UK Back In Recession In Xmas Quarter-Are You Too Scared To Spend?

SingleSue

GeorgeHowell wrote: »

Although it may result in low, or even negative growth, the reality is that spending less on Christmas is actually a good thing. Consider where much of the money goes :- useless gifts that people throw or give away, overblown childrens' stockings the contents of which receive scant attention for a very short time, posted cards to people who will be met to greet in person over the holiday period, excesses of unhealthy food and alcohol which are potentially damaging to the consumers of them, unncecessary car journeys, tasteless electrically-lit decorations .......

Cutting back on this rubbish will actually reduce waste, improve the environment, improve public health, release funds for more important and worthwhile expenditure, and improve the overall quality of life.

I sound like a real scrooge against this description :rotfl:

I don't drink alcohol over Christmas, I don't put decorations up, not even a tree, I only give cards to my close family and maybe a neigbour or two (the pack cost £1, I still have a load left), car journey is 3 miles down the road to my parents, all presents have a use and are not tat or unwanted and because I can't eat so much now, especially rich food, I don't overeat either!

grizzly1911

Fella wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN2ttNu3F_M

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Classic - I must watch them all better than the Christmas schedule - happy times.

You know those magazines that allow you to build say HMS Victory in 656 issues do they ever make issue 656? Or issue13 for that matter:think:

Mallotum_X

Mr._Pricklepants wrote: »

Unemployment has been steadily declining since the start of the year, so if anything, I'd expect spending to be up on previous years.

But whatever the numbers will be - Happy Christmas to all!

The figures may have been but delve beneath the figures and part time jobs are on the increase. There are many people who have taken lower paid jobs to see them through. So whilst they have an income coming in its lower and not as secure.

Why try and pretend everything is rosey when its blatantly apparent that for many it is not.

grizzly1911

WISHIWASRICH wrote: »

I'm surrounded by folk trying to "do" austerity - most of them are clueless!

My MIL has always brought brands and now that she is on her own tended to use Waitrose or the local SPAR, as she doesn't need much.

Due to recent illness we have recently set her up with online shopping. It interesting seeing what she buys rather than alternatives that are equally up to the job. I believe I could cut her bills by 30/40% with ease but they are not her brands.

She is in comfortable position but is still looking to save on the bigger ticket items.

WantToBeSE

I'm not scared to spend- i am just unwilling to spend.
I spent a max of £500 this year on Presents, food, decorations, the lot.
I had t use savings that i had built up prior to becomming unemployed 4 months ago. But thats what savings are for i guess

Mr._Pricklepants

Mallotum_X wrote: »

The figures may have been but delve beneath the figures and part time jobs are on the increase. .

I've been delving. First half of the year indeed saw many full time jobs replaced by part time. Second half however shows a definite uptick on full time employment also.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20691842

"I think there's more flexibility in the labour market, although this month we've seen a big increase in full-time jobs and no movement at all in the number of part-time jobs."

By the way, I'm not claiming everything is rosy. It isn't. But you sure need some serious strength doom blinkers not to recognise a positive trend.

Mr._Pricklepants

ruggedtoast wrote: »

I've been living the capitalist dream tbh, so it will be a fine festive Xmas in the toast household.

Isn't your big party on the 26th? Birthday of Chairman Mao?

Mallotum_X

Mr._Pricklepants wrote: »

I've been delving. First half of the year indeed saw many full time jobs replaced by part time. Second half however shows a definite uptick on full time employment also.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20691842



By the way, I'm not claiming everything is rosy. It isn't. But you sure need some serious strength doom blinkers not to recognise a positive trend.

The positive trend being the headline unemployment rate?

Or have you got some more information such as the job security and salaries of these new jobs compared to the previous work people were in.

It would be great to think that the unemployment rate is the whole story but I think we have all been around the block enough to know its not.

You suggested that people would be spending more this year based on the fall in unemployment figures... time will tell but I would expect people to continue to play it safe and really cant see any big spending splurge.

ruggedtoast

GeorgeHowell wrote: »

Although it may result in low, or even negative growth, the reality is that spending less on Christmas is actually a good thing. Consider where much of the money goes :- useless gifts that people throw or give away, overblown childrens' stockings the contents of which receive scant attention for a very short time, posted cards to people who will be met to greet in person over the holiday period, excesses of unhealthy food and alcohol which are potentially damaging to the consumers of them, unncecessary car journeys, tasteless electrically-lit decorations .......

Cutting back on this rubbish will actually reduce waste, improve the environment, improve public health, release funds for more important and worthwhile expenditure, and improve the overall quality of life.

Christ. I thought I was miserable...

homelessskilledworker

Mr._Pricklepants wrote: »

I've been delving. First half of the year indeed saw many full time jobs replaced by part time. Second half however shows a definite uptick on full time employment also.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20691842



By the way, I'm not claiming everything is rosy. It isn't. But you sure need some serious strength doom blinkers not to recognise a positive trend.

Well MrPrick, maybe some(many) are just adressing the problems in the REAL world rather than bury their heads in the sand.
You just have to look on the dealing with debt boards on MSE to realise that there is a lot of REAL pain going on right now regardless of how "postive" people try to make themselves feel, and which I might add is something the British do quite well.

One of Martins Lewis best trophys is his compassionate web site and understanding of the problems with debt in the UK today, this MSE site being one of the best advisory with the highest traffic on the subject.

I can only hope that you and your little possy do not go anywhere near the dealing with debt boards, the advice such as "plan better" or "live within your means" or "I have this/that or the other, so there, nah!!" will not go down to well. Along with the endless posts of buying property crippling so many on those boards and their plea for help and advice, I wonder why they do not come to this board for advice,, Hmmmm.

The one thing I can agree(slightly) with you is that you have always got to look for the rays of hope, HOPE being the strongest medicine going. But to abuse or insult people for voicing their concerns over a painfull recession and economy is just plain ignorant.


p.s I personally feel very blessed in that I too will have a xmas paid up with enough funds in the bank to make my pillow that little more welcoming over the xmas period. But I prefer to see my own circumstances as just a case of lucky rather than preach at the less well off.