No holidays, no cigs, extra jumpers...
BRUTALLY HONEST COST-CUTTING ADVICE AS COST-OF-LIVING RISES START TO BITE
A DAD has described his modest lifestyle and says some people might have to ‘cut down’ on spending to cope with the cost of living crisis.
Christopher Hirst is already pretty frugal when it comes to luxuries as he doesn’t own a car, hasn’t smoked for many years and his last holiday was about 16 years ago. He buys special saver bus tickets and enjoys a beer only once a week.
The 50-year-old from Bradley, Huddersfield was speaking about the current cost of living crisis following a visit to Huddersfield JobCentre for a Universal Credit appointment. He receives some in-work benefits and works as a cleaner in Huddersfield town centre.
Christopher says he feels better off while working, although it means he does receive less Universal Credit.
He describes day-to-day living as ‘expensive’ and he’s noticed food prices going up and up. He’s not one for offering advice to others but says he managed to reduce his own spending by stopping smoking. He used to smoke around 20 cigarettes a day. “I stopped smoking a long time ago,” he explains.
“It’s been seven or eight years now. I would have 20 cigarettes a day. Now they are £10 a pack.”
Christopher agrees with his son, 18, that it also makes sense to cook food fresh, rather than buy it preprepared which can be pricier. And because he doesn’t own a car, he hasn’t had to pay for rising petrol bills. He spends around £20 per week on buses, he says.
Asked about holidays and breaks, he gives a simple oneword answer: “Never.”
I ask if he’s ever been on holiday and he recalls that his son, now a young man, was in a pram when they once visited Blackpool. If he needs a break he visits his brother who also lives in Huddersfield.
Christopher says life on Universal Credit was tough at first as he was short of money and needed an advance, but now he is more settled now and is earning his own money too.
“I think I am better off working,” he says, but he adds: “The more I earn, the more they take off.”
Stephen Johnson, 36, from Huddersfield, has rarely been out of work before but has just signed up for Universal Credit as he searches for employment. He has seen his gas and electric bills soaring.
He thinks the Government should take action to curb what he calls excessive profits by energy firms.
“It seems with the Government, huge corporations seem to get away with murder. When I am working I have to pay tax every month.”
He says his daily electric bill used to be about £1 a day but was now closer to £1.60. Gas is costing him around £1.50 a day, up from about 50p, he says.
“My landlord is fitting some new windows. You can feel the cold breeze coming through them - it was freezing.”
Stephen says he “can’t afford to do anything” at present, apart from watching TV. He doesn’t drive and only enjoys the odd beer. Asked about money-saving tips when it’s cold, he says: “I just put a jumper on. I keep doors and windows shut.”