Still impacting our lives. I'm on the vulnerable list and previously shielded for 16 months...

Myself and my daughter were extremely careful during the covid outbreak but unfortunately when the schools reopend in September we both tested positive, this meant my daughter missing valuable school time in her final year...

Listening to the news I felt sorrow for the people across parts of the country that have been affected by the recent storms, having been cut off from electricity / phone coverage and struggling to keep warm then I thought about myself again, living on a low income, the winter is setting in fast, yes we are connected to the grid but I am sitting here in the dark, only switching on lights if really needed, the heating is off as usual while I wrap myself in blankets, I am connected to the internet but this is slow as we only have a basic service and there is no credit left on my phone to make contact with the outside world...

While the elite decide which alcoholic drink to have, there are human beings making decisions whether to buy food or put heating on....

Covid is still affecting my family as we are a family of 4 children in education. This put the children in constant direct contact with others so not only are we being track and traced regularly but the kids being out of school so much means they seem to being getting every bug and cold going around which leads to needing pcr test so we seem to be going in circles with the kids having to be off for testing which is costing a lot in fuel...

I am exhausted, how are we meant to deal with Christmas and general living when the £20 uplift has been taken away, the cost of energy has shot through the roof and the kids being at school/college has them in direct contact with other people which is leading to so many track and trace calls to be tested and the kids just generally catching EVERYTHING that is going around because it’s that time of year and then needing to be tested, it’s costing us a fortune in fuel getting too and from test centres...

So it is currently 2:30am, this is the 3rd time in 5 days that I love found myself sat on the sofa in the dark while the rest of the family is asleep. I love Xmas it’s my favourite time of year but this year feels different...

The dreaded covid still hasn’t left us financially and it won’t do for a very long time. Since the £20 uplift has been taken away and the energy prices have rocketed...

I guess I am currently struggling to improve my work abilities. Finances and the lack of opportunity to increase my income is preventing Mr from developing good effective experience and training...

I am really struggling with my budget atm. I have spend £40 on gas this week alone...