FAMILIES in Poole are shifting their spending habits as they struggle to cope with the soaring cost of living - but they are clinging on to some luxuries.
Careful shopping was the watchword when the Echo visited Canford Heath, one of Europe's largest housing estates, to ask residents how they were coping with rocketing petrol and food bills, gas and electricity hikes, and an atmosphere of economic gloom.
On Wednesday Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, warned there was a real risk of recession as the golden age' came to an end.
He forecast further falls in the housing market, rising inflation and a slump in economic growth.
Shoppers and traders at Culliford Crescent, Canford Heath, said they were already feeling effects.
Sharon Brooks, 38, said: "I'm more careful - looking at the shelf prices when before I wouldn't. I'll buy the cheaper version - so the quality of the food we eat has gone down.
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"As the years go on things are going to go up - but the wages don't go up, there's not an even balance. It's getting more difficult for families, especially young families, to budget for it."
Sharon, who works in price control at Sainsbury's, Alder Hills, said she had noticed the difference in her job: "Tins of salmon jumped up by 50p in one go - it's not just one or two pence any more."
Pensioner Jill Telling, 70, of Wallisdown said: "Yesterday I went to get some cooking oil, which is normally around 55p and it was £1.09. I thought there must have been a mistake. Prices are going up overnight - it's not right."
She said she had to put £90 away a week just for bills. "It is scary," she added.
"Prices have gone through the roof," added her son Nigel, 46, a postman. He added: "I shop around now - before I'd have bought it all from the same store."
Jane Powell, mum of five from Wallisdown, said she had turned to cheaper brands: "I'm trying to cut back," she added. "But it's difficult when you have a lot of children."
Max Downs, 51, from Canford Heath, a taxi driver currently on sick leave, said petrol prices were "ridiculous."
He added: "People are working more hours a week to make ends meet. It's changing families' lives."
Charlotte Greening, 33, a senior travel consultant at Travelspeed, Culliford Crescent, said rising prices meant she couldn't afford to move out from her parents' house.
"It's impossible to rent on my own as a single person with everything going up. Wages in the south-west are not good."
But her colleague Clare Davis, 37, said the gloomy economic climate was not putting off holiday-makers.
She said: "We're actually much busier than last year. People are telling us everything has gone up and they are fed up with it - they just want to get away from it all."
Ross Long, 62, co-owner of Joanne Hairdressing, also said his business was not affected.
"In the last recession we actually saw growth within the business," he told the Echo.
"I think people say I'm going to get a hair cut - that'll make me feel better.'"
While some businesses are still buoyant, estate agents are being hit hard as the property market slumps after years of boom.
A local estate agent owner, who asked not to be named, said deals were down 40 per cent on last year as buyers failed to secure mortgages.
He said he had cut office bills to help makes ends meet.
"I've been round all the different suppliers very recently making sure we've got all the best deals. I've changed telephone and internet suppliers to save a couple of pounds. Even down to the water coolers. We cancelled them.
"They're an unnecessary luxury at the moment. I'd rather tighten our belts and make sure our staff who are loyal to us are safe, than have to cut back on staff."
Pauline Tong, 44, of florist Buds and Bloons said while her business was growing, others may feel the pinch.
"Flowers are the first thing to go as they're a luxury," she added.
Posted by: dibbles, Bournemouth on 9:30am Fri 16 May 08
Quote"Ross Long, 62, co-owner of Joanne Hairdressing, also said his business was not affected.
"In the last recession we actually saw growth within the business," he told the Echo".
I would be interested in hearing what this gentleman has to say in about 6 months time. I used to get my hair done every 6-8 weeks but now get a friend to do it at home because I cant afford it.Im sure this is going to affect alot of working class people.
Quote"Ross Long, 62, co-owner of Joanne Hairdressing, also said his business was not affected.
"In the last recession we actually saw growth within the business," he told the Echo".
I would be interested in hearing what this gentleman has to say in about 6 months time. I used to get my hair done every 6-8 weeks but now get a friend to do it at home because I cant afford it.Im sure this is going to affect alot of working class people.
Posted by: godzilla, hamworthy on 7:19pm Fri 16 May 08
Being a child og the 50's and being married through the 80's when interest rates were very high and unemployment was in the millions and house reposession was at a high I don't think it is quite as bad yet but I feel we may be heading that way again if this government is not careful. I still watch the pennies after 30 years of mariage a habit I don't think I will ever get out of. We still can't afford holidays abroad or a brand new car but that is because we don't like to have a lot of credit as is our choice. Clothes are much cheaper but the ordinary things like bread are much more expensive I have noticed.
Being a child og the 50's and being married through the 80's when interest rates were very high and unemployment was in the millions and house reposession was at a high I don't think it is quite as bad yet but I feel we may be heading that way again if this government is not careful. I still watch the pennies after 30 years of mariage a habit I don't think I will ever get out of. We still can't afford holidays abroad or a brand new car but that is because we don't like to have a lot of credit as is our choice. Clothes are much cheaper but the ordinary things like bread are much more expensive I have noticed.
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