Feeling the Pinch: a poll for 5live and what you've told us
Post categories: 5 live blog,ÌýChris Mason,Ìýpolitics
| 07:38 UK time, Monday, 28 November 2011
A couple of weeks ago we started our Feeling the Pinch series on 5live. We asked you what you've been doing, if anything, to save money given the economic gloom.
I reported from Leicester, Hinckley, Wolverhampton and Birmingham. From a mum on the school run in rural Leicestershire to a whistle factory in the West Midlands, we attempted to reflect what, in practical terms, the blizzard of pessimism means.
We also - alongside and the Ö÷²¥´óÐã News website - commissioned the polling organisation to conduct a poll along similar lines, and also tap into the country's views on Wednesday's public sector strikes.
You can read more about what the poll suggests here and , and you can read my analysis of it on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã News website here.
But here on the 5live blog, I thought I'd share a few of the comments you sent us:
"I have swopped to a water meter, lifted my right foot off the accelerator; 60 mph will do. Sky TV will be cancelled. Can watch online or iPlayer. Cheap meats and veg bought at the supermarket. A good portion of liver is just 61p," Graham Leggett told us.
Susan Wrigglesworth writes: "I've stopped shopping online at sites like Debenhams, M&S, Amazon and Boots etc. It was all too easy to justify the extra £100 here and there. In other words - No more luxuries."
"Moved closer to rail station; travel by train more often; stopped shopping at Waitrose in favour of local market stalls, stopped using main car dealer, stopped eating bread, joined , write more letters of complaint to MP and local council," Steven Clarke said.
Genevieve Ellis sent us this: "We only have the heating on for one hour a day in the morning. We don't eat out very often any more and I am trying to find a job - not easy as I haven't worked for 11 years, as I have been raising my family, and I am in my mid-fifties!"
And what do you make of John Carmichael's perspective? "How do I save money? Well, I follow the example my parents always showed me - only buy things if I have the money to do so; save up for larger purchases, don't go into debt. I saved for the "rainy day" - and the "rainy day" has arrived. For years people have spent beyond their means and that is why we are in the mess we are in."
is 5live's Political Reporter. You can follow Chris on Twitter -
Comment number 1.
At 28th Nov 2011, zelda wrote:I tell you what I have been doing. I am widowed and retired on health grounds on a fixed low income. I am not old enough to yet be drawing a state pension. My daughter was made redundant and out of work for 6 months this year. I have been keeping her afloat out of my savings. She is now (touch wood) back in work. My heating is off all day and only on for a few hours at night. I am not buying anything special for christmas. I don't use my tumble dryer much anymore. I think much more about my shopping needs and rarely if ever eat out these days. I am having to eat into my savings to pay rent and council tax. I am better off than a lot of people.
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Comment number 2.
At 28th Nov 2011, zelda wrote:should have put a BUT I am better......
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Comment number 3.
At 28th Nov 2011, carrie wrote:No doubt the polling was conducted at Salford Quays.
It is a shame that some of the places already up against it and with life quality further deteriorating, were not asked. I totally respect the places chosen as ones with declining industrial clout and few prospects, but when you consider some towns in Wales and East Anglia, or coastal towns with nothing but tourism to hold them up, places not normally chosen to be looked at by 5North, then it is clear someone is missing a different viewpoint to analyse. Alot of them have been up against it for years.
Whilst the station has understandably focused on Gary Speed today, I wish it would get off the train of celebrity witnesses at Leveson, as these diminish the pain of the Dowlers and their like, and take up valuable airtime when you could simply have a news report on their testimony, whilst leaving your airwaves to actually doing extended incisive pieces on this research over a few days.
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Comment number 4.
At 28th Nov 2011, zelda wrote:I totally agree about the coverage of the death of Gary Speed. Far too much and on for far too long. His death is terribly tragic for family and friends but this over the top ghoulishness is not healthy and there are much more important things going on at the moment.
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Comment number 5.
At 28th Nov 2011, Chris Mason wrote:Zeldalicious - thanks for your posts. Carrie - cheers too, as ever. Just to clarify about the polling. We commissioned the polling organisation Comres to conduct the research on our behalf. They spoke to people from all over England, Scotland and Wales.
Separately to that, we have been asking 5live listeners for their experiences as part of our Feeling the Pinch series. We launched this series with a reporting trip across the East and West Midlands.
As for your observation that we've not reflected perspectives in coastal towns, as it happens I am writing this from Falmouth in Cornwall, where I'll be reporting live into 5live's coverage of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement on Tuesday. I'll then be visiting several different regions as part of 5live's coverage of the strikes on Wednesday.
Cheers again for listening and reading. Chris
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Comment number 6.
At 29th Nov 2011, zelda wrote:I like you Chris! You actually engage with us mere licence fee payers. That is a refreshing change from many of the blog writers.
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Comment number 7.
At 29th Nov 2011, carrie wrote:Chris you are a top bloke. Naturally I was being tongue in cheek earlier but I am glad you have gone somewhere far away from the usual places.
East Anglia next, perhaps? Or Cumbria?
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Comment number 8.
At 29th Nov 2011, zelda wrote:Cumbria? Ye Gods. I thought you liked him carrie! ;)
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Comment number 9.
At 29th Nov 2011, Chris Mason wrote:Cheers for your feedback guys. I have chalked up Swaffham, Norwich, Thetford Forest, Cambridge and Ipswich in East Anglia and Staveley and Ambleside in Cumbria reporting for 5live, but I look forward to my next trips to both regions soon. I am scribbling this en route from Cornwall to Wiltshire: next stop Swindon for Up All Night and Breakfast.
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