Crazy Tuesday

[wiseheart]

... because it was very, very busy. And I've been deadly tired since Sunday morning already. *sigh*

In any case, I got up an hour earlier than usual, got Mum and myself sorted, made breakfast, and then left the house to deal with Telecom in person. Fortunately, it was an easy thing and I didn't even have to wait for long, so I went to the craft shop afterwards, where I purchased 2x1m of lovely, patterned soft felt (1m of each) and some hard felt sheets for the time when I'll be done with the baby books and the Hello Kitty booklets and feel like sewing again.

After that, I visited the Lindt shop and bought our Easter prezzies: one Goldhase (of a really moderate size because of prices) and a big bag of Lindor chocolate balls. The lady at the cash desk informed me that they'll have coupon days during the weekend, at which time I could get price reductions in case I'd buy 3 different things, but I knew I wouldn't get back there during the weekend. That small shopping mall is outside my usual tours (I just went there because of the Telecom customer service), so I bought all that at full price. Not the most sane solution, but at least it's done now.

Then I went to two different supermarkets in the hope to find Activia yogurt, which seems to have vanished from the shops last week. I found some at ALDI - about 30% more expensive than a week ago. Now I know why all shops were hiding their stash - they were waiting for the price raising to come to effect. It is insane! Mum and I have been sharing one yogurt a time for years, we can hardly cut off more just to save money! And what are the many people doing who're much worse off financially than we are? Stop eating entirely?

Many supermarkets advertise their oh-so-wonderful sales, but the truth is, it doesn't help the little people if the price of smoked salmon or Irish whiskey is reduced. Little people don't eat things like that! Or can't afford to buy certain products by the dozens or in six-packs, in which case they would be cheaper by piece. While the prices for bread, dairy products, fruit, vegetables and simple meat like chicken or pork hit the roof!

Between us, Mum and I can manage on our pensions put together. I'm just hunting sales because I've learned early on that that is the way to make ends meet. It is still frustrating how the costs of living are skyrocketing. Every time I set foot in a supermarket I experience a brand new shock.

Okay, enough whining. I managed to squeeze in a bit of writing again, which is a relief. No crafting though, as I had to leave soon after lunch for choir practice. I might not have gone, but I had to fetch my pre-ordered (and pre-paid) eggs from school anyway, and in the end I was glad that I went. Choir practice is always a delight.

Comments

[meathiel]

Even though we don't have to, we usually buy what's on offer at the supermarket and plan our meals accordingly. Have always done it this way, I'm just used to it.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Glad the Telecom thing went well.
I hear you about the prices on various things.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Food prices are a real problem for people on low budgets, especially when combined with heating bills. I've seen headlines of people who are down to eating one meal per day and one hour of heating. I thank God every day, that I have enough.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Back during the old regime, food was cheap. The variety wasn't big, but the basic things were easily affordable by everyone. Now we have all that fancy stuff for a few obscenely rich people, and the rest must struggle to make ends meet.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

So do I. Literally each evening.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I don't even want to think about what people can do who are really poor.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Exactly. And the cheaper stuff is never the healthier.

[noadvertising.livejournal.com]

Yes, the prices of food are still going up. At least milk and butter are cheaper now. Problem is that I do not drink milk and do not need that much butter.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

They are not cheaper here — and we do drink a great deal of milk!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

What cheaper stuff? That which used to be cheaper has reached the level of the expensive stuff over here.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Ouch

[beauty-forashes.livejournal.com]

And what are the many people doing who're much worse off financially than we are? Stop eating entirely?

That's what I wonder too sometimes when I look at prices. Especially young families, the elderly or single parents...how do they even manage? :(