The good life tv comedy programme could this be done today

zarazara

I agree with you rhiwfield

COOLTRIKERCHICK

so is this why all these so called self suffuiciency gurus wrote books to pay the essential bills......lol...

so do you think the programme was so popular with the ladies because of the life syle and for the men it was purely filicity kendal, or penelope keith:eek:

Lotus-eater

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

so is this why all these so called self suffuiciency gurus wrote books to pay the essential bills......lol...

so do you think the programme was so popular with the ladies because of the life syle and for the men it was purely filicity kendal, or penelope keith:eek:

The best self sufficiency books tell you things like this.

You can do it, but not your way in this country. It would be basically going back a few hundred years in time and living the way that was, but even then they needed money of course. It's a necessary evil I'm afraid.

And it's how far do you take it, pension? Many people who go self sufficient don't have a pension, I don't pay into mine, we decided we couldn't afford it.
Insurance? Do you carry on paying your house and contents insurance?
Life insurance?

The list goes on.

I think it was popular because it was a good program and FC was a little cutie in it.

ceridwen

Well - as Council Tax payment is based, to some extent, on income I think we can discount that.

I always mentally knock that out of my considerations - as if I were on benefit level income (even if that income didnt actually come from benefit) then it wouldnt be payable and for a few thousand £s worth of income over that level one gets a reduced C.T. bill to take income into account. Think its round about £10k p.a. where one has to pay it in full on a standard small house???

Its worth doing as much as one can to be a little bit of the way along the road towards self-sufficiency. Most of us cant get our fuel or water for free unfortunately - so that still has to be paid for. Our phone/Internet bill and household insurance bill also require money to cover them. If those bases are covered and one can manage without a car - then one can manage on a pretty small income - but..yep...some income is necessary for any of us. But we might as well at least do what we can to reduce our financial dependence on Society.

ClootiesMum

My name is ClootiesMum & I am a Good Life Addict

I do realise that this would be virtually impossible to live out in completion today but the idea is so wonderful and gives such enjoyment I watch it whenever it it is on.

What helps even more is that our friends are "Margo" & "Jerry" (she once bought a coat in Debenhams in Jan & it was put in a "Debenhams Sale" bag - "Margo" complained at the till as she had paid full price for it & wanted it put in a normal Debenhams bag).

Even if one or 2 ideas work, then it's been worth it......

Molly41

Another Good Life fan - just watched the programme with the Pig and Piglets. My absolute all time favourite programme. Just pay for Sky Gold to watch it!

Primrose

It was a lovely idea but you certainly couldn't do it around here. Council Tax alone is horrendous, and all the other taxes would make it impossible. But the comedy in the Good Life was wonderful, and I think the programme, despite all its faults, was so inspirational for many people who wanted a more simple, less materialistic way of life.
For anybody who is enthusastic (or fantasises) about this type of lifestyle, I really recommend "Hovel in the Hills" and "Garden in the Hills" by Elizabeth West. She and her husband lived a on a pittance in the Welsh Hills back in the 70's and 80's and these books chart their activities. Sadly her books are out of print now but are still available on Amazon.

Lotus-eater

I've just remembered, I think that it is thought, that the good life was based on John Seymour.

If you read his books, he does go towards total self sufficiency, which will give you an idea.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I've just remembered, I think that it is thought, that the good life was based on John Seymour.

If you read his books, he does go towards total self sufficiency, which will give you an idea.

I think you are right Lotus - eater...

I have got john seymour's books the self sufficiency one, and how he story how they found their farm, and started living the self sufficent life..

as far as i can remember it just shows you how to get the max out of your land and animals etc..

The good life first episdoe was in 1975, so i think there must have been a strong thing about going back to the land, maybe aging hippies from the 60's etc....wanting to get out of the rat race...as i think this is when teepi sp? valley started, and is still there today ( near carmarthen)

meanmarie

I watch the good life any time I can....wonderfully funny if not really factual.

Picked 9 lbs gooseberries to-day...4 for gallon of wine, 1 for pudding to-morrow, balance for jam as we no longer eat a large pot a day as we did when all my family lived at home! Also picked about 3 lbs of red currants....some will go into to-morrows pudding and will make jam with rest....will use it with cold meats etc as well as jam, can't be bothered with fiddle of jelly other than apple jelly.

Managed to get another €100 into daydream fund to-day, happy about that as it is ages since I had anything to save.

Marie