The cost of food impacts me as I have to buy things weekly and also have to top up daily. Most of my money goes on food but there are local fruit shops and discounted shops where I live so very handy to shop around. I think finding the best supermarkets and local shops can impact how you spend money on food.

Food choice!

Budget?

Budget – Food is a major household expense. When food prices rise, you may have less money available for housing, transportation, savings, entertainment, or other needs.

Health and nutrition – If nutritious foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, or lean meats become more expensive, it can be harder to maintain a balanced diet.

Hello

Very windy and rainy at the same time, I am just indoors today

Hi, just a quick message to thank you for sending the parents and carers book about mental health.

I was feeling a bit down about everything particularly the economic situation which doesn’t improve and the struggle we are all facing but what a relief to receive this book.

I am so proud that I took part in the workshops and the collection of poetry collages and writings really helped me to get better

It helps to know that we are not alone.

Thanks again

I only have 1 small snack a day and call it a meal. I cannot afford to eat healthy, nutritious food which I think has caused me to have a iron deficiency but it to expensive to eat properly and I don't have any other choice or alternative. As a result, Keir Starmer's job is on the line as people don't feel he has done enough which is true.

Hi Nik

I am in charge of the weekly shopping for 5 children and 2 adults and since the crisis I had to rethink my choices when I go shopping.

Surprisingly I don’t stick to one supermarket and I direct my purchases toward promotions.

To give an example every Monday Uber Eats offer 50% off on fruit and vegetables and it is a big saving.

I then visit 2 supermarkets and discount stores are not necessarily cheaper.

I do not buy in bulk anymore as the more you buy the more you consume.

Also for the household cleaning products I buy different brands and no difference has been noticed.

Since the cost of living crisis I also plan my meals ahead and do a shopping list so we manage to keep the same level and quality of food we consume . We are a family of seven people so the food budget is quite important.

Going to restaurants became extremely difficult so we had to do it less often.

I also bake more often as readymade cakes / biscuits are too expensive.

Great question, however I can't physically or mentally manage "a big shop" in person so like you tend not to notice it's absence.

Also shopping for one with an adult child away at university means I get to skip buying extras. I just purchase what I think I will manage to eat and if I'm not feeling hungry or invited elsewhere to eat there's only myself to think about.

Although, when eventually my child 'is' home, I tend to order online deliveries, but then you really do feel the difference in what you get for your money. Which is next to nothing.

So like you we have developed a 'short shop strategy' to avoid a bigger cost at the till.

Many a time we are only ever stocking up with a few days food/ basis each visit then scrambling around in the cupboards for odd bits to eat e.g. tinned items that taste awful or looking for left overs in the freezer.

It's become a more manageable cost if we buy less then try to make it spread further.

So, I have had to pay the council to remove 2 large items and they say ts going to take up to 12 week to take it due to hot weather. I am the one paying council tax! So one week of nice weather and it's going to take around 12 WEEKS.

Beautiful June, started with beautiful weather and lots of hope for me as I started a new role today. Just curious what the future holds but excited about my new role although a little worried wondering how my kids will cope for long hours without me during my full time induction period.

I’ve found myself feeling like I need to ‘shop around more’ by going to different stores, checking online prices of items we need and having a child with ASD who has certain safe foods from certain places and who can definitely taste/smell the difference if I try and ‘cheat’ by only going to one shop to try save on petrol - it is more hassle than it’s worth. She stresses me by not eating when I know she wouldn’t therefore shouldn’t be trying to take shortcuts but in that sense with the rise of everything and not feeling that my money stretches any more for just the two of us I feel I am spending soo much more money in comparison to a few year ago where I could get our full shop for £35, now I’m lucky if I can get two breakfasts, lunch & dinner for that amount.

We are meal planning the majority of our meals and snacks but sometimes life happens and we don’t manage to have what’s on the menu due which means something potentially can go out of date and then I’m sitting beating myself up because I’m basically throwing money into the bin.

The vouchers from CR goes straight to my food shop and the months we get vouchers it’s a sigh of relief knowing that it’s an extra helping hand so to speak and I feel I can stretch my money a little more having that to help x

Doing okay thanks. Up and down, to be honest. Money stress doesn't help, but what helps me most is routine - cooking, keeping busy, getting outside for walks and chats with friend, spend quality time with family really uplifts me. What makes it worse is bills popping up unexpectedly. Hope everyone’s hanging in there too.

The cost of food rising as it is has definitely made an impact on what I buy and how much, I am certainly buying less and checking the prices as I go around to check I can still afford it. Still it is fresh healthy food that is more expensive than less healthy alternatives which is also affecting my daughters and my health. As a diabetic I am finding it increasingly difficult to keep my sugar levels stable, my daughter has also been seen by her doctor and told that she is lacking in iron and other vitamins that keep you healthy, but living on such a basic income means there is no other choice, no other cut backs that can be made and no hope for the future without drastic changes from the government and society as a whole.