Residents in Leeds have shared how they are changing their day to day spending to cope with the burden of the cost of living crisis on their finances.
Every day essentials from heating, fuel, and food are rising faster than average household incomes. Recent data published in Leeds Live revealed that basic goods and services for a typical family with two young children are about £400 a month more expensive than they were last year.
Energy prices added about £120 to families' monthly costs as price caps rose and cheap tariffs ended. The crisis has left families in Leeds making hard choice, with some having to choose between staying warm, or go going hungry.
Read more: How much is Leeds cutting back due to the cost-of-living crisis and who is responsible?
Sean Richards who lives in Holme Wood, Bradford says he has exerted all his avenues to try and pay his rising bills. He said: "We have had to borrow money from family. We have to pick between food and electricity or gas sometimes."
Now, many are changing their spending habits to help soften the burden on their purse strings. Shoppers revealed to Leeds Live that they have been "swearing" by yellow label products, switching supermarkets, and looking for bargain deals "all the time".
They added that doing this has helped keep on top of their finances, with some confessing that bargain stores have been a "saviour" during this difficult period.
Switching supermarkets and looking for offers 'all the time'
Mrs Holsha said she used to be a Morrison's shopper but has recently switched to Lidl because of the cost of living crisis. She said Lidl is "really close" to her home which makes it easier to shop there too.
The Morley resident said: "Oh yes I shop for bargains. I do the buy one get one free offers, I'm looking for offers all the time.
"I have definitely been looking for bargains more since the rising cost of living. And with the bus strikes you know, we used to use Arriva but now we have to use First Bus which is more expensive so that's another thing."
'I swear by yellow labels'
University of Leeds student Riley, 22, said she has been cutting down on her spending. She said: "Being a student I go out quite a lot so I have been trying to find cheaper ways to do it.
"I love Wilkos you can get those cans of alcohol that are literally like £1 or £2, and I also get my cleaning products in there too as they tend to be cheaper than the supermarkets.
"I swear by the yellow labels as well I rummage through the Tesco discounted section a lot. I definitely think I rely on it more since the cost of living crisis yes."
'B&M has been my saviour'
Sophie, 27, recently moved to the outskirts of Leeds city centre. She has always shopped at B&M but now relays on it more than ever before, she said.
"I love B&M. I definitely have realised that you get more for your money there.
"I’ve often seen things advertised at a lot higher price from designers or from more expensive shops that I have from B&M and you can’t tell the difference. The products of things like house decor are lovely, you really can’t go wrong.
"I’ve recently moved to Leeds and obviously with putting down a deposit for my flat couldn’t afford to get every single thing at a high price so it has been a saviour. I managed to get lots of bargains and my flat now feels like home.
"When I’m watching what I’m eating B&M is always the best bet for me as they have cheap but low calorie snacks like the whip bars and fibre ones. Beauty is also a lot cheaper there than places like Superdrug and Boots and I just love that you can get it all in one place.
"Even if I was a millionaire I’d still love a B&M haul."
'I do look for bargains but not just for the sake of it'
Anne, who was doing a spot of shopping in Leeds Trinity on Friday afternoon said prior to the crisis she already budgeted when going to the supermarket. And while she does like a bargain, she added that she does not just buy the bargain if she doesn't want it as she believes that is more wasteful.
The Leeds shopper, who said she does shop in the yellow label section, said: "I wouldn't say my shopping habits have changed but I do look for bargains if I can. If anything is reduced I don't just buy it for the sake of buying it.
"If I am not going to eat it then I won't buy it but if I am going to eat it, I will."
Meanwhile two Leeds Beckett students, who wished to remain unnamed, said they haven't switched supermarkets and shop at Morrison's in Merrion Street. "I'm really bad with money", one said.
"I shop for bargains anyway but I should probably think about it more when I go shopping how it will affect me."
A 24-year-old Leeds city centre resident added: "I try to look for bargains where I can, but generally if I go to B&M, Wilkos, and Aldi - all of which I love - everything is cheap anyway.
"I would say now I do try to buy own brand labels rather than branded all the time as for me they're no different. That has saved me a lot of money.
"Like do I really need branded washing up liquid? Well no, as long as it cleans the plate I'm happy. I have recently starting shopping more in bargain stores for beauty and toiletry products too because they can cost a lot and really add up throughout the month."
Read Next:
