living without credit

bonnie_2

following on from the i cant afford it thread.
how many of us would be in poverty ie no holidays and fancy clothes and activities if it wasnt for credit. how many would have a new car for instance.
our grandparents didnt have anything and it didnt seem to bother them.
why is it that nowadays sky, mobile phones, new clothes and holidays and cars are seen as a nessecity.
why do people see a gym membership as essential when walking is free.
i think we need to get back to basics ie food and bills and a roof over our head.
shops and leaisure places are out to make money out of us pure and simple, if on credit they make more with interest and insurance.
why do people feel the need to take their kids out every day of the school holidays doing fancy activities.
and xmas is another case of madness.
your replies will be interesting no doubt.
ps i am reading the tightwad gazette, which has given me food for thought.

roswell

as the old saying goes " The best things in life are free"

summerday

Hi Bonnie,
I think poverty is relative, people compare themselves to others in the same society. Because so many people have all the modern luxuries (even if they are funded through credit cards) it makes everyone feel that as everyone else has these things, they deserve them too! Not exactly the same as keeping up with the Jones's, but people feel hard done by if they can't afford what other people have, regardless of salary etc. And because the kindly credit card companies put loan applications through these peoples doors, they CAN have what the others have!

The media and advertising causes a lot of desire in people to aspire to a luxury lifestyle, too.

I know what you mean about our grandparents generation. But then credit was frowned upon, people didn't buy on the 'never never'. Lots of people were living on modest incomes and could identify with others in the same community. Now, it seems totally acceptable to max out your credit cards whatever your financial situation.

I do try not to get sucked into the whole consumerism culture too much (though I have in the poast) and try to remain conscious of my own priorities and what really makes me happy. This helps me stay in control of my money and enjoy the simpler things in life.

Sarah

Broken_hearted

You can have holidays and fancy clothes without credit it's called saving.

oops_a_daisy

I know what you mean - my daughter was talking to some friends at school and they were all bragging about the expensive holidays that they were all going on in the summer hols. One of them asked where my daughter was going and she said camping in Scotland - they all burst out laughing at her :mad: . I was really cross that its not just adults that think a credit culture is the best way to live - they are bringing up their kids the same too. At Christmas one of her friends and her brother both got a laptop and a motorolla razor each for Christmas. What sort of message does this send to the kids for when they are older ?

livilou

i do think there is a great deal of pressure from the media, offers of new furniture buy now pay next year, lifestyle, gyms, kids in school under pressure to have the latest gear otherwise live in fear of being bullied.

having said that, I think if you have had your lightbulb moment you can sit back and realise that life is too short, who is going to remember you for having been on holiday every year, for having a new car, for having a designer handbag and a gym membership that you probably don't use anyway.(how many of us have done that).

As for holidays, we have booked a lovely holiday in france in june camping with key camp with the inlaws, 400 between us. I am doing extra work to pay for it as is hubby .

come holidays I won't be put under pressure to take the kids to the zoo, the farm, etc, I'll have other kids to play in the summer, go for walks to the park, take a picnic.

having said that I have days where I think I'd love to go shop shop shop and would love a new car etc but thats life.

2 years ago I never dreamed I'd be scouring freebie boards (I've had some great ones!!) and looking for money saving tips but I'm glad I found MSE as it has saved me a fortune and put money into perspective.

have a good day all
xxx

taplady

We have in the past relied on credit and it nearly finished us off! we are now in an IVA and any purchases are strictly budgeted and saved for. I feel so much relief now that we are out of that rat race and can only buy what we can afford. Things are much more appreciated when you've had to save for them!

As for the holiday in Scotland, I bet you'll have a much better time than all those with their fancy foreign holidays, Scotland is so beautiful! We're going to Devon to stop in a holiday flat and I can't wait. :j A holiday is a holiday wherever it is!;)

Alleycat

Oooh, camping in Scotland!! That sounds like a really lovely holiday. I have to admit, although going abroad is fun I do really enjoy good old British holidays. There is so much beautiful countryside to explore, fab beaches, hidden pockets of tranquility. I enjoy visiting Holland as well, but this year (first holiday for several years) we are staying in a caravan with my sister's family in Dorset.

Sorry, slightly off topic!

taplady

Alleycat wrote:

Oooh, camping in Scotland!! That sounds like a really lovely holiday. I have to admit, although going abroad is fun I do really enjoy good old British holidays. There is so much beautiful countryside to explore, fab beaches, hidden pockets of tranquility. I enjoy visiting Holland as well, but this year (first holiday for several years) we are staying in a caravan with my sister's family in Dorset.

Sorry, slightly off topic!

i agree there's so much of our own country that I haven't seen yet! and at least you know the waters safe to drink etc;)

THE_LONE_RANGER_4

to be fair hollidays abroad every other year, camping in europe very cheap if done by yourself ,can be achieved every year new teles modest cars a few years old all can be achieved when you save ,budget and are sensible ,i went to boston and new england in usa travel agent gave us then a family of 3 for 10 days £3,700,we did it for half ,we booked our own hotels found cheapest flights hired a car when we need ed one there not from here,got free meals at the hotels ,by doing deals ,
there is no nead to be miserable okay i have 2 years of debt repayments to go but when its clear i will be debt free no never never for me save save then spend we save in a credit union also and plan to change car every 2 years pay as you go its the only answear get rid of credit cards and have basic bank accounts only the last 2 years we have allways had money and been in credit and paid our debts

LookingAhead

oops_a_daisy wrote:

I know what you mean - my daughter was talking to some friends at school and they were all bragging about the expensive holidays that they were all going on in the summer hols. One of them asked where my daughter was going and she said camping in Scotland - they all burst out laughing at her :mad: . I was really cross that its not just adults that think a credit culture is the best way to live - they are bringing up their kids the same too. At Christmas one of her friends and her brother both got a laptop and a motorolla razor each for Christmas. What sort of message does this send to the kids for when they are older ?

Grrr! That would really have made me mad too. What can you do?? I don't have children but I can only imagine that you can do your best to explain the situation and how bad credit can be/debt etc etc and surround your kids with love and affection to buffer those sorts of hurtful moments....trying to teach them never to put someone else in that same situation.

You can only take consolation in the fact that as kids turn into adults and realise (hopefully) that people are so much more than their credit card limit & possessions & where they go on holiday etc that your daughter will be surrounded by people who are lovely, genuine friends!

My little rant over....feel like I want to give your daughter a hug too!

I agree with the OP: we need to get back to basics and you know what? I think slowly but surely we are....I think the British people as a collective are starting to wake up to their debts and want to reign it in. Lord know what will happen to the economy when/if the majority of people stop spending....!

We need to teach the next generation of 18 year olds to learn from our mistakes and resist theose CC's & Loans. Not easy though is it? :rolleyes: