A new Angus Reid poll shows that four in five Canadians say they have cut spending in recent months. That is an increase from the 74 per cent in February who said they have cut spending. Canadians are either trimming their discretionary budget, delaying a major purchase, driving less, scaling back travel and charitable donations, or deferring saving for the future.

Fifty-two per cent of respondents say they couldn’t manage a sudden expense of more than a thousand dollars, for two-in-five, or 38 per cent, a surprise bonus of $5,000 would be used to alleviate debt. For one in ten, it would immediately be put towards daily expenses.

Seventy-eight per cent say grocery stores are taking advantage of inflation to make increased profits. More than half of Canadians say they can’t keep up with the cost of living.