Newspapers and the economy

THX-1139

I don't know how Mary and Joseph were able to afford both birthday and Christmas presents for little baby Jesus.

Cannon_Fodder

Family tax credits...?

Davesnave

Cannon_Fodder wrote: »

Family tax credits...?

Hard-working family tax credits!:rotfl:

kennyboy66_2

Didn't they use the immaculate conception ruse to avoid having the CSA force Joseph to pay child maintenance ?

drc

taurusgb wrote: »

BUT there were no queues at the tills, credit cards were going through the machines straight away with no hold ups, and there was little sign of shoppers laden with bags.

Isn't that what caused the problem though...credit cards being used so frequently. I fear that the only people spending are the ones buying on credit, which caused a lot of the problem in the first place :mad:

robin_banks

I tend to agree, most of the money spent is on tick, people never learn.

MrDT

drc wrote: »

Isn't that what caused the problem though...credit cards being used so frequently. I fear that the only people spending are the ones buying on credit, which caused a lot of the problem in the first place :mad:

Credit is an excellent tool if used properly. All my Christmas purchases so far have been made on cc, but I'm not up to my eyeballs in debt, far from it. What would you think if you were stood behind me at the tills?

I bought loads of Christmas presents over the weekend, rrp of purchases £233.24, what I actually paid out (or put on my card for now) was only £85.78 (plus £15 of free vouchers). So many great deals available, oh and I haven't even deducted my quidco or cc cashback amounts from that figure yet.

I'm still spending, not vast amounts, granted, but I'm getting a lot for my money at the moment My borrowing is short term and paid off in full every month.

fc123

setmefree2 wrote: »

What a fascinating post. I would have quoted it all but it would be a bit long:D.

I have been wondering this very same thing myself. Are we actually seeing the end of an era? Everyone now has what they want (although I could just be speaking for myself here LOL) - clothes, house furnishings, garden plants, etc and the oil spike/ credit crunch was a catalyst for a fundemental shift in attitude to consumption? Is this market saturation?

Have the Western markets been flooded to the extent that they are now saturated?

Must say, some of my friends think that people still want to consume lots and that people will end up angry and frustrated in a recession because they can't consume?

Interesting.

I haven't got time to post fully now...chopping and stirring an MSE dinner. Got to chita chat to hubby and all that....

It's almost a 'Too much cake makes you sick'' syndrome. The cake is the stuff.
I am not referring to how much people earn. There is an impression that we are better off nowadays BECAUSE we can all, mostly, afford things, all sorts of things.

The fact is that peoples ability to buy a house/adequate living space is less nowadays but anyone who remembers growing up in the 70's/80's, stuff was expensive.........but most of our parents could buy a home.

I have posted before on my dear MIL...the pound shops are like a heaven to her.....3 weeks to go...what will we receive this year? She equates being able to purchase things (incl useless things) a true sign of 'wealth' as, during the 50's and 60's, things were just too expensive in real terms.


We are not massively better off...it just seems to be the case as a whole generation (or 2) equate wealth with having things.......but those things are so much cheaper in real terms now.


OK...those 60+ know that true wealth cannot be found in either thing (fancy houses or lots of stuff), just that the 2 latter items make life more comfy overall.

And now I have to go and be wifely...but will sneak back later on.

EdInvestor

From Martin's blog:

Of course this site does look at bargains and deals and restaurant vouchers too; all of which are enablers for people to go out. Though in many ways that’s about doing what you do for less rather than doing it more.

Surely getting value for money is a key ethos on the site? Whether that's seeking the best interest rates for your cash, or reducing the cost of shopping or grabbing a voucher for a meal out ( so you can actually have 2 for the price of 1) to my mind this is not an anti-spending site, quite the reverse.

Indeed I'd quite like to see a feature on the best way to use the likely falls in prices and inflation over the next year for long term "investment" spending - whether it be on big items like cars, electronics or furniture, or home improvements, whatever.

If you have plenty of savings and reasonable job security, why would you not do this at a time when your savings will earn very little because interest rates are so low? Especially since by doing so, you would be helping the economy overall?

scousethife

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Do you care if your shoes don't fit, though? Or your pants are too tight?

Size 8 is pretty much...well size 8 really.

And about the pants

http://a3.vox.com/6a00c10e0f6746d3b400c2251c55d3549d-500pi

you love it dont you