"poverty mentality"

lori64

thriftwizard wrote: »

ETA:

Hear hear, Haribojunkie! It often strikes me that whilst I don't have a lot of spare money by my family's standards, & they worry about me, I'm actually very rich in my own opinion! Not perhaps in financial terms, there's no gold-plated pension awaiting me, but in terms of having time to spend with the people I love, time to make stuff & grow stuff, having a roof over my head that's quite likely to stay there, access to good food & health treatment - I count myself well-blessed & I wouldn't swap it for all the 6-bed mansions in Surrey, with the anxiety of a huge mortgage, kids & grandkids I hardly ever see, a job that I could lose any time someone "better" came along, a 4 hour a day commute - all the things they seem to think are essential signs of "success".

Brilliant!! Could not agree more! I dont give a damn about "stuff" :beer:

lori64

bearcub wrote: »

I have no doubt at all that a 'poverty mentality' exists in this country, and some people would consider themselves poor if they can't afford to pay £200 for a handbag! Have you seen the faces of some children (and adults come to that) when they have access to clean water for the first time? Or others when they receive a shoebox filled with such things as a toothbrush, a ball and pair of gloves? They are people who are really living a hand-to-mouth existence, but they're content because their mindset is totally different to a lot of people in other countries. And that's the main point, when thinking of poverty in this country, I believe. It's not a question of 'am I starving or not', but 'can I be content with what I have' - and that doesn't include material/physical things at all!

Well said...I would rather give money to a charity enabling someone to regain their sight, than buy designer anything!!

lostinrates

lori64 wrote: »

Well said...I would rather give money to a charity enabling someone to regain their sight, than buy designer anything!!

But suppose that is not the choice?

Lots, most, of designer stuff is overpriced ridiculousness. Some is produced in uk, or western europe. Mulberry, with its somerset factory springs to mind. Its not uk owned any more, but does provide uk jobs. Providing a living wage for a uk worker does cost more than for a, eastern one.....but if we support uk business suport those higher costs we keep jobs here, we keep peoe working. It does mean the cost is more than a garment made in a sweat shop.

If we have a choice in where we buy, and a lot of us don't but some do, is it not a justifyable one to buy from a uk manufacturing company? Maybe not mulberry at their prices, but somewhere that produces stuff that even at base line cost costs the consumer more than something shipped from the other side of the world?


I get cross with myself each time i buy something from tesco....its not well made, i. Do not know where it comes from but doubt it is uk made. Its pure laziness on my part. I could do with fewer clothes but spend more on them, i feel bad when i do not.

Pitlanepiglet

Now that's where my habit of buying c. 95% of my clothes second hand lets me sleep more easily at night - someone else made the decision about the initial purchase - I'm just avoiding something going to waste!

lostinrates

Pitlanepiglet wrote: »

Now that's where my habit of buying c. 95% of my clothes second hand lets me sleep more easily at night - someone else made the decision about the initial purchase - I'm just avoiding something going to waste!

Does it let one of the hooko though, if making a choice rather than necessary economy?

I agree it shouldn't go to waste, absolutely, but if market share showed uk made clothes doing better more would be made here. Not buying them weakens market share, weakens manufacturing sector and makes decisions made my mKers to shift manufacturer over seas easier. If more of us who could afford to bought fewer, better made and locally made clothes there would still be less waste and a better munufacturing industry here in uk, more secure jbs.


I do jot know the answer myself, but i really think that the answer might not be as simple as that WHEN there is financial choice. When there isn't the choice is simple...clothe yourself cheaply and second hand is probably more ethical than first hand sweatshop.:(