Where is the cost of living crisis exactly?

JizzBeans

Other than a handful of minor price increases on some food items and petrol/diesel, I'm struggling to see a "crisis". When I am in town, cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops are packed with people. Hot food deli's still have lines out the door and any sign of hot weather, all the yokes load up on booze and disposable BBQ's. Dublin airport is choked with holiday makers.

Since the price fuel went, I have just driven less. Food prices go up, I buy less junk food and/or less frivolous spending. Its not that hard. Overall my costs are not up significantly.

Why are we hearing so much bluster on the news about a crisis exactly? Where is it?

L1011

Standard grocery items can be up to 40% depending on the item. Motor fuel was nearly 2x the price at peak versus a year earlier, despite a substantial duty cut. Electricity and gas are up 40%+ even when on the best plans.

This is a very wealthy country, and the people you see in restaurants etc have the headroom financially to cope with rises - to a point. Not everyone can.

I've barely noticed it, with a quite energy efficient house*, a car I use for leisure only, and a decent income. In Winter I will definitely notice the energy price bits. But that doesn't mean its not hammering those on lower incomes, in more marginal housing.

*which is only so as I've spent five figures on doors, windows, attic insulation, heating upgrades, premium appliances and so on. Not an option when you are broke.

Allinall

OP. Have you a decent income?

I have, and have made similar adjustments to my lifestyle.

However, I can fully understand that there are an awful lot of people who do not have the headroom ( thanks to L1011) to absorb all the increased costs.

Just because you don’t feel it doesn’t mean there isn’t a crisis.

For every person you see in cafes, pubs, airports etc. there are a multiple of that number invisible to you or me who are feeling pain.

Still lighting my smokes with €50 cash notes that I light with my gas hob.

JizzBeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119438894#Comment_119438894

Still not seeing the "crisis"though.

Hasn't there always been a cohort in Ireland who can never seem to afford anything, always struggling etc, etc

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058257746/where-is-the-cost-of-living-crisis-exactly

You do know it affects the low and middle incomes. You sound like you're doing ok... you probably shouldn't gloat about it though.

JizzBeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119438937#Comment_119438937

Teacher, secure job but good income is debatable. I'm not exactly in the 1% myself.

Richard Hillman

Restaurants are full, pubs are at decent capacity, retail shops are doing reasonable for this time of year buy quess what? There are people who work in those restaurants, cafes, shops, the airport who are paying 50+% on their rent and now energy and food prices have gone up.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119438943#Comment_119438943

Its a significantly increased cohort now; and continuing to grow.

Notmything

I work with families in poverty and can definitely see how it's impacting them. The jumps in gas/electricity in particular are biting. Many would have prepay meters which are just eating money at this stage.

Fortunately for some with the schools off the cost of fuel isn't as big a concern as in early summer.But it's all the price hikes in foodstuffs and that. When you're on a budget with little or no scope for finding the extra few euro then the crisis is real.

Personally I've been able to just about manage, the cost of fuel for the car would probably be my biggest concern.

If you're a taxi driver (or anyone who drives for a living) you can't just "drive less". And we won't start to see the full impact of electricity and heating costs until November/December.

bucketybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119438957#Comment_119438957

Let me guess, PE teacher?

It's certainly not economics anyway.

JizzBeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439040#Comment_119439040

Religion & Geog. Whats your point exactly?

xxxxxxl

1 out of 10 tbh. 🤤

Yup, troll. Take another 3 months off.

Spend that time jizzing your beans.

El_Duderino 09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058257746/where-is-the-cost-of-living-crisis-exactly

Isn't the fact that you're cutting down on spending the entire point? When you cut your spending as an individual it makes no real difference. When the entire country cuts down on spending, people go out of business and lose their jobs and spending contracts again, and so on. So you get a recession along with increased prices.

That's my understanding anyway.

Beatty69

What an arrogant and idiotic post OP. Fuel costs up 45 euro per week if you have to drive 550km per week minimum to get to work and back, oil costs up 15 euro per week, electricity costs up 20 euro per week. That totals at least €4,160 per year before we even look at the increasing cost of groceries.

Do you have or did you have €4,160 per annum that you weren't using? If you did can I ask where where you putting it? Into a few takeaways?

billyhead

The point still stands that people can ease the cost burden by making changes themselves. Walk or cycle more instead of driving 1-2km up the road. Do you really need 2 cars for the household? Get rid of Sky Sports as it's not a necessary. Become more efficient at home when using electricity i.e not leaving the TV on standby, turning off lights in rooms your not using etc etc. Do you really need avocados on toast? Will a tin of beans not suffice? Can you not use the likes of those all in one phone plans for 11.99 per month instead of expensive bill pay plans? There just some examples. It's not rocket science. People just need to become more aware of how they can cut back on expenses.

JizzBeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439114#Comment_119439114

Why is it arrogant and idiotic?

Lets assume your numbers are correct, then 4160 is only about 80 euro a week? Not exactly astronomical. Just buy less booze and takeaway.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439148#Comment_119439148

The people who are suffering particularly badly don't have two cars (or often one car), they don't have Sky Sports and they aren't having avocado toast (that's such a tired right wing meme at this stage).

There isn't that margin to save for people who are already in the ****. It might stop you getting that broke if you were middle income before though.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439179#Comment_119439179

And if you didn't buy booze and takeaways?

Remember that the middle class padding was never these for those on lower incomes.

How would you handle a 4k paycut? Or a 5/6k paycut as it is for people on lower middle incomes, or an 8k cut for those on normal middle incomes?

gary550

obviously not a maths teacher anyway

If you're on a decent income, don't have to travel far in a car for work, are single or couple with no dependants and aren't paying a whopping mortgage or rent - well you're about as insulated as it gets.

Speaking from the side of business nearly all of raw material, wholesale products, price of equipment, vehicle running costs, maintenance, electricity, postage, logistical costs, packing materials even the cost to run a website & advertising has gone up in price anywhere from 10-100% in the last year. The only cost increase we haven't seen is rent. Business is good and all the businesses you mention do traditionally good at this time of year but when it comes to winter and costs are set to rise again people won't have the pennies to stretch which is when you may see things suffer.

I'm meeting more and more people lately that is involved in business that are saying x business isn't doing great or y business is to the wall. All these businesses employ people, some small some big. What happens if there is even a 10% downturn in business? bye bye jobs.

There is one business I'm familiar with (same industry) and they have cut staff to bare bones, boss man is giving it till October to pick up & if not they've no money to keep going. Bear in mind this business has been around since before I was born.

Then you'll see your cost of living crisis :)

gary550

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439179#Comment_119439179

Weren't the ASTI not threatening strike action recently because of "significant" increase in living costs and how it was effecting teachers (cause you lot are the only people things seem to effect in the eyes of teaching unions). Same with INTO.

If €80 a week isn't astronomical I'd presume you won't support any strike action for pay increase in the case talks breakdown? Maybe you'll reject any increase in wage because it wouldn't be exactly astronomical anyway?

gypsy79

I earn TWICE what OP earns and am struggling with increases

Its everyone

tabby aspreme

That's 80 euro after tax, equivalent to a 5-7 grand pay cut

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058257746/where-is-the-cost-of-living-crisis-exactly

There are definitely increases, that can't be denied. Luckily enough as someone with no kids depending on me I can weather it but I'm VERY empathetic that there are many who can't. Electric, car fuel, groceries have all increased substantially.

I'm probably one of those people out for a food and pint in the pubs of town last night. Make no mistake though, it's there. Everyone is feeling some sort of pinch. Some more than others.

Spoke to 3 business owners in the last week. All are seeing the downturn.

Builders merchants quiet as builders are on short weeks. People can't afford the increased cost of jobs.

Fishermen only doing 1 extended trip a week instead of 2 shorter duration due to fuel costs.

Gardening business with only his backorders to fill to October and no new orders in. He's working to pay wages and bills due to increased costs. There's no profit.

Thankfully I'm cushioned a bit. No mortgage, reduced to 1 car due to working closer to home. Self sufficient for veg year round and fill a freezer with meat once a year.

Overheal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058257746/where-is-the-cost-of-living-crisis-exactly

....

Tonesjones

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439291#Comment_119439291

Pay deal

Mr. teddywinkles

Just tells me that some sectors are overpaid and bloated to the point that ignorance sets in judging op like this.

Maybe an overall correction is needed

Might bring costs down and inflation.

EOQRTL

Plenty of people struggling OP including myself. Do you use binoculars to look down on everyone from your ivory tower?

Celticfire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439985#Comment_119439985

I'd say it's more likely the box room in their Ma's house.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439985#Comment_119439985

Nah.. I'd say he's living outside of the cities, is single, just a short drive from work, etc.

The two major considerations are rent and kids. Rent in Ireland is nuts, especially in the cities.. and likely to increase as we have an inept government.

Having kids changes everything. Childcare, school uniforms/books, all those extras for kids (tours, phones, pocket money) adds up. And adds up hard.

It's generally easy for single people to cut corners. Much harder for families with a few kids.

History Queen

I'm a teacher with two children and a third on the way. We're absolutely feeling the pinch, mainly with fuel costs, rising esb bills and grocery costs, but we are lucky that there are things we can cut back on. Planned home renovations have been put on hold indefinitely. Childminding fees will be halved when I go on maternity leave. Our holiday this year is house swopping for a week with my sister in law who lives by the beach 2 hours away from us. Family days out capped to free activities.

I think the degree to which you feel feel crises is so individual depending on your circumstances. For example we have a mortgage, child care fees and a car loan as well as creditcard debt. We have one low earner and one mid earner in our household. A similar sized family without debt would not be feeling the pinch as much as us, on the other hand a family with only one mid to low earner and a stay at home parent would feel the pinch more. A singleparent family more again...etc.

Experiences are so individual I really don't think any two households will experience this crises the same way.

Happymonkey123

I think OP slightly shortsighted. Great they are not feeling crisis....yet. Point is if price of oil continues to go up it affects everything, there is a war in Eastern Europe & looks like nothing changing. Inflation half people can deal with, hyperinflation 99% cant. When government have to reduce your wage as their income is greatly deflated due to businesses shutting down, rise in welfare & inability of people to pay taxes & make purchases, you'll prob feel pinch then! Maybe OP should consult a History teacher, rising inflation in Europe in 1930s causing unrest, one of primary reasons growth in Fascism & World War 2.

"Winter is coming"

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058257746/where-is-the-cost-of-living-crisis-exactly

cause we re all the same, we all experience life exactly the same, we all are in the same place in life, in particular in relation to finances, i.e. the cost of living for all, is always the same, always.......oh wait!

Pissy Missy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439970#Comment_119439970

Despite OP just asking a question, unfortunately there are a lot of trolls and hypocrites on boards who will bash away instead of responding respectfully, not worth giving them any attention

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058257746/where-is-the-cost-of-living-crisis-exactly

Surely your joking 😳 minor increases in some food products 😳

March 2022

Butter own Brand €2.29, Now €3.49

Cream own Brand €1 now €1.49

Milk 1 litre own brand €0.79 now €1.39

I'll focus on Dairy but shocking increases weekly on Meat and other products.

Diesel & Petrol 😳 need I elaborate

Utility prices, Need I elaborate 🤔

Every day necessities, need I elaborate 🤔

Of course inflation partly to blame, but seriously, weekly blatant price gouging is taking the absolute Pee & few, actually no one calling it out.

touts

We are feeling it every day in petrol, groceries etc.

But just one small example that struck me yesterday. 24 cans of minerals in Tesco. We got some packs before last Christmas for 9.99. Yesterday in the same Tesco they were in the special "promotions" section with the "reduced" price of €14 with a clubcard. 40% increase.

Ok that's just one example but it is one that stuck in my mind yesterday.

rogerywalters

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058257746/where-is-the-cost-of-living-crisis-exactly

How many people do you think fit in restaurants in comparison with say the full population? It doesnt mean shite.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119440160#Comment_119440160

...and many large corporations, including energy companies, showing record profits!

RobbieTheRobber

Gotta hate this age of the big corporations during which this cost of living crisis gets worst for the poorest all the while these large these companies make records profits.

Costly wars popping up at the same time further impacting some countries spending. Funnily enough to large companies who will make record profits from that too.

But really this thread isn't about that, it is an old school will waving contest attempt by the OP. Ohhhh look at me I'm so rich and frivolous all these cost of living increases don't even affect me.

Probably apart from putting the butler on half days or something.

😜😆

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119440213#Comment_119440213

ah tis a bit more than that, its actually an attempt to ridicule elements of society, to point the blame at them for their own failures, its a common approach by the more conservative and libertarian members of the forum, and you d be surprised by amount of people that believe it to....

you can see elements of this in the uk also....

https://twitter.com/i/status/1555642127115247617

rtron

There's a honeymoon period occuring with people going on holidays they have already booked since the end of the pandemic restrictions. So things look good interms of restaurants packed and busy holiday towns etc... But there's a big hangover coming once back to school costs kick in along with rising foods costs, fuel, repaying loans for holidays and the big one, mortgage interest increase.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119440187#Comment_119440187

I'm honestly flabbergasted the cost of living crisis could be so trivialised.

Maybe some live in ivory towers and are not impacted at what's going on. I'd wager the vast majority impacted, wether they be working, on limited incomes and even those who were relatively comfortable.

There's something very different about this particular crisis, I recall the crash and indeed dare I say last recession. Costs are spiralling almost weekly and whilst there's some explanations for some price increases , there's many unanswered questions, particularly with what I see as blatant gouging going on in Supermarkets.

We get Monthly inflation figures and yet Supermarkets in particular seem to have their own, Daily and weekly inflation numbers.

Wezz

Maybe when schools reopen in September you can have a look around your class and see the impact on people. Not being personally affected by something doesn’t mean it’s not happening. I’m lucky myself to not have felt it too much in any serious way - we have cut back on our social life and won’t be taking a city break this winter so very first world problems but it’s still an impact. We both work and don’t have kids so we can absorb it to a point, others don’t have that wiggle room.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119440292#Comment_119440292

I'm not a parent but my lord I've seen a lot of mention on Boards and Twitter about the staggering costs of Uniforms and back to school expenses , honestly I don't know how parents are coping. I hear mention of back to school allowance as if it's anywhere near enough & if folks are eligible, I also hear of extraordinary delays in processing this and indeed the working family payment.

Jarhead_Tendler

The original post sounds like a Fine Gael message

osarusan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439179#Comment_119439179

Just buy less booze and takeaway.

The moment whn you realise the OP just wants to talk shyte and stir shyte.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119440322#Comment_119440322

'keep the recovery going'!

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119439179#Comment_119439179

Why don't you explain that to the portion of your students that will probably be coming to school hungry from Sept on. For a teacher you don't seem to to be able to grasp the situation at all - either that or you are simply trolling.