I fear I'm about to make myself look stupid but we seem to be better off.

Obviously you can't compare the UK to small economies, that would be like me saying i have less debt than Richard Branson so i must be better off.

 

Mortgages are next to nothing at the moment and you don't pay tax until about 10k or what ever it is.
I see new cars everywhere i look, my sister is a travel agent and shes not got enough hours in the week for work, people are queuing for black Friday, smartphones, flat screens, some of the biggest traffic jams I've ever seen each morning with people going to work.

I just don't see hardship, yes people have been going to food banks but the same people will most likely have 5k of tech between themselves and their kids. There's always room for improvement and we need people like f1_fan to keep the pressure on the government but on the quiet, I'm feeling safe and secure living in the UK.

 

Easy, cheap finance. It's like adding a big weight to a massive house of cards. It's still just about standing and looks pretty but it won't last long.

The utterly insane thing is, it's uncontrolled debt and mortgages that got us into this mess (it IS a mess, it just doesn't feel like one) yet the government fall over themselves to do anything to prop up the housing market (to make people "feel" wealthy) and flog cars on finance. It's so utterly stupid that I can't quite believe it.

I don't know if there'll be some sudden crash or a gradual slide but it really can't go on for much longer. The more it's propped up, the harder everyone will fall.

 

Just out of curiosity do you have a mortgage and when you bought your 135 did you buy it cash or on credit?

 

No mortgage; we rent but have saved a decent amount to buy outright.
All three vehicles were bought for cash; old skool.

We don't "do" debt; I practise what I preach.

 

You are right, a lot of people do have money but choose not to spend it or spend it on inappropriate things as witnessed my the recent hoards fighting to get a bargain. As I mentioned last month, we are heading towards a deflationary cycle, people will only spend when they feel prices are low enough and I think people feel that prices will get lower still and therefore keep hold as much of their money as possible. Unfortunately as interest rates are so low, that leaves the economy with no room to manoeuvre to stimulate the economy. This is exacerbated but the fact that our largest export market are going the same way too but on a larger scale.

 

Can't be too careful

 

Likewise, own my own house, own my vehicles, no credit card debt, no debt whatsoever actually. Could have a bigger house and a C63 on the drive, but I can't handle owing money.... it does not sit right with me... each to their own though as it's just my personal choice.

 

Likewise, not Liewise!

Changes the whole meaning, that!

Christ!

PS: I know it was your typo issue, and it wasn't your cat typing.

 

Miaow, in both essences of the word

 

And no, I don't think I'm some jumped up Shakespeare in disguise, to qualify as a spelling police person. I'm only messing about.

 

 

Yeah, but it took you till the sweat age of 90 to get there.

 

**** off I'm only 89