I would be better off being unemployed

The pay freeze that we have been subject to has led me into deeper and deeper debt, no savings, a broken marriage, a host of creditors seeking payments and an inability to keep up with rising utilities, fuel and food prices. It’s an absolute disgrace that while politicians and bankers still award themselves pay increases and bonuses, those that had no part in creating the recession are suffering more and more. I would be better off being unemployed.

Roddy, forest manager, Scotland



I’ve had to get a second job and use food banks

As I’m crew for an airline and have to travel for work, the fall in the pound has made it more expensive to eat when I’m away. I love my job and what I do but I’ve had to get a second job delivering parcels on my days off to make ends meet. I use a food bank when things get really tight. I’m ashamed of this and haven’t told my family or friends how bad things have become.

I’m crying as I write this. My employer has made bigger profits again this year but my salary is only minimum wage. How is this fair?

I’m usually very good at managing my finances but am now in debt for the first time in my life. I’m starting to feel really depressed about my situation and have considered finding another job altogether. But I love being cabin crew – it’s all I ever wanted to be. I just didn’t realise how much my dream would destroy my life financially.

Anonymous, airline crew, London



All the lights at home stay off and the heating no longer goes on

My salary has remained the same but everything is increasingly expensive, which makes every day a struggle. To ensure we stay afloat I have had to cut back dramatically. All the lights at home stay off and are only turned on when it’s absolutely necessary. The heating no longer goes on and we purchased secondhand blankets from the charity shop to see us through the winter. Meals are cooked daily with anything that is left over and topped up with vegetables.



Lou, payment manager, London



I felt well off 10 years ago. Now I feel poor

One third of my income goes on the mortgage, on a house I could no longer afford to buy at today’s prices. Another third goes on food, utility bills, council tax and so on. I rarely buy clothes, waiting until old ones are full of holes. I buy linen and towels in sales only and go to charity shops for books. I had no pay rise at all throughout the coalition government and have had 1% per annum since.



I have had to scrimp and save on everything. I felt comparatively well off 10 years ago. Now I feel poor. As a public servant, I feel completely shafted. I did not throw away money like the bankers.



Anonymous, public servant, Chichester

We budget our meals, shop at Lidl and eat a lot of lentils

I have two small children and work part-time. Like many of my friends, I have a good month if I break even after childcare and travel costs of work are paid out from my salary.



We budget our meals, shop at Lidl and tend to eat a lot of lentils. My husband and I don’t buy coffee out and we take lunch to work. I am worried about the increased cost to our family if our children stop receiving free school meals. I feel for those who earn less than we do. I am very conscious that I earn a reasonable amount and still feel the difference in the cost of food with prices increasing at the supermarket. So far, we have continued to take our children to after-school clubs, but we may need to cut back in the future.



Anonymous, solicitor, London



Public sector workers complain about 1% pay rises, but that’s more than I’ve had for years

I have not had a pay rise for more than eight years. This is mainly due to the government not increasing legal aid fees and my firm not increasing pay as a result. I have learned to budget more over time while my living costs have noticeably increased and my income stayed static.



I have had to reduce my pension payments that should have increased incrementally over time. I now have several bank accounts that I manage online, putting money into savings accounts to prevent me spending it. I also withdraw a set amount of cash per week so I don’t overspend.



It’s a frustrating situation. I see people in the public sector complaining about 1% pay rises, but that’s more than I have had for many years.



Stewart Hugh, Manchester

I used to not worry about the cost of a meal out

I have worked for the NHS for many years, and worked my way up through several pay bands. However, I am not well off and I’m struggling financially. I can just about scrape enough together for holidays, but can’t now save at the same time. It will be 15 years before the mortgage will be paid off, the same year I’ll hopefully be able to access my NHS pension. I feel vulnerable and a little bleak. I love my job though, and don’t want to change it.



I have started accounting for every penny. I didn’t used to worry about the cost of a meal out, but I now actively economise. I go out less and buy less, though I was never extravagant before. My car is secondhand and 11 years old.



At the age of 45, it doesn’t feel easy. However, I’ve got a lot more than many others and just have to get on with it.



I use a cost-tracking app on my phone. I take my lunch to work and cycle some days. I cook from scratch. I have borrowed cash from a relative to pay for a dental expense and agreed a repayment plan. I feel in control but only just.



Anonymous, NHS worker, Scotland



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