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Original poster

UK Life Costs At least £13,400

49 replies

DanJARMouse · 01/07/2008 22:59

According to this here

Says a lot me thinks.

OP posts:
TheArmadillo · 01/07/2008 23:03

Funny how that's higher than govt figures.

It always makes me when the govt says people can survive on tiny amounts but then claim so much on expenses.

I would agree with that organisations figures.

FAQ · 01/07/2008 23:10

"Film tickets, a bottle of wine and a bird feeder were on the list of goods people need to participate in society."

MeMySonAndI · 01/07/2008 23:11

Not surprised but depressed...

FAQ · 01/07/2008 23:11

Lone parent, three children £378.90

Good god - if I had that much a week to live on (excluding housing costs) I'd be laughing my way to Barbados!!

Original poster
DanJARMouse · 01/07/2008 23:14

same here FAQ - they reckon a couple with 3 kids (ie us) NEED just over £400 a week.

I WISH.

OP posts:
TheArmadillo · 01/07/2008 23:15

the figures at the bottom included housing costs didn't they?

MeMySonAndI · 01/07/2008 23:23

Well, they may sound like a lot but if you are spending half of your salary in childcare, I am not surprised at all. Healthy food is also expensive.

Besides... I worship the work of JR and the Fundation, they have changed the way the world see and tackles poverty. So I believe their figures.

Twinklemegan · 02/07/2008 00:15

I saw the item about this on the news. I stopped taking it seriously when it said a DVD player was a necessity but a car was a luxury. Although it was begrudgingly admitted that it might just be essential in a rural area. No - you think?!

Twinklemegan · 02/07/2008 00:20

OK next point. How come a couple with one child only needs £26 more than a couple with no children, but with two children they need £130 more. Where's the logic in that? How can anyone possibly spend £130 a week on two children?!

DeeRiguer · 02/07/2008 00:34

ha ha bird feeder..quite cute really that was one for the pensioners, suppose denotes own garden too

so is that meant to be figure of annual salary?

tm dont understand that either shurely cheaper to have two in some respects and usually tickets are tailored round 2 adults 2 children

expatinscotland · 02/07/2008 00:50

they'll never do anything about it.

many, many families live on far less after taxes and NI - not including housing, food or fuel for heating and hot water.

film tickets? haahahhaahaaa.

Original poster
DanJARMouse · 02/07/2008 08:19

i know expat, i know.

I really wish something would happen, but i doubt it will.

I think the stats are probably spot on, but some peoples ideas of skint and mine differ hugely.

Havent been to the cinema in over 4 years.

Its on par with some peoples annual holiday in this house I think!

OP posts:
bozza · 02/07/2008 08:53

I didn't get how a single parent with three children needed more than a couple with two children - both four person households. Although i suppose they could have factored in more in the way of childcare costs. If you include childcare and holidays I bet I do spend more than £130/week on my two children. Have just paid out £300 for the month and that is way lower than normal as DD is leaving nursery half way through the month. And that is for part time. Then you factor in the swimming lessons/dancing/football/Beavers/school trips/clothes/food/Christmas/birthdays/days out/£200 each for plane tickets.

FAQ · 02/07/2008 09:02

nope bottom of that table it says

"*Note: Weekly budget does not include housing or childcare costs."

Twinklemegan · 02/07/2008 10:11

Bozza - it doesn't include childcare and I wouldn't call most of the rest essential.

Boco · 02/07/2008 10:17

We're well below the weekly figure - and that's without mortgage costs.

MegReally · 02/07/2008 10:20

Boco so are we. Guess we'll just have to sell that damn bird feeder, it is eating us out of house and home

Nemoandthefishes · 02/07/2008 10:23

pmsl £465 a week excluding the mortgage..they have to be joking if we had that then we would be loaded!!!

jumpingbeans · 02/07/2008 10:25

So I need a pair of walking boots and a push bike, not quite the look I was aiming for, oh and a pay as you go mobile, great just my i'll get blisters,a punture and no credit on my phone

expatinscotland · 02/07/2008 13:09

The government won't do jack shit, JARM. Because they don't care. And then they wonder why people give them the two-fingered solute in return.

Another fuel protest today.

expatinscotland · 02/07/2008 13:10

A holiday as an essential?

Do these researchers have any idea how much peoples' gas and electricity bills have gone up?

expatinscotland · 02/07/2008 13:10

A holiday as an essential?

Do these researchers have any idea how much peoples' gas and electricity bills have gone up?

toastandbutter · 02/07/2008 14:38

OK, I've just gone out and bought my 'essential' bird feeder- but I can't afford the bl*y nuts to put on it now!

Boco · 02/07/2008 14:41

I blew my weekly income on a gold plated bird feeder with laser light show and authentic 'sounds of spring' sound track. But now I can't afford food.

My dp just emailed me this from his work, entitled 'welcome to the breadline' - he's worked out the difference between what he earns and what we need to keep us in bird feeders and it's a considerable difference.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 02/07/2008 14:47

I laughed like a loon last week when my BG letter came telling me my currect payment each month for electric is £13 and from this month will be £61.

Brilliant, another huge chunk to come out of the already tiny food budget.
Boiled pasta in tomato sauce for dinner tonight again, anyone?