 a week!! shocking hu?? thats enuf to pay for my electricity a month!

i was talking to my work colleage the other day that i have started bringing in my own lunch to work now and i saved quite abiit. and he was like ... cm'on thats �3 or �4 a day ...thats nothing....!! im like .... why would i wanna spend �3-4 where i can make it myself for much cheaper!! and if u work it out .. in a month you would have spent at least �80 on lunch, whereas i would have at least �80 in pocket!!
sillyboy ....hes a snob anyway!!

the tax rebate really helps too, last week when i saw my wage slip my Tax was Nil, and only paid abit of NI. week before that i got about �180 back!!! so i went to spoil meself at the weekend :) i bought meself a new pair of trainers and it was also cheap.... they were �90, but reduced to �18!! gd buy! :) xxxx

also im a really goood saver too. i have two ISA accounts and two other Internet saving accounts and one normal account! lol .. so what ever happens i have them to keep me going.... maybe i shuld retire for couple yrs lol .... nah i save it for a deposit for a house!!!

[WhiteBear]

also this is a fantastic site!!!!!!!!!

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

xxxxxxxxxx

[Sachs]

Hi whitebear, really good to hear things are going well for you lately!!! Best wishes! xxx

[WhiteBear]

hey Sachs, ;)

thankk you sooo much. i hope u r well too.

i might have a job in York!!
xxxxxxx

[Sachs]

OOH! ... I remember your pre move post! How things change! Gret stuff! xxx

[puddicat]

been a member of this site for a while!!!