Can you tell me what it was like in the 1970's recession?

Spendless

I was born late 1966 and afaik there have been four recessions

early 1970's- power cuts, potato shortage (a bag of chips went from 5p to 12p!)

I'd be at prmimary school then and my little sister was born and my mum stopped at home to look after her and I remember very little money and an argument with my mum cos I wanted to have to stay for school dinners like my friends but mum insisted I came home (cos it was cheaper!)

late 70's/early 80's-

Still at school though parents had more money cos mum now worked so 2 incomes but they'd moved house and had a bigger mortgage. Money was now short for school trips rather than school dinners and I do remember not even mentioning a trip cos I was aware money was tight.

early 90's

Working now but still living with parents. Didn't affect me too much at the time apart from wages being frozen for 2 years. The after-math lived with me for a long time though as I later bought a house which went into negative equity and it only came out of it after the latest HPI.

Today
married with kids, 1 income household but hubby has had a lot of pay-rises and promotions in last few years.House bought before prices went mad. Have mew'd but for house improvements and still have lower mortgage than we would have paid for comparable house already improved. Been a sahm for many years so went back to college few years ago to get skills back. I finish at easter and will be job-hunting in a recession- I can't believe my timing!

mewbie_2

Can you tell me what it was like in the 1970's recession?

No. It passed me by. I was having far too much fun.

So if you're young now, and employed, then enjoy the best times of your life. It's not all about shares, investments and planning for the future!

sorry. Not very MSE.

Rikki

Power cuts and playing board games by candle light.

Black and white television, no telephone or car.

Strikes, rubbish on the streets, the green goddess instead of the fire engine, Dad on a three day week and Mum struggling to make ends meet.

Birdy12

I remember watching the TV and then a power cut would kick in. Mum would get the candles out and we'd all sit there for a while until it came back on.

I also remember mum made some of my clothes, (and all my school dresses), but then I think all my friends were in home made school dresses, you were the odd one out if you weren't!

We were very lucky in that we were a two car family, my dad had his company car and my mum had an old Morris Marina in an awful, dare I say it (and spell it?), diarrohoea colour. In the winter it was a regular event each morning for my dad to get it started with the jump leads.

My parents did a good job hiding whatever was going on the 70's as I have fond memories of them. Having said that, I said to my mum a little while ago how I thought the 70's were such a great decade. 'No they weren't', she said, 'they were bl00dy horrible!'.

lolababy

I remember having candles due to the power shortages, home made bread not sure if that was the 70s or 80s. Having a parrafin heater. Going to the dole office with my dad and seeing almost everyone we knew.
I was born 1970 so I suppose it was more of an adventure for us kids esspecially the candle light evenings.

Birdy12

Blimey, you've got me going now.

I also remember it was 2p to make a 'phone call from a telephone box. And I remember being old enough to go the shop at the end of the road for my mum's cigarettes (couldn't get away with that now, could you?). A packet of 10 was 37.5 pence (could find the half sign!).

Entertainment in the summer holidays was going to the same park day in, day out. But, because all my friends were there too, it was never boring. We'd play 40 40 and maybe one of the parents would treat us to an ice pole, 2p each. You can see why I have fond memories...

amcluesent

>each morning for my dad to get it started with the jump leads.<

Yes, useless cars in the 70's. Having to fiddle with the 'choke' to get them to start or risk flooding the engine. And taking bits of the electrics (distributor cap?) off and putting over the stove to dry-out. No wonder the Japanese cars were seen as near miracles compares to the Austin Allegro and the like.

PasturesNew

Birdy12 wrote: »

I remember being old enough to go the shop at the end of the road for my mum's cigarettes (couldn't get away with that now, could you?). A packet of 10 was 37.5 pence (could find the half sign!).

I did that. I was 10. I said "20 Number 6, tipped", they were in a green and white packet, 2/6p (12.5p)
http://www.thisisull.com/fashion/bekki/punk/img/number6.jpg

Birdy12

God, sorry, I'm back again!

My dad said, a while back, that when I was born the decision was made to put central heating in the house. They had friends who had recently had this done and, if they recommended someone to have this done too, they'd receive, wait for it, £2. I know, I know, it's all relative, but the amounts just look so...small! Can't imagine many people taking up Sky if that was the offer!

PasturesNew

We had our first phone because the house we bought had one installed. But we were only allowed to use it for emergencies and keep the call VERY brief. If I wanted to use the phone ever I had to ask permission, then make the call (with dad hovering/listening) and had to put 2p beside the phone. Probably used to make about 2 calls/year.

If you wanted to call Australia (nobody did unless it was a one off special event), you'd have to phone the Operator and book a time slot. Then at that time slot you called the Operator and they connected you.

The Operator would interrupt calls sometimes.

Some people had "party lines", so you shared a line with a neighbour, if you picked up the phone they might already be speaking on it.