"I'm Skint"

tom_e said:
How about "I actually enjoy spending time with you so what difference does doubling the cost of that time make?" Apart from leaving me £40 poorer.
Yes it's nice to go out and treat yourself sometimes but if you actually value a friendship then just popping out for a £5 burger and spending some time with them is good enough.
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I agree, I've seen the "I'm Skint" card pulled more when the people who are invited to go are indifferent to the other guests and the cost is the deciding factor.
 
People have different priorities for their spending, so an £8 lunch may fall into the 'frivolous spending' bit of their budget, which may be limited.

And £20k/yr is not exactly coining it in, being (just about) closer to minimum wage than median salary.
 
cheesyboy said:
And £20k/yr is not exactly coining it in, being (just about) closer to minimum wage than median salary.
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This is also true, it's hardly a high salary that leaves a lot of disposable income. However, it does allow the occasional treat if someone is willing (eg: a £7 lunch).
 
I've cut back from weekly pub lunches with mates to once every ~2 weeks, because this year I've bought a new bike and am enjoying buying/fitting upgrades for it. That saves ~£25 per month helps cover some of this extravagant spending on bike bits, after several very tight financial years on buying stuff for myself, I feel I deserve it.
 
I would say i am unable to attend social events/situations if it means i have to use money that i had previously allocated to a different column e.g. Savings. Even though i'd easily be able to afford it.
There will be exceptions of course, but generally i stick to what i budget. Otherwise a lunch here and a pub trip there will add up and where do you re-draw the line?
 
Diddums said:
Fairy's muff, thanks for sharing. I have just added a little shelf to my soapbox.


I am now richer than most. According to surveys ofc. (I somehow suspect that this survey started and ended in a dump however, like Rhyl).
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NOT accounting for food / petrol / clothes / disposables, my monthly bills alone cost £2,134.40.

Our weekly grocery bill is ~ £120 / week (nappies etc) - £520 / month

Fuel is £50 / car / fortnight - £216 / month

So that gives us a monthly spend (without holidays / cars / clothes) of £2870, or annually £34,400

(two working adults, two kids under 5).

Sod off with your £20k salary income in your ivory tower. You're making assumptions about someones life without having any relevant information to their lifestyle.

Or perhaps based on the way you treat people, it really just is people not wanting to eat lunch with you... :p
 
Context for me is as follows

Single, living in my own house
Mortage 310
Concuil tax 110 (not single supplemetn reason will be below)
Gas / electric 41
Water 41
TV/Phone and BB - 35 (going up to 55 in jan)
Home insurance 20
Car insurance 58
Mobile - 36

Total for basic's 651

Debt
Loan 1 105
Loan 2 166
CC 1 50
CC2 100
CC3 100

Debt 521

Total out per month

1172

Take home (13 pay days a year) 1345

173 left for food, fuel etc

Lodger
375

Total left 548 a month

Less 20 for gym

528

So although I'm not great - I could be worse and having the lodger helps massively
 
Jamesyboyjim said:
Geesh, if only 400 a month would get you a nice place where I live! 400 a month nowadays wouldn't even get you a double room in a house share!
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Would get you a nice two bed semi bungalow up here with decent garden, a mile from the beach.
 
my mortgage is £393 ;)
3 bed
drive
garage
front and back garden
cul de sac

move up north and stop moaning about house prices

easy get a place for £400

I rented a 2 up 2 down for £325 including bills and internet lovely little townhouse

people can easily be skint,
i.e saving for mortgage
wedding
holidays

spending £7 here and there soon adds up and can be put towards something better
 
itchy said:
what is the point of having savings if you could die tomorrow.
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Because you probably won't die tomorrow and could live a more comfortable life in future if you have savings. You might also not need to borrow as much money in future (e.g. to pay for surprise bills), meaning less 'wasted' money in interest payments etc.

Remember, what is currently the future will one day be the present. With savings you potentially could have an overall improvement in net happiness i.e. marginally less happier today, but a lot happier in the future (e.g. being able to afford better holidays, nicer house/car, more nights out etc). Today's savings could be tomorrow's spending - it's not like savings are permanently locked up and kept away from you.

Then some people want to leave a legacy for their family etc, pay for children's education etc.

As for the OP, many people don't want to splash out on expensive lunches as it takes money away from other things they could spend it on. Just because something is affordable, doesn't mean to say that people would choose to buy it.
 
I know people who consider themselves skint if they only have £1000 in the bank.

I wish i had that attitude to money :)
 
It's usually just an excuse I've found, I wonder if they say the same to their other halves when they're begging for that 2 grand holiday to Cuba that's going to cost at least 3 grand when you factor in spending money and stuff needed for the holiday.

If someone can't afford a £7 meal with you every now and then it's unlikely they value your company.
 
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