How??

plunk172

This is a serious question, not trying to troll.

I was taught from a very early age to only borrow what I could afford to pay back.

I think this forum is absolutely amazing for people that have gotten themselves into trouble.

What i find odd is that people cannot afford to repay money to the people the have borrowed from but can afford the internet. Why dont people use the money they spend on the internet to repay their debts?

Blankie

Can't believe i'm wasting my time replying to this but....

My "internet" comes as part of my phone package so there is no separate cost for it. Should i get rid of my phone? How can I speak to all those lovely DCAs without a phone??

Ames

I'm disabled and my internet is my lifeline, far more important than paying off debt which is mostly built up of charges anyway. Plus, with the internet you can get a lot of shopping and essentials cheaper, and make some money into the bargain.

It's like I once read someone say 'people in debt shouldn't have a TV cos they should use the license fee money towards repayments'. Do you really expect people to sit in every night with nothing to do?

Even people in debt are allowed a bit of a life, and for many the internet provides that.

Nottoobadyet

Because we are stupid, selfish, irresponsible degenerates. We were not blessed with the values in which you were so fortunately raised with.

Was that the answer you were looking for?

catbar09

i use my dad's so dont actually pay for it and fully agree with the above posts excluding the one above me which is probably what the op wanted to hear or believes anyway

kendalls_cave

As a disabled person i rely on the 'net" for so many things....
we all get into debt for different reasons, but I *know* we all hate it, but we also all need to live too... so should we all get rid of out tv's , have no elec, gas, water and fling everything at our debts? :rolleyes:

phunkeymonkey

I hope this thread doesn't degenerate into a bickering contest because I think it raises an interesting point on how society has changed.

It's interesting to see how things like internet, mobile phones, cars and posh TVs have stopped being desirable "want" items and have became essential "need" items that people believe are worth getting into debt for.

I often wonder where the line is. What things are essential for modern-day living and which things aren't? It makes interesting reading on here the lengths people will go to to justify running the second car, sky tv etc, whilst at the same time quite happily make cut-backs on food, heating and the likes.

Times really have changed.

bikerboi87

i'm a computer geek and make some money fixing computers, and i need access to the internet for that - it's also helped me find this site which has helped me a lot, and i used it to bank online and keep track of my finances. in the end, it's worth a lot more than its cost to me, even if my grandparents didn't pay for it

Poosmate

I agree with Phunkymonkey to a degree and also with Blind as a Bat. I think the internet and Sky/Cable TV are more of a neccessity now if only for the entertainment value. But also they enable people to remain social without having to go to the pub or other places that cost money that they need to pay thier debts.

I have cable TV because I can't get a signal otherwise. I have a bundle costing £35 per month - if I spent half an hour a day doing the daily clicks for cash I'd earn over £90 per month (see Eager Learner's thread on this). So the internet can be a source for making a few bob too.

The thing I find difficult is when people are paying close to £60 for their tv package plus internet and phone fees on top and on top of that are paying £30+ on mobile contracts. I can't understand why people renew contracts when they have to know that they are already struggling. Most people have their lightbulb moment after struggling for quite some time. Why do people take on more contracts (not just mobile phones) when they are already struggling?

I am coping with my debt, I haven't had my lightbulb moment yet, but I know that adding extra film channels or sports channels to my tv package or taking on a mobile phone on contract would be suicide for my finances.

I do wonder how people don't see the lighbulb even if it isn't switched on.

So in responce to the OP, yes, how?

Poo

Nottoobadyet

phunkeymonkey wrote: »

I hope this thread doesn't degenerate into a bickering contest because I think it raises an interesting point on how society has changed.

It's interesting to see how things like internet, mobile phones, cars and posh TVs have stopped being desirable "want" items and have became essential "need" items that people believe are worth getting into debt for.

I often wonder where the line is. What things are essential for modern-day living and which things aren't? It makes interesting reading on here the lengths people will go to to justify running the second car, sky tv etc, whilst at the same time quite happily make cut-backs on food, heating and the likes.

Times really have changed.

It occurs to me that there are probubly many people in debt who have given up their internet, but obviously they dont frequent this board so we have a bit of selection bias!

DarkConvict

I can kinda of agree with part one of plunk172,

I was taught to only buy what you can afford, never taught to borrow it though. Credit outside of a mortgage is a bad idea and I've stuck to that.

But the reasons why people are here, yes some will admit it is their stupidity, from digging the head into the sand to, oh it will be okay i will borrow somemore, it became a lifestyle or addiction to credit. See addiction topics to smoking, alcohol and gambling its not easy to break. But others come from major lifestyle changes such as loss of a job which they can't prevent or major incidents like breakdowns of central heating/building work required to make a house safe etc.

As to the internet, the government is trying to get everyone online as we are such as broken society in that we have spread out and the internet is the lifeline and social tool for a majority of people, it has become a commodity item now not a luxury. Without the internet people would not be able to come here for one on assistance, a £15 a month is a good investment in moving saving and entertainment potential!