1 mortgage, 2 babies, 3 years to be MF, 4 goodness sake!- weezl's diary

weezl74

Sian_the_Green wrote: »

Wow, those were some great posts weezl, I think you hit the nail on the materialistic head.
I would like to volunteer too! I love cooking new things and as long as I don't have to roast a pig's head I am on board!

I've added you Sian

thanks welshlassie

were you welshmedium educated if you don't mind me asking? We are thinking of it for Fergie and Kester and I'm interested in opinions :A:D

In_Search_Of_Me

hello weezl...am waving at you accross the water!! Popped see mum (lovely), cats (very fat and contented!) and pier which just looks wrong - far too posh! Funny seeing old places and changes....

Fire_Fox

IlonaRN wrote: »

Wow! Do you know if the housing costs include heating and electricity? Because if so, I'm really not that far above it, and I thought I have a reasonably well-paid job! Admittedly, I pay far too much for my rented flat, but I still thought I was doing ok, and not almost scraping the poverty line.

I think the definition of poverty is all wrong. Obviously it keeps getting higher with rising wages, and I can see that while relatively people might feel worse off if they can't buy the latest mobile phone or a big tv, in reality I could live without either of these if I had to (and actually, I do, as these items aren't my priority!).

Usually with national surveys 'housing costs' are separated to equalise the results across the country, so it's always rent or mortgage and sometimes council tax. Food and utility prices don't vary hugely from region to region so these come out of your disposable income. Not sure how service charges and ground rent fit in ... will keep trying to confirm. IIRC the definition of fuel poverty is 10% of your income, flats with electric heating puts an awful lot of singles and couples in flats in this bracket. Perhaps you are in this group?

In_Search_Of_Me

fire fox love the quote in your siggy!

Fire_Fox

In_Search_Of_Me wrote: »

fire fox love the quote in your siggy!

Thank you! A concept from my '24 hour party people' years.

Queen-Bee_2

Sian_the_Green wrote: »

as long as I don't have to roast a pig's head I am on board!

:rotfl: Yes, I saw the pics for that one :eek:, and whilst I'm full of admiration for Weezl for leaving no stone unturned in the quest for frugalness :A, this would be a step too far for me!!!! :rotfl:
QB

Pippajo

You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :j:j:j

I'll vote for you!

PJ x

SusanC_2

Floxxie wrote: »

UK poverty line for a range of households, 2007/08 Household type

Poverty line: Household income, £ per week

Single person

£115

Couple

£199

Lone parent with two children (aged 5 and 14)

£239

Couple with two children (aged 5 and 14)

£322

That particular year we spent £170 per week excluding rent and council tax but including a full year of a newborn baby. (And that was the highest out of the last four years.) What on earth is everyone else spending their money on?

Sian_the_Green

SusanC wrote: »

That particular year we spent £170 per week excluding rent and council tax but including a full year of a newborn baby. (And that was the highest out of the last four years.) What on earth is everyone else spending their money on?

I think it sounds like you are doing well with the frugal lifestyle. It may be that they account for other things such as someone with a regular prescription or perhaps the cost of running a car or getting the bus/tube to work. I guess what we class as essential spending may vary between people; the government appears to count having broadband as an essential expense. Does it include everything Martin includes on his spreadsheet e.g. Christmas and birthday presents? Charity giving?

I don't really add up everything I spend but am sure I can spend less than this says is essential...

Welshlassie

weezl74 wrote: »

thanks welshlassie

were you welshmedium educated if you don't mind me asking? We are thinking of it for Fergie and Kester and I'm interested in opinions :A:D

I wasn't Welsh educated, but really wanted to send DS (he's 2 and half atm) to a Welsh school, (a new one opened a couple of years ago up the road), however DH was uncomfortable with him learning in Welsh if he wasn't very academic (as DH was). We have compromised and decided to send him to a English school and pay for additional Welsh lessons if he doesn't pick it up in the Welsh lessons he gets in school. I posted on thre family board last year asking for opinions.