Will life not go back to pre-covid 19? Is o/s the new way forward?

joedenise

tooldle said:

MoneySeeker1 said:

helensbiggestfan said:

ejmo said:

The problem is, whilst this effects everybody, it effects some much more than others.
I do see some positives but if you couldn't pay your rent and didn't know when you could start earning again to pay off the rent arrears staying positive is hard. Then feeling that you're not taking the positives from this situation, or even that it is some how good for you, effects peoples mental health.

I think some comments on this thread are just saying it's not the same for everyone, where is the empathy for people experiencing true hardship?

 No some people will not be baking, growing, pickling or having daily bike rides/walks because their focus will be on earning money as a means to survival not to have what they want when they want it as has been suggested. 

Well good news for those who are feeling anxious about what happens next. It has just been announced that the furlough scheme is being extended until the end of October, with employers making a contribution towards the cost. 

I haven't heard anything yet but I would imagine that this will probably mean that banks and financial institutions will have to continue with mortgage and loan repayment holidays. 

That should considerably ease the financial pressure and reduce anxiety levels. 

Not for the far-sighted people amongst us it won't I'm afraid (ie reduce anxiety levels).

The more far-sighted know that "mortgage holiday" does not mean "let off mortgage payments for those months". It just means "You don't have to pay it right now - but you will have to somewhere along the line".

Then there's the anxiety about those that could perfectly well return to work, and with the Government accepting it, but aren't doing so (despite the fact that some of them won't be "socially distancing" in their own private lives) and the far-sighted knowing that the rich aren't the ones that will be picking up the bill for them to continue to be off work, when they don't actually need to be. The people picking up that bill will be the rest of us and welcome to "Great Depression Mark 2 somewhere along the line (exacerbated by a factor of who-knows-how-much)". The rich always make sure to protect themselves - at the expense of the rest of us - so we will be the ones picking up that tab. Would be delighted to be proved wrong on that one of course - and find that Governments have found a way to make sure it's the rich/only the rich that pay for all this - but I can't say I'm very optimistic that Governments will stand up to the rich or the rich develop a conscience I'm afraid (would that I were wrong on that....). No the wealthy will still be out there doing things like treating themselves to one single meal (at regular intervals) being delivered to their home for £1,500 a shot - whilst many poorer single people would feed themselves for a year for that money.

What do you mean by rich? Given that only 2 in 10 of working age taxpayers are net contributors, and that to be one you need only to put more in that you take out, I’m not convinced that the mythical rich are getting away without paying whilst “the rest of us” pick up the bill. I’m a net contributor and i am still working my full hours (all be it from home). Can’t say i’ve ever had a meal costing £1500 a pop.

Me neither, what on earth could possibly cost £1500?  I'm retired so financially it hasn't hit me as hard as some but it doesn't mean I don't pay tax because I still have to pay it even though my money isn't as high as it was when I working and I wasn't a big earner.  My DH only has his state pension so we're by no means well off but obviously better off than those who only have state pension coming in.

suki1964

MoneySeeker1 said:

helensbiggestfan said:

ejmo said:

The problem is, whilst this effects everybody, it effects some much more than others.
I do see some positives but if you couldn't pay your rent and didn't know when you could start earning again to pay off the rent arrears staying positive is hard. Then feeling that you're not taking the positives from this situation, or even that it is some how good for you, effects peoples mental health.

I think some comments on this thread are just saying it's not the same for everyone, where is the empathy for people experiencing true hardship?

 No some people will not be baking, growing, pickling or having daily bike rides/walks because their focus will be on earning money as a means to survival not to have what they want when they want it as has been suggested. 

Well good news for those who are feeling anxious about what happens next. It has just been announced that the furlough scheme is being extended until the end of October, with employers making a contribution towards the cost. 

I haven't heard anything yet but I would imagine that this will probably mean that banks and financial institutions will have to continue with mortgage and loan repayment holidays. 

That should considerably ease the financial pressure and reduce anxiety levels. 

Not for the far-sighted people amongst us it won't I'm afraid (ie reduce anxiety levels).

The more far-sighted know that "mortgage holiday" does not mean "let off mortgage payments for those months". It just means "You don't have to pay it right now - but you will have to somewhere along the line".

Then there's the anxiety about those that could perfectly well return to work, and with the Government accepting it, but aren't doing so (despite the fact that some of them won't be "socially distancing" in their own private lives) and the far-sighted knowing that the rich aren't the ones that will be picking up the bill for them to continue to be off work, when they don't actually need to be. The people picking up that bill will be the rest of us and welcome to "Great Depression Mark 2 somewhere along the line (exacerbated by a factor of who-knows-how-much)". The rich always make sure to protect themselves - at the expense of the rest of us - so we will be the ones picking up that tab. Would be delighted to be proved wrong on that one of course - and find that Governments have found a way to make sure it's the rich/only the rich that pay for all this - but I can't say I'm very optimistic that Governments will stand up to the rich or the rich develop a conscience I'm afraid (would that I were wrong on that....). No the wealthy will still be out there doing things like treating themselves to one single meal (at regular intervals) being delivered to their home for £1,500 a shot - whilst many poorer single people would feed themselves for a year for that money.

Only you won't be because you are already retired and have your pensions

Now of course I know I will, even thought right now Im a non tax payer, I know that status will have to go to pay for all this

But am I sitting here in tears over it? Nope

Same as I wasn't when we bailed out the banks

Life happens, we cant plan for every eventuality, we have to face whats thrown at us and  make our choices on how we personally are going to move forward. I cant change what is happening, we are going to be in debt which is going to have to be paid by the tax payer. All I can do is decide is it worth sleepless nights worrying about it or not

Seeing as we have only just paid back the WW2 debt, Im not going to have sleepless nights

[Deleted User]

We're going to push the boat out a bit on Friday, haven't had a meal out since long before the lock down and fancy getting something nice for supper so we're ordering a takeaway from the local pub that does the village veg boxes.....Fish, chips and mushy peas at £6 a pop.....not quite the £1,500 of the rich but we are going to enjoy every single morsel and I shan't have to wash up either.....woohoo!!!

helensbiggestfan

Well as Martin Lewis (All Hail) always says there is good debt and bad debt. 

Personally I think underwriting furlough and supporting millions of our fellow citizens is good debt. It’s up there with defeating Herr Hitler in my book. 😉

Enjoy your fish and chips Mrs L.  Sounds lush. 

littlegreenparrot

Not for the far-sighted people amongst us it won't I'm afraid (ie reduce anxiety levels).

The more far-sighted know that "mortgage holiday" does not mean "let off mortgage payments for those months". It just means "You don't have to pay it right now - but you will have to somewhere along the line".

Then there's the anxiety about those that could perfectly well return to work, and with the Government accepting it, but aren't doing so (despite the fact that some of them won't be "socially distancing" in their own private lives) and the far-sighted knowing that the rich aren't the ones that will be picking up the bill for them to continue to be off work, when they don't actually need to be. The people picking up that bill will be the rest of us and welcome to "Great Depression Mark 2 somewhere along the line (exacerbated by a factor of who-knows-how-much)". The rich always make sure to protect themselves - at the expense of the rest of us - so we will be the ones picking up that tab. Would be delighted to be proved wrong on that one of course - and find that Governments have found a way to make sure it's the rich/only the rich that pay for all this - but I can't say I'm very optimistic that Governments will stand up to the rich or the rich develop a conscience I'm afraid (would that I were wrong on that....). No the wealthy will still be out there doing things like treating themselves to one single meal (at regular intervals) being delivered to their home for £1,500 a shot - whilst many poorer single people would feed themselves for a year for that money.

So...There are a number of issues here. 
Most people would be delighted to return to work, 80% is great as a temporary measure but is still a reduction. Quite rightly people need to be able to have some faith in new measures, PPE etc to protect themselves. Some also need other things to happen first, someone needs to look after the children for example. 
As tax payers we pay for all sorts of stuff, a lot of which I don't personally agree with. Re-fits for royal households and wardrobes for example, nuclear weaponry, HS2. All a waste in my opinion, but I don't get to decide. Taxes that will prevent millions of people's lives being ruined by unemployment, homelessness and starvation? That I can get behind. 
Regarding rich people spending their money, we need them to. That's how the economy works and re - distributes the money. They pay £1000 in the fancy restaurant: the chef, the waiting staff, the suppliers, all of them get a bit of that. Just the same as when I get a takeaway. 

Floss

Every single mortgage holiday comes with the  necessary agreement that the borrower is aware of the impact on future payments. It cannot progress without that agreement. 

I'm not quite sure what "those that could perfectly well return to work" means - perhaps those whose jobs are furloughed when their employer cannot function, but are well? Who knows. Suffice to say being furloughed is no holiday on 80% pay, a fair proportion will not have a job to go back to when things move to the new unlocked normal.

suki1964

MrsLurcherwalker said:

We're going to push the boat out a bit on Friday, haven't had a meal out since long before the lock down and fancy getting something nice for supper so we're ordering a takeaway from the local pub that does the village veg boxes.....Fish, chips and mushy peas at £6 a pop.....not quite the £1,500 of the rich but we are going to enjoy every single morsel and I shan't have to wash up either.....woohoo!!!

You know what? We got a take out Saturday, the Chinese in the nearest village reopened and we splurged. £6 a head with a can of pop for the three of us and left overs for my lunch in work Monday, it was actually not that good but I enjoyed every morsel as it was the first meal since lockdown I hadn't cooked 

We are having fish and chips now and then, only home cooked. As I said previously, we supplied all the chippies so I get fantastic spuds for chipping. Fish at the moment Im getting from Lidl - £2.99 for 3 generous sized cod loins although a local fishing boat is now selling his catch to the door, so far Ive missed out. Hopefully this week, Ive ordered haddock or monkfish, whatever he can supply

[Deleted User]

While I AM looking forward to fish and chips, specially with mushy peas what I'm really looking forward to is being cooked FOR and not having to wash up afterwards.  Oh it's been a while.....

suki1964

MrsLurcherwalker said:

While I AM looking forward to fish and chips, specially with mushy peas what I'm really looking forward to is being cooked FOR and not having to wash up afterwards.  Oh it's been a while.....

Exactly why I ordered chinese

Three weeks ago, Mr S says I fancy Chinese , so out came the books and the wok and we cooked up a storm and yes it was beautiful, but I spent 2 hours in the flaming kitchen !!!

Chinese takeaway - 2 mins on the phone, 20 min round trip, zero washing up

[Deleted User]

OK question? has anyone else actually started making their preps for next winter yet? I was lucky enough to get quite a few tins of fruit in juice in my last delivery and am ordering more in the next one as they are obviously OK stock wise at the moment. I also ordered quite a few tins of tomatoes and got most of them but not all.  I have pasta, we get a 500g bag in each pub box so I can store those as we haven't finished the first one we got yet.  I'm trying to get ahead with tea, leaf tea that is, it was in short supply here but seems to be back now.  Dried fruit is a bit hit and miss, plenty of sultanas but very few raisins, asked for raisins and sultanas in the order and they substituted the raisins with MORE sultanas but they're all OK in things.  I hope to be fully stocked by the autumn as I think next winter we might see things unavailable if they are not home grown in the UK as the rest of the world is in the same situation as we are with covid and production must have almost stopped in all areas.