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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I the only one who thinks scrimping and saving can go and get fucked for bare essentials

335 replies

Freedomfromunfairbills · 11/08/2022 17:45

All the advice about cost of living seems to be ways you can scrimp and save to possible cobble together enough money to stay alive on bare necessities such as food, water, etc. Am I the only one thinking fuck this we just should not accept this when many of the companies jacking up their prices are making record profits. Even if it’s technically possible why on earth should I give up new clothes, gadgets, TV, holidays abroad, ect all to fund the obscene riches of the one percent. Instead of this advice on how to possibly meet these we actually need to say on mass no we are not surfs under the feudal system and we refuse to become a peasant class enough is enough. We should demand the government steps on and nationalises these companies and demand immediate taxes on the ultra rich to fund it all. I’ve always been fairly right wing and conservative but surely this is simply some kind of feudalism that will reduce many of us to little more than peasants and ruin the quality of life for many. Aibu?

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 11/08/2022 22:58

So @Cyclebabble if we “all” have to cut back, what should the top 10% cut back on while the poorest cut back on feeding their kids?

I think that’s what the op is saying. That the pain should be equally distributed. Or if not equally, then at least a bit more equally than it is now.

DustinsHat · 11/08/2022 23:01

theworldhas · 11/08/2022 22:12

@OlympicProcrastinator
Neither do the politics of greed. There is a balance to be had. These conversations always seem to be a tale of extremes between hardline socialists and capitalists. I think the parties in parliament are reflective of this polarisation.

Thankfully we have a centrist government in waiting, led by Keir Starmer. The alternative is another five years of the right wing free market extremists that are running the country into the ground - they spent the first decade decimating public services while blathering about Brexit, and now the cost of living crisis is here as well. They’ve achieved nothing.

Exactly. Forums like these are full of Tory shills who post things like 'I'm a lifelong Labour voter and I could never vote for Starmer!' And people believe that and start to think well I could never vote for Starmer either! It's the oldest trick in the book and people are falling for it!

You may also think that the Tories will protect your sex based rights, but they're no friend of women. It is women who are left looking after the kids when men up and leave relationships, WE are the ones who have to try to protect them from all of this. They've fucked us all right over.

BitOutOfPractice · 11/08/2022 23:08

@DustinsHat yes. This. I am so sick of the “at least Tories know what a woman is” posts on here. Yes they know what a woman is so they can screw us over! They couldn’t give a toss for women’s rights! The erosion of women’s rights in the 12 years has been horrifying. Yet still this “at least…” whataboutery gets spouted here unchallenged

rnsaslkih · 11/08/2022 23:12

It’s ridiculous to think the “super rich” will fund everything. They’ll just emigrate. And because they are super rich, they’ll have people to arrange that instantaneously and will probably already own a lovely mansion abroad.

Raising the top rate of taxation fails to bring in a larger amount of tax overall. Remember when GPs cut their working hours to avoid going into that top rate?

I do agree we have major problems. But thinking that the super rich are the solution is fantasy.

Plus when you consider the likes of Kate Middleton’s family, who worked their way from poor to rich, why should people like them pay for you? If the rich are going to pay for us all, why would anyone work? Was anyone forced to buy their party supplies? Did they shit on people on their way up? No. They live in a nice house. Good for them. They probably give plenty to charity.

Jki · 11/08/2022 23:22

rnsaslkih · 11/08/2022 23:12

It’s ridiculous to think the “super rich” will fund everything. They’ll just emigrate. And because they are super rich, they’ll have people to arrange that instantaneously and will probably already own a lovely mansion abroad.

Raising the top rate of taxation fails to bring in a larger amount of tax overall. Remember when GPs cut their working hours to avoid going into that top rate?

I do agree we have major problems. But thinking that the super rich are the solution is fantasy.

Plus when you consider the likes of Kate Middleton’s family, who worked their way from poor to rich, why should people like them pay for you? If the rich are going to pay for us all, why would anyone work? Was anyone forced to buy their party supplies? Did they shit on people on their way up? No. They live in a nice house. Good for them. They probably give plenty to charity.

Quick search shows the Middleton’s net worth at £50 million, that is made and lost in a day for UHNW individuals.

People with millions aren’t the ones who are rich anymore, they have a paltry net worth compared to the ones who are billionaires.

Jki · 11/08/2022 23:27

About 2,750 billionaires control 3.5% of the world’s wealth, the Paris-based Global Inequality Lab said in a report Tuesday. That’s up from 1% in 1995, with the fastest gains coming since the pandemic hit, the group said. The poorest half of the planet’s population owns about 2% of its riches.

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 11/08/2022 23:29

Tory neoliberalcapitalism has been leading up to this point for 30 years. People voted for it time and again despite the warnings from those who were branded "loony left" by the right wing media. None of this should be a surprise. It's just the inevitable end game of too many people being "fairly right wing and conservative".
Maybe more people will educate themselves and make different choices at the next election after this winter.

Jumpstark · 11/08/2022 23:35

Friars23 · 11/08/2022 18:19

Because those with great wealth and assets have only massively increased their wealth whilst the majority have seen wages in real terms flat lining since the 2008 crash.

Show quote history

Even if we could grab and share all their extra wealth we'd only have £7k each. It wouldn't last very long.

Fifteentoes · 11/08/2022 23:36

MushMonster · 11/08/2022 18:23

For good.
Voting is the main power we hold.
We can all collect signatures to request early elections. If we get enough signatures in they do have to discuss the matter in parlament. We can do this each month, till they get the idea.
We are not powerless.
And exercising our power does not need to be illegal, violent, detrimenting to the economy or to others in any way.

No, voting is no power at all.

The Tories and their allies are busy manipulating the system to ensure they can't lose. And just in case they do, they've also ensured the destruction of any left wing power within Labour and the positioning of an establishment stooge as leader who will change nothing of substance.

It's over, pretty much. The combination of the failing capitalist system since 2008 and the reality of climate change, means that either the ruling class who can afford it are going to have to give up a lot of wealth, or a substantial number of workers who can't are going to have to starve. But the ruling class saw it coming, got their ducks in a row and made sure the mechanism to choose the first option is no longer there. And people resisted it, or failed to see its urgency, long enough to let them.

Fifteentoes · 11/08/2022 23:45

Macaroni1924 · 11/08/2022 21:25

I will probably get flamed for this but why are so many people on here against rich people? I am not well off by any means and am concerned about the rise in costs, watching pennies and cutting back. Do I grudge people who have money, absolutely not. If I could find some way of selling something that people want and make a mint then I sure as hell would and I certainly don’t think I should be penalised because I came up with something to make me rich. They already pay higher taxes and IF they make their money honestly then what harm does that have? Bloody good for them, I wish I could join them. I’ve been in positions when I’ve needed help financially and because our income is above a certain threshold there was nothing for us at all. We both work full time, pay our bills but it counts for nothing. I personally have more issue with those who drain the system when there are people out there in real need who don’t receive enough.
Id rather spend my life appreciating what we do have and have achieved whilst hoping our child achieves more than being bitter about the guy down the road in his mansion.

Just on a point of accuracy: the rich don't pay higher taxes, as a percentage of their income.

Dreamwhisper · 12/08/2022 00:05

minipie · 11/08/2022 17:48

“Demand the government…” How do you suggest this happens? We don’t live in a mob rule country.

I don’t disagree that the inequality is bloody awful. But with the current government, indeed with the current political system, there’s not much we can do about it.

I love how democracy and the will of the people who live in the country the actual government is supposed to serve is slowly being replaced with the term "mob rule"

"Don't like something? Want to protest? Well we don't live in a country based on mob rule so no.. "

Things are so far beyond okay it's a joke.

Macaroni1924 · 12/08/2022 00:34

@ladygindiva what exactly does it reveal? That like most ordinary people I’ve had a time when money was tight? What would be the point in grudging someone else who has chosen a better career path? Someone who had better opportunities because their parents had money? No point whatsoever.

ilovesooty · 12/08/2022 01:32

BitOutOfPractice · 11/08/2022 23:08

@DustinsHat yes. This. I am so sick of the “at least Tories know what a woman is” posts on here. Yes they know what a woman is so they can screw us over! They couldn’t give a toss for women’s rights! The erosion of women’s rights in the 12 years has been horrifying. Yet still this “at least…” whataboutery gets spouted here unchallenged

If you do challenge it you get a load of vitriol.

Endlesssummer2022 · 12/08/2022 02:05

‘I’ve always been fairly right wing and conservative’

Well you’ve voted for where we are now and were more than happy for those less fortunate than you to suffer so I don’t have much sympathy.

I can afford to weather this storm but have never been an ‘I’m alright jack’, partly because I don’t want people less privileged than me to suffer but also because I know that the Jacob Rees Moggs of this world despise the middle classes also and wish to go back to a time when there were only two types of people: upper class/rich and those who exist to serve them. Eventually they will try to bankrupt me too and take everything I own at a knock down price.

Endlesssummer2022 · 12/08/2022 02:09

‘I am so sick of the “at least Tories know what a woman is” posts on here.’

They’re bots. After a while you notice a pattern, they all sound very similar/formulaic and you see the same wording on other forums. I ignore them now and scroll on by.

BitOutOfPractice · 12/08/2022 04:14

Gender issues are important. I get that. But it’s not the only issue affecting women. Violence against women and girls, childcare costs, the gender pay gap, womens healthcare etc etc etc. I could go on. All issues affecting women directly that the Tories won’t address, no matter how much they “know what a woman is”.

ReneBumsWombats · 12/08/2022 04:23

Endlesssummer2022 · 12/08/2022 02:09

‘I am so sick of the “at least Tories know what a woman is” posts on here.’

They’re bots. After a while you notice a pattern, they all sound very similar/formulaic and you see the same wording on other forums. I ignore them now and scroll on by.

Are you sure?

carefullycourageous · 12/08/2022 07:02

ilovesooty · 12/08/2022 01:32

If you do challenge it you get a load of vitriol.

Show quote history

Agree you get vitriol. It is so frustrating people think the Tories care about women, rather than the reality which is the Tories will say things like this to distract from teh harm they are doing to women.

The Tories will take all our human rights, when then take us out of the ECHR. Women will be fucked then - no prosecutions like e.g. Warboys etc., no pressure on services to consider women.

LakieLady · 12/08/2022 07:20

How will you be voting at the next GE, OP? Still a right-wing conservative?

Cyclebabble · 12/08/2022 10:12

BitOutOfPractice · 11/08/2022 22:58

So @Cyclebabble if we “all” have to cut back, what should the top 10% cut back on while the poorest cut back on feeding their kids?

I think that’s what the op is saying. That the pain should be equally distributed. Or if not equally, then at least a bit more equally than it is now.

I agree the poorest need support. The OP though suggests why should she give up gadgets, holidays abroad and clothes shopping. Sorry, but some of these luxury elements will need to be cut back. Some higher taxation might also be appropriate (and a windfall tax), but if times are tough, we all have to adapt.

WinterMusings · 12/08/2022 11:53

MushMonster · 11/08/2022 21:51

@WinterMusings

Anyone else. Even a random person chosen from the street would do better than Boris and company. Everyone knows that.
The whole party must be full of this sort of people, I mean "me me me me" people.
May was better than him.
Even Cameron was more acceptable.
Boris has no ethics, no integrity, nothing...
And I think the whole party is full of shit.
Labour seems to have no defined shape, it is like a shadow, vague and weak.
I think we do need someone brand new. A new strong party, with actual principles and ideas, who will act with some respect towards us.
I quite like the Liberal Party myself.

@MushMonster

No 'everyone' doesn't 'know' that.

For all BJ's faults, at least he had enthusiasm to GROW us out of this.

Sunak or Truss will have people begging for BJ back.

'Random person from the street' well, that can't happen can it, so that doesn't help.

Labour would be worse, for all the historical reasons, plus not knowing what a woman is & they can't decide their policy on Jack shit.

none of them have a spine. They can even do a decent job of being an opposition party with the shit show that's been going on. God help us all if they get in at the next GE.

Lib Dem... that's as much you as liking your next door neighbour for the job.

it's all very well saying 'anyone' but it needs to be a leader or a party with even a slim chance of getting elected. In the meantime, yes, we'd be better with BJ than truss or Sunak.

Icanstillrecallourlastsummer · 12/08/2022 11:56

I've not read the thread, but agree on principle. It's such rubbish that because the government have totally lost control over the economy we are expected to "just" make 30p meals and put on an extra jumper. As though that will make any real difference to the economic disaster that's on its way.

pucelleauxblanchesmains · 12/08/2022 11:59

The Tories know what a woman is in much the same way an owl knows what a mouse is.

Itisasecret · 12/08/2022 12:01

DustinsHat · 11/08/2022 23:01

Exactly. Forums like these are full of Tory shills who post things like 'I'm a lifelong Labour voter and I could never vote for Starmer!' And people believe that and start to think well I could never vote for Starmer either! It's the oldest trick in the book and people are falling for it!

You may also think that the Tories will protect your sex based rights, but they're no friend of women. It is women who are left looking after the kids when men up and leave relationships, WE are the ones who have to try to protect them from all of this. They've fucked us all right over.

Show quote history

Nah, that’s lazy and a lie. Plus troll hunting is against MN rules. I am a lifelong labour voter, previous paid up member of the party and in a unionised profession. Their “action” has been non existent. Where have they been when the Tories have been destroying the country? My posting history will show I’m no bot, I’ve got nothing but disdain for this government.

Others I’ve seen posting are the same. However, being disappointed in a rubbish government and equally calling out Labour for being a rubbish opposition does not a troll make. Even if you don’t agree with it. That’s lazy, lacks critical thinking and is against mn rules. If people were so inclined they could report and get all the shill accusations removed so stop wasting your time. It’s a bad argument anyway.

MushMonster · 12/08/2022 12:06

@WinterMusings
So BJ is good according to you.
So exactly at what is he good? What is he doing? How has he GROWN us out of this?
I am failing to see it, but happy to be educated.
By the way, I do not think any of the other tories will be any better. We are on a serious decline on the quality of governants, that I am positive about.