Being 'skint'

Guest2

Guest2

Guest2

Soldato
Joined
6 May 2009
Posts
20,382
Is being skint just another word for being tight?

I have numerous friends who earn double what I do yet always seem to be 'skint' so cannot do things like go for a meal which costs a tenner.

Yes, some save for houses, children, holidays, cars etc but surely you should still spare a night with friends to have a cheap meal out once every few months!

One friends said a while ago (3 years ago) he was saving for a car, then it was his wedding, now his house and next it will be his kids when he has them
 
Some people will always be living paycheck to paycheck no matter how much they earn, to them a number in a current account is a target.
 
Most people live beyond their means no matter their earnings. Just how it works. Although people are saving, there may also be debt commitments that fall on top of that which they are working towards removing amongst other things.

As I've got older I have decided I could really do without most things and I don't even have my own place or any real commitments. I still turn most things down just to stay within my normal means and thus not risk over spending whereas I used to be out all the time a few years ago not giving a stuff and earning much less. Just the way of the world. Priorities change and money & jobs are much less secure.
 
AtreuS said:
I hate to say it but it sounds like they just don't want to go out with you? :(
Click to expand...

Some of my 'friends' say the same thing unless it suits them. Instead of just being straight with you they give you some bull excuse about being skint. I just let em get on with it.
 
AtreuS said:
I hate to say it but it sounds like they just don't want to go out with you? :(
Click to expand...

That was my first impression too.

Although we're saving for a wedding (plus still go on holidays etc...) we still see our friends several times a month. However I have no debts, all the stuff I have bought are bought outright, which a lot of people don't do I think.
 
Tight yes.

Often you will find that the people who plead poverty at ANY and EVERY given opportunity (birthdays, christmas, office parties, buying rounds etc) are probably richer than yourself, just they are saving up for 'that rainy day'.

Perhaps not so much a negative as I initially think, but they cannot contemplate a credit card or an overdraft.

I've got 75% of my family like this - Christmas and Birthdays I am 'fortunate' to receive a bar of cooking chocolate from LIDL or a Cheque for £5. Yet they rake in £150kpa collectively and live in a tiny house running 1 car.

Grandparents - recently remarried (after my grandma died); grandfather sold his house (£125k) and moved in with his new wife. He has spent all £125k on her (Jewellery etc) and her grandchildren, and her house (huge two storey extension). He has said that he is poor so there's no point him having a Will - we take that to mean that he has spent everything on his new wife, who has said that she has a very healthy Will but is only giving to her daughter and son, and not our side of the family. So my grandfather has given all of his money to his new wife's kids essentially!

Unsure whether being 'tight' is a blessing or a curse - perhaps both. A blessing for the tight individual, yet a curse for those around them.
 
In the last 6 months, I've begun to save about £650 per month due to forecasting a myriad of various expenses in the next 1-2 years. I'm 28 and don't have any debt thankfully, but due to the squeeze it has definitely changed my attitudes towards nights out, weekends away, new gadgets etc.

Maybe they are in the same position. Also, I'm not aware of anywhere you can go for a meal for a tenner! If I went for a meal with friends, incl. drinks and potential travel expenses, it's at least £50-£60 surely?
 
Caged said:
Some people will always be living paycheck to paycheck no matter how much they earn, to them a number in a current account is a target.
Click to expand...

Was with a friend of mine today and we worked out that last year he spent over £100k (self assessment tax forms if you're wondering why we were working this out!).
He doesn't have his own house (rents a flat), doesn't even own a car. He is completely skint. Had to borrow money to get the flight back out to work next week.
He perfectly embodies your statement.
 
RedvGreen said:
Tight yes.

Often you will find that the people who plead poverty at ANY and EVERY given opportunity (birthdays, christmas, office parties, buying rounds etc) are probably richer than yourself, just they are saving up for 'that rainy day'.

Perhaps not so much a negative as I initially think, but they cannot contemplate a credit card or an overdraft.

I've got 75% of my family like this - Christmas and Birthdays I am 'fortunate' to receive a bar of cooking chocolate from LIDL or a Cheque for £5. Yet they rake in £150kpa collectively and live in a tiny house running 1 car.

Unsure whether being 'tight' is a blessing or a curse - perhaps both. A blessing for the tight individual, yet a curse for those around them.
Click to expand...

You sound quite bitter, why do you needs material things from you family? I always get a cake, card and mum cooks for my birthday. That's it.

For Christmas i got nothing...at all, from anybody. But that's cool as i have everything i want and need because i work. And my gf, who can't afford anything gave me a xmas night i won't forget for a long while! As long as i have the love of my OH i don't care about useless stuff.
 
Last edited:
Dis86 said:
Was with a friend of mine today and we worked out that last year he spent over £100k (self assessment tax forms if you're wondering why we were working this out!).
He doesn't have his own house (rents a flat), doesn't even own a car. He is completely skint. Had to borrow money to get the flight back out to work next week.
He perfectly embodies your statement.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a lad I know who works on the rigs, still lives with parents at 32 but drives a 100 grand merc, and parties basically every night when he's back home for weeks on end. Absolute fruit loop.

could have been a millionaire by now but he says he prefers just spending it all, suppose when he wants to settle down he won't have a problem anyway the money he's on.
 
I'm one of those that say im skint but have money put away for that rainy day..

Happy i did as i lost my job a month back and my rainy day is here.
 
Guest2 said:
Is being skint just another word for being tight?

I have numerous friends who earn double what I do yet always seem to be 'skint' so cannot do things like go for a meal which costs a tenner.

Yes, some save for houses, children, holidays, cars etc but surely you should still spare a night with friends to have a cheap meal out once every few months!

One friends said a while ago (3 years ago) he was saving for a car, then it was his wedding, now his house and next it will be his kids when he has them
Click to expand...

They may earn double what you do, but perhaps they also have double the financial commitments you do?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom