'How close to the brink are you?' 2009 poll results/discussion

shaz_mum_of__2

We are debt free other than a mortgage i am a student and hubby works in the NHS i have voted 3 but if redundancy reared its head i am not sure where we would be

Shaz

Olliebeak

My job is secure and I've been very careful during the last 12 months.

Last year's holiday was fully paid for before going (no loan for either holiday or spending money ). Same for Christmas - have come into a New Year debt-free for the first time in years.

Deposit has now been paid for this year's holiday and will be paid in full by March - spending money will be sorted in April/May.

With the help of the Old-Style Board, I've got shopping and cooking under control. Food spending is down and freezer stocks are up - well done old-stylers! I reckon we could go about two months with buying only fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, milk and cat food.

I capped gas/elec at a good time. Also changed to pre-payment for prescriptions - now £11.50 per calendar month instead of £23 every four weeks! Considering my options regarding tv/phone-line - object to paying for all those channels that we don't watch!

I rent my home (subsidised as I have to live where I work) - so no mortgage. Approx 5yrs minimum (7yrs maximum) to go before I retire.

Have to admit to feeling quite positive at the moment and grateful that I'm in a position to help my daughter and her young family when she needs it. She'd just had her hours cut from 16 to 4 per week following a take-over - so she told the new employer where to stick it!

meester

Olliebeak wrote: »

My job is secure and I've been very careful during the last 12 months.

Last year's holiday was fully paid for before going (no loan for either holiday or spending money ).

Is this really that unusual?

How many people go on holiday using money they don't have. Utterly bonkers.

*Louise*

2 - Mostly fine

We have a wedding to pay for in May, it's the only difference since that last poll.

ceridwen

Well -if I went down - then most of the population would have already done so. Even though I am low-paid (little more than NMW) - my mortgage is paid off and I'm basically clear of debt. Add to that - that I am very good with money. So - I reckon I will at least manage - because if someone like me couldnt - then most of Society would have already reached that point and there would be rioting on the streets - and I dont think the Government would want that somehow...

jackieblack

meester wrote: »

Is this really that unusual?

How many people go on holiday using money they don't have. Utterly bonkers.

I agree, I'm always amazed that some people are willing to get themselves into debt for non-essentials.
If we can't afford something, we don't have it.
If we really want something (like a holiday) we save up for as long as it takes until we have the money to pay for it.

Decorian

I'd say 1.
Just been accepted on to a PhD course (with funding).
Which is fairly secure.
My fiancee works for a small company who advertises PhDs, and university jobs.
A lot of their business comes from abroad, so they are doing quite well from the exchange rates.
Also universities should be ok, as education is one of Britain's biggest exports, foreign student's paying large fees.

djlester_2

1[FONT=&quot] It’d need to be extreme before we felt it.[/FONT]

My job seems pretty secure (though my Sister thught that too, and she's just been put on notice at a very large company, with 20 years service). OH is just finishing her teacher training this year (would probably have been at risk working in the oil industry otherwise). Only got a mortgage, and never overstretched that. Additionaly got some savings - on balance I really hope they don't drop the interest rate any further.

Only just survived the end of the dot-com bubble last time round (I work in IT) - much better off now - that was a bit of a wake up call!

Dinah93

I went for a 2. This is actually lower than last time this poll was run. Realising my fianances were spread too thin I moved out of my rented accomodation and back in with my parents, enabling me to pay off my debts quicker. I have now paid off over £11,000 since August. As much as I liked my independance I was in a risky position if I lost my job, or the rent or bills rose even a fairly small ammount.

My only concern is that I work for the council, and as a fairly recently qualified member of my team I would be one of the first to go if they had to cut back. However we were told this week my team is safe until at least December, only voluntary redundancy and early retirement will be discussed, and it will be middle management that is being pruned.

98jdougl

was looking fine this time but oh's hours have been cut and I got laid off so going from £1500 a month to £400 a month income is a struggle. hopefully won't have a wait before jobseekers starts (got an appointment today)