Is everyone really skint as media/social media makes out, or
Discussion
has luxury and convenience just been that normalised, again probably via social media?
Seems every day wether at the lunch table at work, dinner table at family events, newspaper columnist and social media blogger's and commentators constantly going on about the cost of living and how poor everyone is.
Can you claim to be struggling and "living paycheck to paycheck" when your monthly expenses include £200 a month for dog walkers and grooming or £300 a month to rent a car for 3 years, luxury gym memberships, daily lunches or Ubers to work etc?
Someone at work one minute boasting about her £7000 family holiday 5* all-inclusive in Mexico, then seemed close to tears when she hears the subsidsised canteen was no longer subsidsised "Im at the stage I can no longer afford to work if it's going to cost me £15 a day for breakfast and lunch", maybe a flask and a sandwich luv?
Young family member moaning about housing prices, she will absolutely have a point, but pays nearly £400 a month for a Corsa and insurance FFS, for a first car "well all my friends have new cars".
Madness.
Seems every day wether at the lunch table at work, dinner table at family events, newspaper columnist and social media blogger's and commentators constantly going on about the cost of living and how poor everyone is.
Can you claim to be struggling and "living paycheck to paycheck" when your monthly expenses include £200 a month for dog walkers and grooming or £300 a month to rent a car for 3 years, luxury gym memberships, daily lunches or Ubers to work etc?
Someone at work one minute boasting about her £7000 family holiday 5* all-inclusive in Mexico, then seemed close to tears when she hears the subsidsised canteen was no longer subsidsised "Im at the stage I can no longer afford to work if it's going to cost me £15 a day for breakfast and lunch", maybe a flask and a sandwich luv?
Young family member moaning about housing prices, she will absolutely have a point, but pays nearly £400 a month for a Corsa and insurance FFS, for a first car "well all my friends have new cars".
Madness.
There are pages and pages of comment around this topic in here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
What was the old saying 'cut your coat according to your cloth'
What was the old saying 'cut your coat according to your cloth'
Hustle_ said:
There's really no point discussing this subject- how is everyone, really, on Pistonheads because it skews older and wealthier demographically.
Indeed. Plenty of people are having difficulty making ends meet; the main thing that is actually new is the odd idea that this is new and unusual and that poverty began within the last 20 years.It's not a crisis, its the normal state of affairs. Which doesn't mean that it's a good thing or that we shouldn't try to change it!
TheDrownedApe said:
i see this all the time.
My god daughter flies here parents away on holiday with them to babysit yet complains about not getting child care payments or a new car.
Gen Z and Millennials would rather "look good and lose"
They are probably the same people that were on BBC news the other day opting out of pensions because they can't afford it. One of them was a trainee GP, who opted out. I get that 10% (6% after tax relief) contributions are high but if your opting out of the NHS pension scheme you need to go see a GP. My god daughter flies here parents away on holiday with them to babysit yet complains about not getting child care payments or a new car.
Gen Z and Millennials would rather "look good and lose"
No-one is prepared to start out small or live to their means anymore. My first house was about 90 years old and furnished with stuff from auctions and ikea.
The lads that work for me who are similar ages now have had to have new builds and everything has to be brand new inside, financed to the tits. Everything is now, now, now and if there is no cash available it goes on finance.
I've known people with a Rolex having to borrow a fiver from their parents for bread and milk but then soon after an all inclusive holiday to Dubai or Turkey. Makes zero sense to me.
The lads that work for me who are similar ages now have had to have new builds and everything has to be brand new inside, financed to the tits. Everything is now, now, now and if there is no cash available it goes on finance.
I've known people with a Rolex having to borrow a fiver from their parents for bread and milk but then soon after an all inclusive holiday to Dubai or Turkey. Makes zero sense to me.
scot_aln said:
There are pages and pages of comment around this topic in here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
What was the old saying 'cut your coat according to your cloth'
Ah yes, the thread in which someone recently said "...of course I couldn't afford that Ferrari 458 now..."What was the old saying 'cut your coat according to your cloth'
The 'Rental market is utterly broken' thread is funny too. Started by somebody who was struggling to find somewhere to rent, it rapidly devolved into a mutual pity-jerk of landlords complaining that they aren't getting the yields or capital growth that they're used to
There is much to be learned about finance on PH, but very little bout survival, beyond the occasional 'bring sandwiches and a flask to work' comment.
Hustle_ said:
There is much to be learned about finance on PH, but very little bout survival, beyond the occasional 'bring sandwiches and a flask to work' comment.
I think this is based significantly on how you were raised and the values you picked up from your family. I'm quite old fashioned when it comes to debt. However several people in my team seem quite happy to take out loans for new cars/holidays rather than saving up for them. In my mind that increases the risk of problems if you have unexpected bills or lose your job.Hustle_ said:
There is much to be learned about finance on PH, but very little bout survival, beyond the occasional 'bring sandwiches and a flask to work' comment.
This may be unpopular but I never see "learn a skill, get qualifications, earn more money" I think this should be said more. People expect the brand new BMW, 5* all inclusive on minimum wage jobs and then resort to finance to get them. It is odd, I've a 29 yo guy at work, I know what he earns, he earns ok, nothing stellar but decent, he lives with his mum still, pays his share of the rent, made dubious life choices so hence why still with mum.
He is always skint, however smokes like a chimney, always out drinking and buys his lunch which is always a lame meal deal from Sainsbury's and more often than not breakfast is a crappy overpriced sausage roll and a packet of crisps from the nearby Shell garage. He's gone home sick again as had yet another dodgy takeaway last night. He's always ill, he's always ill as he eats crap and drinks energy drinks or cheap squash (who the f
k over child age drinks squash) and smokes.
Anyhow I say to him, make lunch, it's cheap and you know what's in it, drink water or coffee/tea which is provided by work, you'll save a fortune and your health will be better, [weary voice] errr I don't have time in the morning[/weary voice]. Well do it the night before like I do!
He could cut a few things out, not go out on the piss so much, stop takeaways, prep lunch etc and probably put aside £1k per month, instead he doesn't, he carries on and wallows in self pity that he still lives with his mum.
My daughter she batch cooks lunch at the weekend for the following week, scratch cooks evening meals, has an older car, doesn't smoke, she is careful with her money, yes she rents with her boyfriend but she's fine with that and she has good holidays but she doesn't owe any money on them, they are always saved up for.
He is always skint, however smokes like a chimney, always out drinking and buys his lunch which is always a lame meal deal from Sainsbury's and more often than not breakfast is a crappy overpriced sausage roll and a packet of crisps from the nearby Shell garage. He's gone home sick again as had yet another dodgy takeaway last night. He's always ill, he's always ill as he eats crap and drinks energy drinks or cheap squash (who the f
k over child age drinks squash) and smokes.Anyhow I say to him, make lunch, it's cheap and you know what's in it, drink water or coffee/tea which is provided by work, you'll save a fortune and your health will be better, [weary voice] errr I don't have time in the morning[/weary voice]. Well do it the night before like I do!
He could cut a few things out, not go out on the piss so much, stop takeaways, prep lunch etc and probably put aside £1k per month, instead he doesn't, he carries on and wallows in self pity that he still lives with his mum.
My daughter she batch cooks lunch at the weekend for the following week, scratch cooks evening meals, has an older car, doesn't smoke, she is careful with her money, yes she rents with her boyfriend but she's fine with that and she has good holidays but she doesn't owe any money on them, they are always saved up for.
I have a tendency to plead poverty, but in reality, we're doing ok. Not living pay cheque to pay cheque and able to put money away every month.
Although, it does feel tough sometimes, and I wish I could roll back 20 years and do things different and not learning the hard way by getting into debt, then getting out of it.
A lot of the younger generation though, everything is now, rather then save and wait. I have worked with several people who budget everything monthly and whether they buy the new watch, laptop or holiday, depends whether they have the monthly disposable to cover the the credit payment.
A recent apprentice came to me having money troubles, so 19/20 years old, and after everything came out, car on finance, money owed to parents, credit cards ect, he only had £20 left over a month. But it didn't stop him getting Deliveroo the next week.
Although, it does feel tough sometimes, and I wish I could roll back 20 years and do things different and not learning the hard way by getting into debt, then getting out of it.
A lot of the younger generation though, everything is now, rather then save and wait. I have worked with several people who budget everything monthly and whether they buy the new watch, laptop or holiday, depends whether they have the monthly disposable to cover the the credit payment.
A recent apprentice came to me having money troubles, so 19/20 years old, and after everything came out, car on finance, money owed to parents, credit cards ect, he only had £20 left over a month. But it didn't stop him getting Deliveroo the next week.
The generational issue or attitude or false priorities again - so few people seem to want to see it as a marathon to acquire money and just want everything today - without necessarily working for it.
I'm not talking about houses and the like and accept that for many many people without BOMAD its not easy at all and certainly far harder than when "we " were younger.
That said was having lunch with my 34 year old ( obviously I paid as I would always ) who was complaining about costs of life. I pointed out that between him and his wife they were spending over £2k pa just on that am coffee.
I'm not talking about houses and the like and accept that for many many people without BOMAD its not easy at all and certainly far harder than when "we " were younger.
That said was having lunch with my 34 year old ( obviously I paid as I would always ) who was complaining about costs of life. I pointed out that between him and his wife they were spending over £2k pa just on that am coffee.
Edited by alscar on Tuesday 6th October 12:02
Olivera said:
NaePasaran said:
£300 a month to rent a car for 3 years
You are massively out of date with £300 per month for PCP on a new/newish car, that's getting you pretty much fk all these days. Most people are probably in the £450-£800 per month range.NaePasaran said:
Young family member moaning about housing prices, she will absolutely have a point, but pays nearly £400 a month for a Corsa and insurance FFS, for a first car "well all my friends have new cars".
Hustle_ said:
Ah yes, the thread in which someone recently said "...of course I couldn't afford that Ferrari 458 now..."
The 'Rental market is utterly broken' thread is funny too. Started by somebody who was struggling to find somewhere to rent, it rapidly devolved into a mutual pity-jerk of landlords complaining that they aren't getting the yields or capital growth that they're used to
There is much to be learned about finance on PH, but very little bout survival, beyond the occasional 'bring sandwiches and a flask to work' comment.
Old-fashioned money saving like this can still be part of budgeting and getting by.The 'Rental market is utterly broken' thread is funny too. Started by somebody who was struggling to find somewhere to rent, it rapidly devolved into a mutual pity-jerk of landlords complaining that they aren't getting the yields or capital growth that they're used to
There is much to be learned about finance on PH, but very little bout survival, beyond the occasional 'bring sandwiches and a flask to work' comment.
The younger generation don't know any better, the entire economy is designed to rent you everything, want something expensive? No problem, just pay for it monthly and hand it back when you're done.
Cars, tech, rent a home.
Fancy something to eat? Get it delivered.
Fancy something to watch? Get a subscription.
They'll pay everything while owning nothing, it's designed that way and it's all they know.
Cars, tech, rent a home.
Fancy something to eat? Get it delivered.
Fancy something to watch? Get a subscription.
They'll pay everything while owning nothing, it's designed that way and it's all they know.
Phooey said:
I see the opposite - everyone (ok not quite everyone) is doing well / lots of money around.
I agree with this and has been the case since covid. Everyone* is really quite flush - multiple holidays, people having house renovations, tradesmen are busy constantly, the % of new-ish cars on the road etc.Caveat is * that obviously not everyone. But the vast majority.
Olivera said:
You are massively out of date with £300 per month for PCP on a new/newish car, that's getting you pretty much fk all these days. Most people are probably in the £450-£800 per month range.
I spent a week without a car due to timing on a swap and spent that week on public transport.k all these days. Most people are probably in the £450-£800 per month range.It's expensive.
I was spending a minimum of £15/day and the odd taxi here and there v walk or wait an hour for a bus would double it.
I take the view on PCP/PCH now that whilst you can obviously do some really insane stuff in terms of payments - if you're spending £300/month on a PCP/PCH that isn't too bad compared to the alternatives assuming you have to get to/from work somehow.
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