Dispatches, Christmas on Credit. Watch it on 4OD

kabayiri

PasturesNew wrote: »

Challenge to you all: Look now, can you find a credit union that you can join?

I did. I rang up the closest one recently, to open a deposit account and put money in.

I'm not allowed to use it though, because it's outside my postal town. I have to use one which is further away, and getting there when it is open is a challenge to say the least.

I agree, they are just not being given the support.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

Did you try to actually contact them/join? To see how hard it would be?

N'ah...my interest ends with google.

wageslave

I googled credit unions in my area and there is one. It is open three mornings a week, all weekdays. A lack of volunteers, I suppose. Although if I was in charge it would be three evenings and one of those spent going round the local boozers, ledger book in hand.

It has been interesting to note that this thread has pretty much become divided along male/female lines with the women coming down, almost exclusively, on the side of our mythical single parent.

You could argue that was because women are more empathetic, I think you'd be wrong.

At the risk of sounding sexist, I'd say men are really good at taking the moral high ground whilst women are far more pragmatic.

We have to be.

lostinrates

wageslave wrote: »

You could argue that was because women are more empathetic, I think you'd be wrong.

At the risk of sounding sexist, I'd say men are really good at taking the moral high ground whilst women are far more pragmatic.

We have to be.

I think its just that more of us do more of the laundry.:o

wageslave

lostinrates wrote: »

I think its just that more of us do more of the laundry.:o

You could well be right.

Only someone who couldn't find the kitchen without a map and a compass could seriously contemplate living without a washing machine for a year while they squirreled away seven quid a week.

PasturesNew

wageslave wrote: »

You could well be right.

Only someone who couldn't find the kitchen without a map and a compass could seriously contemplate living without a washing machine for a year while they squirreled away seven quid a week.

I didn't have a washing machine until I was over 30.
I did it by hand until then.

wageslave

PasturesNew wrote: »

I didn't have a washing machine until I was over 30.
I did it by hand until then.

I owned my first washing machine at 17. It cost me ninety quid second hand and lasted three weeks out of the warranty period.

While I saved for a new one I trod sheets in the bath and spent three days drip drying them.

If I hadn't been too green to know credit even existed, I would have signed my life away for a shiny new washer.

lostinrates

wageslave wrote: »

I owned my first washing machine at 17. It cost me ninety quid second hand and lasted three weeks out of the warranty period.

While I saved for a new one I trod sheets in the bath and spent three days drip drying them.

If I hadn't been too green to know credit even existed, I would have signed my life away for a shiny new washer.

The most handwashing I did was in halls. People stank, it made me feel nautious.

wageslave

lostinrates wrote: »

The most handwashing I did was in halls. People stank, it made me feel nautious.

LIR, I cannot believe you are university educated and can't spell nauseous.

While you were having a whale of a time at freshers week, I was married and slogging my way through the OU.

And saving for a washing machine:rolleyes:

bristol_pilot

wageslave wrote: »

Only someone who couldn't find the kitchen without a map and a compass could seriously contemplate living without a washing machine for a year while they squirreled away seven quid a week.

I simply couldn't resist posting again to say that I am male and, as well as living without a cooker for 2 years, I also lived without a washing machine for 10 years. I eventually bought a second-hand one when the launderette put their prices up to a point where it was considerably cheaper to do laundry at home. Only a second-hand washer, mind. I was working, not on benefits, so couldn't afford a brand new one. No TV, either.