UK Inflation

[Carl]

Interesting to see that UK inflation has risen to 4.4% Mortgage rates are at their highest in 20 years and yet Alcohol is at its lowest, Spirits fell by 5.8%. Says it all to me.

[Kriz1]

I keep a store of food so I only have to buy stuff on offer..but I did make a note of food prices last shopping trip and I was shocked at the price of meat..we don't buy much meat but I remember when mince was a cheap meal..
when I go shopping in FL tomorrow it will be interesting to see the prices..my weekly bill used to be half of what it is up in MA.. last time it was a little more..

[Carl]

It has got more expensive here , but you expect it to , we shop at BJs mostly, although prices ahave increased there, I do still feel that I am getting reasonable value for money, but some people say the UK is cheaper, no way from what I have been told by my family in the UK and it clearly is getting more expensive there now as well.

[JulieC]

Depends what you buy and where you shop. A lot of foodstuffs ARE cheaper in the UK and there are loads of special offers, two for the price of one etc, not so many of those in the US .Lots of sales etc. Debenhams had 20 percent off across the store the other week, including all new Spring stock. Most of the inflation is down to the increase in fuel prices, energy prices and VAT rising to 20 percent. Dunno about booze, but there are pubs shutting down all over the place, for sale and to let signs up everywhere.

[Carl]

There are lots of BOGOF offer and special offers here now, it must have changed since you left america, Infact Wal mart have lowered there prices on many food items now, dont know how they have done it, but they have. I dont know where you shop Julie, but according to my family both in the south and the north, its more expensive in the UK. As for the Pubs, yes I believe that is happening all over the UK, not supprising when its so cheap in the supermarkets and they can sell it to 15 year olds without any hassle. We had a pub as one of our businesses in the UK, you could see the writing on the wall back then, some say its because of the non smoking policy, but I think its just smokers that say that.

[Kriz1]

From the papers we get sent over from the UK supermarket prices do seen cheaper there..I use the 10/10 deals..that saves a bomb..
the cost of heating and cooling is the big killer for me..I can't see how I can save any more or use any less..it like Obama says he would like costs to double..then we would have to leave MA it would take nearly half my husbands wage to heat and cool the house..

[chris]

A lot of food commodities globally have increased and as Julie said that's pushing prices up. Manufacturers can only absorb price increases so far and then they have to start passing on. The volatile price of oil is also having a knock on effect on the price of everything you buy. A lot of power stations in the US are either coal or oil. If it's the latter, then the electric will go up to the food manufacturer who will also have to pay more for the heating oil to keep the factory warm. The railroad that uses diesel locos or the fright hauler who has diesel or gas trucks will also be paying more. It all comes to a stop at the foot of the consumer - You.
On food, start looking at the packaging. You will see how many manufacturers have redesigned packaging to give the impression you are still buying the same stuff for the same price. In actual fact you are paying the same price but getting smaller quantities. That's how they are passing on price increases to us. Crafty eh?
On the oil situation, I read last week that because Japan have shut down all their nucleur power stations and as such they are having to 'up' the output from their oil burning stations. That's affected oil. China has helped them, but it still increases the price of oil.

[Carl]

I think it must depend on where you shop and what you buy to be honest, My mum shops at Sainsbury's, My daughter shops at ASDA'S and Costco. I am with you on the cooling bills, it kills me very summer, I dread the electricity bill each month. but I suppose its a small price to pay for everything we get back out here. I dont see any UK papers, just go off what my family say, My sister moved here 6 months ago and she says its much cheaper here.

[Kriz1]

my mum will not pay more than 10p for a can of beans..lol
I stopped using central air in MA and gone to window coolers it saved me $200 plus a month last summer which was very humid ..can't use them in FL unless we use our portable ones that have a hose going out the window..they would need a bug trap in FL..not sure what the bill will be this year my son is home and back in the upstairs room that gets really hot and needs cooling 24/7 glad he pays rent..

[Phoenix]

I've noticed that the Wal-Mart GV range (Great Value) is only slightly cheaper than the brand names, sometimes only around 20 cents on some stuff. Definitely different to the likes of Tesco who's value range is a lot cheaper than the brands.

[JulieC]

There are lots of BOGOF offer and special offers here now, it must have changed since you left america, Infact Wal mart have lowered there prices on many food items now, dont know how they have done it, but they have. I dont know where you shop Julie, but according to my family both in the south and the north, its more expensive in the UK. As for the Pubs, yes I believe that is happening all over the UK, not supprising when its so cheap in the supermarkets and they can sell it to 15 year olds without any hassle. We had a pub as one of our businesses in the UK, you could see the writing on the wall back then, some say its because of the non smoking policy, but I think its just smokers that say that.

Asda and Aldi predominantly. Sometimes Morrisons.

[Carl]

I used to love the BBQ at Morrisons, they did some great stuff there.