I turned-off the wine fridge yesterday (Ooooo a wine fridge I hear you say, he's posh......no, I'm not). Why? Because, like many, I'm looking at ways to save money, no matter how small. In the same day, I cancelled Spotify Premium and opted for Amazon Unlimited (£2/month saving), changed my home insurer (£55/month saving - surprised myself with that one), and through some savvy clicking, reduced the weekly 'big shop' by £30.
Now I'm fortunate to have a decent job and get paid a decent wage, but these are worrying times. Some may argue if I'm not worried where my next meal is coming from I should think myself lucky, and I do, but what I represent is many people.
We're all being dragged kicking and screaming into this cost of living crisis and to term a phrase, 'the sh*t is getting real' . You go through the finances and think 'bloody hell, where does it all go?' What's more, you may be one of those lucky people like me whose fixed-rate mortgage expires over the next 12 months, so what happens if it goes-up by £300/month, £500, £1200...........? The money tree only has so many leaves.
Of course, you make it work, you have to, but something has to give. Do you cancel your income protection or your life insurance, the safety nets you have to protect the family should something bad happen? Reduce your pension contribution? Downscale or cancel your holiday plans, cancel SKY, sell your pride and joy on the drive, tell the kids that Santa encountered strike action at the toy factory this year? All of the above? Things we have that just make life more enjoyable, might have to take a back seat, but that's no failure.
Whatever you must do, just remember the vast majority are going through the same process, maybe on varying scales, but it's all relative. This isn't a situation we created for ourselves or chose, but it's something we need to deal with nonetheless. It won't last forever and it's just another challenge life throws at us. After COVID, we should all know about that.
If you can relate, don't let things play on your mind, TALK. Us blokes are great at thinking these are our problems alone, and it's down to us to make it all work, whilst keeping the family happy. WRONG. A family wants a happy, smiley, fun you, not one that's taking on the weight of the world, wracked with anxiety and worry, finding it increasingly difficult to be that person they love. Remember that.
All the best
Ross
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