Just not earning enough

tazgirl

It's also restricting if you are both in work - that some people end up in jobs they hate just because you need the money to pay the bills. I'd love to do something more creative and worthwhile, but have to stick with sitting in front of a computer all day because it brings in 50% more money which means we can pay off debts, eat and keep a roof over our heads.

dips_3

Ahhh...Gordon Brown's miracle economy - the only miracle is that it has lasted so long.


We are supposed to be living during a period of sustained growth and increased wealth. So why do so many people feel poorer and poorer? Increased debts, money not stretching as far as it used to etc, etc.


FWIW I think the whole economy has been built on paper wealth through house price inflation. We are not richer - we just feel richer when we hear that our home is now 'worth' more than it was last year. People draw the equity out and spend it - then they have to repay the debt but wages are not increasing in line with the increased cost of living.

One day, in the not too distant future, the country will wake up to the fact that we have all been conned.

Snaggles

tazgirl wrote:

It's also restricting if you are both in work - that some people end up in jobs they hate just because you need the money to pay the bills. I'd love to do something more creative and worthwhile, but have to stick with sitting in front of a computer all day because it brings in 50% more money which means we can pay off debts, eat and keep a roof over our heads.

This is my dilemma too - I would love to do something working with kids, but I need to earn a certain amount of money to cover our outgoings, so I have to stay in a job that bores me.

We don't really go on holiday (just one 4 day Sun newspaper holiday in the last 2 years), we have two cars because we need them, but they are both second hand, and one is well over 10 years old, we live in a small house with a relatively small mortgage, and our debt repayments are just £75 per month - but we still have very little spare money. It's frustrating, because I sometimes think 'How on earth can our friends afford plasma screen TV's and lovely shiny brand new cars, foreign holidays, and meals out at expensive restaurants'. Then I realise......they can't, that's why they're in debt!

Gemmzie

I agree, everything goes up but the wages.

My dad's self-employed, the labour cost of him putting in a window has stayed the same because the price to customers has had to come down to be competitive

Mum's job, she got a 3% payrise this year, first in three years :eek:

mrslawrence2003

Barcode wrote:

It is happening already. This year, the following has happened to me:

- Npower rise by 9%
- BG rise by 22%
- Water rose by about 8% (I think, can't recall the exact figure).
- LL has attempted to rise the rent by 14% (!) - I'm negotiating this and will simply move if she doesn't want to lower it as there are cheaper properties in the area.

It's reaching the point where I am going to have to choose between heating, food or paying the rent. I realise that costs are rising, but for ordinary people like me, things are becoming more and more difficult. I can probably cope without the heating (or having it on low) for most of the winter, but what about an elderly person?

And yes, I'm in debt. None of which has been spent on luxuries, I'd say at least 95% of it has been spent on bills and living costs. It is all very well for some to say I should manage my money better, but short of not eating and having a roof over my head, I can't do much else.

can you change your job to increase the amount of money you earn? would a move to a cheaper flat mean you break even every month?

MoaningMyrtle

I was thinking about this today, someone on a low wage must struggle, for example, petrol is almost a pound a litre, therefore if you take home £600.00 a month, there is no way you can afford to run a car or your own home if you live on your own. I know this is a broad generalisation and the tip of the iceberg, but you need a bloody good salary to afford to live in the UK. My mortgage, energy and council tax has increased this year.

mrslawrence2003

headcase wrote:

I agree, we have a family of five and our food bill goes up and up - even though we make our own meals etc... As with everyone with other bills, water, gas, electric, poll tax etc goes higher and higher. PS do not forget petrol costs. I'm in the process of revising over bills to cut down the costs. BUT there comes a point that you can not keep doing it again.....
The only way I can see - in addition to cut down is to earn more money... We are heavy in debt - due to illness and to cover the cost of living. The only way out for us is to earn more money.. Thats the easy part. The hard part is how ????

petrol costs are now decreasing again - price of crude oil has dropped hugely recently and there is now also a price war between supermarkets. i understand asda is currently the cheapest supermarket.....

dudleyboy

MoaningMyrtle wrote:

I know this is a broad generalisation and the tip of the iceberg, but you need a bloody good salary to afford to live in the UK. My mortgage, energy and council tax has increased this year.

You're not alone, i'm afraid. In fact, I think it's the case for everyone!

As to 'why', well, that's a thread all to itself...

newlywed

debbycatz wrote:

I have to say that it worries me how little some people are paying for their gas and electric. I understand that switching seems to be the answer for some, but I'm not convinced that it won't 'catch up' with customers eventually.

I came to the conclusion when I did my budget in August that I needed to put away £45 EACH for my gas and electric a month to cover my winter bills. I worry that people who are only allowing £25 to £30 are going to be in arrears. As much as we hate it, I think we need to accept that utilities have risen so much that we need to put a lot more away towards them than ever before.

We've got prepayment gas and electric so if we run out of money then we just go cold for a week. Always try and keep electric going to keep the freezer, cooker and kettle but sometimes will skip gas.

Mastini_2

we have the highest tax burden in years. If i had half the tax i pay a month i would have no debts. I am taxed at work, i am taxed on what i buy, i am taxed for the petrol, i am taxed for the road, I am taxed by the council. God knows how much tax i actually pay a month when it is all added up.

Brown - BRING DOWN THE TAX BURDEN!! top rate limit has not changed in a decade!!!! top rate tax payers are not rich people!!!!

Let the people decide what they want to do with their money.