It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

JCS1

Yategirl wrote: »

just been reading the news...

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20081124/tuk-vat-cut-in-bid-to-boost-economy-6323e80.html

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20081124/tuk-boosts-for-families-and-pensioners-6323e80.html

am a little shocked at the first link... VAT is being dropped to 15% but duties on petrol, alcohol and tobacco are going to be increased... My dh's office has just moved.. we have gone from having no fuel costs for him (he used to cycle to work) to having a £200 fuel 'bill' a month just for him to get to work AND a second car (car was a very grateful freebie - before anyone gets mega excited .. it is older than our current car and our current car is 10 years old!) as I need to get to hospital appts this year (though use it very little the rest of the time)... so now... we have decreased VAT on products but will see our fuel bill hike up some more.. dh can't cycle to work any more it is way too far

I understood it that the duty on petrol, alcohol, tobacco etc would be offset by the 2.5% VAT decrease so would be the same price to buy as now.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Been told off by DD1. She walked in the door a bit earlier than expected from school and found me sitting in the dark doing my Uni coursework, wearing two jumpers, fingerless gloves to stop arthritic hands from locking up and a woolly hat. Normally as she walks in, the light is on, the heating has been on for 10 minutes and I'm not wearing the scary bag lady stuff to keep warm. She screeched 'It's not the 1970s any more!'

We had a beige meal tonight - all the processed nonsense we could find (Findus pancakes anyone?), along with half a bag of frozen sweetcorn, all found in the bottom of the freezer. Going to make pasta tomorrow. Onion, garlic, cup of mince, tin of tomatoes, veg from the bottom of the fridge, bit of white sauce and grated cheese on the top.

It's just like when I was a kid, except I don't have to worry about my mum beating me with a cane anymore.

Oh, it feels so normal to see my breath in the air when I open my eyes in the morning.

Sigh...

Bargain_Rzl

I've just used the BBC's online calculator to work out how the new figures will affect me and it looks like the difference will be negligible. What I'll gain in income tax, I'll lose in National Insurance and alcohol duty...

JCS1

I'm just thinking of the headaches I'll be getting at work with the VAT change, gonna be a nightmare as work in accounts for a large catering company.

But suspect like most people the increase in National Insurance is cancelled by the Income Tax...............

Barneysmom

Bargain_Rzl wrote: »

I've just used the BBC's online calculator to work out how the new figures will affect me and it looks like the difference will be negligible. What I'll gain in income tax, I'll lose in National Insurance and alcohol duty...

Is the income tax changing then please? I didn't hear all the news?

mardatha

What worries me is that they are all saying Mr.Bean's figures are wrong & we won't climb out of this recession next summer. So what happens then ? It's as if he has borrowed far too much and is counting on next year's overtime to pay it back --whatif next year there's no overtime ?? I think this thread & this forum is going to be very very important for a lot of people yet. A lot of really bad stuff might still happen !

JCS1

Barneysmom wrote: »

Is the income tax changing then please? I didn't hear all the news?

All to do with the 10% tax rate being abolished and then given back to people via a rebate a few months ago. So the current £120 rebate will be increased to £145, but national insurance goes up 0.5%.

Key points at a glance on BBC Website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7746188.stm

Yategirl

Bargain_Rzl wrote: »

I've just used the BBC's online calculator to work out how the new figures will affect me and it looks like the difference will be negligible. What I'll gain in income tax, I'll lose in National Insurance and alcohol duty...

Could you link to the calculator please - I can't find it.

Barneysmom

Frightening. He hasn't done anything really has he?

D'you know I'v lost count of the amount of times I've been outbid on some heavy curtains for this room? If I get any colder they'll find me frozen to this chair

smileitconfusespeople_2

It used to be blankets on the settee but now ive brought 2 15 tog duvets and we cuddle up under those ...yes couch potatoes has taken on a whole new meaning:D an we burn loads of candles you'd be surprised the heat they give off :beer: