So how you doing financially in the recession?
Scooby Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: West Yorkshire
Yea the thing with the type of job I am in is that even in a recession
we still need petrol and oil and gas
so there will all ways be a market for this type of industry
Aberdeen where I am from in my opinion was one of the city's least
affected by the recession in the uk as we are the oil capitol of Europe
also because we have a lot of technology in the oil exploration and extraction
in Aberdeen there is a massive amount of highly trained
people and other company's in other country's want that experience
and offer high wages and excellent rotation to work abroad.
so even if the oil industry slowed down in Aberdeen there would be
a lot of people getting work rotating abroad.
we still need petrol and oil and gas
so there will all ways be a market for this type of industry
Aberdeen where I am from in my opinion was one of the city's least
affected by the recession in the uk as we are the oil capitol of Europe
also because we have a lot of technology in the oil exploration and extraction
in Aberdeen there is a massive amount of highly trained
people and other company's in other country's want that experience
and offer high wages and excellent rotation to work abroad.
so even if the oil industry slowed down in Aberdeen there would be
a lot of people getting work rotating abroad.
I had been self employed for over 10 years as Lift engineer(Installation) working for many of the major Lift companys, the recession hit me hard, being in construction. There was a time i could dictate the prices and used to turn away work on a daily level but all that changed a few years ago. The ball was now in the Lift companys court, they could now dictate the prices and cherry pick the subbies they used for work their in house labour couldnt manage.
Work didnt exactly dry up, the prices changed so dramatically that the new price could drop(and did) as much as a third for an identical install. I rode it out for the first 18 months but when a job opportunity came up from a local company i took it.
Work didnt exactly dry up, the prices changed so dramatically that the new price could drop(and did) as much as a third for an identical install. I rode it out for the first 18 months but when a job opportunity came up from a local company i took it.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,824
Likes: 1
From: Scooby Planet
That's the problem nowadays though,you say to someone i haven't had a pay rise in 5 years,response is,you're lucky to have a job.
Its become an excuse to pay the same for working more.
Everyone should be grateful for having a job these days,oh well don't forget the years some had to study and train for.
Meanwhile the people who coursed it,are living off fat pensions,and been given a pardon,but lets turn on our own workforce eh,because what other choice do we have..
Its become an excuse to pay the same for working more.
Everyone should be grateful for having a job these days,oh well don't forget the years some had to study and train for.
Meanwhile the people who coursed it,are living off fat pensions,and been given a pardon,but lets turn on our own workforce eh,because what other choice do we have..
Scooby Regular
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 11,758
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff. Wales
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,835
Likes: 28
From: Shropshire
I definately think cost of living has massively increased, i earn more, yet have less and less to spend. Can say we have moved down a level in supermarket shopping.
We used to have 2 holidays a year, a foreign one, and a week in britain somewhere later on.... Only had the week in Britain this year... Holidays seem to have hugely increased in price. Wife fancied Mexico.... £4.5k.... Really...
Yet i still see people willing to spend silly money on stuff, even though we are supposed to be in a recession..... Like in SuperDry shop yesterday.... I was given for xmas £30 in vouchers.... There is nothing to buy in that shop for £30!! Of course i was willing to add, but i just couldnt find anything i wanted to spend that sort of money on.... £95 for a body warmer.... Oh please!!. Yet there was a queue at the till
We used to have 2 holidays a year, a foreign one, and a week in britain somewhere later on.... Only had the week in Britain this year... Holidays seem to have hugely increased in price. Wife fancied Mexico.... £4.5k.... Really...
Yet i still see people willing to spend silly money on stuff, even though we are supposed to be in a recession..... Like in SuperDry shop yesterday.... I was given for xmas £30 in vouchers.... There is nothing to buy in that shop for £30!! Of course i was willing to add, but i just couldnt find anything i wanted to spend that sort of money on.... £95 for a body warmer.... Oh please!!. Yet there was a queue at the till
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,217
Likes: 0
From: Does it matter?
In the grand scheme of things, i happy to still be here.
Had a pay freeze last year, and although there was a slight payrise this year, inflation wiped it out instantly.
Also went through "rationalisation"(employment justification!) which is never nice.
The worst thing is the general cost of living. Primarily food. Eerything has gone up, but in line with expectations. But food. Feckin ell!
We were looking to move to bigger house, and may still attempt it, as imho, a recession is the best time to do it.
We'll see what the rest of this year brings.
Still got a lot of irons in the fire, so whilst my "base" is relatively solid, it will be the speculation stuff that will make life much more affluent.
And this is why, whilst i work in FE, you wont really hear me complaining too much. Yes, it could be better, but it could also be MUCH worse.
Had a pay freeze last year, and although there was a slight payrise this year, inflation wiped it out instantly.
Also went through "rationalisation"(employment justification!) which is never nice.
The worst thing is the general cost of living. Primarily food. Eerything has gone up, but in line with expectations. But food. Feckin ell!
We were looking to move to bigger house, and may still attempt it, as imho, a recession is the best time to do it.
We'll see what the rest of this year brings.
Still got a lot of irons in the fire, so whilst my "base" is relatively solid, it will be the speculation stuff that will make life much more affluent.
And this is why, whilst i work in FE, you wont really hear me complaining too much. Yes, it could be better, but it could also be MUCH worse.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 18,658
Likes: 1
From: 32 cylinders and many cats
Household income is half what we made 2 years ago as I am no longer doing ECU work and my wife has gone from a good salary to starting a new business which is not yet in profit (and would be a lot easier without recession).
We're spending like there is no tomorrow on the house and accidentally went over our credit limit despite clearing it monthly, but also saving by doing a lot of our own labour, so the total cost will be half what the design and build company we were using was quoting.
However, our assets are safe and the house is turning out more than we ever dreamed of and in a few years will be mortgage free.
We're spending like there is no tomorrow on the house and accidentally went over our credit limit despite clearing it monthly, but also saving by doing a lot of our own labour, so the total cost will be half what the design and build company we were using was quoting.
However, our assets are safe and the house is turning out more than we ever dreamed of and in a few years will be mortgage free.
Last edited by john banks; Sep 23, 2012 at 10:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,345
Likes: 1
From: In a house
Household income is half what we made 2 years ago as I am no longer doing ECU work and my wife has gone from a good salary to starting a new business which is not yet in profit (and would be a lot easier without recession).
We're spending like there is no tomorrow on the house and accidentally went over our credit limit despite clearing it monthly, but also saving by doing a lot of our own labour, so the total cost will be half what the design and build company we were using was quoting.
However, our assets are safe and the house is turning out more than we ever dreamed of and in a few years will be mortgage free.
We're spending like there is no tomorrow on the house and accidentally went over our credit limit despite clearing it monthly, but also saving by doing a lot of our own labour, so the total cost will be half what the design and build company we were using was quoting.
However, our assets are safe and the house is turning out more than we ever dreamed of and in a few years will be mortgage free.
Why did you stop the ECU work??
Scooby Regular
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 18,658
Likes: 1
From: 32 cylinders and many cats
Lack of time helping the wife setup her new business (had to convert stables to workshop acceptable to the wife and the public, plus office space, and modify cheap imported laser equipment to make it perform like expensive stuff) and the present building work. I was also ready for something new.
Last edited by john banks; Sep 23, 2012 at 11:12 PM.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 0
Things are not too bad I have to say.Probably saved 30K in interest payments over the last few years since the downturn.
Work is as busy as ever,pay rise each year,although only modest couple of per cent.Sat in a villa on Anna Maria Island after a day sizzling in the sun.(only rented ,things arnt that good !!)
Cant grumble.Could do with a bit more cashflow,but who couldnt.
Oh and Man U beat the scousers earlier today which I managed to find on cable tv over here in America.
And my cups still half full !!
Work is as busy as ever,pay rise each year,although only modest couple of per cent.Sat in a villa on Anna Maria Island after a day sizzling in the sun.(only rented ,things arnt that good !!)
Cant grumble.Could do with a bit more cashflow,but who couldnt.
Oh and Man U beat the scousers earlier today which I managed to find on cable tv over here in America.
And my cups still half full !!
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 32,398
Likes: 1
From: Old Codgers Home
No problem here ... Inflation+ pay rises year on year ... no debts ... savings climbing exponentially ... cannot find anything to buy that I haven't got allready - that's more annoying than it would appear, believe me!
Looking to buy a Holiday Home on the coast, I've simply got to spend some savings or I shall go bonkers ... money is nothing until it's converted into something else!
Looking to buy a Holiday Home on the coast, I've simply got to spend some savings or I shall go bonkers ... money is nothing until it's converted into something else!
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,623
Likes: 1
From: ....
No problem here ... Inflation+ pay rises year on year ... no debts ... savings climbing exponentially ... cannot find anything to buy that I haven't got allready - that's more annoying than it would appear, believe me!
Looking to buy a Holiday Home on the coast, I've simply got to spend some savings or I shall go bonkers ... money is nothing until it's converted into something else!
Looking to buy a Holiday Home on the coast, I've simply got to spend some savings or I shall go bonkers ... money is nothing until it's converted into something else!
I'm on 3x what I was 3 years ago as an apprentice 
Been tight with having a family and managing on one income but got another significant pay rise next year and ill be on 'full money' so to speak. Usually scope for overtime every week.
Biggest increase is the fortnightly shop. I'm spending approximately £120-130 every two weeks for a family of three whereas a year ago it was closer to £90!
Been tight with having a family and managing on one income but got another significant pay rise next year and ill be on 'full money' so to speak. Usually scope for overtime every week.
Biggest increase is the fortnightly shop. I'm spending approximately £120-130 every two weeks for a family of three whereas a year ago it was closer to £90!
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,345
Likes: 1
From: In a house
No problem here ... Inflation+ pay rises year on year ... no debts ... savings climbing exponentially ... cannot find anything to buy that I haven't got allready - that's more annoying than it would appear, believe me!
Looking to buy a Holiday Home on the coast, I've simply got to spend some savings or I shall go bonkers ... money is nothing until it's converted into something else!
Looking to buy a Holiday Home on the coast, I've simply got to spend some savings or I shall go bonkers ... money is nothing until it's converted into something else!
Is that the same holiday home on the south coast that you've been talking about for about the last five years???? What's stopping you actually buying one?
Scooby Regular
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,907
Likes: 0
From: God's promised land
Does a newsagent ever make a decent living? I mean how many copies of The Sun do you have to sell just to get the cost of a pint in your pocket? Never worked out how you guys make ends meet.
Regarding the question itself, personally i'm in a fortunate position so it's just been the increased cost of living that's been noticeable, thankfully. £50 for every petrol visit gets irritating.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,907
Likes: 0
From: God's promised land
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 32,398
Likes: 1
From: Old Codgers Home
1. 2008 saw prices falling quickly.
2. I did think they would fall further - they stopped falling when Interest rates came down.
3. I missed the boat in late 2008/early 2009 ... hindsight see's that was the time to buy.
4. 2010 and 2011 saw a modest increase in prices - so, I sat on my hands.
5. 2nd half of 2012 has seen 'REDUCED' signs going up on over-priced property ..... I suspect that it needs to fall another 10% from where prices are now.
6. Haven't located the right property at the right price ... not much of real quality about.
In the last 5yrs I have had 4 job interviews and changed jobs with a pay increase. As has the misses and although our shopping bills have near on doubled it hasn't effected us.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 0
From: North Yorkshire
Put out of business due to the corrupt Spanish police leading to being;
Arrested,
Banned from Spain,
Fines worth £1000s,
Brand new top of the range Mercedes Viano confiscated...
Im doing great.
Arrested,
Banned from Spain,
Fines worth £1000s,
Brand new top of the range Mercedes Viano confiscated...
Im doing great.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,052
Likes: 0
From: Dull White BMW
Middling.
Good:-
Cheap mortgage rates
Working in the oil and gas industry
Bad:-
Fuel costs
Wife loosing her job due to government education policy changes (but she found another quickly)
Steve
Good:-
Cheap mortgage rates
Working in the oil and gas industry
Bad:-
Fuel costs
Wife loosing her job due to government education policy changes (but she found another quickly)
Steve
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,623
Likes: 1
From: ....
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 0
From: North Yorkshire
I used to live in Ibiza, my brother in law set up and owned (now sold) http://villasinibiza.com/Default.aspx I owned the driving side of which has now been reduced to nothing more than this http://villasinibiza.com/Default.asp...e&ArticleID=21
It was very lucrative, charging high prices for villas allowed me to charge a discreet small percentage but still high amount for an inclusive luxury driving service hidden in the total cost of the villa rentals. Being one of the few genuine and legally registered villa rental companies meant this was all above board. However when the economy went down the pan the locals became desperate, taxi drivers and police were generally of the same family origins and part of the mafia. People like me were competition so they turned to underhand tactics.
I was arrested for taxi piracy, received official orders from the Consell Insular to say that I would not be permitted entry into Spain, fined and had the Viano I was driving confiscated. It took all summer but our solicitors finally managed to speak to the transport minister who through the case out. By then I lost the summers takings which supported us for the year. It was only going to get worse so I cut my losses and returned back to England.
When my brother in law owned the villa company he recieved several £30,000 fines for the villas he rented out as they were supposedly 'illegal'. They have no need to justify their accusations but it is on you to prove them wrong which takes time and money. This is to benefit the hotels who are mainly owned by locals.
The joys of living in Spain.
It was very lucrative, charging high prices for villas allowed me to charge a discreet small percentage but still high amount for an inclusive luxury driving service hidden in the total cost of the villa rentals. Being one of the few genuine and legally registered villa rental companies meant this was all above board. However when the economy went down the pan the locals became desperate, taxi drivers and police were generally of the same family origins and part of the mafia. People like me were competition so they turned to underhand tactics.
I was arrested for taxi piracy, received official orders from the Consell Insular to say that I would not be permitted entry into Spain, fined and had the Viano I was driving confiscated. It took all summer but our solicitors finally managed to speak to the transport minister who through the case out. By then I lost the summers takings which supported us for the year. It was only going to get worse so I cut my losses and returned back to England.
When my brother in law owned the villa company he recieved several £30,000 fines for the villas he rented out as they were supposedly 'illegal'. They have no need to justify their accusations but it is on you to prove them wrong which takes time and money. This is to benefit the hotels who are mainly owned by locals.
The joys of living in Spain.
