Reality check
I think it's a paradox that, during this time of apparent financial difficulty, I'm actually managing to put money into a savings account for the first time in my life.

I earn £5 an hour.

I don't have a credit card or mortgage or car or hire purchase or an overdraft or a loan.

I pay my rent and child support and phone bill. I cook fresh food from ingredients I buy at grocers and butchers, and have the odd bottle of cider. I manage to go out for a couple of pints once a week. I buy my clothes and books from charity shops.

Basically, I live within my means.

I'm not saying everyone should live like me, but if people and businesses lived within their means, we wouldn't be talking about a recession.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 6:33, 17 replies)

and seriously, bloody good for you too
I'm not in quite your financial position, but still eat ramen noodles for lunch (at home) for less than 10p a shot and haven't spent a penny on clothes (for myself at least) in 2 years.

Going out for a pint, having a bottle of cider from time to time are true luxuries denied to 3/5ths of the planet. Why we all think we deserve new shoes, two holidays and a new laptop every year is beyond me.

good for you for getting ahead, rather than just maxing out on debt and blaming someone else
(pounana Slept well, and dreamed of large women, on, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 8:09, closed)

Cheers.
It's not something I actively tried to do... I've just generally been poor :)

But I'm happy with my lot and I know that, should I ever earn ten pound an hour again, I'll be able to save for my future.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 8:22, closed)

Very true...
If everyone lived within their means society would be a very different place.

If I don't have enough money in my pocket, I don't buy it. It's as simple as that. If I ever do take out credit, it's for something like a car and I ensure the payments are as low as possible - you never know when your circumstances will change.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Wed 28 Jan 2009, 10:00, closed)

I know what you mean
A few years ago, I was on the dole for six months. From my £45 a week exc. rent, I managed to save about £5.

Of course, I know I was only on it for a few months, so there was no 'capital' expenditure on things like clothes, etc., but it felt strange nevertheless

Of course, now I'm in my comfortable middle-class job, I seem to spend faaar much more than I earn.

Bugger.
( Ghoti Fingers, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 8:29, closed)

There's that saying
which I'll definitely get completely wrong:

Your means expand to meet your income.

I've done it most of my life. Fortunately now I'm earning the least I've ever earned, my expectations are considerably lower.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 8:45, closed)

Cooking from scratch with fresh ingredients is the way to go
I do this by choice regardless of how much money I have, because I love to cook, and it tastes good.

The current situation has just meant that I buy cheaper cuts of meat, like belly pork or beef skirt, which are both delicious!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 9:18, closed)

Beef skirt?
Pffft!

That really should be a euphamism :)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 9:20, closed)

£5?
Isn't that below the minimum wage?
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 9:22, closed)

It certainly is.
Are we having our plonkers pulled? Or our beef skirts?
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 9:34, closed)

Do you really think everyone earns the minimum wage?!
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 9:44, closed)

Yes.
Welcome to the world of working for cheapskate Kashmiri taxi operators. I'm technically self-employed too so I pay my own tax and NI.

Feel free to quote the laws and rules regarding minimum wage. These guys won't listen. Believe me, there's plenty of people out there earning less than minimum wage.

Yes, I'm worth more. But I'm comfortable here for the time being. The job's easy, I get to piss about here all day, watch stuff I've recorded on Sky+ in return for me basically running the company and taking 300 phone calls a day.

It suits me. While I'm still recovering from mental health issues and getting various other parts of my life in order, it's relatively stress-free and leaves me plenty of time to do my own thing.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 9:50, closed)

Good for you
It sounds like you're gaining experience in a relatively unstressful job while you consolidate yourself. While the pay sounds terrible, I'd rather do that than be a wreck earning £45k a year.

Best of luck to you sir.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Wed 28 Jan 2009, 10:01, closed)

*beams*
Cheers :)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 10:05, closed)

I'm not being racist, but...
Isn't the weather a bit gloomy?
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 12:00, closed)

How'd you mean?

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 13:05, closed)

Goes dark early...

(Kip, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 15:29, closed)

For everyone except
Directors of companies it is, as directors we have the privilege of paying ourselves less the the NMW... keeps your personal tax bill down see, although Corp tax is pretty much the same % now anyway.
(Kip, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 13:38, closed)