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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about prices going up and up and up

161 replies

AMAZINWOMAN · 20/06/2008 14:15

I am getting scared of the way bills are just rising and rising all the time. Fuel is predicted to rise another 40% this year.

Even though I really am good at budgeting, I can't see a way of compromising any more than what we do now. Our only luxury is the internet, (or essential according to kids and their MSN needs!) which I would be reluctant to give up.

I have looked at loads of money saving tips websites, which is what I already do. I am just worried about the way the economy is going

OP posts:
Nighbynight · 20/06/2008 20:15

shattered, its a combination of higher pay and more affordable food and housing and public transport. I couldnt make a go in the UK as a single parent, Id be on benefits, but here I can work.

fizzbuzz · 20/06/2008 20:16

I've sold stuff as well...I don't think clothes go for much either. Unless they are designer labels....

I am truly pissed off about money at the moment. Are prices just going to go up and up, and wages stay the same? If people are struggling, then how come retail sales rose by 3% or so this month? Don't understand.....

ScienceTeacher · 20/06/2008 20:18

I think we can weather the storm. We do drink a bit of wine and eat out every 2 or 3 weeks. If we cut that back, then we should be able to maintain our standard of living.

I could get a bus to work, virtually door to door, but I think the fares are more than what I pay for diesel. Next year, DD will be coming with me, and then public transport would definitely be more expensive.

shatteredmumsrus · 20/06/2008 20:26

Nighbynight - how did you move over there with a child? Did you just get up and go or did you know someone over there?What work do you do?
Fizzbuzz I dont understand it either!!!Someones shafting us all!

expatinscotland · 20/06/2008 20:27

We're fucked.

My plan is to drink wine.

shatteredmumsrus · 20/06/2008 20:28

I love tescos own liefraudmilch and for under £3! My life isnt over yet!

Callisto · 20/06/2008 20:29

Was it my imagination or did I hear on the news yesterday that we all have to be responsible and not ask for pay rises so that inflation stays low?

KatieDD · 20/06/2008 20:39

No that's what happened in the 70's Callisto, wage inflation cause general inflation to go up to 17%.
I don't know what the answer is but it's but coming along time and I have cleared all my debt in antispication.
There should have been a minor recession after 9/11 but instead the USA and Britain flooded the markets with credit and pushed up house prices, this pack of cards is about to coming falling down, have a look at the USA for a preview of things to come, people are setting fire to their houses to try and claim insurance rather than be repossed and posting the keys back to the banks hoping they can get out of their mortgages.

mosschops30 · 20/06/2008 20:41

Im scared about everything in this country at the moment, price of houses, price of petrol, utility bills, state of health service, crime, schools

I could go on and on. I dont really know how a country can continue like this, its scary.
As soon as Ive nagged dh enough I will be on the plane out of here with all the other sensible britons

fizzbuzz · 20/06/2008 20:48

Katiedd, did that figure include mortgages and fuel, or was it based on the obscure things that inflation is based on now?

I read or heard that most people think inflation is running at 9.5%. How are we supposed to afford it, if wages don't go up?
Would it push it up to 17% now?

shatteredmumsrus · 20/06/2008 21:02

gotta go promised to sit with kids and watch Jumanji! Will continue this despressing debate tmoro............

KatieDD · 20/06/2008 21:04

I "think" back in the 70's it was for things like food, fuel etc because we didn't have the crap in the CPI basket like wide screen tv's.
I don't think there's any doubt it's at least 9.5% at the moment, bread has gone up 30% in the last three months.
My business is suffering badly at the moment, I literally haven't had a phone call for 10 days. I used be turning down work only 2 months ago.

KatieDD · 20/06/2008 21:08

How to afford it ?
Honestly stop spending, anything that isn't to feed or keep the roof over your kids heads needs to go.
People will stop paying their credit cards soon which will send things into a spin, then they will default on loans, the banks will tighten credit further and then house prices will plumet, IMO this is unavaoidable now, the bigger the bubble the bigger the bang when it bursts, but that is labour for you, they do not intend to be in power next term, they have spent and been the nice parent for 10 years, then the next party will spend 10 years being the bad guys and clearing up the mess.

fizzbuzz · 20/06/2008 21:09

But the news yesterday said retail sales had risen by 3%. Some people are still spending...

lilyloo · 20/06/2008 21:11

Although America has said that the end is in sight for them so surely that will drip down ?

expatinscotland · 20/06/2008 21:15

America's housing market was nowhere near as big a bubble as the UKs. Nowhere close. Because the laws there for the most part make buying to let or small scale property investment not very attractive, or not as attractive as other types of invesment.

the majority of rental properties are owned by a big business or often times a very large corporation/conglomerate.

the types of mortgage products sold is more regulated, with most homeowners owning only one home and on a 15-25-year fixed rate capital and interest repayment mortgage.

noddyholder · 20/06/2008 21:18

There is no way inlation is 3% when peoples monthly expenses have risen 25%. Wage inflation and general recession seem inevitable now as there needs to be a huge change to really later the way people think.We have borrowed and lived beyond our means all egged on by cheap credit now we need to tighten our belts and save.A big house price crash is definitely on teh cards

noddyholder · 20/06/2008 21:20

alter not later

beansontoast · 20/06/2008 21:23

noddy...its got to the stage that if i see you have posted somewhere..i have a little look at that thread,cos i think ill probably like/agree with/take comfort in what you have to say...

[stalk]

KatieDD · 20/06/2008 23:05

People will spend throughout this, somebody will make millions by buying the stuff on ebay for 1/3 of the new price as people get more desperate it drives the price down of cars, houses, watches whatever you need to sell to stay a float somebody will have the cash to buy ... on their terms.

noddyholder · 21/06/2008 08:08

thanks beans on I felt like a lone voice at xmas lunch with my family this year when i saud we had sold up because this was coming and they were all so patronising and my mum said prices would still go up no matter what!Apart from the initial readjustment when sadly some people will suffer I think in the long term we might stop being such a rampant consumer society with nothing behind it

Nighbynight · 21/06/2008 08:23

shattered - Ive got 4 chidlren. Got a job in an english speaking workplace via the internet, moved, spent a few nights in a hotel, got a flat etc. seriously - read teh living overseas threads first.

DanJARMouse · 21/06/2008 08:29

Im trying not to panic, but deep down I am.

Unfortunately, we are living off benefits at the moment. It isnt easy, we are on a tight budget, but we just have to ride the wave I guess.

Working things out, once bills are paid, we have about £120 a week for fuel and food and luxeries..... cant see there being many of them with the way fuel and food is rising.

Its a case of buying what we NEED rather than want, using up food from the freezers that usually stays there most of the month while we buy as we go along.

Agree with whoever said about cheaper cars etc. We have just bought a T reg Mondeo Estate with good mileage and full MOT for £495!

shatteredmumsrus · 21/06/2008 08:33

good for you nighbunight, you were brave and it paid off!!
This makes sad reading

Nighbynight · 21/06/2008 09:37

read my rants about german schools