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

robmatic

DecentLivingWage wrote: »

Xmas quarter set to be dire for UK prospects says Bank Of England as voters,banks and markets lose confidence in Osborne and all clutch the purse strings tighter due to the fear of the coming unemployment rise - this is certainly true round here (thought I'd post what 's off my xmas list this year that I was thinking of buying/doing:)

Healthy Living Fryer,omelet maker,electric wok,xmas hotel visit to daughter on Boxing Day,pay deposit on summer holiday - all scrapped and off the list !

Anyone else doing similar as more and more people lose their jobs or worry about it?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/9755064/Bank-of-England-warns-of-triple-dip.html

Oh noes! People won't be spending as much on overpriced unnecessary tat imported from China? And the savings rate will be increasing?

GeorgeHowell

BertieUK wrote: »

We are overconcerned when our child compares their collection of presents to their friends, so we try to keep up the tradition and not make them feel as though they have drawn the short straw.

It is overblown because of such factors. But I have a bit more sympathy regarding the child-centric aspects of Christmas, although when people get into debt rather than risk thinking that their child has lost out relative to others it's appalling. I'm sure that in past generations children were used to Christmases that were tailored to their family's particular income and wealth, and did not necessarily expect to get as much as any other child they new. I certainly didn't.

But it's the ludicrous present giving rituals among adults that are really futile. And of course the excesses of food, drink, and mindless entertainment (eg office parties). The false bonhomie, forced jollity, cloying sentimentality, the almost total lack of recognition of what Christmas is actually supposed to celebrate are all very depressing. But unfortunately the modern, commercial, competitive Christmas is just another manifestation of the soulless, godless way of life that is predominant in today's UK.

GeorgeHowell

ruggedtoast wrote: »

Christ. I thought I was miserable...

I don't know why you use his name in vain since I very much doubt that you believe in him.

Mr._Pricklepants

homelessskilledworker wrote: »

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.

Hi Foxy.

Yes, the debt boards surely contain many posts from people in debt. That's why it's called the debt board.

Next, I would like you to point out any of my posts where I was preaching at the less well off or where I was abusive or insulting towards people voicing their concerns over the economy. Not expecting an answer on this one.

Thanks for agreeing (slightly) with me about the rays of hope. Because I do strongly believe we are at the start of the next upturn. When you see that first bit of crocus peeking through the cold, damp earth, people laughing "haha, green shoots!"...couple of weeks later the whole garden is in bloom.:)

Merry Christmas and have a prosperous 2013.

StevieJ

ruggedtoast wrote: »

Christ. I thought I was miserable...

Cue for a tune

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now

I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I'm miserable now

In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die ?

Dribley

Mr._Pricklepants wrote: »

When you see that first bit of crocus peeking through the cold, damp earth, people laughing "haha, green shoots!"...couple of weeks later the whole garden is in bloom.:)

What's been peeking out of you? Certainly not green shoots, although it does begin with sh.. :rotfl:

Mr._Pricklepants

Dribley wrote: »

What's been peeking out of you? Certainly not green shoots, although it does begin with sh.. :rotfl:

You're funny, Aberdeenangarse.

Merry Christmas to you too. :rudolf:

mystic_trev

UK retail sales failed to grow in November, adding to fears that consumers are reining in spending ahead of Christmas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20795217

I'm fairly certain we're going to see another decline in sales for December, people I've spoken to are certainly cutting back. It's not just the cost, it's also the amount of wastage. Campaigns like Martin's certainly won't help the retailer!

http://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2012/12/20/is-it-time-to-kill-off-santa/

I've heard many people saying, enough's, enough. Why continue to buy for people outside the immediate family? For the last few years we've limited Presents in the family to a token amount, I think it's catching on!

ruggedtoast

GeorgeHowell wrote: »

I don't know why you use his name in vain since I very much doubt that you believe in him.

Well that's very nice that is. Very Chritstmassy.

Merry Christmas.

:icotbaske

Conrad

BertieUK wrote: »

We will be having to down-size in the Spring because being a Pensioner

.

Everyone I know plans to downsize in older age as part of a retirment plan.
You make it sound as if you have some God given right to live as you like, despite millions of folk on Earth going hungry.