December Nationwide MoM +0.4%

Graham_Devon

Batchy wrote: »

IMO we wont see falls in 2011... basically because we wont see pay cuts... we saw them in 2008/9 but none planned 2011.
private sector especially have ground to make up.
Public sector get pay freezes.

unless that changes then there wont be any significant movement IMO

Not sure we need pay cuts for people to have less, at the moment, do we?

The cost of everything is going up, way over general wage inflation, resulting in everyone having less.

Tried to fill up with fuel earlier, to beat the VAT rise on a tank. Seems everyone else has the same idea....massive queues at the petrol station I wanted to use, was blocking all the road.

Batchy

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Not sure we need pay cuts for people to have less, at the moment, do we?

The cost of everything is going up, way over general wage inflation, resulting in everyone having less.

Tried to fill up with fuel earlier, to beat the VAT rise on a tank. Seems everyone else has the same idea....massive queues at the petrol station I wanted to use, was blocking all the road.

Hi graham,

True, but people adjust spending habits... walking to work instead of driving or getting rid of the V6 sports car and buying a diesel. Lay off the accelerator a little to save that 3% increase... im sure most people can drive frugally and save at least 15% on their fuel bill if they WANT to... whats their excuse... being in a rush? Answer ... leave on your journey earlier.

As for fuel bills, wear clothes in the house rather than shorts, and t-shirts. Put a jumper over the top and wear slippers...

Food bills, change were you shop... show them you dont have loyalty... and cant be bothered with buy one get one free...

For all the people on pay freeze's whose mortgage fixed periods are coming to an end and going on base plus 1% SVRs... they will be saving a hell of a lot, and it will help GDP... remember these people are spenders and will feel very wealthy!

We have spent a lot on food this year, but never seemed to get a lot for it, but also, we used to spend a lot going out on new years eve... I bet pubs were dead on new years eve.

Last year we spent a fortune, taxi's entrance fee, and beer/wine. Well over 150

This year, night round friends/familys house... spend... 10 petrol, 10 in beer and 10 in food.

This saving alone will pay for the fuel increase for the year! IMO

julieq

b ugger, forgot to fill up to beat the vat rise.

that's over a quid down the drain

Cleaver

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Tried to fill up with fuel earlier, to beat the VAT rise on a tank. Seems everyone else has the same idea....massive queues at the petrol station I wanted to use, was blocking all the road.

I find it a bit odd to spend lots of time queing to simply save a pound or two. You'd think people who were doing this would already be in 1.2 litre diesel cars but a lot of them are in cars that do 20-30mpg.

I guess what I'm saying is that if you were the type of person who was willing to queue for 20 minutes for petrol just to save a couple of quid you'd have thought you would have changed your car to something much more economical.

Graham_Devon

Can't win here today, can you.

Even saving £2 on a tank of fuel is poo poo'd as sillyness.

Thrugelmir

julieq wrote: »

b ugger, forgot to fill up to beat the vat rise.

that's over a quid down the drain

Fuel duty rose on the 1st Jan (around .76p per litre).

VAT kicks on the 4th Jan (around 2.75p per litre).

So all is not lost.

Thrugelmir

Batchy wrote: »

Public sector get pay freezes.

Local NHS trust is looking at a 3 year pay freeze from April 2011. On top of that all grading increments could be frozen too.

In high inflationary times the squeeze has yet to start.

System

julieq wrote: »

b ugger, forgot to fill up to beat the vat rise.

that's over a quid down the drain

Didn't you buy an entire tanker? Could have saved a fiver!

Cleaver

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Can't win here today, can you.

Even saving £2 on a tank of fuel is poo poo'd as sillyness.

I hope you didn't include me in that as of course saving a couple of quid isn't silly.

I was just making the point that when I drove past my local supermarket this morning the queues were as you said, snaking down the road, but at least half these people were in 4x4s, 1.8 petrol saloon cars and other vehicles where economy has obviously not been the main consideration when purchasing the car. Seems strange to buy a car for £20,000 that does 28mpg and then suddenly think, "I know, I'll queue up today before the VAT rise and save £2 on my tank of fuel." It's a bit like doing your monthly food shopping at Harrods then deciding to take the bus home instead of a taxi to save a few quid.

Pimperne1

Cleaver wrote: »

I hope you didn't include me in that as of course saving a couple of quid isn't silly.

I was just making the point that when I drove past my local supermarket this morning the queues were as you said, snaking down the road, but at least half these people were in 4x4s, 1.8 petrol saloon cars and other vehicles where economy has obviously not been the main consideration when purchasing the car. Seems strange to buy a car for £20,000 that does 28mpg and then suddenly think, "I know, I'll queue up today before the VAT rise and save £2 on my tank of fuel." It's a bit like doing your monthly food shopping at Harrods then deciding to take the bus home instead of a taxi to save a few quid.

There are some people on here who, even if they top up after the VAT rise, will insist that they are still in profit!