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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Really fucked off with Euro exchange rate

478 replies

GrumpyOldBag · 27/08/2017 15:39

We have been going on holiday self-catering to the same place in Europe for over 10 years.

This year everything feels prohibitively expensive - to the point where it is really inhibiting what we can choose to do.

We are here for 2 weeks and it's really hard as family of 4 (with 2 teenagers) to spend less than £100/euros a day on activities/eating out.

Not in a beach resort type place, so taking a picnic to the beach for the day isn't an option - nearly everything there is to do here costs money. 3 euros for a coffee, 3 for an ice-cream - it all quickly adds up. Even the 'cheap' food in the supermarket is expensive. Practically at parity with £.

Bloody Brexit!

OP posts:
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TheElementsSong · 01/09/2017 11:21

Especially as most exporters will be importing raw materials / components to make the product that is then exported.

I once bought some bookmarks in Wales, they were a sort of "paper" material made from the poo of Welsh sheep. Ta-dah! No need to import anything to make these products! We could base our Brexit economy on British sheep poo.

orlantina · 01/09/2017 16:53

But not being able to travel to Europe is scary

TBH - there are many people who couldn't afford to travel before Brexit.

07021997K · 01/09/2017 17:30

when you actually change your money in the first place say 'can you not do any better than that?'. Yes you can haggle the exchange rate I did it in Singapore. might not make a huge difference but a few extra euros are better in your pocket...

IroningMountain · 01/09/2017 17:49

Orlan- and now there is even more and less chance for those people who couldn't before.

orlantina · 01/09/2017 17:51

and now there is even more and less chance for those people who couldn't before

OTOH - Brexit could improve the lives of those people who did vote for Brexit for a variety of reasons and aren't as bothered about going abroad.

histinyhandsarefrozen · 01/09/2017 18:31

I think the leave campaign missed a trick.
They should have simply said - the price of food will be astronomical, as will travel in Europe. It sounds like a message lots of mumsnetters would have really gone for.

orlantina · 01/09/2017 18:37

the price of food will be astronomical

Pretty certain that bit was mentioned by the Remain campaign.

histinyhandsarefrozen · 01/09/2017 18:42

Yes/ so maybe that did bizarrely attract certain voters to leave.

It seems there are plenty who welcome the idea. nice for them.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 02/09/2017 06:07

But not being able to travel to Europe is scary

No it isn't. Many people can't anyway and over time the exchange rate will fluctuate anyway, it isn't permanent.

I think the leave campaign missed a trick.
They should have simply said - the price of food will be astronomical, as will travel in Europe. It sounds like a message lots of mumsnetters would have really gone for.

I assume you mean remain. But yeah let's pedal more propaganda into the situation always a solution for our media and politicians.

sandgrown · 02/09/2017 06:23

In Greece at the moment. Prices about the same as in the UK. The Greeks have to pay about 25% VAT , I think , so this must be reflected in prices.

IroningMountain · 02/09/2017 07:06

Wow 50% of the population ( those who voted out)don't care to go abroad. Who knew. Not sure the levels of passport ownership and numbers involved within the tourism industry really back that up.

And what are all these advantages which may all the disadvantages worth having?

Sorry it is scary/ worrying when the standards of living for the majority are reduced. Not for you maybe but for those affected it is.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 02/09/2017 07:16

Of course it affects me I'm in Europe right now. You do realise that a lot of people cannot afford to go on foreign holidays and couldn't before the Brexit vote? The people left out of the supposed EU-benefits? And these people voted leave in large numbers?

Describing it is 'scary' is utterly ridiculous. It is a first world problem like it or not.

Increasinglymiddleaged · 02/09/2017 07:19

And what are all these advantages which may all the disadvantages worth having?

A lower exchange rate makes our exports cheaper so in some ways is good for the economy.

Brexit in general well we'll see in time I guess, but I didn't vote for it either.

orlantina · 02/09/2017 08:25

Sorry it is scary/ worrying when the standards of living for the majority are reduced

That's not what was said though...
That statement is different to this statement about being scared

But not being able to travel to Europe is scary

Not being able to afford to buy food, afford a place to live and have a job is scary.

It's not scary if you aren't able to travel to Europe.

histinyhandsarefrozen · 02/09/2017 08:43

No i meant leave. I meant that lots of posters seem to be welcoming the idea of no European travel for poorer people and of higher food prices. Maybe leave should have made this clearer- instead of calling it project fear- it seems some positively like the idea.

orlantina · 02/09/2017 08:47

I meant that lots of posters seem to be welcoming the idea of no European travel for poorer people and of higher food prices

Or maybe...some people can see that people may benefit from increased exports, a potentially better local job market and potentially better housing market.

I don't want to see higher food prices - or to be priced out of Europe. But OTOH - I can see that there might well be a positive for some people as well.

It's not binary thinking.

PerfectlyPooPoo · 02/09/2017 09:15

I was talking to someone who voted Leave because of high house prices. Her thinking was if the immigrants leave (we're in London) btl will sell/there will less competition for houses.

I was fascinated to think that someone would vote to destabilise their country's economy but understand why she thought she had to.

We've just come back from Spain and I asked Dh how much we spent and he said 'lots' (holidays are my time to not care about anything including money!).

We will always prioritise a European holiday, I would be fucking miserable if I didn't get a proper week of hot weather and lots of beer and so will spend less in the UK economy.

I was very angry with Brexit but now am more curious as to where it's going. As time goes on I feel less anger and more incredulous at the outcome.

But and this is a big but, we have EU passports and Australian so have an out when if needed.

GladAllOver · 02/09/2017 09:24

Brexit is going to Brexshit. The negotiations have broken down. And of course the Leavers who got us into this mess in the first place are blaming the EU.

IroningMountain · 02/09/2017 09:24

The job market is fine, we have very low unemployment. We often can't fill local low paid jobs which migrants used to do.

Conditions for renters are far better in many European countries. Low property prices from a weak pound will be very popular with rich overseas buyers.

How exactly will Brexit benefit people struggling with housing?

orlantina · 02/09/2017 09:27

The job market is fine

Is it? How are the part time, under employed, zero hours, low wage growth jobs doing?

orlantina · 02/09/2017 09:29

We often can't fill local low paid jobs which migrants used to do

Maybe change the pay then?

PebblesFlintstone · 02/09/2017 09:30

His will the zero hours, part-time, low wage jobs culture be helped by Brexit or a poor exchange rate? Other EU member states do not have the wage stagnation that we have and many other EU members ban zero hours contracts.

PebblesFlintstone · 02/09/2017 09:31

Sorry, how will

orlantina · 02/09/2017 09:32

His will the zero hours, part-time, low wage jobs culture be helped by Brexit or a poor exchange rate

Well - isn't that the question..

I am sure people can argue both ways. Time will tell - or an alternate universe where we didn't vote to leave.

PerfectlyPooPoo · 02/09/2017 09:34

Ironing I don't believe it will but it's not an argument I was prepared to take on! It's done now (her vote) and without sounding horrible she is a family on low income (for London) and I think will end up much worse off.

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