I work in a B.C. food bank. We’re serving triple the number of people we used to.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It's insane. We spend almost 4x the amount we used to back in 2019 for our weekly groceries (nothing fancy, just Freshco and Walmart) and I, honestly, can say the quality of our material life has dropped noticeably.

Oh and don't get me started on the rent!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

The cost of things here in Canada is why my wife and I are stepping up our plans for moving overseas.

No we are not ignorant to the fact that prices have shot up everywhere. Prices have gone up a LOT worldwide. As of now anyway, the price increases we see elsewhere are nowhere near as much as in Canada.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The other day I was looking at steak and at the local butcher on Nanaimo st it was 25 bucks per steak. I know steak is a luxury but that's next level

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Try a marinading steak instead of a top quality grilling steak.

Yeah beef is expensive, but you can choose the cheaper cuts you know.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

No I agree, and I ended up going with a cheaper cut but it was still 14 dollars. Columbus meat market is usually significantly cheaper than the rest (or at least I find it is), but still expensive.

[+] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

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[+] [email protected] -9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

In one small portion I don't feel bad for some people's financial stuggles, some I do, but some I don't.

I've always believed that people use credit cards too frequently for general shopping, bying material stuff. The crass consumerism problem. It seems lots of people are not wlling to limit how much they spend for where they live, like get a mortgage and then rent out a room to help pay, no, find a cheaper place that might not look as nice.

Limit spending for outings and entertainment, buy a cheaper phone or keep it longer. Don't buy a new car if not sending money at mechanic on a consistant basis. Don't rely on restaurants and Starbucks so much. Bring food from home to work everyday, if that looks too poor that says everything about the people with that pretentious attitude.

There's freedom in restricting spending to only what I person has the cash to spend on without ever using credit cards at stores.

If all bills and expenses are always paid every month plus still have $100 in the bank and don't need to buy anything, other people's opinions are worthless.

[–] Lando_ 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't know that it's the frivolous spending that has people using food banks.

I can appreciate the sentiment here (I actually have a coworker with rich parents who practically gives me an aneurism every time she mentions her finances) but I don't think the people who are frequenting the food banks are the ones who are choosing between upgrading to the latest phone and keeping their old one, I think people using food banks are the ones deciding between eating and paying the cheapest phone bill they could find.

Not trying to argue with you for the sake of arguing either, just wanted to advocate for some empathy.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I am referancing what I noticed about people's spending and shopping habits 3 years, 8 years ago.

For example the only reason why there are $1500 phones is because they continue selling. I dont use any cell service because it's not worth the money every month. And yes that means I don't data service when I'm outside because the internet is not that important, whatever happens online can wait until I'm conneced to wi-fi somewhere again.

My whole life I've always been against million dollar homes, the ones 10 years ago, 20 years ago, that cost a million, that is pure indulgance. I find those houses have no soul, no character, they are showroom houses. Buy a cheaper house that has more of a family feel to it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

JuSt BuY a ChEaPeR hOuSe

Of course! Why didn't I think of that!?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So what do you do when you’re working 40 hours a week and your pay is less than your bills?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How serious are you and how much sacrifice are you willing to make to limit spending? It can be done only if you are willing to change how you're living, and view more things as luxeries, not mandatory for living life.

Adjust lifestyle to cut out expenses like never eat out, get rid of cell service and change to online phone service, downsize things at home, try to take on extra work, learn a new skill you monetize or make life better, see about changing living arrangements or if there is anywhere cheaper to move, even if it means smaller. Get rid of paid streaming services.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And what if you do all that and you still can’t make ends meet?

I’m not talking about me, but there’s a lot of people out there in this situation and I’m curious about what you would do.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

Some people have had to skip one meal a day and not eat, also try applying for a second job or see if can work more hours at current job. Try to re-use things that might normally be thrown away. Eliminate all social spending and leisure spending, mean don't spend money on anything that is not groceries for home, electricity, water, and transportation. Cut back to a single house phone or online service, cancel all cell services.

[+] [email protected] -10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Canadians kicked and screamed for an increase in the minimum wage. Look at how that turned out. Did you really think that was going to come out of the corporate bottom line. Not a chance. Our Crime Minister told us that Cerb and CRB payments were going to raise the deficit. He and his cronies at the Bank of Canada are in the midst of refilling the government coffers. I treated my brother to an A&W burger trio. Neither one of us had been in years. That walk down memory cost me over $35. WTF?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Ah yes the classic "minimum wage is the real problem" argument - nice.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

What is your income to expense ratio?

Vancouver