The Cost of Living Crisis: How We Can Fight Back

9 October 2025

Toby Patrick

Want your article or story on our site? Contact us here

The Myth of Multitasking: Why We’re Worse at It Than We Think

The Ghost in the Machine: When AI Mimics the Dead

The Man Who Swapped Salt for Bromide After Asking ChatGPT

With costs soaring, homeowners are facing a difficult challenge as they have to fork out more money to cover all the expenses. This covers several different aspects of the cost-of-living crisis, all of which are setting people back. Housing, food and healthcare are just some of the things that play their part in this rise, with the biggest cost increases coming from gas and energy bills in the home. These are becoming increasingly difficult to afford, especially for single income families who only have one parent earning money.

Woman in white shirt, stressed, holds head at desk with bills, receipts, calculator, and money. Bright room with plants in background.

While it might sometimes seem like there’s no end in sight for these cost-of-living increases, there are things that we can do to reduce their impact on our daily lives. This guide will explore how we can fight back against the cost-of-living crisis with better budgeting and lifestyle adjustments, so you no longer need to stress about your outgoings. Continue reading to find out more.

What’s Fueling The Crisis?

There’s been a lot of economical pressure that has left homeowners scrambling for cash to pay for all their expenses. Inflation has been a big factor, and while wages have remained largely stagnant, there has been an ongoing failure to keep pace with the rising price of essentials.

Housing shortages in urban centers are driving rent and home prices to record highs, which has made good housing options unaffordable for many families. Even when a family gets a home, they are bombarded with rising energy bills that get more expensive every year. Meanwhile, there are also supply chain disruptions that are keeping the cost of goods high and making food, drinks and other necessities very pricey.

It’s not just one variable that has caused this crisis, as it’s a combination of many things that has made affording a good quality of life quite difficult.

How can we fight back?

Budgeting

If you budget effectively, you can save a lot of money and fight back against the cost-of-living crisis. Start by tracking the money you earn and spend. You can then break your expenses into categories like housing, food, transport and savings to identify areas where even small cuts can add up. The 50/30/20 rule can be used to help you with this, which involves splitting your earnings so that it’s 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Lifestyle adjustments can help you gain control during a cost of living crisis. Minimalism adds value to your life by cutting out the rest, so you won’t be forking out for expensive furniture. That might mean owning fewer clothes, avoiding impulse purchases, or choosing experiences over things. Downsizing can also drastically reduce monthly expenses and can be very beneficial for families who don’t need too much space. Shifting toward a simpler way of living, individuals can stretch their income further and build resilience in uncertain economic times.

Effective Home Design

The way your home is designed can directly impact the amount you pay for bills. Features like proper insulation, natural lighting and energy-efficient appliances cut utility costs month after month. Allowing more natural light into your home means that you don’t need lightbulbs switched on all the time. Blind in Watford by Blind Technique are designed to help you control how much light comes into your home.

Community Resources

If you’re in a low-income household, don’t feel ashamed to use community resources to help you through difficult times. Food banks can be a great choice for families who can’t afford a lot of food, and there will be other families using them too, so you shouldn’t put it off. You can also choose to live in shared housing if you’re an individual, as you can then split all the rent and bills to make life more affordable.

What Can Communities Do?

It’s not just about what you can do as an individual, as communities can band together to help each other out with rising costs. Here are some things that communities should consider:

Support Local Food Initiatives:

Encourage local donation, redistribution of essentials and the creation of shared spaces for residents to grow their own produce.

Push for Affordable Housing Projects:

Promote community-backed programs that help renters eventually become homeowners.

Promote Financial Education:

Learning more about how to manage money can help with saving properly during a cost-of-living crisis.

Local Action Group Advocacy:

Push local governments to adopt fair wage policies, cap property taxes or invest in public services.

The cost of living is impacting everyone, whether you’re living alone or as a family. It’s not all gloom and doom though, as there’s things that you can do to combat the cost of living crisis and live a fulfilling life despite all the rising prices. Making a few lifestyle tweaks can make such a big difference and minimise any expenditure. You can also get all the community together to support one another, as this can benefit plenty of families.

Current Most Read

Dubai Chocolate - What’s the craze?

Ellie Waiton
Feb 20
2 min read

image of Dubai chocolate, showing the pistachio interior

Dubai chocolate is becoming more popular, especially with unique flavours and high-quality ingredients. But what makes it stand out, and why is it trending? Let’s break it down.

What it is

Dubai chocolate is known for its mix of Middle Eastern flavours and smooth texture. One of the most talked about versions right now is the pistachio kanafe chocolate. It has a green pistachio filling inspired by the traditional kanafe dessert. The filling is made from ground pistachios, sweetened cream, and sometimes a touch of rose water. Some versions also include crunchy kanafe pieces. All of this is wrapped in a layer of chocolate, creating a blend of creamy and crispy textures.

Why people like it

People enjoy Dubai chocolate because it offers something different from regular chocolate. The flavours are rich, and the packaging often looks elegant. The pistachio kanafe variety is especially popular because of its smooth filling and slight crunch, making it a unique treat.

The trend on social media

Dubai chocolate has gained attention on social media, especially TikTok, where people share their reactions and reviews. Many are curious to try it because of its distinctive flavours and how good it looks in videos.

Is it worth the price?

Dubai chocolate is expensive compared to everyday chocolate. The high cost comes from premium ingredients, fancy packaging, and branding. Some people think it’s worth the price for a special treat, while others feel it’s too costly for what you get. It depends on whether you see it as an everyday snack or a luxury indulgence.

How companies make a profit

Like many luxury products, Dubai chocolate has a high markup. The cost of making it is lower than the selling price, but branding and presentation make it feel exclusive. This allows companies to charge more and position it as a high end product.

More places adding it to menus

As its popularity grows, more restaurants and cafés are including Dubai chocolate in their menus. Businesses see it as a way to attract customers looking for something trendy and different.

My opinion

I really like Dubai chocolate. The flavours are different, and the texture is enjoyable. The pistachio kanafe version is especially good. But because it’s expensive, I see it as an occasional treat rather than something I’d buy often. Dubai chocolate is definitely interesting, and if you’re curious, it’s worth trying at least once. Whether it is or isn’t worth the price depends on what you’re looking for in a chocolate experience.