Future fears and tightening belts

Over the past year the BBC Scotland news website has been following three readers who have kept snapshot diaries of their living costs.

Here they outline their spending over a week in August and compare thoughts on how the cost of living has changed since last summer.

Stuart Chandler , 47, works as an environmental officer and lives with his family in Clydebank. Anne Thomson , 42, lives with her partner and children on South Uist and works as a money adviser. Daniel Donaldson , 29, is a trainee solicitor who lives in Edinburgh.

COST OF LIVING DIARY - STUART CHANDLER

Stuart Chandler: "Focussing on what's important"

SATURDAY 15 AUGUST

Had a nice relaxing day at home today so a quick visit to the local Co-op. Our total spend was £8.50 on groceries and £7.93 for the habitual Saturday night McDonalds treat for the kids (well 16 and 20 years old). We had a get-together with friends in the evening.

With a few beers from the fridge and my wife's favourite tipple, an inexpensive night, thanks to ridiculously cheap alcohol - about the only thing that remains good value for money. Pity cars don't run on lager..!

SUNDAY 16 AUGUST

Long lie this morning, my wife picked up some shopping at Asda today. We shop for groceries almost exclusively at Asda now, the main reason being that my wife works there and we benefit from a staff discount. Total spend £37.00. I stayed in and caught up with some overdue repair work on our whistling windows, only popping out to refuel my car. £45.00-worth - that should last me just over two weeks.

MONDAY 17 AUGUST

No spend today, an evening in front of the TV for entertainment.

TUESDAY 18 AUGUST

Again no spend today. Lunchtime in days gone by would have been an average spend of £3-£4, but I now prefer taking my own flask and sandwiches etc. The £20 saving per week can go towards our latest newly adjusted duel fuel (electric & gas) monthly payment of £141.00. This represents roughly a 70% increase in my duel fuel costs compared to 2007. My wife does drink a copious amount of tea; surely it's not the kettle?

WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST

Just £12 spent today on groceries and another night in front of the telly.

THURSDAY 20 AUGUST

No great expenditure today. I did pop into Aldi on the way home to pick up some potato scones only because they are to die for..!!!!

FRIDAY 21 AUGUST

We were £69 in Asda today buying groceries. As I finish early on a Friday I normally have a look to see what we need and text my wife a shopping list. I did go out for a couple of pints this evening and spent £8.

So there we have it, an uneventful week. Not having the same disposable income limits our capacity to enjoy any leisure activities. In the grand scheme of things MPs are now struggling to maintain their standard of life with their measly £62,000 per annum. Guess it's the same for everyone?

See Stuart's November 2009 diary

See Stuart's July 2008 diary

Back to top

COST OF LIVING DIARY - ANNE THOMSON

Anne Thomson: "Fuel, food and jobs still key"

SATURDAY 15 AUGUST

£47.48 on food.

£30.00 on diesel.

Got a few things in for the weekend, and some diesel @ £1.18 a litre.

SUNDAY 16 AUGUST

£5 mobile top-up.

Swimming and gym with the family. Our youngest still gets free swimming which is great. Even with that, our monthly spend on gym membership and swimming tickets is still around £40 a month.

MONDAY 17 AUGUST

£32.38 on food for the next couple of days

£2 bus fare.

TUESDAY 18 AUGUST

£20.27 on bread, milk, dog food and washing powder.

Milk is on special at £2.50 for 2x2 litres, a great price for here.

£15.60 for 50kg of coal, which at this time of year should last a week.

£2 bus fare.

WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST

Last day of the school holidays.

£15 for lunch out with the kids.

£12.97 on food.