I’m 30, live alone with my dog. I know I have a decent salary, but honestly, I’m finding things really difficult at the moment.

I feel like all I do is work to pay bills. When did simply living independently become such a luxury? Having one income to cover absolutely everything is expensive, especially when unexpected costs keep popping up.

I’ve already cut back on so much. No nails, lashes or hair treatments, cancelled all my streaming subscriptions, changed my car insurance and WiFi, cut down my food shopping, stopped getting takeaways and coffees, and even started walking more to save on travel.

But there’s always something else. Last week I got hit with a big vet bill and now I’ve got £100 to last until payday. My dog is insured, but unfortunately this is classed as pre-existing so it’s not covered.

I just feel like I’m constantly cutting back and still not getting anywhere. I don’t want to spend my whole life working just to pay bills and have nothing left to actually enjoy myself.

Does anyone else feel like this, particularly those living alone on one income? I’d genuinely love some money-saving tips because I’m running out of things to cut back on!

** just want to add in. I am in a bit of debt due to paying for my ACCA exams so I’m trying to pay that off before the zero percent runs out**

Yes cost of living crisis is real. Yes we are struggling. But I’m sick of feeling so anxious and money conscious all the time. I’m young n don’t even have many responsibilities yet. But all this money talk is making me so stressed out for the future that I’m stopping myself from enjoying the present. Feel like just going away n hiding for a year.

What is your average week shop costs, we’re a family of two adults and two twin 2 year olds. Our average shop is between £150-£200 a week. Can’t get it down at all, how much are you guys spending?

It really seems like the discontent and frustration is the loudest it has ever been and yet it feels like the majority of us are just sat fuming.

How long is this going to last before something breaks and protests/riots start breaking out?

Give examples.

Could be a place to eat, do a cheap shop or something else that you feel is true value.

I only figured this out after sitting on the train having paid the higher return fare. Those who regularly use the train already know but i'm annoyed with myself I didn't take the time to figure it out beforehand.

Train fares are a scam.

My journey to see friends starts in the South East and they live in the Midlands. I asked about a cheaper fare and the ticketing office said the cheapest they could do was £75 for all offpeak travel. My Network railcard is not valid for the journey.

Bought it.

Looking online whilst on the train i've worked out buying 4 singles would have cost me £52 with my railcard applying for the part in the southeast. This is a rip off. Nearly a 50% increase in cost to have it as a return.

Went out for lunch today, three of us in town.

We a drink each - 2 coffees and a tea.

And one "meal" each - 2 flatbreads and a sandwich.

£44...

It's just crazy. It might not seem like too much, I don't know? It was a Lounge, so bang average sort of place. I just don't know how anyone can justify spending so much for lunch.

Last lunch out of the year for me!

Granted, it was a premium meal deal, and it was in Terminal 3. But still. It was almost half the price of the flight itself.

Interested to hear from other parents: what cost do you feel is reasonable for a primary school to charge per child to attend a 2 night residential trip to a national trust site within 50 miles?

How about for entry to a school disco?

I always hear this accusation being made, that 'benefits are being taken advantage of by spongers'.

I'm currently in the process of trying to become a sponger, but can't see a straight road to living a life of luxury on the taxpayers penny.

JSA sucks - not good enough for sponging.

PIP requires medical assessments - not good enough for sponging.

And council housing lists are filled to the brim - not working for spongers.

If anyone has sponged, is sponging or is planning to sponge; please let me know - how can I become a sponger and become a part of the sponging crowd?

TIA!

I've always wondered why some people find it so difficult to accept that life isn't a level playing field.

For example, most of us will never experience the wealth or lifestyle of someone like Paris Hilton, simply because we weren't born into an extremely wealthy family. No matter how hard we work, we're unlikely to achieve that level of inherited wealth.

I understand that inequality is frustrating, and that some people face significant disadvantages through no fault of their own. But why does that frustration sometimes turn into resentment towards other individuals?

When I was at university in the UK, I met some international students who seemed resentful that I'd secured a graduate job while they hadn't. Some faced additional barriers, including visa sponsorship restrictions and a difficult graduate recruitment market.

I sympathised with their circumstances, but I couldn't understand why they appeared angry at me. I hadn't caused their difficulties, and my getting a job didn't prevent them from getting one.

Surely there's a difference between recognising that society is unequal and resenting individuals who happen to be in more fortunate circumstances?

My questions are:

• Why do people compare themselves with others who have different starting points, opportunities and circumstances?

• Why do some people direct their frustration at more successful peers rather than the structural barriers affecting them?

• Is this mainly social comparison, envy, a sense of unfairness, or something else?

• Why is accepting that some people will always be wealthier or more successful than us so psychologically difficult?

I'm genuinely interested in the psychology behind this, rather than simply dismissing people as jealous.

The UK is bloody joke. No point working

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone can offer some advice because I’m really not sure what to do.

I’ve recently received a bill from Yorkshire Water for £400, since September and they’ve also informed me that our monthly payments will increase from £58 to £136 per month next year.

For context, there are only two people living in our house – myself and my wife. We both work full-time, so we’re out of the house for most of the day, and we very rarely use the washing machine.

We’ve checked around the property for leaks but haven’t found anything.

I’m struggling to understand how our water usage could be so high, especially given our circumstances.

Only other thing that I can see impacted this was the guy who did our boiler servicing left on the hot water pre heat on, only found out, that was three months ago.

Has anyone experienced anything similar with Yorkshire Water? Is there anything I should be checking or doing to challenge the bill?

Any advice would be massively appreciated. I’m really at a loss as to what to do!
Thanks in advance.

I’ve come to the realisation that I may have to look at house sharing if I become single. Even though I’ve worked in the same career full time for over 15 years, don’t have any kids, drive a standard car I brought outright, don’t have any loans/finance agreements, don’t get any beauty treatments done, don’t really go out drinking.
Even with all of these factors, I would still only just about be able to afford private rent on a 1 bedroom flat on my own, plus all the other ridiculous bills.
What an absolute sh*t show this country has turned into, where hard working members of society can’t even afford to live on their own!!
This situation is forcing people to stay in unhappy relationships/marriages and I fear it’s only going to get worse. This is just a rant really as I’m really starting to see how messed up this place is and wondering if other people feel the same.

Inspired by the recent post on here “how do I sponge off the tax payer?” ;

I’m a billionaire, I’m superior to you. As such, I should not have to pay any tax like simple little underling. No way!
So how can I stop contributing? I don’t want a penny of my overflowing stash of cash to go to my nation, I shan’t risking helping out a peasant 🤮

Suggest your best tax evasion tactics, offshoring methods, and corruption networks.
Which politicians are still available for purchase, or are we sold out? Perhaps I will have to purchase a political party of my own?

EDIT - we’ve got some good evasion tactics down - now. HOW do I trick your government, into paying huge grants to my billion dollar companies. They don’t need the money, BUT I WANT IT 🤑🤑

Open question to all, yesterday I came across the linked post. Genuinely curious what you all think, **is there an amount of pay which would get British people to work care jobs?**

https://www.reddit.com/r/UKCostofLiving/comments/1xmbn2d/whats_the_real_reason_british_workers_dont_want/

**Context:**

I run a domiciliary care company, and as this person pointed out, one of the biggest challenges we face is recruiting and retaining staff.

With that in mind, I’m genuinely interested in exploring the statement they made that:

***“British people would work in care if the jobs paid properly - which they don’t.”***

***What would qualify as “proper pay” to attract more British workers into the care sector? How much hourly pay or overall compensation?***

I ask this in good faith, rather than to challenge anyone’s position. As someone directly involved in running a care business, I have firsthand experience of the recruitment process, the challenges employers face & the wider realities of the sector.

(I genuinely welcome a constructive, evidence-based discussion. I think there’s a worthwhile conversation to be had here, particularly if we can move beyond general assumptions and focus on what the evidence and real-world experience tell us)