THE COST of nine daily essentials has almost doubled in the space of 21 months as the cost of living continues to impact families across the UK.
In February 2022, I went to Tesco and bought nine daily household items including bread, butter, cheese and eggs to see how much it cost me.
Since then, I have been back and bought the same items on three separate occasions, to compare how the prices have changed amid the cost of living crisis.
February 2022: £7.83.
April 2022: £9.24.
October 2022: 10.49.
June 2023: £13.23.
Today (November 13) I headed back to Tesco to see how much the prices had changed since the first time I bought the nine items, here's how much it cost:
Two pints of milk: February 2022 - £0.89, November 2023 - £1.20. An increase of 31p
Warburtons 50/50 loaf: February 2022 - £0.85, November 2023 - £1.35. An increase of 50p.
Six eggs: February 2022 - £0.79, November 2023 - £1.85. An increase of £1.06.
Butter: February 2022 - £0.85, November 2023 - £2.09. An increase of £1.24.
Cheese: February 2022 - £1.79, November 2023 - £2.69. An increase of 90p.
Baked Beans: February 2022 - £0.70, November 2023 - £1. An increase of 30p.
Penne pasta: February 2022 - £0.29, November 2023 - £1.39. An increase of £1.10.
Toilet roll: February 2022 - £1.29, November 2023 - £1.79. An increase of 50p
Washing up liquid: February 2022 - £0.38, November 2023 - £0.65. An increase of 27p.
Total: February 2022 - £7.83, November 2023 - £14.01. An increase of £6.18p.
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In just under two years, the total cost of the nine items has risen by over £6, which is staggering.
Considering these are the bare basics of a food and essentials shop, the fact they have increased that much shows the reality of the cost of living crisis.
A family shop for a week would include an awful lot more food than what's listed above, and if every nine items had increased by £6, that could be an extra £50/£60 added to the total.
The use of foodbanks and community cupboards are increasing across Wrexham and Flintshire, and it's clear to see why.
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