Preparedness for when

jk0

maryb wrote: »

the mega inflation followed the Yom Kippur war in the Middle East and the oil embargo imposed by OPEC. Prices spiralled almost out of control. I remember people in despair because they could not save fast enough for an item to keep pace with price increases. That is when using credit became the only rational thing to do instead of a sign of !!!!lessness. The "Demon Barber" (Chancellor of the Exchequer Anthony Barber in Ted Heath's government) stoked this by loosening credit controls in a 'dash for growth which ended in tears

The government then introduced prices and incomes policies to try and stop the demand for wage increases to cope with rising prices which in turn fuelled more price rises, but employers got round it. I was training as an accountant at the time and instead of being an assistant for 3 years until I qualified, they introduced several additional grades, because you could give a payrise following a promotion. Never enjoyed such stellar progress again!

Thanks Mary. That is really interesting. Just found an interview with Wilson after 1970 election:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwAhWeb3-RY

Anyone remember politicians were always talking about the 'balance of payments' back then?

I think they've given up worrying about it now. I haven't heard the phrase for years.

maryb

Isn't it the same thing as the current account deficit? Not that they like to talk about that either

jk0

maryb wrote: »

Isn't it the same thing as the current account deficit? Not that they like to talk about that either

Thanks Mary. I just googled 'balance of payments' and this came up:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_of_payments

It seems it's only a problem if you have a fixed exchange rate. From, I believe 1971 we have a variable exchange rate, so the government no longer have to intervene.

However, I guess the consequence is that countries that would have had a negative BOP see their currencies gradually decline, and vice versa.

[Deleted User]

Frugalsod wrote: »

Now that I am nearly bald I can dispense with the cutting guides and simply shave what appears.

Same here.

[Deleted User]

Softstuff wrote: »

But as a woman, unless you have cheekbones you can slice bread with, it's not a generally accepted look.

To hell with what is the "generally accepted look".

Gail Porter never looked sexier, than when she was bald.

Likewise Persis Khambatta.

Also, although not quite sporting a buzz cut/shaved, Jacqueline Pearce was awesomely sexy, as Servalan in Blakes 7.

Softstuff

Mines closer to Jacqueline Pearce, just a bit wilder, a bit thinner and a bit greyer :rotfl:. Bob, I had to look up Persis and agree she was very striking.

nuatha wrote: »

Always good to see you post SmileyT.
I just avoid hair dressers - though its starting to thin, so I suspect it won't be another year before I go from long hair to buzzcut.

One of the reasons for me starting to cut my own was the ego stabbing that went on when I went for a hair cut. "Oooh it's terribly thin isn't it??" "You don't have much to work with" "Are you sure you don't want to dye it?" "Grey is terribly ageing" "You're very brave to go grey". And that was from a few different hairdressers, until I just gave up. I'm a bit oversensitive about hair, I started going grey at 18 (I know now it was illness, but didn't at the time and it isn't reversible), became sensitive to dyes and can't do it and don't have much or thick hair anyway. Better dealt with at home, where my husband tells me I look good when I've done it.

lobbyludd

isn't it peculiar that allowing our hair to change naturally is considered "brave"? that we should dare to not pretend to be young forever is a statement (despite how much the onlooker has to suspend disbelief as dyed hair rarely looks like natural "young hair").

anyhoo there's apparently nowt as invisible as a middle aged woman not pretending to be young and that has been a fabulous relief to me - no more random harassment from men as one goes about normal business.

should bode well in any SHTF scenario.

Softstuff

lobbyludd wrote: »

isn't it peculiar that allowing our hair to change naturally is considered "brave"? that we should dare to not pretend to be young forever is a statement (despite how much the onlooker has to suspend disbelief as dyed hair rarely looks like natural "young hair").

anyhoo there's apparently nowt as invisible as a middle aged woman not pretending to be young and that has been a fabulous relief to me - no more random harassment from men as one goes about normal business.

should bode well in any SHTF scenario.

I am also "brave" enough not to wear make up (nothing brave about it, it makes me sneeze and itch) and will never botox or filler. Don't get me wrong, under other circumstances I'd happily have long thick auburn tresses and bright red lipstick waving hello boys, but those aren't the circumstances I've been dealt.

And yes, it helps prior to SHTF, since it's cheaper and if the S slowly heads to the fan, as I suspect it might, it'll be something I won't have to give up along the way.

Mojoworking

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

Re- hair cuts, I know have my hair cut/dyed maybe once a year, all other times I bye it myself.. I might start just trimming the dry ends myself. I don't care what I look likewww

while I am crimbo shopping I am adding some bits to the stash,

On Facebook they rave on the unicorn method. Which is putting your hair up in a pony at the front and just chopping the desired amount. I'm not sure but might be worth looking at if your already confident to cut your hair x

auntymabel

De-lurking to say in Harold Wilson's defence that he did refuse to send British troops to fight in Vietnam.