View Full Version : Are you planning on making spending cutbacks?
I got an insurance replacement phone recently, so I'm planning to go onto a Sim only contract (30 days) for a while once my contract expires. (Beginning of March next year unfortunately).
KennyVader
23-09-2008, 11:53
I still have the same PAYG phone from ~5 years ago. No wonder people feel cash-strapped with some of the tie-ins phone companies have you buy. Better keeping the mobile for emergencies and texting and using the landline for other calls (& never call mobiles). :p
I'm still using a Nokia 6230 as my day to day phone (with a PAYG sim), got a couple of spares that I acquired for free off people that have upgraded, and if I ever get through all of them due to failures etc then I've got a couple of 6210s as well.
Damn good workhorse phones, got bluetooth so they work in the car etc, extra batteries are cheap as chips because this was such a common phone in it's day and there are actually other small electronics like GPS units or MP3 players that take the same BL-5 battery. Even better the battery even lasts almost a week (when in decent signal coverage area) compared to newer phones which need charging every day!
Baffles me why people must have new phones every year, and on top of that have to keep rebuying all the accessories because Nokia or whoever have changed the connector again.
Lagerlout
23-09-2008, 12:07
Loved my 6210, lost it while drunk though :(
Did anyone catch the program last nite on TV about how labour have shafted the working class? This woman in Swansea was a single parent and had just lost her job at an XL call centre and got 11k a year. That is horrendhously low. It got me thinking about how unmotivated some people are by financial issues. She had a lovely wood floor, a plasma and a leather sofa yet complained she literally had been living wage packet to wage packet. I felt sorry for her situation and grateful for what I have but some people don't help themselves. Anyway, got me thinking how lax I used to be about money matters and how recently I have become a bit more like that due to thinking an increased expenditure isn't really hitting me, but certainly made me think there is a happy medium to strike, and I should make more of an effort, although not go overboard like I have done in the past.
hookbeak
23-09-2008, 12:16
Most people live wage packet to wage packet. I don't think i know anyone who doesn't.
No-one you know has savings?
Lagerlout
23-09-2008, 12:22
Virtually nobody I know does, and most have loans. I can manage maybe a fortnight if I lost my wages, any more than that and its all on the credit cards.
hookbeak
23-09-2008, 12:22
My parents.
Just did a quick straw poll here in the office and no one here has anything worthwhile as savings. I have kids, savings are just a dream.
Johnny Vodka
23-09-2008, 12:27
It got me thinking about how unmotivated some people are by financial issues.
That's because it's so easy for people to get credit; a case of stick it on the card and don't worry about it. Unfortunately, I do know people whose credit habits have eventually bitten them.
I have been like that before, and it's kinda worrying how bad a situation a lot of people in this country are :( There really should be some kind of financial classes taught at school. I know it;s easy to stick your head in the sand, as it can be overwhelming but also confusing to deal with these things.
Johnny Vodka
23-09-2008, 12:36
I have been like that before, and it's kinda worrying how bad a situation a lot of people in this country are :( There really should be some kind of financial classes taught at school. I know it;s easy to stick your head in the sand, as it can be overwhelming but also confusing to deal with these things.
I think it's more a case of people wanting things (flashiest gadgets, expensive holidays) they can't afford. As soon as you try to live within your means, people accuse you of being "tight". ;) I don't know many people who I'd describe as living in poverty - just those that have over-stretched into buying stuff they don't "need". So I do find it hard to have sympathy a bit.
Lagerlout
23-09-2008, 12:38
There really should be some kind of financial classes taught at school.
Gotta agree with this. My brother was spending £75/month on bank charges and overdraft interest because he always goes over it - cos he's skint from paying back last months charges. I suggested a loan to clear the overdraft and get him a new PC, would cost him a tenner a month more but clear his debts in 2 years rather than still be skint and overdrawn despite paying the same amount.
His bank refused him a loan, which didn't suprise me. They said he had a bad rating, which is true, but meant they got to keep milking him. Tried someone else and they agreed in minutes.
Mr Flibble
23-09-2008, 13:03
When I'm away with work, if I stay with friends/family I can claim money back as an allowance from work, last month that came to £350.
I currently have one tab open in IE looking at this thread, another looking at LCD TV's that I could get to put in the bedroom :suspect:
I find it harder and harder to understand what you have to do and earn to be "well off" in this country with the cost of living soaring all the time.
council tax and mortgages, ground rent, fuel bills and that make up for about 2/3 of whay I earn in payments each month leaving the rest to pay for food and everything else you need to live. It seems to get tighter each month with some months slipping into the overdraft and then some months when I get an extra payment I clear the OD back off. I know I can do this but for others I really don't understand how they can cope, it's certainly not easy.
I wish I was on the ladder years ago so that I could have beneffited from having a small mortgage now rather than one that's 1200 a month.
My parents.
Just did a quick straw poll here in the office and no one here has anything worthwhile as savings. I have kids, savings are just a dream.
I have kids and they have more savings than me :lol:
Agreed, most of my mates and family friends have very little in savings, in fact I'd bet that most of the population have more than say a grand in a savings account at the moment. I know that I can easily spend 10k a year from savings if things get a little tight and we have an expensive year etc...
Mr Flibble
23-09-2008, 13:15
Well the telly isn't happening, the wife has put her foot down, pah!
As for savings, we do have a savings account, but that goes towards stuff like car tax for the year etc. As many others, we tend to live wage to wage and have a reasonable level of lifestyle, but can't make impulse purchases anymore, far more sensible!
KennyVader
23-09-2008, 13:20
Agreed, most of my mates and family friends have very little in savings, in fact I'd bet that most of the population have more than say a grand in a savings account at the moment.
I don't believe that, why would the banks and building societies put so much money and effort into promoting savings accounts and ISAs if so few people have any savings.
Johnny Vodka
23-09-2008, 13:24
I find it harder and harder to understand what you have to do and earn to be "well off" in this country with the cost of living soaring all the time.
I earn less than 20K a year and have a decent 2 bed flat (with good-sized garden) and manage to run a car (a bit of a banger to be fair, but..). This year I've been on 3 holidays and bought a plasma TV. I manage to get out a couple of nights a month (which is as much as I can handle anyway), buy enough CDs and DVDs to keep me happy (although the latter always in sales) and support a healthy alcohol and drug habit. :suspect: ;) All this without resorting to credit.
Mind you, I don't have kids and the average wage to average house price is pretty good in my area, or certainly was when I bought ~ 4 years ago. Many people are "wealthier" than they realise in that they have way more "stuff" and experiences (such as travel) than those of older generations. Having to drop Sky TV doesn't equal sliding into poverty, not by any stretch of the imagination.
I find it harder and harder to understand what you have to do and earn to be "well off" in this country with the cost of living soaring all the time.
council tax and mortgages, ground rent, fuel bills and that make up for about 2/3 of whay I earn in payments each month leaving the rest to pay for food and everything else you need to live. It seems to get tighter each month with some months slipping into the overdraft and then some months when I get an extra payment I clear the OD back off. I know I can do this but for others I really don't understand how they can cope, it's certainly not easy.
I wish I was on the ladder years ago so that I could have beneffited from having a small mortgage now rather than one that's 1200 a month.
Others may not choose to spend so much on cars. There's always cutbacks that can be made. Like going from brand names to store value brands. Walking to the shops or catching a bus rather than walking. On the subject of cars a lot of people could ditch theirs.
I earn less than 20K a year and have a decent 2 bed flat (with good-sized garden) and manage to run a car (a bit of a banger to be fair, but..). This year I've been on 3 holidays and bought a plasma TV. I manage to get out a couple of nights a month (which is as much as I can handle anyway), buy enough CDs and DVDs to keep me happy (although the latter always in sales) and support a healthy alcohol and drug habit. :suspect: ;) All this without resorting to credit.
Mind you, I don't have kids and the average wage to average house price is pretty good in my area, or certainly was when I bought ~ 4 years ago. Many people are "wealthier" than they realise in that they have way more "stuff" and experiences (such as travel) than those of older generations. Having to drop Sky TV doesn't equal sliding into poverty, not by any stretch of the imagination.
AS you said a 2 bed house in your area is completely different in terms of value to one where I live and as such you have more disposabe income. A 20k a year wage is say 1300 a month after tax, that would barely cover my mortgage for which I put quite a large deposite down too.
The main factor now is that I have a daughter and my missus is not working so we only have my income, which while as good as it is, just isn't enough to have enough spare cash to be frivelous each month.
All the same we eat well, have a nice pad and a great car so I can't complain too much just wish we could have some more for savings etc.. but may do soon if the missus goes back to work.
Others may not choose to spend so much on cars. There's always cutbacks that can be made. Like going from brand names to store value brands. Walking to the shops or catching a bus rather than walking. On the subject of cars a lot of people could ditch theirs.
You mentioned cars not me. where do I bitch about the cost of cars other than fuel. I work from home now so I'm lucky if I spend 100 notes a month on putting fuel into both cars now in a month so it's not that. I just think everything has become so expensive that 100 notes gets you nothing these days. It's all payout!
Wealth is like a bucket with a hole. The more it holds, the wealthier you are. If you only have a small trickle of water (low wage) coming into the bucket, and a large hole (large outgoings) you are screwed. It's not just what you earn, it's what you spend your money on.
And? who you aiming all this at?
You mentioned cars not me. where do I bitch about the cost of cars other than fuel. I work from home now so I'm lucky if I spend 100 notes a month on putting fuel into both cars now in a month so it's not that. I just think everything has become so expensive that 100 notes gets you nothing these days. It's all payout!
You haven't bitched about cars :thumbs:, my point was though, some people probably get by on less expenditure, incl cars. Cars has got to the biggest waste of money in terms of depreciation, tax, insurance and petrol.
Mr Flibble
23-09-2008, 13:43
I'm lucky in that I have a nice company car (well, it's a Seat leon, which is the best car I've ever had!) but the wife is only part time as we have a 2 year old, and another on the way.
The way I look at things, as long as you've got a roof over your head and food on the table, the frivilous things aren't important at all :)
And? who you aiming all this at?
People in general. Chill Phil :)
I'm in pretty much the same position as you, and I appreciate it everyday. Some folk must be really struggling, and I hope we don't have a cold winter for the elderly could really suffer.
I'm lucky in that I have a nice company car (well, it's a Seat leon, which is the best car I've ever had!) but the wife is only part time as we have a 2 year old, and another on the way.
The way I look at things, as long as you've got a roof over your head and food on the table, the frivilous things aren't important at all :)
Exactly. A lot of people are so close to losing the roof over their heads and then if that happens, the state supports them, crime goes up, taxes go up. Luckily unemployment is reasonably low at the moment, but it appears a LOT of the country are teetering on the edge of going from earners to being supported by the state. And then it's just a spiral down.
You haven't bitched about cars :thumbs:, my point was though, some people probably get by on less expenditure, incl cars. Cars has got to the biggest waste of money in terms of depreciation, tax, insurance and petrol.
Of course they get by on less expenditure, I know couples who earn between them half of what I earn myself and they cope, as you say they have a smaller house, smaller less expensive car but still maintain their lifestyle and have ahaelthy fun life. In the same vein there are people I know who earn three times what I earn and are gambling addicts with little money left at the end of the month and nothing to show for it as they have no idea about money management and moderation.
As you say. it's all about what you spend your money on and if you are prepared or not to spend money that you simply haven't got.
Out of interest, how many people on here have a pension plan (company provided) or a personal pension plan?
Of course they get by on less expenditure, I know couples who earn between them half of what I earn myself and they cope, as you say they have a smaller house, smaller less expensive car but still maintain their lifestyle and have ahaelthy fun life. In the same vein there are people I know who earn three times what I earn and are gambling addicts with little money left at the end of the month and nothing to show for it as they have no idea about money management and moderation.
As you say. it's all about what you spend your money on and if you are prepared or not to spend money that you simply haven't got.
Out of interest, how many people on here have a pension plan (company provided) or a personal pension plan?
My parents are the total opposite, they find it so so hard to spend money I feel a bit sorry for them as they seem quite focused on being so careful yet on paper could afford whatever they wanted. Which moves nicely onto pension plan...... :D
I have had various company ones but I contract now so no, don't have one. Only in my twenties though
farmroad38
23-09-2008, 13:54
...Out of interest, how many people on here have a pension plan (company provided) or a personal pension plan?
I have a number of pensions from various companies I've worked for. My latest was set up when I became a contractor, but I stopped paying into that a couple of years ago when things started to get a bit tight.
Feeling stretched is all relative though isn't it? I earn a good amount, but with maintenance payments for my son, rent and whatever, I still feel strapped for cash at the end of the month. I'd like to buy a house in a year or so when prices have come down a bit, but even with a healthy deposit I'm not sure whether I'll be able to afford it.
I think I am a bit too scared to make the financial commitment of purchasing a home for the prices round my way
Johnny Vodka
23-09-2008, 13:58
Cars has got to the biggest waste of money in terms of depreciation, tax, insurance and petrol.
This. I'll probably still keep my banger for another two years (it's fairly trustworthy and is worth more to me on the road than it would be if I traded it in) before buying another cheap(ish) second hand car (hopefully at least partly with money I've saved). If you can afford an expensive car, you're doing pretty well and don't have much ground for complaint. If not, trade down.
I've actually stopped "saving" for the time being, but the money already in my ISA isn't for touching and will continue to grow.
I have a pension plan; I assume most working people of my age do have??
Yet I have 2 and really only need it so the OH can play Ice Hockey each weekend :( I guess we all just individually find the line that we're content to continue at. The level of comfort.
I have an ISA from ages ago which is a tracker ISA and as you can imagine it's probably worthless with the way the stock markets have gone in the last couple of years :lol:
I had a pension plan with a company I was with for about 10 years and now have a Scottish Widows one and I've reduced payments into it recently as things have got a bit tighter but hope to up them again soon.
farmroad38
23-09-2008, 14:02
I have a pension plan; I assume most working people of my age do have??
I think you'd be surprised - I bet there are loads who haven't.
Lagerlout
23-09-2008, 14:03
Pension plan? Not a chance! I can either spend my money on what I need now, or when I'm old. If when I'm old, what do I live on now? Last time I checked I'd need to put over £150 a month aside to make anything like a difference when I'm old. I can't afford that.
Nope, my plan is bank robbery. If I get away, great. If not, I go to prison and you lot support me anyway. 3 meals a day, no worries, no freedom admittedly but I'll be sure to enjoy myself short term to make up for it :thumbs:
Mr Flibble
23-09-2008, 14:04
I don't have a pension, which I know is really bad, and I'm kind of resigned to working my ass off until I drop dead :thumbs:
Yet I have 2 and really only need it so the OH can play Ice Hockey each weekend :( I guess we all just individually find the line that we're content to continue at. The level of comfort.
Yep we have two, one we use as the family car and the other an old Ford which owes us nothing (no loans or finance) which we will drive until somethign major goes and then take it to the scrappy. The other though is a bit of a second mortgage at times if something goes wrong, say new clutch and flywheel 1800 notes ouch and that had to come from savings. As you said though it's down to comfort etc and I'm just glad I got out of the other motor as it was depreciatiing at more than 1400 notes a month :nuts:
Mr Flibble
23-09-2008, 14:06
I'm just glad I got out of the other motor as it was depreciatiing at more than 1400 notes a month :nuts:
:lol: That's probably more than I've spent on buying a car in all the years I've been driving! ;)
I've been paying into the company pension since I worked here after leaving school at 18 (so nearly 14 years now). No idea what proportion I pay or what the company pays but it seems like the best thing to do. Very common here too - don't know anyone who doesn't pay into it either.
I've only paid a pension plan when it's been non contributory
Johnny Vodka
23-09-2008, 14:10
I think you'd be surprised - I bet there are loads who haven't.
Well, I am and I aren't. It's a topic I've seen covered in news items and there are seemingly loads of people out there who don't. It just seems a bit daft not to, although I'm guessing my pension will be worth **** all anyway.
Just Passing
23-09-2008, 14:31
Well, I am and I aren't. It's a topic I've seen covered in news items and there are seemingly loads of people out there who don't. It just seems a bit daft not to, although I'm guessing my pension will be worth **** all anyway.
There are plenty of people that simply can't afford to put money into an "insurance" that they might never get to claim on. A pension is just that. When people are struggling to pay their food & fuel bills at the moment I'd have thought a savings fund for 40 years time is really quiet low on their priorities list.
farmroad38
23-09-2008, 14:39
There are plenty of people that simply can't afford to put money into an "insurance" that they might never get to claim on. A pension is just that. When people are struggling to pay their food & fuel bills at the moment I'd have thought a savings fund for 40 years time is really quiet low on their priorities list.
I'm not sure that I'd call it 'insurance', or that I'd agree that they might not get to claim it - with increasing life expectancy, it's a pretty safe bet that they will.
However, I'm sure you're right that there are people who just cannot afford it - I know a few. Equally, though, I'm also sure there are people who say they can't afford it, but can afford to have (as mentioned previously) the latest mobile phone, plasma TVs, new cars etc. (& before anyone gets uppity, I'm not directing that at anyone - it's just a general comment).
I was talking to my stepdaughter last night, and she has a friend who has just passed his test. His parents bought him a brand new Citroen C2 Sport, and he's paying £2200 a year insurance for it. It's their money I guess, but what's the point of blowing so much cash (particularly on a Citroen :lol:) & what message does it give to that kid?
It was said on the radio the other day that a Balanced Fund, often used to support pensions, was biased to 85% in equities. Yep, 85%.......that would worry me in the current climate.
Does anyone here methodically track progress in their fund, or just put faith in the idea they are investing enough?
farmroad38
23-09-2008, 14:51
It was said on the radio the other day that a Balanced Fund, often used to support pensions, was biased to 85% in equities. Yep, 85%.......that would worry me in the current climate.
Does anyone here methodically track progress in their fund, or just put faith in the idea they are investing enough?
Over the lifetime of a pension, though, shares should provide a more steady growth. What else would you invest it in - property is also slightly dodgy and cash won't give great enough return to fund your retirement.
I don't follow my pensions that closely, but I do have a spreadsheet for them all which I update annually when I receive pension statements :dork:
It was said on the radio the other day that a Balanced Fund, often used to support pensions, was biased to 85% in equities. Yep, 85%.......that would worry me in the current climate.
Does anyone here methodically track progress in their fund, or just put faith in the idea they are investing enough?
Well rest would usually be fixed income, such as bonds, and about 2% cash or less. Bonds are boring
It's a good question, what to invest in. Door step debt collection? Honestly, its hard to know.
My mother ran rest homes for many a year. A lot of the occupants thought they had subscribed to 'good pension schemes' for many a year .... and you used to see the cheques roll in, e.g for £1.35 a week. Basically, neither use nor ornament. It left a bad taste in the mouth.
Well rest would usually be fixed income, such as bonds, and about 2% cash or less. Bonds are boring
I disagree, only the Roger Moore Bonds were boring :)
Which reminds me (total tangent) I saw in Chelsea on Saturday, an Aston with the plate JBOND
It's a good question, what to invest in. Door step debt collection? Honestly, its hard to know.
My mother ran rest homes for many a year. A lot of the occupants thought they had subscribed to 'good pension schemes' for many a year .... and you used to see the cheques roll in, e.g for £1.35 a week. Basically, neither use nor ornament. It left a bad taste in the mouth.
The best ones are the company pensions where people are getting 100% final salary.
Was it him?
Roger Moore? No idea, just saw it parked, I think it was an IOM plate, something ropey like that.
Talking of spending, some advice was profferred in one of the Mail rags at the weekend.
Mr X has 2 children, 13 and 10, and wants advice on saving for their University years.
Mail 'guru' ushers forth some gumpf about tuition fees and living money, suggesting each child needs 10K per annum. This leads to a suggested monthly savings commitment of £530 for older child and £350 for the younger - a grand total of £880+ a month !!
What?? I'm sorry, but in these harsh times, which of us on here can stump just under 900 a month to pay for college in 5/8 years time?
Talking of spending, some advice was profferred in one of the Mail rags at the weekend.
Mr X has 2 children, 13 and 10, and wants advice on saving for their University years.
Mail 'guru' ushers forth some gumpf about tuition fees and living money, suggesting each child needs 10K per annum. This leads to a suggested monthly savings commitment of £530 for older child and £350 for the younger - a grand total of £880+ a month !!
What?? I'm sorry, but in these harsh times, which of us on here can stump just under 900 a month to pay for college in 5/8 years time?
should be saving all that birthday and christmas money from year 1, then you'll not have any issues!
Personally I will be trying my best to show my children (if I have any) to work with their hands as much as they can.
Personally I will be trying my best to show my children (if I have any) to work with their hands as much as they can.
According to the working girls on the street round here, the hand jobs aint the best earners.....(allegedly)
Talking of spending, some advice was profferred in one of the Mail rags at the weekend.
Mr X has 2 children, 13 and 10, and wants advice on saving for their University years.
Mail 'guru' ushers forth some gumpf about tuition fees and living money, suggesting each child needs 10K per annum. This leads to a suggested monthly savings commitment of £530 for older child and £350 for the younger - a grand total of £880+ a month !!
What?? I'm sorry, but in these harsh times, which of us on here can stump just under 900 a month to pay for college in 5/8 years time?
Mail readers have more money than sense hence why they read that twaddle anyway. Did it end with 'if we hadn't let all these immigrants in you would only need to save £200 a month and Princess Diana would still be alive'?
Shamaniac
23-09-2008, 16:33
Mail readers have more money than sense hence why they read that twaddle anyway. Did it end with 'if we hadn't let all these immigrants in you would only need to save £200 a month and Princess Diana would still be alive'?
Almost.
"'If we hadn't let all these immigrants in you would only need to save £200 a month and Madeleine McCann would still be with her parents."
:lol:
Blame the mail readers!
We're all doomed!
Talking of spending, some advice was profferred in one of the Mail rags at the weekend.
Mr X has 2 children, 13 and 10, and wants advice on saving for their University years.
Mail 'guru' ushers forth some gumpf about tuition fees and living money, suggesting each child needs 10K per annum. This leads to a suggested monthly savings commitment of £530 for older child and £350 for the younger - a grand total of £880+ a month !!
What?? I'm sorry, but in these harsh times, which of us on here can stump just under 900 a month to pay for college in 5/8 years time?
It's the Mail, its aspirational, so as long as its readers think that other readers are able to afford £880 a month, they'll feel quietly happy because one day they might too ;)
Shamaniac
23-09-2008, 18:02
It's the Mail, its aspirational, so as long as its readers think that other readers are able to afford £880 a month, they'll feel quietly happy because one day they might too ;)
Almost.
"It's the Mail, its aspirational, so as long as its readers think that other readers are able to make £880 a month, they'll feel quietly happy because one day they might too ;)"
Sorry already.
d.boyd1uk
23-09-2008, 18:06
Talking about pensions I read an article on the BBC website about Japans pensioners, not sure if would be similar to ours but this is how things stand.
there was 8 people working to support 1 pensioner..not sure of year
then
there wer 6 people working to support 1 pensioner..not sure of year
then
there was 4 people working to support 1 pensioner..not sure of year
then
there are just 2 people working to support 1 pensioner...by 2025
its down to the japanese people living longer, its quite scary looking at that.
A similar process to the Japanese experience is happening here (must be true, I saw it on telly).
Also, speaking of pensions and annuities, Working Lunch today highlighted the move to pay out different annuity rates based on postcode! Yep, someone in Dundee will get a greater return than someone in Kensington....its all down to the quality of life you pampered southerners have leading to greater longevity.
You can of course correct this...start ordering BuckFast by the barrel; dig out that deep fat fryer and stock up on Mars bars. You have a lot of catching up to do!
I think you'd be surprised - I bet there are loads who haven't.
I've been paying into a pension plan since 1985!
farmroad38
24-09-2008, 07:37
I've been paying into a pension plan since 1985!
Good for you - I first started paying into a pension in 1990 at the age of 22... Doesn't change the fact that I'm sure a lot of people don't :shrug:
cjanderson
24-09-2008, 07:44
well 60% don't and 40% do (of people aged between 16 and 64)
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/retirement/article.html?in_article_id=440385&in_page_id=6
Of course you could say that some of those are non working anyway or unemployed so perhaps 50% of working adults don't have a pension.
They said on GIMPTV this morning that the average weekly wage after housing costs is £361. That sounds quite high?
Good for you - I first started paying into a pension in 1990 at the age of 22... Doesn't change the fact that I'm sure a lot of people don't :shrug:
I was 17 at the time and my father kept banging on about how good a plan it was. It's a work one and I think they put in twice as much as I do (or something like that).
Everyone I knew at the time were all "Pension... WTF?" But I'm pleased I did now.
If I die before I retire (which is likely I guess) ker-ching! for the wife :lol:
farmroad38
24-09-2008, 08:10
They said on GIMPTV this morning that the average weekly wage after housing costs is £361. That sounds quite high?
Presumably they're calculating that from the national average wage, which is high because it's the mean salary - it only takes a few Elton John's (or equivalent) to skew the figure upwards.
Lagerlout
24-09-2008, 08:41
Presumably they're calculating that from the national average wage, which is high because it's the mean salary - it only takes a few Elton John's (or equivalent) to skew the figure upwards.
Yup, which makes the figure meaningless. On the plus side, it also skews my student loans so I never have to repay them :D
it's also skewed geographically, I'd imagine you could live the suburban dream in somewhere like Middlesbrough for that, whereas even renting a room in London in a dodgy area will take up a very high % of that.
Lagerlout
24-09-2008, 09:11
Well I have maybe 70% of that a week before paying out a penny, god I must be poor!
Gotta say though, shopping last night and this here credit crunch hasn't affected people that bad. The local Asda had obviously screwed up its ordering, as they had reduced a shedload of meat down to around 20% of its usual price. Heard a couple near me have a conversation something like:
Him: Lets get one of those joints instead, they're only 2 quid
Her: But they're on their last day
Him: But you're going to freeze it anyway aren't you?
Her: Thats not the point, these ones are better
So he paid a tenner instead. I just wish I had more room on the motorbike, I'm sure some people here will think I'm pikey but I got £50 worth of meat for just over a tenner. Means for the next 2 weeks I'll be eating lamb steaks instead of burgers for my tea, at the same price. Just wish I'd had room for the duck, may have to go foraging instead...
Means for the next 2 weeks I'll be eating lamb steaks instead of burgers for my tea, at the same price.And if you cut off the fat it will be far far better for you then processed burgers
Lagerlout
24-09-2008, 09:49
If I was being really tight, then the fat would help insulate me against the cold so I could use less fuel on heating! But then it'd also take more energy to move my excess weight, so I'd have to eat a bit more, therefore probably costing more. Being skinny is probably cheaper, I can just put a jumper on :thumbs:
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