Baby Boomers making out like bandits as usual

Graham_Devon

How has a comparison that the boomers didn't pay for mobile phones in 1970, turned into graphs detailing mobile phone usage!?

It's hardly surprising that those retired are using their mobile phones less!!

Hard work these discussion forums. It's not about whether a youngster or a retired person spends more TODAY. It's comparing two different decades, where the retired would have been the youngsters then.

grizzly1911

Graham_Devon wrote: »

I think there is an insistence to somewhat label every young person as having an Iphone. This clearly isn't true.

It's also clearly true that an iphone could be deemed as a luxury.

Well thats great, but they didn't even exist then. It's a none point which just drags out and makes the stupid argument worse, what with the incredibly snotty attitude of some on this thread (not you, btw).

Graham we know that everybody doesn't have the latest or the best brand whatever that may be for.

It is fair to say though that the young are more led by peer pressure and marketing to aspire to own those items.

They will often be adopted regardless any real need or thought for future requirements. That is because the long are invincible and live for the moment. Spend any length of time in a somewhere like the Trafford Centre to see them with their branded gear in their droves.

A lot of people demand those brands. Some can afford them many can't.

I see it with my own children, who haven't been overly spoiled, with their friends and peers. Just when you think the eldest is beginning to learn he falls for it once more. Another couple of years and just maybe he will. BTW he has worked since he was 12/13 now at Uni.

I have a mobile phone, it is a cast off from one of the kids, first generation smart phone type. It is on PAYG now and is mainly used as an MP3 player and texts, occasional camera and could surf if I was prepared to pay.

You appear to have reached a balanced judgement on what you consider reasonable expenditure. For many that isn't the case.

Edit ; -All young have done it it is the degree of choice and easy pay options that different now.

Really2

Graham_Devon wrote: »

a)How has a comparison that the boomers didn't pay for mobile phones in 1970, turned into graphs detailing mobile phone usage!?

b)It's hardly surprising that those retired are using their mobile phones less!!

c) Hard work these discussion forums. It's not about whether a youngster or a retired person spends more TODAY. It's comparing two different decades, where the retired would have been the youngsters then.

a) It's hasn't I just found it interesting and how phones were used. And that the driver seemed to desire not necessity.

b) why, if they were essential they have the most time to use them in theory as they have more free time to use them, are out more etc.

c)If that was required I can help.
This is done in real terms (as per today)


Real disposable income has risen, so would indicate we have more spare cash than previous generations after costs?
It dipped last year, but with graphs like above it is hard to conclude things are harder now.

suki1001

Graham_Devon wrote: »

How has a comparison that the boomers didn't pay for mobile phones in 1970, turned into graphs detailing mobile phone usage!?

It's hardly surprising that those retired are using their mobile phones less!!

Hard work these discussion forums. It's not about whether a youngster or a retired person spends more TODAY. It's comparing two different decades, where the retired would have been the youngsters then.

The thing is by all accounts when mods and rockers were around they all had scooters. The latest gadget. I'd imagine we'd be looking at the same demographic as those squandering mobile phone types today, but I bet they was more expensive than an iphone! My Dad was a rocker so he had a motorbike. Then there was the money forked out for the clothing and the fancy knives for fighting!! Maybe I've watched too much Quadrophenia!!

Going4TheDream

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.

You are right on the car, I have a car I drive 14 miles a day round trip. I checked out the bus service when it went for service. Took 3 hours round trip and cost £5.70 as it went over two districts. I curiously looked at how much a monthly pass was and it was £78...as I don't use my car for anything but work it was cheaper (taking out the cost of the car itself) to use the car than the bus, insurance tax servicing and petrol taken into account. I also have the car for other use if I need.

Not in agreement on the mobile phones however. Yes they make life easier agreed, and for business are often a necessity.

But is a £50+a month all singing and all dancing contract with the latest super smart phone for personal use a necessity?? I saw the queue out side the 02 shop when the new iphone went on sale...... lots of youngsters eagerly waiting for their new tech toy!

suki1001

Anyway, I wonder who is actually paying for these iphones in this demographic. I'm pretty certain it's the parents for birthdays and christmas. how many 16yr old could actually afford an expensive phone out of their own pockets?

wotsthat

Really2 wrote: »

This is done in real terms (as per today)


Real disposable income has risen, so would indicate we have more spare cash than previous generations after costs?
It dipped last year, but with graphs like above it is hard to conclude things are harder now.

That graph shows that the latest disposable income figure has dipped to 2006 levels - oh the horror!

Looks like the problem is that people are disposing of too much of their disposable incomes and trying to kid themselves that it's someone else's fault.

abaxas

A tv in the 80's cost the same as an iphone today......
A computer in the early 80's costs the same as a computer today......

Maybe they were the iphones of the day but are not just normality.

suki1001

The older generations are always last to catch up on the latest technology. It isn't a critisism. Remember then the hole in the wall came out? I think it scared half the oldies to death. We say mobile phones aren't a neccessity and they're not, but I could also wash all my clothes by hand. You look down on iphones and other such things. I bet you'll all be using them in 10 years time.

Oldernotwiser

suki1001 wrote: »

The thing is by all accounts when mods and rockers were around they all had scooters. The latest gadget. I'd imagine we'd be looking at the same demographic as those squandering mobile phone types today, but I bet they was more expensive than an iphone! My Dad was a rocker so he had a motorbike. Then there was the money forked out for the clothing and the fancy knives for fighting!! Maybe I've watched too much Quadrophenia!!

You definitely have!

Apart from anything else, you're leaving out the fact that most people of that age didn't drive or run cars. How many people in their late teens early twenties nowadays see running a car as a luxury?