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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the country is b*gg*r*d, and life as we once knew it is over?

330 replies

RejectedFleece · 06/07/2022 18:05

Just that really.

OP posts:
justasking111 · 06/07/2022 19:12

justfiveminutes · 06/07/2022 18:14

When you are quite old, you have seen lots of recessions, armed conflicts and dire predictions. Those times always pass, just like the good times do too. We are in for a rough ride in terms of the economy, but will come out the other side.

Took the words right out of my head. Our children didn't believe we had a mortgage that rose from 6% to 16%.

We've told them to hunker down, spend wisely, turn the heating down, wear layers. They've all got log burners and candles. We have to ride this one out

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:12

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 18:50

Its probably quite easy to say that if you're not wondering how to feed your children or heat your house, isn't it?

Well yes, it is.

Are you struggling to feed your children? If so, what are you planning to do about it?

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:12

MrsRobinsonsHandprints · 06/07/2022 19:10

Yes coz plumbing and bricking is so easy, no skill at all, I mean those working class oiks manage it, come on Cat get off your arse and pick up a trowel.

Grin
Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:13

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:12

Well yes, it is.

Are you struggling to feed your children? If so, what are you planning to do about it?

No, thankfully I'm not. I'm in a very privileged position.

What do you advise those that are do about it? Have you any actual useful advice or just reccomendations to learn to brick lay (which is frankly fucking stupid)

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:16

bellac11 · 06/07/2022 19:06

Those advantages are without question. The point I think of the OP, not talking for them, is that we have as a country on all levels regressed.

Thats not what any country or society aims to do, you continue to grow in all ways, not just financially. Our literacy rates are down for children, MH incidents are higher, we have worsening cancer rates

We might do 'better' in those stats than X country but thats not the point, we are not doing better than we used to, we have deteriorated.

It was inevitable, and necessary. We were consuming too much, and living on too much credit. The last two decades were a credit-fueled party; the hill was always going to fall due.

plugee · 06/07/2022 19:17

Our children didn't believe we had a mortgage that rose from 6% to 16%.

They clearly don't use MNs, as it's mentioned daily! Apparently a 7% interest rate on today's mortgages is equivalent to the historic high rates in terms of impact on finances.

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:17

MrsRobinsonsHandprints · 06/07/2022 19:10

Yes coz plumbing and bricking is so easy, no skill at all, I mean those working class oiks manage it, come on Cat get off your arse and pick up a trowel.

Of course they are skilled jobs, but they are skill that any able and well person can learn.

Are you seriously suggesting that you don’t have the ability to learn plumbing?

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

bellac11 · 06/07/2022 19:19

plugee · 06/07/2022 19:11

It's not about everyone earning high wages (how does that even work) it's about why wages have changed in decades, more being pulled into paying higher taxes & ridiculous housing costs.

We have fewer people paying tax than ever, our tax take is lower than ever, so Im not sure of your point.

Cervinia · 06/07/2022 19:19

justfiveminutes · 06/07/2022 18:14

When you are quite old, you have seen lots of recessions, armed conflicts and dire predictions. Those times always pass, just like the good times do too. We are in for a rough ride in terms of the economy, but will come out the other side.

Exactly this. I was going to ask the OP if she was fairly young.

been there before, done this, tee shirt …

this storm will pass.

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:19

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:17

Of course they are skilled jobs, but they are skill that any able and well person can learn.

Are you seriously suggesting that you don’t have the ability to learn plumbing?

Its not the ability to learn, is it?

I'm sure I could learn how to plumb with the correct training and the inclination.

However, you're not considering how much it costs to learn to plumb, the time it takes to learn, having that time (do you have childcare if you have children, is there even a course available outside your full time working hours)

You're being deliberately obtuse.

You're also missing the point that if everyone becomes a plumber, who looks after you in the care home?

Liebig · 06/07/2022 19:20

No one here, not even someone who is in their 70s or older, is about to experience what we're heading into.

Unless you were born circa AD 1750, you have only ever known a global economy that has grown with energy and mineral usage expanding to bring about the biggest population and wealth explosion in 10,000 years of recorded human history.

Now, the party is over. There will not be another doubling of the global economy. Literally cannot happen. From here on, the reduced output of cheap energy and the increasing cost that comes as it declines in output, will mark a degrowth economy that the world will try - and fail - to prop up.

The politicians and captains of industry either already know this, or they're ignorant and are going to throw everything at the predicament (not problem, those have solutions) of the end of growth. But all it will achieve is to waste more resources at a time when we should be cutting back and conserving them all.

Climate change is a spectre over our species and will be horrific. However, before any single nation falls fully to climate change, there will be many that follow Sri Lanka's path now, where that country is basically finding out what it means to slide back along the trajectory we just climbed up.

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:20

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Okay, you're clearly just on the wind up. What are you getting from this?

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:21

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:13

No, thankfully I'm not. I'm in a very privileged position.

What do you advise those that are do about it? Have you any actual useful advice or just reccomendations to learn to brick lay (which is frankly fucking stupid)

Gaining useful skills is stupid advice?

How so?

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:22

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:20

Okay, you're clearly just on the wind up. What are you getting from this?

A slight sense of despair that there are people like you in the country I choose to call my home.

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:22

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:21

Gaining useful skills is stupid advice?

How so?

Because it's unrealistic for a massive percentage of the populations for the many reasons I and others have listed. Hth.

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:22

This reply has been deleted

Not in the spirit of the site/Racist

bellac11 · 06/07/2022 19:23

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:16

It was inevitable, and necessary. We were consuming too much, and living on too much credit. The last two decades were a credit-fueled party; the hill was always going to fall due.

I dont know if you are doing this on purpose (probably are) but Im specifically focusing on a myriad of markers that we have declined in. People's personal debt choice (theres still plenty of debt being used by the way) is not what is causing childrens MH to suffer, literacy rates to fall, NHS waiting times to increase, public services to fail.

Wouldloveanother · 06/07/2022 19:24

YANBU. I think back to even 10 years ago, and it all feels so long ago now.

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:24

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:19

Its not the ability to learn, is it?

I'm sure I could learn how to plumb with the correct training and the inclination.

However, you're not considering how much it costs to learn to plumb, the time it takes to learn, having that time (do you have childcare if you have children, is there even a course available outside your full time working hours)

You're being deliberately obtuse.

You're also missing the point that if everyone becomes a plumber, who looks after you in the care home?

Why would everyone become a plumber? What a silly thing to suggest. Most people. As this thread shows, prefer to do nothing at all, and just complain at how unfair everything is.

There’s a shortage of plumbers at the moment because people like you tell everyone that there’s no point doing anything at all.

That’s fine, people can do nothing, it’s up to them.

FortonServices · 06/07/2022 19:25

@Catfordthefifth

No need to descend into xenophobia.

SkeletonFight · 06/07/2022 19:25

SavoirFlair · 06/07/2022 18:15

Whatever people think was the 'glory days' was propped up by unrealistically low interest rates and all other manner of things that could never have lasted.

We need to get away from this idea that life owes us anything in the UK. We're not 'owed' year on year house price increases, or foreign holidays, or multiple car ownership. People could afford those because interest rates on borrowing were low, which also meant comically easy to obtain PCP deals on cars, and lots of money to borrow for housing.

If you're genuinely struggling with food vs heating then this post is not for you - this is a horrendous time.

But for those people lamenting "life as we once knew it", go and enjoy your holiday photos and consider whether both your 17 year old son and 19 year old daughter each need cars to drive, or whether you overstretched yourself on your mortgage. We've been propped up and insulated for years from reality.

Spot on!

Catfordthefifth · 06/07/2022 19:26

FortonServices · 06/07/2022 19:25

@Catfordthefifth

No need to descend into xenophobia.

Xenophobia? I didn't say anything xenophobic. I don't dislike the poster because she is french, but because she is condescending and rude as fuck.

FemmeNatal · 06/07/2022 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Not in the spirit of the site/Racist

No, thanks, but thanks for showing that we do still have some anti-immigrant people posting on here.

It’s a shame how people like you get angry at others moving here and actually doing well.

You probably think we should stick to cleaning your house, or sweeping your street, but no, that’s not how it works.

cottagegardenflower · 06/07/2022 19:27

Its going to be harder financially on everyone. labour shortages (brexit) import charges (brexit) forcing food prices up. Covid (massive financial outlay to keep people safe and jobs secured) Ukraine and Russia (raising prices and causing shortages).
Its pretty buggered for a few years to come

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