Baby Boomers making out like bandits as usual

lessonlearned

Fascinating thread, and some seriously weird views.

The truth is - irrespective of which generation you belong to - the economic realities remain the same.

Unless you were

a. born with a silver spoon in your mouth
b. are likely to inherit a considerable sum
c. win the lottery

then the reality is - if you want to own a property - you are going to have to work, work, work and save, save, save. Oh yes and save some more.

I can remember my Dad who is now 85 holding down three jobs, whilst my mum worked and brought up two children .

I've been known to work two jobs, I've worked and brought up children, done car boots on a Sunday to put food on the table.

One of my grown up sons has come back to live with his parents so he can save for a deposit and no I don't regard that as sponging - it makes perfect economic sense. He pays his way here and helps out with some of the heavier work I now struggle with - win-win.:rotfl:

Rugged toast - sorry but you need to get a life and get an education. Stop whinging and just get on with it.

Free university education for baby boomers - don't be daft. Most of us were factory fodder, shop girls or like me a "typing pool drone".

My education?? Yes I'm now university educated - but as a mature student when I was in my 40's - self-funded.

Qualifications etc?? The library was my teacher. Then when I was working - well it was night school and evening classes - after a full day's work of course.

But of course, that's hard graft and waaaay beyond you.

Grow up and learn some manners.

Graham_Devon

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You've misunderstood what I said, I'm afraid, which doesn't help a rational discussion.

When I was younger there was much less to spend money on and if you saw someone with a luxury item on a film, for example, you didn't expect that you'd be able to own the same thing. "Clubs" were nightclubs where actors and pop singers were photographed, not places that you went to yourself.

Can you honestly say that most people in their twenties these days see cars and mobile phones as luxury items and a couple of pints down the pub as a good night out, because you must know very different people than those I know in that age group.

A mobile phone is no longer a luxury item.

A car maybe dependent on local public transport. But to anyone who works a car may be required.

You are looking back at history too much. Things change. Mobile phones are not luxuries, they are now part of UK living. Same as the internet.

ukcarper

Graham_Devon wrote: »

A mobile phone is no longer a luxury item.

A car maybe dependent on local public transport. But to anyone who works a car may be required.

You are looking back at history too much. Things change. Mobile phones are not luxuries, they are now part of UK living. Same as the internet.

what about Sky

Really2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

A mobile phone is no longer a luxury item.

A car maybe dependent on local public transport. But to anyone who works a car may be required.

You are looking back at history too much. Things change. Mobile phones are not luxuries, they are now part of UK living. Same as the internet.

Sorry but a mobile is a luxury item, you are not disadvantaged by not having a mobile phone.
You can lead a fully normal operable life without one.

It is a discretionary spend like sky etc.

Broadband is an essential now, but sorry a mobile is not, people just think they can't make do without one.

Generali

grizzly1911 wrote: »

The state pension is part of a contract with society, don't forget the current generations coming up to it have contributed to their part during their life time too.

The current generation have paid for the previous generation's pensions. Now the kids are expected to pay a much larger bill for an altogether longer and more comfortable retirement.

It is possible to argue that the contract was broken when the current group about to retire decided not to pay for the younger generation's higher education.

It is also possible to argue that the state pension was only meant to pay for a couple of years (on average) in retirement so a retirement age of about 75-80 would be appropriate at present.

Graham_Devon

ukcarper wrote: »

what about Sky

Sky's a luxury, for sure.

Graham_Devon

Really2 wrote: »

Sorry but a mobile is a luxury item, you are not disadvantaged by not having a mobile phone.
You can lead a fully normal operable life without one.

It is a discretionary spend like sky etc.

Broadband is an essential now, but sorry a mobile is not, people just think they can't make do without one.

That's opinion.

My work expects me to have one. My hospital expect me to have one for my son when hes in. My sons nursery expect me to have one to contact me in an emergency.

Therefore, it's not really a luxury. Especially considering phone boxes are being phased out.

Your opinion, but you would make life pretty difficult for yourself by not having one, if you have any type of active life or possible need to be contacted.

Linton

Graham_Devon wrote: »

A mobile phone is no longer a luxury item.

A car maybe dependent on local public transport. But to anyone who works a car may be required.

You are looking back at history too much. Things change. Mobile phones are not luxuries, they are now part of UK living. Same as the internet.

Depends:
A basic mobile phone on PAYG may not be a luxury item. A fully featured mobile phone with internet access on a £30+/month agreement is a luxury item. Judging from what's on offer in the shops I would guess most younger people are going for the latter, whilst the oldies dont see the point.

Similarly with cars. A 10 year old car essential for work isnt a luxury item, a new one bought with a loan most certainly is.

If you look at the Statements of Affairs on the dealing with debt forums you will see that a large number of people seeking advice have high mobile phone bills and car loans.

But yes, as you say things change. That includes cost of housing, chance and cost of education etc etc. To blame people for some changes and ignore others fails to present a convincing argument.

Really2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

That's opinion.

My work expects me to have one. My hospital expect me to have one for my son when hes in. My sons nursery expect me to have one to contact me in an emergency.

Therefore, it's not really a luxury. Especially considering phone boxes are being phased out.

Your opinion, but you would make life pretty difficult for yourself by not having one, if you have any type of active life or possible need to be contacted.

I thought you were self employed? But if your work expect you to have one, why dont they run a contract for you?

As for the others do they not ask for alternative contact numbers not mobile phone numbers.
Also they won't exclude you if you don't have one (I know you never said that, but saying they expect seems to make out something is hinged on it)
When my son was in hospital they never demanded us owning a mobile or at nursery?
But they both wanted two contact numbers.

Eg Home number and work number cover most for most of the time.


It is not a utility, so a luxury. Why would life be difficult without one, I seemed to live OK before they were invented and my parents did and still do (parents don't have a mobile).
I have one, but I could operate without one as I am rarely away from a land line. So mine is a luxury I can afford.

They are a consumer item in reality, so a luxury. They are sold to be replaced at regular intervals so you get the "new one".
If they were not a luxury, they would be sold like broadband, gas, electricity etc.
But they are not they are sold on the phone, not the service.
It is totally consumer lead.

wotsthat

Graham_Devon wrote: »

That's opinion.

My work expects me to have one. My hospital expect me to have one for my son when hes in. My sons nursery expect me to have one to contact me in an emergency.

Therefore, it's not really a luxury. Especially considering phone boxes are being phased out.

Your opinion, but you would make life pretty difficult for yourself by not having one, if you have any type of active life or possible need to be contacted.

You can run a mobile for less than £10/ month. It hardly demonstrates that baby boomers had it easy because they didn't have to fork out all that money.