If things get tougher?

Merlot

I too agree with you, I have stopped watching the news, I think the media are talking us into a recession, I am sick of hearing about gas, electricity/food prices etc. I found myself lying in bed thinking about the increases in commodities and how we are going to cope, well I tell you how my family are going to cope, the mobile phone contract ends shortly and it won't be getting renewed, the DVD rental has been cancelled, and I have taken a small job (been a SAHM for 5 years) which starts in September, I want to be prepared for the worst but I don 't want to give up my current lifestyle, we live very frugally but I do like the odd bottle of wine:D , and my OH enjoys sailing, we hire a boat at this moment, but our long term plan is to move to the Lake District in 15 years time, so we need to save for that, hence me getting the wee job.

Its the pensioners I feel for, the younger generation have the oppportunity to seek out further employment should the need arise, but pensioners are on a fixed income, I hope Alistair Darling remembers that in his pre budget speach in November.

Merlot.x.

Austin_Allegro

I really don't think the media is talking us into recession - that's being caused by the end of easy credit. Without that, much of the economy will grind to a halt.

If anything, I think the media are talking UP the economy, because HM government is keeping close tabs on just what information is let out. I do think banks are in a worse state than many let on.

But let's remember we can always come to OS for GOOD news on mutual support and advice. We're already 'ahead of the curve' and better prepared than most, just by reading this thread.

mary43

I worry for both my sons. One lives in a flat on the south coast, rented and not cheap. He doesn't have a particularly well paid job but its one he enjoys. He's always been very frugal (something learned from years ago when we went through very hard times) but I do wonder how he'll manage with things going up and up all the time.
Then there's my other son, also living in rented house with new girlfriend and baby grandson. Working full time and his girlfriend has just started back to work part-time as a carer at nights. He also has CSA to pay for two teenage grandchildren and money is a constant nightmare.

Merlot

Austin_Allegro wrote: »

I really don't think the media is talking us into recession - that's being caused by the end of easy credit. Without that, much of the economy will grind to a halt.

If anything, I think the media are talking UP the economy, because HM government is keeping close tabs on just what information is let out. I do think banks are in a worse state than many let on.

I take on board your opinion, do you really think that much of the economy will grind to a halt without cheap credit? Do you think that most people are in debt with the exception of the mortgage.

I'm not in debt and i have been OS for a couple of years and live very frugally and my friends aren't in debt either, so why would the economy grind to a halt without cheap credit? If one can't afford it, don't buy it, it won't generally change ones life for the better if one does buy it.

I am simply asking for your opinion, I am interested what others have to say on this matter.

FairyElephant_2

I don't deny that things are geting tougher, with increases in food & fuel prices, but I think a lot of what is making people panic is that far too many have lived on far too much 'easy' credit for far too long..........

House prices have risen ridculously, and the rate of increase was just not sustainable any longer.

I think we are well overdue for a shakeup, and it is going to hurt some people who have overextended themselves and lived beyond their means, and dare I say it there are many of these who need a sharp wake-up call!?!

Unfortunately it is also going to hurt those at the other end of the scale who were struggling to make ends meet as it was, and I have every sympathy with them.

I think the best we can all do is try to stay cheerful, practise our OS ways, and share tips and support on these boards.

An old relative of mine used to say that 'a day in which you have learned something new is a day which hasn't been wasted' - I think I do pretty well living within my means, overpaying my mortgage, using vouchers & grabbing bargains, not wasting food, etc etc, but there's always someone out there with a new tip or idea, and I thank you all for shring, and hope I can shre mine when I have some.

Community spirit may be lacking in our streets, but it is alive & well on MSE!!!!

Bless you all,

FE

Uniscots97

mary43 wrote: »

unixgirluk - you're right. We all learn something from experiences, good and bad and I think if you go through sticky times it helps towards a better understanding of people who are in the same or worse situation. Those who never have a financial 'hiccup' can quickly form the opinion that the homeless, jobless etc.have only themselves to blame and more often than not it's not so.
If I could live my life over again, I'm not sure I'd actually chance anything but just might deal with it a lot better than I have done if you know what I mean.

OH has stopped worrying about gas and electric and general cost of living,plus banks, overdrafts etc. Solves nothing in the end. We;re doing what we can to get through it all and it helps a lot having sites like this to get advice and tips, plus the very valuable support.
(Big thanks to Martin :T )

........and a big thank you to ALL mse members. We all help each other.

catznine

taurusgb wrote: »

Another Elizabeth West book addict here - does anyone know if she and Alan are still alive? I've tried finding out on the internet but drawn a blank. Odd thing is I only ordered the Suffer Little Children and Insufferable Little children books yesterday ! Have read Hovel in the Hills and Garden in the Hills over and over again - wish I could find a copy of Patch in the Forest and Kitchen in the Hills though

---

I'd (almost) sell my soul for them. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

and yet another fan here! I have most of the books except "suffer little children" I have the other one which is very amusing having worked in a school. My favourite is "Hovel in the Hills and Kitchen in the Hills, a great frugal cook book but the price I paid wasn't frugal £10 a couple of years ago, some of the recipes must have saved me that by now though!

I agree that we need to stay positive, at least we have "seen the light" so to speak and are already working at reducing any debt. It's going to be a huge shock for those that haven't. We stock up at costco's every 3-4 months and to me it is well worth doing, saves time, energy and money, I just have to make sure I ration it out rather than feast for the first month.

Gigervamp

I think a large proportion of the population are in debt. Not many people have the cash to pay for holidays, cars (even secondhand ones) and large household items like tv's and white goods.

Just look at a lot of the sigs on here where people have listed how much they've paid off, and still owe.

katieowl_2

taurusgb wrote: »

Another Elizabeth West book addict here - does anyone know if she and Alan are still alive? I've tried finding out on the internet but drawn a blank. Odd thing is I only ordered the Suffer Little Children and Insufferable Little children books yesterday ! Have read Hovel in the Hills and Garden in the Hills over and over again - wish I could find a copy of Patch in the Forest and Kitchen in the Hills though

---

I'd (almost) sell my soul for them. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I drew a total blank too... they seemed to disapear into thin air...I've considered writing to the publisher to see if they know where they went to - but it did seem a bit stalkerish

Don't sell your soul for Kitchen in the hills...I got a copy from a very kind Freecycler...but I was really glad I hadn't bought it (it was expensive from Amazon!) as it's a very boring, average little cook book, with stodgy suet puddings, and a touch too much Marmite for stock flavoring for my liking . Amazon do have Patch in the forest today, but it's about £12 used.

I'm guessing that Elizabeth must have gone on to be a school secretary somewhere then, after they left Wales? As it did say on the cover of Suffer little children 'by the author of hovel in the hills'

Regards

Kate

moanymoany

Merlot wrote: »

I take on board your opinion, do you really think that much of the economy will grind to a halt without cheap credit? Do you think that most people are in debt with the exception of the mortgage.

I'm not in debt and i have been OS for a couple of years and live very frugally and my friends aren't in debt either, so why would the economy grind to a halt without cheap credit? If one can't afford it, don't buy it, it won't generally change ones life for the better if one does buy it.

I am simply asking for your opinion, I am interested what others have to say on this matter.

I think that over the next three years things will get much worse. I agree with Austin Allegro and I also think the media is playing down the severity of the situation. The Crosby report available on the Government website paints a very gloomy picture.

What happens in the USA will spin over to us and the rest of the world and what is happening there gets worse by the day. I subscribe to a savings/frugal site from the USA and each week the articles are more and more gloomy. There have been large rises in health care charges and insurance premiums, large rises in food prices and thousands of people are simply walking away from property they bought with 100% mortgages as they are now worth 30% of what they paid and interests rates have risen. In the USA any shortfall between the value of the house and the sale price is picked up by the bank. It doesn't take a genius to see the problems this will create for banks already under stress. Indymac wasn't even on the 'could be in trouble' list and look what happened there!

It is not only those who have got themselves in over their heads who will suffer, it will be a lot of people who now own 30 - 40% of the equity in their houses, that will probably be gone by 2010. Fuel prices are not going to go down in any way that is going to lessen the load. There are already famine and starvation in many parts of the world due to global food shortages and price rises. I've seen news including this information on French TV - none here.

There you go, gloom unlimited!