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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask how you’re preparing for Brexit?

999 replies

CircleSquareCircleSquare · 13/03/2018 15:54

There is so much uncertainty surrounding what will happen with trade deals and goodness knows what else, that I’m starting to wonder about making some sensible plans.

We have put a stop to some planned works we wanted to do to our house, we have downsized to one car and we grow a small amount of veg. We keep some stocks of food in the house but we have a large family so I never feel like we’d have enough.
We have discussed not taking a holiday this summer and DH is taking every training course possible at work in order to diversify his skills should his industry go tits up.

I’m wondering what decisions you’re making in your homes for what could possibly be a really uncertain time for a few years.

OP posts:
Bratsandtwats · 13/03/2018 19:52

I might get my legs waxed, but that will probably be pretty much it.

Oblomov18 · 13/03/2018 19:54

I haven't done anything. I didn't really realise I was 'supposed' to be doing anything!

mrsreynolds · 13/03/2018 19:54

What Mercedes (or whoever) want is irrelevant

We need legally binding trade deals and tarriff ageeements - and they don't happen overnight or just because you really really want them to

Sheasksmehowthecatsbeen · 13/03/2018 19:54

OK, so if we have a deal that needs to be done quickly, and our trade partners are fully aware of that desperation, tell me... Are we in a strong or weak negotiating position?

umpteennamechanges · 13/03/2018 19:55

I'm a massive remoaner metaphorically and literally as I'm dead fat and honestly I don't think there will be some kind of Armageddon.

It will be a bit bumpy. Prices on things we import from the EU will go up and as such overall expenditure and inflation will go up. There will be a rise in interest rates as a result.

Unemployment levels will rise but, apart from in some more niche sectors, it won't be a cliff face...it would be far too risky for any business to switch a HQ from the UK to the EU overnight. They'll start with a few key roles in an overseas office. The £ will weaken further, again leading to price increases.

However...over time when recruiting they'll do so in the EU, and will undertake restructures over the next couple of years to move more and more to the EU HQ and away from London/UK.

I personally don't think anyone needs to stockpile beans...but...

  • It would probably be a good idea to make any planned major purchases from EU countries such as cars now
  • I probably will stock up a little bit on things like Olive Oil that are reasonably expensive and likely to be impacted by tariffs just to save a few quid
  • It would be sensible to work towards reducing any debt and having 3-5 months savings for any rainy days/employment breaks/etc
  • It would help everything if we all tried switching to UK produced where possible as those suppliers can start recognising the additional demand and upscaling production if possible
  • I personally probably won't book any European travel immediately after the switch (unless/until a firm view of a transition period is in place) because I don't need to so might as well avoid any potential hiccups

This all seems sort of reasonable financial planning whether you're a leaver or remainer doesn't it?

If all goes smoothly then it doesn't hurt to have more savings just for the next recession (whenever that comes)...

Madbengalmum · 13/03/2018 19:56

We have three years to deal with trade deals, and it is not only in our countries' interest to have them. Other countries are not going to want to lose a huge amount of market either.

LoveInTokyo · 13/03/2018 19:57

I moved to France and married my French partner. (Not having our big wedding until later in the year but the legal part we did as soon as possible.) I’ve also moved nearly all my money out of the UK.

Sheasksmehowthecatsbeen · 13/03/2018 19:58

The US have already offered us worse terms than now and said we will have to relax standards.

MrsMoastyToasty · 13/03/2018 19:59

By putting the kettle on.

HateIsNotGood · 13/03/2018 20:01

Suddenly - every Mum and her Shopping is now an International Trade Deal Expert. Surely all this 'expertise' and 'knowledge' could have been used prior to this Crisis of Humanity?

Call 911, Social Services, RSPCA and tell the School because they are the 'font' of all wisdom after all. Write to your MP, go on a March or do what ever it is that makes you feel good.

Meanwhile, most of us will Just Carry On, just like most people do and have done ad infinitum.

Graphista · 13/03/2018 20:02

Madbengal we are one very small, economically powerless country. They can easily find buyers anywhere else in the world and we have little if anything to offer them - except their being able to charge us extra for the privilege of buying from them!

I do think a lot of brexiters think the uk is still a powerful country politically and economically - it really isn't

MillyChantilly · 13/03/2018 20:05

We have three years to deal with trade deals,

Three whole years.

Wow. you don't have a clue.

Britain will be desperate to make a deal, any deal and all these countries will be rubbing their hands in glee as they know they'll have the upper hand.

Sheasksmehowthecatsbeen · 13/03/2018 20:06

Why would I call 911, when I live in the UK and the emergency number is 999, Hate?

vandrew4 · 13/03/2018 20:06

*I've actually started buying extras of foods i use a lot of like Olive oil, before tariffs are slapped on them8
excellent. possibly one of the most middle class worries ever. meanwhile in the homes of thew manual workers who have lost out to unskilled immigration....

Butchmanda · 13/03/2018 20:06

I'm just foaming at the mouth and wondering how I can repair the way I feel about my parents and in laws. On good days I just hope it won't happen. It's fucking bleak.

SoleBizzz · 13/03/2018 20:07

Why bother? We will be nuked by Russia at midnight.

Butchmanda · 13/03/2018 20:08

Considering ditching my DH, finding a European one and moving abroad.

Sheasksmehowthecatsbeen · 13/03/2018 20:08

Whataboutery has arrived on the thread, excellent. None of us should worry at all because there's always someone else worse off.

HateIsNotGood · 13/03/2018 20:09

No particular reason, probably I meant the NHS number - just a 'symbolic' emergency number if you really want to know.

Any particular reason why you are asking Sheask?

Madbengalmum · 13/03/2018 20:12

Graphista and Milly, your crystal balls must be working overtime.

falsepriest · 13/03/2018 20:13

Absolutely fuck all.

vandrew4 · 13/03/2018 20:13

Madbengal we are one very small, economically powerless country. They can easily find buyers anywhere else in the world and we have little if anything to offer them - except their being able to charge us extra for the privilege of buying from them

I do think a lot of brexiters think the uk is still a powerful country politically and economically - it really isn't

well we're the 6th richest in the world. i think that's pretty powerful, don't you?

FaithHopeCharityDesperation · 13/03/2018 20:13

@HateIsNotGood - you missed 'log it with 101' off the list....

(The official MN go-to option for any & every event)

MillyChantilly · 13/03/2018 20:13

meanwhile in the homes of thew manual workers who have lost out to unskilled immigration....

  1. EU immigrants are net contributors.

  2. Any trade deals that are made with other countries will start with country X requesting that Britain accepts more of its people as immigrants.

Madbengalmum · 13/03/2018 20:14

Vandrew, you must stop spouting the truth it doesn't suit the narrative! 😂🤣

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