'What's a necessity in modern living?' poll discussion

funkymonkey849

In the past 8 years since I moved away from home I have lived without all these things (not at once lol), each for at least 6 months or more (except for telly which was only 2 lol - we got given one). I would say that the only absolute necessities are a cooker and a fridge, and some form of heating not necessarily central heating.

Dishwasher, sattelite tv and consoles are NOT necessities!

rickbonar

I didn't see the school age children part but assumed it was necessities for modern living. I put boiler (hot water) cooker and fridge ... not sure whether you NEED a freezer but they now are relatively cheap and come with the fridge so yes. I really don't see how a games console is a necessity though?

Though I think some sort of phone could be included .. a pay as you go mobile can be very cheap - I don't even spend a £5 a month with the mobile.

Ultimately good health is a necessity for modern living ... so things that promote that you could add.

jeanmd

It is so sad that people think we NEED all these items.
Two of my grandchildren do not have satalite/cable/computer or phone nevermind a dishwasher. They are the most well behaved, polite, giving children I know. They play board game, draw, make things, play out and know how to occupy them selves. They do chores, are well fed and well dressed though not designer gear. They are ten and sixteen and are so calm and interesting to be around I wish my other children/step children would do the same with theirs. I really do love them all, just respect the above parents greatly for being able to do this in todays want/need/must have society.

beer_tins

I would say that heating is essential, but not necessarily central heating! shame there is no option for that.

gemmaj

Going back a fair few years, a friend of mine was in a long-term-foster home and really liked it there. They didn't have a TV, but my friend wasn't in the least bit bothered. The authorities found out and said that she couldn't live there unless they got a TV. Seemed a bit daft to me - but to them at least it was essential! (They got a TV).

JimmyTheWig

MSE_Martin wrote: »

I must admit I'm surprised by "washing machine" appearing so highly - after all many people use launderettes

This was the one I struggled with most. In the end I decided to tick it as with children there is always a lot of washing to be done. Life would be very difficult without it.

I also ticked basic TV. But by basic I mean the sort that regularly come up on freecycle/freegle so I don't see this as much of a budget restraint.

Then I think the absolute basics are hot water, heating, cooker, fridge and home phone.

Internet access is pretty much a necessity these days, but not necessarily at home. The rest are just convenience items.

michaels wrote: »

At the time of writing 1675 people have voted and only 87% think hot water is essential - and less for a cooker and washing machine...!!!!!!?

Maybe some people didn't realise they were supposed to vote for all the options that they thought essential?

Sami_Bee

gemmaj wrote: »

Going back a fair few years, a friend of mine was in a long-term-foster home and really liked it there. They didn't have a TV, but my friend wasn't in the least bit bothered. The authorities found out and said that she couldn't live there unless they got a TV. Seemed a bit daft to me - but to them at least it was essential! (They got a TV).

Madness!

I would definitely get so much more done if we didn't have a TV

I guess as some have previously mentioned a lot of people have their priorities all wrong, that's why you always see "benefit scroungers" with 40" flat screen TV with a PS3/xbox 360 and a big leather sofa but no wall paper on their walls.

I think a washing machine IS a necessity though Martin my nearest laundrette is 20min drive away, assuming I was in such dire straits that I needed to use a laundrette I probably also wouldn't be keeping my car in which case I would have to walk 10mins to get a bus for 20mins costing some extortionate amount all the while lugging a bag of washing then wash and dry it (not enough space here to dry more than 1 load at a time) then repeat the journey - sounds like my idea of hell especially when you can get a washing machine from freegle!
Not to mention that I would need to get a job too (SAHM currently) how on earth anyone manages to to anything like that and hold down a job,pick up the kids etc I don't know but if they do I salute them!

Martin_Edney

I wanted an option for "None of these", but this wasn't possible.

If you think about what's REALLY necessary, none of these things are absolutely necessary, although many of them are nice to have. I think a family can live quite successfully and happily without all of them.

jinky67

Martin_Edney wrote: »

I wanted an option for "None of these", but this wasn't possible.

If you think about what's REALLY necessary, none of these things are absolutely necessary, although many of them are nice to have. I think a family can live quite successfully and happily without all of them.

damn you, that's what I was going to say:rotfl::rotfl:

bulletproof_1979

jeanmd wrote: »

It is so sad that people think we NEED all these items.
Two of my grandchildren do not have satalite/cable/computer or phone nevermind a dishwasher. They are the most well behaved, polite, giving children I know. They play board game, draw, make things, play out and know how to occupy them selves. They do chores, are well fed and well dressed though not designer gear. They are ten and sixteen and are so calm and interesting to be around I wish my other children/step children would do the same with theirs. I really do love them all, just respect the above parents greatly for being able to do this in todays want/need/must have society.

I'm not sure why you've bundled the computer with internet access in with the TV/ satalite "luxury" category. Access to to computers/ the internet really is essential for a childs learning these days and those without the access are at massive disadvantage to those with.