Where does all the money go?
Discussion
okgo said:
I doubt the two are comparable beyond exam grades. I wouldn’t even consider a school a 40 minutes away, either. If I did live locally then it would be a consideration. But who wants to live in Orpington 
I knew of people going to St Olave's from Beckenham. I influenced a friend of mine from Dulwich to send their eldest there instead of going private. The second son who is not as academic is private at Whitgift.okgo said:
We established in post one that the bloke is earning alright and the lifestyles he is seeing were totally different
That was my point, the variables are huge. Have a friend who’s on more than the OP having to pull his son from school because of the cost, have another who hasn’t held down a real job since university who’s managing fine to post two lots of fees. okgo said:
We established in post one that the bloke is earning alright and the lifestyles he is seeing were totally different. Tens of thousands of pounds a year different. f
king about in 4 supermarkets vs one, or buying some stty Lebara SIM card isn’t going to change any of then 
Must admit I hadn't read the 1st post until now. I'd say a man spunking £30 every few weeks on a haircut deserves a strong talking to!king about in 4 supermarkets vs one, or buying some stty Lebara SIM card isn’t going to change any of then Also, the OP has £1600 piss about money every month - even more so if he adds his rainy day and overpayment back in. I'm not too sure what his expectations are in life but for the average Joe living in Basingstoke or Farnborough (presumably that's where he is "Hampshire commuter town") that's a sh*t load of beer tokens and a weekend away every single month if he so wished. It's not life changing granted but that's life - it's actually quite boring unless you're incredibly successfully self-employed.
He's worrying about the cost of getting married, I got married last year and it cost us £1.5k all in, we just didn't invite anyone except our parents. He could literally get married multiple times over in a year within his current disposable, heck if he stopped getting his haircut in Frizzies w
k Parlour he could probably buy her an acceptable engagement ring in a few months!Somebody said:
I knew of people going to St Olave's from Beckenham. I influenced a friend of mine from Dulwich to send their eldest there instead of going private. The second son who is not as academic is private at Whitgift.
My old school jizzes all over all of those schools when we used to play them at any sport....but then my dad's bigger than your dad
pb8g09 said:
Somebody said:
I knew of people going to St Olave's from Beckenham. I influenced a friend of mine from Dulwich to send their eldest there instead of going private. The second son who is not as academic is private at Whitgift.
My old school jizzes all over all of those schools when we used to play them at any sport....pb8g09 said:
okgo said:
We established in post one that the bloke is earning alright and the lifestyles he is seeing were totally different. Tens of thousands of pounds a year different. fking about in 4 supermarkets vs one, or buying some stty Lebara SIM card isn’t going to change any of then
Must admit I hadn't read the 1st post until now. I'd say a man spunking £30 every few weeks on a haircut deserves a strong talking to!king about in 4 supermarkets vs one, or buying some stty Lebara SIM card isn’t going to change any of then Also, the OP has £1600 piss about money every month - even more so if he adds his rainy day and overpayment back in. I'm not too sure what his expectations are in life but for the average Joe living in Basingstoke or Farnborough (presumably that's where he is "Hampshire commuter town") that's a sh*t load of beer tokens and a weekend away every single month if he so wished. It's not life changing granted but that's life - it's actually quite boring unless you're incredibly successfully self-employed.
He's worrying about the cost of getting married, I got married last year and it cost us £1.5k all in, we just didn't invite anyone except our parents. He could literally get married multiple times over in a year within his current disposable, heck if he stopped getting his haircut in Frizzies w
k Parlour he could probably buy her an acceptable engagement ring in a few months!
Rusty Old-Banger said:
No, you're meant to pity the mega-earners. Life is hard for them, apparently
It is the people in the middle like OP that feel the squeeze. Once his wife (annoying she is the earner) stops working for kids his salary will struggle to pay the bills. At least they'll get some child benefit with the new budget, nursery is expensive etc etc. If you're skint most of that isn't a problem, you get a free house anyway so quitting your min wage job to have a kid doesn't change anything, and then you get everything subsidised beyond belief.There is a startling lack of realisation about the costs of all of these things, even within the sodding places charging the money. The woman who manages our nursery was telling me about the 30 hours when my son was 3, I told her we wouldn't qualify and wondered how we go about getting the 15 "oh everyone qualifies for 30 unless they earn a massive salary" - this is a nursery that charges over £25k per annum if you have a child in 5 days a week - the fact she thought there wouldn't be anyone paying such numbers that earned over £100k just showed me how disconnected peoples brains are with the costs of things. I'm staggered that there are any kids there where at least one of the parents DOESN'T make over £100k.
dave123456 said:
Personally I think mr whippy has made a lot of points in this thread that are simply not worth debating.
We are a heavier consuming nation than 40 years ago. Back then 1 tv, 1 car and a fairly consistent meat and two veg diet were the norm. Takeaways were not commonplace etc. even coffees and beer as a proportion of wages are significant now.
He seems to want to have his cake and eat it. If we consume more of anything, we have to produce more. Yet we have less of the population working than ever before. And by not working I mean sat on the sofa for a fair proportion of the day, as when females worked in a way that we now pay for, cleaners, childcare and takeaways are all substituted for that unpaid work.
To me it’s pretty obvious, we are in a state of transition as a nation culturally, and people are comparing two very different ways of living and taking the best bits of each.
A household income in the top 5% is great, but consider first the tax you pay, and then the services you pay gross for out of your net salary. If a cleaner wants £20 per hour then to net that £20 an hour you would likely need to earn >£50k per year.
I’m making points, but I’m not sure what yours even is.We are a heavier consuming nation than 40 years ago. Back then 1 tv, 1 car and a fairly consistent meat and two veg diet were the norm. Takeaways were not commonplace etc. even coffees and beer as a proportion of wages are significant now.
He seems to want to have his cake and eat it. If we consume more of anything, we have to produce more. Yet we have less of the population working than ever before. And by not working I mean sat on the sofa for a fair proportion of the day, as when females worked in a way that we now pay for, cleaners, childcare and takeaways are all substituted for that unpaid work.
To me it’s pretty obvious, we are in a state of transition as a nation culturally, and people are comparing two very different ways of living and taking the best bits of each.
A household income in the top 5% is great, but consider first the tax you pay, and then the services you pay gross for out of your net salary. If a cleaner wants £20 per hour then to net that £20 an hour you would likely need to earn >£50k per year.
We’re in a transition so all the money goes on consumerist s
t?If it’s a transition, I assume you’re suggesting this isn’t a bad thing, because my points suggest it is.
If it’s not a bad thing then why are government extending out retirement age?
Surely this transition is a good thing?
I’m genuinely confused what your point is.
And yes more than 1 TV and 1 car. Whoppee doo we’ve made it as humans and we’re living the consumerist dream? The apex of life?
But then the cost of TVs and cars were much higher in the past too, vs incomes… so even that point is missing the target a bit isn’t it?
Do we really consume more, or are all the extra people in the workforce vs a generation ago just paying the larger debts and asset prices?
okgo said:
Rusty Old-Banger said:
No, you're meant to pity the mega-earners. Life is hard for them, apparently
It is the people in the middle like OP that feel the squeeze. Once his wife (annoying she is the earner) stops working for kids his salary will struggle to pay the bills. At least they'll get some child benefit with the new budget, nursery is expensive etc etc. If you're skint most of that isn't a problem, you get a free house anyway so quitting your min wage job to have a kid doesn't change anything, and then you get everything subsidised beyond belief.There is a startling lack of realisation about the costs of all of these things, even within the sodding places charging the money. The woman who manages our nursery was telling me about the 30 hours when my son was 3, I told her we wouldn't qualify and wondered how we go about getting the 15 "oh everyone qualifies for 30 unless they earn a massive salary" - this is a nursery that charges over £25k per annum if you have a child in 5 days a week - the fact she thought there wouldn't be anyone paying such numbers that earned over £100k just showed me how disconnected peoples brains are with the costs of things. I'm staggered that there are any kids there where at least one of the parents DOESN'T make over £100k.
Nursery lady has a bank of secure and steady income from those who qualify and supply and demand means she can be opportunistic on the remaining places.
Your last sentence is what you WANT to believe, but is actually likely to be wrong due to government policies.
Alickadoo said:
No.
Which? magazine said:-
Quote
"February 2024
Aldi was the cheapest supermarket in February, with a list of 72 popular groceries costing £125.43 on average. Lidl came in a close second, at less than £3 more expensive (£128.19).
Waitrose was the most expensive for the same list of groceries, at £162.94 - that's 30% more than Aldi."
End quote.
Erm, my comparison point was between the 2 German disounters and the UK Big 4. Waitrose is irrelevant and just makes for stupid headlines, their market share is tiny. I don't have a Which login but would be surprised if the difference between Aldi and Asda is more than 10%Which? magazine said:-
Quote
"February 2024
Aldi was the cheapest supermarket in February, with a list of 72 popular groceries costing £125.43 on average. Lidl came in a close second, at less than £3 more expensive (£128.19).
Waitrose was the most expensive for the same list of groceries, at £162.94 - that's 30% more than Aldi."
End quote.
Aldi / Lidl food is average at best, their service is shocking and they don't deliver to my front door.
fk spending time going round different supermarkets to save a few quid. Asda used to be the cheapest, but Tesco are marginally lower but much depends on your mix of products.
I also hate the way the discounters try and rip off branded products, just smacks of desperation.
f
k spending time going round different supermarkets to save a few quid. Asda used to be the cheapest, but Tesco are marginally lower but much depends on your mix of products.I also hate the way the discounters try and rip off branded products, just smacks of desperation.
RayDonovan said:
Aldi / Lidl food is average at best, their service is shocking and they don't deliver to my front door.
fk spending time going round different supermarkets to save a few quid. Asda used to be the cheapest, but Tesco are marginally lower but much depends on your mix of products.
I also hate the way the discounters try and rip off branded products, just smacks of desperation.
They’re all so close now ime, and buying offers/bulk, or doing top up shops etc, that I just go for the least stressful and nicest products.f
k spending time going round different supermarkets to save a few quid. Asda used to be the cheapest, but Tesco are marginally lower but much depends on your mix of products.I also hate the way the discounters try and rip off branded products, just smacks of desperation.
Waitrose or Booths for me.
Ie, my huge local ASDA (Harrogate) doesn’t even do organic blueberries.
They have a whole aisle dedicated to sugar free coke variants, and another two or three to bread. Also no organic butter.
Weird but true.
Mr Whippy said:
They’re all so close now ime, and buying offers/bulk, or doing top up shops etc, that I just go for the least stressful and nicest products.
Waitrose or Booths for me.
Ie, my huge local ASDA (Harrogate) doesn’t even do organic blueberries.
They have a whole aisle dedicated to sugar free coke variants, and another two or three to bread. Also no organic butter.
Weird but true.
I wish I had a Booths on the south coast. My nearest Waitrose is over 5 miles away whilst Aldi is walking distance, making the journey just for fancy pasta feel somewhat pointless. Personally I think Morrisons do the best meat and if I really want decent stuff I’d just go to the local butchers. Waitrose or Booths for me.
Ie, my huge local ASDA (Harrogate) doesn’t even do organic blueberries.
They have a whole aisle dedicated to sugar free coke variants, and another two or three to bread. Also no organic butter.
Weird but true.
Can mug off Aldi and Lidl with snobbery (not you personally) but bog roll, bleach, kitchen roll, foil, bin bags and multi vitamins are all boring purchases- why pay more for them?
Mr Whippy said:
RayDonovan said:
Aldi / Lidl food is average at best, their service is shocking and they don't deliver to my front door.
fk spending time going round different supermarkets to save a few quid. Asda used to be the cheapest, but Tesco are marginally lower but much depends on your mix of products.
I also hate the way the discounters try and rip off branded products, just smacks of desperation.
They’re all so close now ime, and buying offers/bulk, or doing top up shops etc, that I just go for the least stressful and nicest products.f
k spending time going round different supermarkets to save a few quid. Asda used to be the cheapest, but Tesco are marginally lower but much depends on your mix of products.I also hate the way the discounters try and rip off branded products, just smacks of desperation.
Waitrose or Booths for me.
Ie, my huge local ASDA (Harrogate) doesn’t even do organic blueberries.
They have a whole aisle dedicated to sugar free coke variants, and another two or three to bread. Also no organic butter.
Weird but true.
Asda Harrogate is terrible really (but so is the York one too). The thing that Asda do really well is knowing their clientele, what they buy and what they don't buy.
Bulk of their customers aren't looking for Organic, especially in Harrogate (most Harrogate folk will be Sainsbury's / Waitrose loyalists)
Booths are good, but obviously very limited in geographic split (and they've just sold 1 supermarket to Asda).
MarcelM6 said:
Erm, my comparison point was between the 2 German disounters and the UK Big 4. Waitrose is irrelevant and just makes for stupid headlines, their market share is tiny. I don't have a Which login but would be surprised if the difference between Aldi and Asda is more than 10%
No Which login required.
pb8g09 said:
Mr Whippy said:
They’re all so close now ime, and buying offers/bulk, or doing top up shops etc, that I just go for the least stressful and nicest products.
Waitrose or Booths for me.
Ie, my huge local ASDA (Harrogate) doesn’t even do organic blueberries.
They have a whole aisle dedicated to sugar free coke variants, and another two or three to bread. Also no organic butter.
Weird but true.
I wish I had a Booths on the south coast. My nearest Waitrose is over 5 miles away whilst Aldi is walking distance, making the journey just for fancy pasta feel somewhat pointless. Personally I think Morrisons do the best meat and if I really want decent stuff I’d just go to the local butchers. Waitrose or Booths for me.
Ie, my huge local ASDA (Harrogate) doesn’t even do organic blueberries.
They have a whole aisle dedicated to sugar free coke variants, and another two or three to bread. Also no organic butter.
Weird but true.
Can mug off Aldi and Lidl with snobbery (not you personally) but bog roll, bleach, kitchen roll, foil, bin bags and multi vitamins are all boring purchases- why pay more for them?
If I found myself buying these at full price at Waitrose or any other supermarket I’d call it a bit if a fail.
If it can go in a cupboard for a year it’s all just bulk bought when on offers or ‘special’ trips to ASDA or equivalent.
Recently Ocado sent me about £50 worth of vouchers off shops over a few weeks, so I just bought frozen, cupboard, and a few fresh items to try… also all made up of stuff on offers.
If I had a LIDL/ALDI I could walk to I’d likely use them at quiet times etc… but the ones near me feel perpetually busy and hectic even in the middle of the day.
RayDonovan said:
Asda used to be the cheapest, but Tesco are marginally lower but much depends on your mix of products.
Tesco hasn’t been cheap for years, when the double Club points were going you could make the numbers work but those days are long gone. Asda with Bluelight discount is actually quite close to Aldi but its very easy to get to over £50 in Asda where as in Aldi its a rarity for me to hit over that mark. Edited by gangzoom on Monday 11th March 21:15
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