I am surprised to hear that some media channels say the cost of living crisis is over.

I have never seen any information online or on TV. I have not heard anyone speak of this.

If so I would be writing about it in my diary. I would have hope again.

Food costs are still rising and private rental homes are still increasing, here in Stonehaven.

I noticed my broadband bill has jumped from £25 to £31.99 and I've not had heating on throughout the summer.

Been contemplating sending an email to my landlord about a list of broken promises regarding repairs. Some of them dating back as far as last October /November.

Headline news article today has put me right off!!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65114284

Interesting article in the news about free school meals being offered to all primary school children across London.

"Exclusive: Sadiq Khan’s plan, spurred by ministers’ ‘failure to act’, will save families about £440 for every child"

Khan goes on to say,

“I have repeatedly urged the government to provide free school meals to help already stretched families, but they have simply failed to act.”

Here's the link.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/feb/19/london-to-offer-free-school-meals-to-all-primary-pupils-for-a-year?CMP=share_btn_fb

My TV licence runs out soon. I always pay in full every year on the same day. I prefer to have it paid for that way. It costs slightly more to spread the cost out over the year.

The email reminder tells me to renew now. However they don't exactly explain how in doing so means it will expire in under 12 months next year.

If you're paying over the post office counter any decent staff member would advise you to wait until the start of the following month to qualify for the whole 12 months instead.

My prayers are with the victims and families currently suffering from the massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria I am so sad for Syria it's heart breaking I beg that people can still be rescued and that who ever stopped the aid from getting their sooner thinks hard about what they have done because the blood is on their hands.

I am hoping daily that more people can be saved and that help gets there as fast as possible we all need to help what ever way we can this is just so painful to hear about and see on the news my heart goes out to all of you who have lost someone I can't imagine how you feel and my heart and thoughts are with all of those lost its a dreadful thing to have happen to you all and I am deeply saddened by all what I've heard and seen I pray every one on this planet helps in anyway they can and governments step up and send more help for you all.

It was very refreshing to watch Martin Lewis (Financial expert) on TV today, reporting that there is a possibility that our fuel bills will be coming down.

Big news on Prince Harry's book today.

People are divided. Some support his honesty whilst others say he has gone too far with saying he has killed 25 Taliban when serving in the army. I see it as a distraction from other news.

The NHS crisis. King Charles accepting cash donations on behalf of charities, which screams corruption.

So sick & tired of people being publicly shamed in the newspaper for shop lifting. It's happening on a daily basis in my daily newsfeed update. Now bear with me - I'm not saying shoplifting is right, but what the powers that be need to realise is that desperate people will resort to desperate measures when their survival is threatened. Take this account from my local paper " [Woman] took cleaning liquids, meats and cheeses – together worth £70 – from [local shop] on September 2.

The 32-year-old...was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs, £70 compensation and a £16 victim surcharge by [City] Magistrates Court."

£70 is a lot of money for the local shop to lose - I don't dispute that. But when will those in power realise that shoplifting is a symptom of the problem that fining someone will not solve. But if they take practical steps to solve poverty & help those who may steal e.g. due to being ill with addictions, desperate people wouldn't need to resort to desperate measures in the first place.

I am proud to be a part of this project and would like to say how grateful I am. After speaking to a journalist about a story for this project they kindly looked into a technicality that means I am unable to qualify for free school meals due to being on legacy benefits despite having an income below the threshold for receiving them. After speaking to them I contacted my daughters school to see if they could offer any help, they awarded my daughter a discretionary bursary to help with the cost of school meals, text books etc. My daughter is now able to eat in the school canteen without having the worry about if I have the money to put on her school lunch account and has also been able to order some revision guides to help her in a subject that she feels is a bit of a struggle. This is having a positive effect on my daughters learning and confidence after feeling left out and different for so long.

I never enjoy Christmas.

I will be alone with my 16 year old autistic daughter.

Family are not supportive and it has become a competition of who got what gift and OTT dinner tables.

Previously, I always found myself making excuses to leave early as they brag about holidays and types of cars. I am unable to return the favour of inviting them round due to being unable to afford to feed them all.

It wouldn't be good enough anyway.

I don't have a cabinet of drink and platters of snacks to dish up.

Nobody has been in contact to ask if we are OK.

I don't mind a quiet Xmas. But would be lovely to have some company.

So just like last year, it will be just the two of us. I'm actually financially worse off than last year.

I keep reminding myself, it's just one day. That all the social media posts of matching pyjamas is them buying into what companies sell.

It's a mix of relief my daughter is past Santa and understands I cannot give her much. She says it doesn't matter, but I feel guilty. I've been feeling guilty for 10 years since I left my ex and had to struggle financially. Every time she was bullied at school. Every time she missed out on treats. Every time someone from school went on holiday. When we had no heating,

It was supposed to get better.

We are safe and there is no violence in our home. I didn't plan for the discrimination and ignorance of others who blame me for leaving a "good" lifestyle. Not one family member has offered support to let me go to work. No lifts to the supermarket out of town in their top of range car. No asking how we are feeling and coping in this cost of living crisis. Did I mention my family are Tories?

Christmas is nearly here. I’ve got my tree up but I’m not feeling my usual joy. Every penny I spend I’m conscious of it. My granddaughter went into my fridge last night looking for a smoothie and it made me think about how long it is since I’ve done an actual shop. Must be months. Why is life so hard at the moment? When is it going to change? How is it going to change? I grew up in the 80s when times were hard but I was shielded from it. Things are so different now to then. It’s all about showing off on social media. Showing what you have. Showing what the kids have. Sad hard times.

Actor Brian Cox is on TV with his program 'How the Other Half Live'. Exploring the wealth divide, a documentary that looks at how money changes people and how it brings people together, whether it is good or bad.

He spoke to a billionaire who pays his taxes and also says that the law allows him not to pay more, even though he could. He didn't say if he gave to charity.

An interesting watch.