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[MSE Lawrence]

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's 'Should this site be closed for the recession?' Blog.

Click reply to discuss below.

[simond]

Definitely don't close it, as realistically, even if you do it'll just spur someone else to start an alternative site doing the same

[skylight]

Well, if you do close it, it would save most of us a spot of electricity - the PCs wont be on so much. Which in turn will help the environment!

Bills at MSE towers would go down as staff would not be wanted to run the site. All just before Christmas. People turfed out of their jobs.... Joe Public with no-where to go and they will become bored and ferral, just like the kids of today....

Do you want that Martin?? Do you????????!!!!

[MSE Martin]

Originally Posted by simond

Definitely don't close it, as realistically, even if you do it'll just spur someone else to start an alternative site doing the same

Simond, don't worry I've no plans to close it... don't know if you read through the blog which explains why I write this. The title is very much tongue in cheek.

[MattGaskin]

Keep the site open but employ an editor to help with those troublesome apostrophes! ;-)
I'd be happy to take on that role...

“We live in an adversarial consumer society. A company's job is to screw us for cash, our job is to stop them. There’s nothing wrong with that, the problem is we’re out-gunned. Companies spend billions on advertising, marketing and teaching their staff to sell… we don’t get any buyers' training… I hope MoneySaving will help change that”

[outof]

Perhaps you should start a section called "Getting other people to stimulate the economy so I don't have to."

This makes very salient reading,
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2008/...ot-hawley.html

Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether we spend, the problems with the global economy are about an imbalance in trade. We've got to get China spending before we can dig ourselves out of this.

The jury is out on whether retail stimulus works, a true Keynsian approach would be big much needed infrastructure projects like micro/super grids, light rail networks and hydro batteries. Me buying a new sofa is not going to sort us out.

[simond]

Originally Posted by MSE Martin

Simond, don't worry I've no plans to close it... don't know if you read through the blog which explains why I write this. The title is very much tongue in cheek.

Trust me, I read it and can understand the dilemma, I mostly said that to point out that now the site is around, if it did go then enough people (or businesses, as if! ) would want it back that something would turn up to fill the void

[alsy01]

Something I once read made the point that every penny you save is money that your bank can then use to give a loan to a business, and as a result savings are very important to keeping the economy going.

Since credit between institutions is currently very limited, isn't it even more important now to be saving money to save the economy?

[dizzy lizzie]

Oh my golly, I nearly had kittens when I read that... then I read the blog. Should have done that first!
Luvz Dizzy x

[Karmacat]

Okay, you frightened the life out of me for about five minutes..... you're the only person writing about consumers thats trustworthy, Martin, in reality - because you've nailed your agenda to the wall. A journalist who's after a story isn't completely trustworthy, because their agenda is the story.

You're for the consumer in all their many colours - whether its people who actually are consuming, like the "cheap deals" stuff, or people who are in debt and need to rein back, sometimes dramatically.

I still reckon you should run the country.

[Jojo the Tightfisted]

Think of all the good this site and the programmes have done...Had everyone followed these principles there probably wouldn't be such a mess. It would have been wrong to keep quiet and then say 'well, I knew that you were all going to come unstuck in the end'.

Even now, you can help by providing advice on how to get out of the hole that many people have found themselves in.

I'd vote for you!!!!!!!!

[sarahs999]

Stimulating the economy the way the government wants us to do will just get more people into hot water in 2010, or whenever all the budget 'helpers' that have just been announced are rescinded and we are stuck with huge tax/vat increases.

We all need to learn a better, more frugal and honest way to live, and that includes everyone from Flash Harry at the top to humble homemakers at the bottom. Spending constantly money we haven't got is partly what got us here. Your site helps change that mindset.

[bramblejam]

I've been thinking of you all day, then I come here tonight and see this post LOL! When we heard about the interest rate cuts to try and make us spend we said "oh no we won't, we'll pay more off our debts".

It makes me feel a bit sick the way they are blatently trying to pull our strings. Really, for the good of the country we want to start using houses as homes and not as investment tools, house prices need to come down to round the European average. I spent the last recession in Holland and .... they didn't notice there'd been one. Well, there wasn't one there. I learnt a heck of a lot about money over there.

[Gemmzie]

I think it really illustrates the lack of wider understanding, you don't have to be a complete Scrooge and not spend a penny while we're in a recession if you're not in debt.
Quite the opposite in some circumstances, especially electrical goods, cars etc! If you can afford one, then get out there and take advantage of the best deals possible.
And for those in debt, getting out means that they'll have more money to spend in later years which is "real" money.

For me, consumer revenge/being savvy/whatever you want to call it isn't about never spending, it's about getting the most for your money.

[JohnAnt]

Martin: brilliant blog. I've been wondering if the government are in cloud-cuckoo land. The only folk who'll obey their edict to get out and spend more at all costs will be those who are already deep in debt they can't service.
Savings rates will be so low that we'll be turning to corporate bonds pretty soon. That might be worth an article - it's a subject few experts can make comprehensible.
I just wanted to say thank you for your advice so far. I've gained so much from your site: I've saved £350 a year on council tax (appeal against banding) and found some excellent fixed-rate savings deals.
Long may you blog!

[camaj]

Originally Posted by MattGaskin

Keep the site open but employ an editor to help with those troublesome apostrophes! ;-)
I'd be happy to take on that role...

“We live in an adversarial consumer society. A company's job is to screw us for cash, our job is to stop them. ”

Martin wrote that when he started the site, I assume he's got someone in by now

[therivierakid]

Martin, how about you take the Chancellor's job - just until May 2010? You're bound to do a better job than the over-eyebrowed loon currently in the role.

[butterflymum]

"Companies spend billions on advertising, marketing and teaching their staff to sell"...most folks know what they need/want anyways, with or without advertising and if anything, too much advertising leads to too many choices and makes for indecision and delay in actually purchasing. Maybe the billions would be better spent just selling products at more sensible (ie lower) prices in the first place.

On site closing (and I do appreciate the comment was tongue in cheek) - no, it's the best thing since sliced bread!

[SandraScarlett]

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease don't even think about closing this site! Although I've always tried to be prudent, the advice that you give has enabled me to be generous to others as well, whilst making my pension stretch beautifully.

Umpteen friends and I have enjoyed the various 2 for 1 restaurant offers, not to mention all the other valuable information that you research and make freely available.

I can't see myself rushing to spend £15,000 on a new car, knowing the VAT reduction will save me £375, but I can see myself buying a few editions of News of the World, when I'm informed, via this site, that there will be a £5 off coupon, when you spend £30 at Tesco's!

Yes, I know the government would now like us to dash about here and there spending our money, but the cold weather makes me think of the forthcoming heating bills, and I'd rather wait and see what they're like next month.

I cannot praise this site enough, and have recommended it to so many people, and I bet if there was a national vote, and the question asked was "Who would you like to see as Chancellor?" - you'd walk it!!

[musicals]

Some of those who have responded obviously have not read Martin's blog. He's not closing the site, or even considering it (as if!). He's simply stating how his prudent financial advice is starting to run counter to that put forward by the government, i.e. help yourself or help the country. Save or spend, put simply.