Just not earning enough

Pobby

I think that some of the problems we have right now is how inflation is measured.As I have said before,it`s fine if plasma screen teles and dvd players are going down im price,both these are wants.The real issue is that housing stock has rose at an alarming rate taking rental values along with it.Fuel,council tax,electricity,gas has risen way beyond the govenments inflation figures.These are needs,we would all suffer without these commodities.

I remember inflation in the 70s.In 71 I was earning £24 for a 6 day week,at the end of that decade my income was about £200.My outgoings were backed by wage inflation.This is not happening now.We live in a much more global world.

Taxation has grown again at an alarming rate under new labour.GB has piles of revenue to redistribute.It is how this redistribution of wealth is being administered is a worry.Imho tax credits,benefits and state pensions need a serious over haul.Just one example,how is it that a married couple with a joint income of £65k a year be entitled to tax credits if thay have children when a childless couple earning approx.£18k a year get nothing.I don`t think that the difference of £47k needs a benefit to bring up a couple of kids.

calleyw

Pobby wrote:

.Just one example,how is it that a married couple with a joint income of £65k a year be entitled to tax credits if thay have children when a childless couple earning approx.£18k a year get nothing.I don`t think that the difference of £47k needs a benefit to bring up a couple of kids.

For tax credits if you earn over 16K a year as a couple no children you get no tax credits at all. As I looked in to it earlier this year. And what annoys me is if you are having to make CSA payments they are not taken in consideration. Even though it could take you well below the limit for a couple.



Yours


Calley

Pobby

Calley,I think you may agree with me here that something is askew.

itsarichmansworld

Pobby wrote:

I came out of debt and started a small business.Had a couple of cracking years but still lived like I was on £200 a week.Trouble is now I can afford things,I hate spending!My other half doesn`t understand this but saving money is like a drug to me.Rest of my family have debts but great holidays,flash cars and all sorts.It came up some how about how,when I am getting good money it goes in savings I think they thought that perverse.

I have been in the situation of scrabling around just to scrape up money to eat.God gave me a second crack of the whip and I am not going back to my bad old ways.

Cant wait to be like you

ZTD

Pobby wrote:

Calley,I think you may agree with me here that something is askew.

It's all about politicians buying popularity. From their point of view:

Kids are popular. You got kids? We'll through other people's money at you, because it makes us look good.

You got no kids? That's because you're selfish, wanting to be self-sufficient. You should have kids which we can throw money at, and make ourselves popular.

You got kids, but they're not with you? Who cares? Where's the photo opportunity in that? No money for you! We like photo opportunities.

Old people are good! We like throwing other people's money at old people. It makes us look caring. Looking caring makes us popular.

Etc... :rolleyes:

calleyw

ZTD wrote:

It's all about politicians buying popularity. From their point of view:

Kids are popular. You got kids? We'll through other people's money at you, because it makes us look good.

You got no kids? That's because you're selfish, wanting to be self-sufficient. You should have kids which we can throw money at, and make ourselves popular.

You got kids, but they're not with you? Who cares? Where's the photo opportunity in that? No money for you! We like photo opportunities.

Old people are good! We like throwing other people's money at old people. It makes us look caring. Looking caring makes us popular.

Etc... :rolleyes:

I agree with you. I don't mind paying for other peoples childrens via my taxes and don't mind tax credits/benefits going to where they should. But people who are on high wages granted they are paying more tax than me. But they still get child benefit as well as tax credits.

Personally if I was earning 65K a year I would be embrassed to take accept them.

I know this sounds horrible but if you have kids they throw at you. But as as 16-25% of the population in the western world are choosing not to have children is hardly small. And is a lot of votes as it is double the amount of votes.


Yours


Calley

rog2

ZTD wrote:

If you believe "cost-of-living" increases cover the increase in the cost-of-living - I have a bridge to sell you.

Just happened to bump into a couple of native Americans, down the local, who might be interested:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

calleyw

Pobby wrote:

Calley,I think you may agree with me here that something is askew.

Yes I do but think the DFW board is the place to have discussion about it.


Yours


Calley

summerday

Interesting thread. I agree that it is unfair for people in jobs who don't get a cost of living increase each year just to cover council tax, utilities etc which always rise.

One thought- this probably applies to no-one one here but I know a lady who lives on her own and rents a 3 bedroom house. She earns just a little bit over the minimum wage. She likes the space and refuses to move into a smaller house. She also is very into healthy eating and will buy nothing, and literally nothing that is not organic (and I'm not talking about just fruit and veg, literally all her food shop). You can imagine that would cost a bomb. But she is always, always moaning about how poor she is, has to put more on her credit cards etc. But I find it hard tyo be very sympathetic when I think that she is choosing the luxury of an overly big house and all organic food. I guess we all make our choices what we spend our money on. But when I read on this board how little posters like Black Saturn and Calley spend on food etc, I wonder how much some people could cut back.

This is honestly not meant to be a dig at anyone, just a thought.

sarah x

ZTD

saraht wrote:

Interesting thread. I agree that it is unfair for people in jobs who don't get a cost of living increase each year just to cover council tax, utilities etc which always rise.

It's not just people without COLI, even people with COLI are done, because COL is based on inflation which specifically excludes stuff like council tax. Also, I would direct you to this Please read it. The word you are looking out for is "Hedonic".

saraht wrote:

But I find it hard tyo be very sympathetic when I think that she is choosing the luxury of an overly big house and all organic food. I guess we all make our choices what we spend our money on. But when I read on this board how little posters like Black Saturn and Calley spend on food etc, I wonder how much some people could cut back.

Nobody here is complaining that expensive stuff is expensive. Because it is, and always will be IYSWIM . People here are complaining the stuff is rising in price a lot quicker than their take home wage. This means that with every year that passes, they are getting poorer and have to make more and more cutbacks, and prioritise even more harshly.

They question back up the thread is basically, you can cut back, but how far, and when are where is the end-game?