The government's measure of inflation seems not to apply to people like me who spend on essentials i.e. proper food made from ingredients, power and fuel. Not clothes, new cars, electronic gadgets, eating out etc.
To illustrate that: from an email last week from EDF Energy:
"Congratulations!
It has been two years since you signed up for the Read. Reduce. Reward Scheme and we are delighted to award you 1000 Nectar points for reducing your annual electricity usage from year one to year two. Your usage is recorded below.
Year 1 annual electricity usage - 015736 kWh
Year 2 annual electricity usage - 007198 kWh"
Yes - that is a 55% decrease - for which we have worked hard.
This morning, the end of year payment review arrived, telling us that our monthly budget plan payment has been changed (i.e increased) from £46 to £70 - a 52% increase.
I think I'll blow the Nectar points on long johns for us to wear in the winter... or perhaps candles to light us after dark.
menhir
That, in a global sense, just about sums it all up. You're lucky you don't live in the colder North, where you probably wouldn't have even made it to the offer of 1000 Nectar points. Even if you did, they have no currency within any area I know within 300 miles or so.
Enjoy your long johns and make sure they are quick drip drying ones.