Making Dog Food to Cut Costs
Increasing living expenses have compelled India Lerigo, a Cardiff resident, to prepare homemade dog food to save money.
India Lerigo, who works in Cardiff, stated that she saves approximately £100 monthly by making food for her Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Luna, who requires costly food due to allergies and being "very picky".
Lerigo noted that rising prices have impacted her "massively." In addition to preparing dog food, she reduces her own food expenses by bulk purchasing and batch cooking meals for an entire month.
She emphasized that party policies addressing the cost of living will influence her vote in the Senedd election on Thursday, describing it as "a big issue."
Lerigo, aged 29, mentioned that her veterinarian approved her method, and Luna is much happier "because her stomach doesn't hurt," although, as a vegetarian, she finds handling livers and hearts "freaks her out."
Previously, Lerigo spent between £400 and £500 monthly on food for herself and Luna, purchasing more expensive dog food brands to find suitable options for Luna.
Currently, she bulk buys food for both herself and Luna once a month, dedicating an entire weekend to batch cooking and freezing meals, enabling her to maintain a budget of £250 per month.
She purchases meat off-cuts and less expensive cuts such as offal for Luna, adding vegetables and other nutrients, which she cooks, freezes, and reheats in a slow cooker.
"I found when I was going into shops more, I'd pick up things that I don't need," she said.
"I take an entire weekend to bulk cook, and for me it's worth it but I would quite like that weekend back."
Lerigo spent two months researching dog nutrition and consulted her vet before implementing the new approach.
She acknowledged that many cost increases are beyond her control, including council tax and petrol prices, and described it as "a struggle to make sure that everything stretches" despite earning a "decent wage."
Impact on Families
Rising prices also affect Sara Davies, a mother of two from Caerphilly.
She works part-time while her husband works full-time, but despite their combined income, they now "look at prices more whereas before we would put stuff straight into the trolley."
The couple previously enjoyed a night out at their local pub every two weeks but now find it unaffordable to do so regularly.
"It used to be quite a cheap night out, but we've seen that it's getting more and more expensive and it's just not something we feel we can keep doing on such a regular basis."
Andrew Pritchard from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, described the cost of living crisis as "bonkers."
"Everything is going up... electric, gas, the fuel in our cars... the works, and everyone makes an excuse about it.
No-one can afford this ridiculous cost of living."
At 62, he continues working full-time "just to pay bills and rent," adding he feels he will be "working forever just to live."
Orla Williams from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, expressed that the pressure from the cost of living crisis is "not sustainable."
"When you look at the average rate of wage increase v petrol and food bill, people are just not managing."
The 58-year-old attributed the ongoing increases to the Iran war pushing petrol and other costs higher, creating a "never-ending spiral upwards."
Donna Jones, 58, from Swansea, stated that "food prices, energy prices.... they just go up and up, but incomes don't."
"It's unsustainable for ordinary households," she added.
Support for Those Struggling
Ashley Comley from Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent Citizen's Advice highlighted the ongoing nature of the cost of living challenges.
"The cost of living issue had been bubbling away for people for many years now."
In 2025, the organisation experienced a 49% increase in individuals seeking help for financial emergencies compared to the previous year, "and that pre-dates the recent rise in fuel costs."
Comley noted persistent concerns about energy costs and uncertainty regarding bills as the energy price cap is expected to increase in July.
Political Parties' Positions on Cost of Living
Welsh Labour stated it would "lower bus fares, lower energy bills and expand childcare so more families can work and get on with their lives," also ensuring pay increases for the lowest-paid workers.
They highlighted removing the two-child benefit cap for 69,000 children in Wales, increasing the state pension for over 650,000 pensioners, and uplifting standard Universal Credit allowances for over 430,000 people.
Plaid Cymru emphasized measures "from controlling rents to introducing free childcare for all to keeping profits from Welsh resources in Welsh communities" to assist with the cost of living.
"Plaid Cymru is the only party with a comprehensive, ambitious plan to support individuals and families across all of Wales with the cost of living crisis and put money back in people's pockets."
Reform UK proposed an "ambitious, credible and costed plan to help people with the cost of living by cutting tax and capping council tax rates."
They also aim to ensure taxpayers' money is spent solely on public services in Wales rather than abroad.
The Welsh Conservatives plan to ease the cost of living by "cutting taxes, extending free childcare for working families and scrapping stamp duty to help more people move up and down the housing ladder - helping kickstart the wider economy."
They stated they have "a clear plan to boost the economy, put more money back into people's pockets, back hardworking families, support businesses and get Wales working."
The Welsh Liberal Democrats and Wales Green Party were invited to comment.
to find out more about the parties' policies on cost of living, as well as other issues.
Additional reporting by Sarah Bowdidge
