It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

floss2

smileyt wrote: »

Hi Mardatha - the spam post has been deleted, that's why you can't see it. Thanks to our lovely board guide(s)!

Crumbs that was quick!!

Pee

maman wrote: »

Could this be because clients want work done before the VAT hike in January?

He isn't registered for VAT, and most of the self employed builders around us aren't either, but it may be something clients have considered.

smartandshrewd

Interesting question. I am a bit frugal anyway so haven't changed much. My family haven't changed their habits and they could probably benefit from doing so...

Was down Oxford Street this weekend (not shopping, too tight for that!!) and the street was mobbed, OH commented there wasn't much sign of a recession there, people still seemed to be carrying loads of bags!

beingfrugal

the_cat wrote: »

If the council workers cars weren't in the car park, would the spaces remain empty? Or would someone be prepared to pay the £9 a day for that space?

If so, that space is worth well over £2,300 in revenue to the council per year. Add that up by the number of staff spaces and you could be talking about a very sizeable sum.

Whilst I sympathise with your sister (and think that £9 per day is an extortionate sum to pay for anyone:eek:), we are in the position of having to look for cuts which hurt the least and gain the most. If your sister can make alternative arrangements and only by approx £20 worse off a month and the council can gain nearly £200 a month, maybe that is a 'least bad scenario'?


ETA ...... assuming of course that this means the council will be able to keep some service going or manage to retain staff with the savings which would otherwise not happen

They park in council maintained car parks, parking is around £2.00 an hour depending on which one you park in so the opportunity to gain more than the fixed £9 for the day with day trippers and shoppers is huge. I can totally see why it has happened. My sister to be fair has a husband who is very well paid, they can afford a £20 a month a hit. What she's saying is it will come out of her money.. reducing her free money to spend.. and i'm hearing that from a lot of friends and family at the moment "I can't afford it!" what they mean to say is "I begrudge paying for this and that because it's reducing my spending money!"

All is fine with the above it they weren't saying to a family that really is struggling to make ends meet and trying to get back on their feet after a tough and unfortunate year last year.. bitter? probably!

Uniscots97

smartandshrewd wrote: »

Interesting question. I am a bit frugal anyway so haven't changed much. My family haven't changed their habits and they could probably benefit from doing so...

Was down Oxford Street this weekend (not shopping, too tight for that!!) and the street was mobbed, OH commented there wasn't much sign of a recession there, people still seemed to be carrying loads of bags!

A friend who works in a charity shop said they are getting busier. People trying to get bargains. Unfortunately I've noticed some of the bigger charities are hiking their prices in their shops (I think they think some people are stupid). A well known charity shop chain was charging £15 for a Matalan dress near me, its price new was £20!

Patchwork_Quilt

We slipped a bit recently with some big expenses like MOTs. It seems as if saving money is like being on a diet. Once you've gone off the rails there doesn't seem much point in making yourself climb back. Anyway, I'm back on MSE and the encouragement is helping us get back into the right frame of mind.

the_cat

beingfrugal wrote: »

My sister to be fair has a husband who is very well paid, they can afford a £20 a month a hit. What she's saying is it will come out of her money.. reducing her free money to spend.. and i'm hearing that from a lot of friends and family at the moment "I can't afford it!" what they mean to say is "I begrudge paying for this and that because it's reducing my spending money!"

All is fine with the above it they weren't saying to a family that really is struggling to make ends meet and trying to get back on their feet after a tough and unfortunate year last year.. bitter? probably!

I sooooo agree with you! The number of people I know who are moaning they are skint/can't afford stuff etc is unreal. Those who bemoan the coming cuts as being unfair on them personally purely based on the fact that they don't want to take a hit in their 'luxury spending' is even bigger

The reality with many of them however is that they have got used to an unrealistic level of spending above and beyond what they can afford. Sadly the country has been like that too and now we have to redress the balance.

That's why I like it on here! People understand what 'being skint' actually means and don't look at me like I'm barking when I mention buying clothes from a boot sale or suchlike:eek:

I hope that your luck turns a corner soon. At the very least coming on here helps

maccanut

Hi we are also trying to be very frugal at the moo, as no1 son due to start big school in august, friend gave me her sons school blazer which is selling here for 90 pounds and i dont think our money could stretch to that,i had to give up work to care for dh and money is now getting a little to tight and it dosent help when mil comes in and cant understand why we arent going on holiday like her other son is, which !!!!es my dh off.
I went on the site some of the girls from here are doing feeding a family for 100 pounds a month im going to give it a try as my lovely son at the mo is raiding the fridge because he feels hungry aahh.
blessings
abigail

lauren_1

the_cat wrote: »

That's why I like it on here! People understand what 'being skint' actually means and don't look at me like I'm barking when I mention buying clothes from a boot sale or suchlike:eek:

Amen to that! :T

maccanut

:)hi we are watching what the goverment are saying as dh gets dla and im now reciving carers, but we are finding it hard, it dosent help when my lovely friend comes in and says shes skint and she'll need to watch to payday as she spent all her money on crap, then asks me why im not buying new clothes for myself to which i reply skirt 1.50 top 99p and yes it come from the charity shop you should try it sometime:D sorry i do moan abit but dh says im doing it alot at the mo:o
blessings
abigail