How to beat inflation?

Middle_of_the_Road

Starting to wish I'd not commented on this thread, and this will be my last.

I have no wish for continued off topic back and forth. 

I had to respond to your paragraph though, extolling the facets of modern Britain.

I would be rightfully grateful, if all of our brilliant advances in science and technology had actually improved our lives, as it is I see a few problems.....


Central heating.. that many people are unable to use, at current prices.

Superfast broadband, better telecommunications.. mostly manufactured and supported by the likes of China. Our infrastructures, possibly able to be manipulated, or ongoing system support withdrawn. We are in control of none of these technologies.

Life-saving advances in medicine and healthcare.. people now needlessly dying due to the longest waiting lists on record.

The increasing prevalence of the 4 day week.. The four day week won't be much use to those on the minimum wage, or those having to work on Saturdays and Sundays.

Working from home.. is not progress. Previously a choice, which can have benefits for employer an employee alike.  Recently made a requirement, due to the pandemic. This isolation has had a detrimental effect on the mental health of some of the population.

Electric cars.. are not going to help our inadequate and failing transport networks, let alone be an effective benefit for the environment.

Availability of delicious food and drink from all corners of the globe.. local businesses on our high streets decimated, and local streets littered with their leftovers.

Overseas holidays becoming the norm rather than a luxury.. and the spending power of our already devalued Pound, steadily growing weaker.

A collapse in smoking rates.. replaced by an increase in the smoking of class B drugs. 

Continuous rising incomes for those on minimum wage.. the lack of a skilled workforce caused by a short sighted neglect, to support training initiatives, leaving the unskilled, or even over qualified graduates, at the mercy of the myriad of minimum wage employers.

State pension.. as we are seeing the age threshold increase, this once thought secure benefit, will no doubt be undermined by unsustainable demand. 

Voyager2002

It is sad that few people remember the 1970s. We were all so much better off then than we are now in most of the ways that matter.

However, during the 1970s the stock markets were a sure way to lose money, whereas now equities and owning property are a far more reliable way to increase wealth than is hard work. 

RG2015

Voyager2002 said:

It is sad that few people remember the 1970s. We were all so much better off then than we are now in most of the ways that matter.

However, during the 1970s the stock markets were a sure way to lose money, whereas now equities and owning property are a far more reliable way to increase wealth than is hard work. 

As someone said earlier, who do you mean by we?

Some were better off, some were worse off, and when they were only half way up they were neither up nor down.

Oh! The Grand Old Duke of York. I guess he was much better off then. 

Albermarle

Starting to wish I'd not commented on this thread, and this will be my last.

The thread was about inflation in relation to savings and investments. Pretty relevant to a Savings and Investments forum, unlike your very political comment

 What have we got to show for all these years of economic growth....in this country?

It would be a good subject for a House of Commons debate, or a politics panel show, or a Party Political Broadcast, but somewhat inappropriate here. 

Malthusian

"Right, but apart from central heating that we can't afford to switch off without being unable to afford something else, broadband made by people with funny names, queues for medicines that didn't exist twenty years ago, lower working hours for people who are frugal enough to afford them, working from home which not everyone likes, flexible alternatives to our beloved filthy buses, avocado skins littering the high street, the ability to go to places where people don't moan about bReXiT non-stop, a nice relaxing spliff, higher incomes for unskilled workers and ex-workers... what has economic growth ever done for us?"
"Brought peace to Northern Ireland?"
"Oh, peace? SHUT UP!"

GeoffTF

Voyager2002 said:

However, during the 1970s the stock markets were a sure way to lose money, whereas now equities and owning property are a far more reliable way to increase wealth than is hard work. 

Dream on. The market has been going up for a long time. That increases the chance of a crash. It does not reduce it. Remember what happened in 1930. Remember what happened in Japan in 1980.

coyrls

Voyager2002 said:

It is sad that few people remember the 1970s. We were all so much better off then than we are now in most of the ways that matter.

I remember the 1970s and I am so much better off now in most of the ways that matter.