UK vs US standard of living redux
[A] press release put out by the Department for Work and Pensions today has the headline “Brits struggle to make ends meet in the New Year”. The release contains their own polling figures showing that more than half of people in the UK (55%) spend more than they can afford and are “struggling”. Hardly the official message Brown and Darling are spinning of national economic strength.
Frankly, I’d be surprised if the figure in any western country was as low as 55%; I know people who charge a fortune on designer shoes and convenience food but complain that they “can’t afford” health insurance. (Sorry, but anyone who has cable television cannot, with a straight face, claim to be scrimping and saving.) But it’s interesting that the British government’s spin is falling apart. Not that such stories get as much play over here, mind you…
Filed under: Life
My co-workers constantly complain about how little we make, even though in moving from Youngstown I feel like I hit the jackpot.
I always tell them its not how much you make its how much you spend.
So your cable television comment totally holds true.
Are those the same guys who eat lunch at a restaurant EVERY DAY?
That would be a big Yes.
So even though half of the guys make 20 large more than I do, I somehow seem to be able to sock away hundreds a month more than them.
Makes you wonder.
All of which teaches their kids a grand lesson about financial responsibility: You don’t have any. It’s The Man’s fault for not paying you more. If someone has something you don’t, it’s because they took it from you. There is only so much wealth in the world. Life is a zero sum game. Etc, etc.
It’s really no mystery why we’ve got these sickminded presidential candidates. They sure do know their target market…
Totally agree. People ask how do we afford so many air fares- answer = no giant SUV car loan, no fancy holidays, no cable, no smart office wardrobe, no drugs, etc etc. You have to pick and enjoy your treats!
Although, with a UK-sized mortgage, I’d be struggling anyway :)
It’s amazing how many non-salespeople try to talk me into paying for things I don’t want or need, such as a TV, cable, a car. They are truly baffled how anyone could get by without these “necessities”. Nevermind that I chose to live in an urban area with solid public transportation (which most of them refuse to use, because “poor people ride the bus,” while agitating for $100million+ of taxpayer money for a streetcar* for them and their fellow snobs - just wait till “poor people” start riding that, too!) precisely because it would mean I didn’t have to have a car. Sure, there are times when it would be convenient to have one, and grabbing the Greyhound - while fast, cheap, and within walking distance of my home - up to Columbus every month when I fly to NYC isn’t something I look forward to, it’s a great trade-off against having a car payment, parking costs, maintenance, car insurance, etc. I don’t think my life is any less full of activity or goodness because I don’t have a car. (I love driving and am staunchly pro-car, I hasten to add. But needs must…and mustn’t.)
I’ll hold my hands up and say that I need to look at where I spend as much as the next person: I have more meals in restaurants than I should, my airport magazine habit is a bit silly, and I find clothes and shoes hard to pass up. But I’m not going to whinge that it’s anyone’s fault other than my own if I don’t have as much money as I do experiences and stuff.
*NOTE: I am not against a streetcar for Cincinnati. But I have yet to see a single cogent argument for why taxpayers should risk losing our shirts on it rather than some private company. Not one.
And the UK is the 3rd most expensive country to live in, according to the Guardian today.