Over the past few months Leeds Live reporter Lucy Marshall has been speaking to people about how they are coping through the rising cost of living crisis. Back in June, we spoke to Leeds residents who said they now "swear" by yellow label products, hunt for bargain deals "all the time", and switched supermarkets to cut back on expensive products.
They said 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. But four months later residents admit things have become more "difficult", as they "try to survive"
Recent data published by Leeds Live revealed that basic goods and services for a typical family with two young children are around £400 a month more expensive than they were last year. Residents admitted they are not able to buy as much food, and are trying to cut down meal portions to stretch out their products for the month.
When people get paid monthly, they are left with "next to nothing" to pay for extras as they spend their wages on rising rent and mortgage bills, as well as energy, water, and transport. However retired residents admitted they have been saving years and have the back up of their pension to help them through.
A usually busy Leeds city centre was quiet on late Friday morning into lunchtime, with shops looking bare. We spoke to people out and about who shared how they are coping.
'I'm literally just trying to survive'
The same cannot be said for other age groups, including mothers, students, and people who work in the city. Diane, 62, who lives in Leeds with her son was shopping for bargain deals in Leeds city centre on Friday afternoon.
"I'm literally just trying to survive. It's really bad especially when I have just found out I've got lung cancer," she said.
"I'm struggling. It is trying to find places to shop, you've got to have enough food to last you a month.
"I am stretching my food out. It is very difficult, it is a struggle since the rising cost of living."
Student Freya, 18, who goes to Leeds City College, said: "Only one of my parents are working at the moment so it's difficult. We have been shopping at Aldi for a long time, but everything is costing a lot now.
"Regardless of shopping cheap. I go out sometimes with my friends but I debate whether I want to because of money."
Carol and Denise are both retired and live in Leeds. Carol said: “You’ve just got to cut back haven’t you. Like before we’d put the heating on for hours but now it might just be an hour on a night."
Carol agreed that many people have taken switching on the heating for granted: She said: "With shopping as well I go for own brands in supermarkets now rather than the big brands. Apart from Warburtons, I’ve got to have my Warburtons."
Finding jobs and bringing in business is 'difficult'
The owner of a phone accessories business in Leeds said: "Covid has changed business, it's quiet and every day you get less and less customers. I understand because people can not afford things that are not essential like phone accessories. It's a treat and I guess they can do without it.
"I have kids and a family and business being down has affected me. I think it is difficult."
Janet, from Beeston, came into Leeds city centre on Friday to go to the job centre. She said: "I’m struggling for work at the moment. I think we all just have to cope don’t we. My children are all grown up so it’s just me. The job centre was empty when I went in."
"I’m on the streets I’ve had to move in with my parents since it all happened’ another man said.
How pensioners are coping
Frank, who is in his 70s, said: "The companies that I worked for meant I was left with three pensions, so I am comfortable and I manage fine. I am a saver and because the interest rate is going up I am getting good interest on my savings. This has helped me with my fuel bills.
"So even though my fuel bills have gone up and we are getting help from the government, I am generally OK. So I've got a nice bit of interest on the money I've got. I've got sons and daughters who are going through it too."
A 74-year-old resident, who did not want to be named, was sorting out his finances on Friday morning to make sure he is able to pay his bills on time. He said: "I'm doing OK. I've got everything I need and I've sorted out my direct debits so I can pay everything on time."
A man in his 20s said: "I live in Harehills and it’s just getting a bit hard a that moment for everyone. I’m struggling with rent and bills."
Pensioner Steve who works as a First Bus driver said: "I’ve switched to Aldi since the crisis. I used to be a Morrisons shopper but 10p added here and there adds up. But I am a pensioner so generally I’m alright."
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