Is it just me or is everyone broke!!

ClareP1983

Hi All,

I just needed to come on here and rant as I am feeling somewhat alone.

I got paid today and after paying all my bills I am now left with approx €200 for two weeks. This is to do me for food and petrol. I have a good job but every week I seem to be in the same position. I don't spend it foolishly, I go out about once every two months, I also buy on sale if at all.

I don't know what I am doing wrong, I have my car insurance and car bill of €400 coming in the door and I really don't know how I am going to pay for it.

The worrying thing is I have NO savings. It that normal or am I the only one out there!

:(:(:(:(:(:(

Fizman

Define 'good job'.



All jokes aside, you seem to be living fairly sensibly, yet have a scary amount of disposable income to use.

Ken Shamrock

Your not the only one Clare by any means, my brother is in €9000 debt! Times are hard, even if you have a good job, is there justification for your car?

The Backwards Man

I've had to put the butler's manservant on a three day week.

I'm downgraded to lighting my cigars with 50s instead of 100s. It's terrible

Grayson

ClareP1983 wrote: »

Hi All,

I just needed to come on here and rant as I am feeling somewhat alone.

I got paid today and after paying all my bills I am now left with approx €200 for two weeks. This is to do me for food and petrol. I have a good job but every week I seem to be in the same position. I don't spend it foolishly, I go out about once every two months, I also buy on sale if at all.

I don't know what I am doing wrong, I have my car insurance and car bill of €400 coming in the door and I really don't know how I am going to pay for it.

The worrying thing is I have NO savings. It that normal or am I the only one out there!

:(:(:(:(:(:(

It's something like 1/5th of people have no savings to fall back on. It really sucks. I'd love to have a little bit put away instead of what I happened to have paid off my credit card

The Backwards Man

OSI wrote: »

It's just you. Heck I upgraded from wiping my arse with 20s to wiping it with 50s! The bigger notes are much better at the job.

I'd wipe your ass with my head for twenty euro. I make twenty, you save thirty, everyone happy.

fizzypish

ClareP1983 wrote: »

Hi All,

I just needed to come on here and rant as I am feeling somewhat alone.

I got paid today and after paying all my bills I am now left with approx €200 for two weeks. This is to do me for food and petrol. I have a good job but every week I seem to be in the same position. I don't spend it foolishly, I go out about once every two months, I also buy on sale if at all.

I don't know what I am doing wrong, I have my car insurance and car bill of €400 coming in the door and I really don't know how I am going to pay for it.

The worrying thing is I have NO savings. It that normal or am I the only one out there!

:(:(:(:(:(:(

Is this every time you get a wage slip or just this time due to bills gang banging you? Either way it sucks for this month.

smash

People keep saying the recession is over but I don't see wages rising... all I see is:

More stealth taxes
Rents going up
Property values going up
The cost of products going up
The cost of services going up

FairytaleGirl

Same position here! F*ck the economy anyway.

Links234

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I've had to put the butler's manservant on a three day week.

But you still kept his dogsbody on retainer, I hope?

The Backwards Man

smash wrote: »

People keep saying the recession is over but I don't see wages rising... all I see is:

More stealth taxes
Rents going up
Property values going up
The cost of products going up
The cost of services going up

That's known as the Yazz Effect.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

Don't forget your water charges soon.

The Backwards Man

Links234 wrote: »

But you still kept his dogsbody on retainer, I hope?

No. On a lead.

scream

ClareP1983 wrote: »

Hi All,

I just needed to come on here and rant as I am feeling somewhat alone.

I got paid today and after paying all my bills I am now left with approx €200 for two weeks. This is to do me for food and petrol. I have a good job but every week I seem to be in the same position. I don't spend it foolishly, I go out about once every two months, I also buy on sale if at all.

I don't know what I am doing wrong, I have my car insurance and car bill of €400 coming in the door and I really don't know how I am going to pay for it.

The worrying thing is I have NO savings. It that normal or am I the only one out there!

:(:(:(:(:(:(

Oh you're certainly not the only one. I'm much the same. In fact I've just been posting in another thread about wages not going into the bank on time which really shouldn't be the major event that it is, but due to not having any savings myself it does cause a lot more concern than it should really. The USC charge is a bigger culprit than it might at first seem. That was approximately €150 vanished from my monthly wage literally overnight. It's easy to forget about things like that when it's coming out piecemeal each week, until you total it up per month. I believe it's known as The Elephant in the Room. Screw people over bit by bit and they're less likely to kick up a fuss.

the groutch

smash wrote: »

People keep saying the recession is over but I don't see wages rising... all I see is:

More stealth taxes
Rents going up
Property values going up
The cost of products going up
The cost of services going up

and people still living beyond their means.

jester77

Sounds like you are not so good at budgeting. You should sit down and write down every bill that you have to pay during a year. Then divide the annual bill amount by your number of salary payments and set that amount aside every time you get paid.

This way, when the bill comes you will already have the cash for it and you won't have a situation where you can't pay a current bill.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

OSI wrote: »

Depends where you're looking. Most of the people around me have seen their income rise. My own has risen a good 50% in 3 years.

That you, Viper Foley?

cml387

Have you written down a list of your outgoings,a nd looked at where you might cut back?

Expensive phone contracts?
Satellite TV?

smash

the groutch wrote: »

and people still living beyond their means.

This is a bullsh1t quote really. For a lot of people out there it's hard to live within your means when your wages are cut and slashed as everything else goes up. Does this girl sound like she's splashing out on luxuries? I don't think so!

animaal

No, you're not alone.

When Brian Cowen spoke about a "reduction in living standards" being on the cards, this is what he meant.

If you can increase your income in the medium-term, that would be a good way to recover.

If not, the longer-term possibility is that as the economy improves, taxation (some combination of direct and indirect tax) can be reduced somewhat. Although inflation is low, in the longer term it should go some way towards reducing debt. But these effects will be small, and won't be really possible for a number of years.

The problem we face is that although our direct taxation is fairly middle of the road compared to our neighbours, we have high indirect taxation and high prices for goods and services. Not to mention debt and financial commitments that were set at levels that were only viable during the boom times. It's going to take time to work all that out.

sbsquarepants

I'd have to win a few bob to be broke. What I am, is what economists refer to as fúcking smashed.

Sugar Free

October to December is a bad few months for me as I've weddings, milestone birthdays, insurance, NCT, motor tax and of course Christmas all coming up.

Outside of those few months I'm fine and have plenty to use for savings and discretionary spends.

Dowl88

On 30k in the center of Dublin. Cant afford to rent my own place so I either drive 120km to and from work, sleep in car or get a hostel. Im not house sharing with randomers or renting a kip of a box room! Sickens me

Ken Shamrock

Dowl88 wrote: »

On 30k in the center of Dublin. Cant afford to rent my own place so I either drive 120km to and from work, sleep in car or get a hostel. Im not house sharing with randomers or renting a kip of a box room! Sickens me

You're on 30k and too pretentious to rent a studio or share with others, that's not the economies fault, that's yours.

whiskeyman

smash wrote: »

People keep saying the recession is over but I don't see wages rising... all I see is:

More stealth taxes
Rents going up
Property values going up
The cost of products going up
The cost of services going up

And the number of threads like this on boards going up...

seamus

smash wrote: »

This is a bullsh1t quote really. For a lot of people out there it's hard to live within your means when your wages are cut and slashed as everything else goes up. Does this girl sound like she's splashing out on luxuries? I don't think so!

Pretty much impossible to say without knowing what falls under the heading of "bills" and how much she earns.

If she's a single person paying €1,600 rent on a two-bed apartment, then I'd say she may indeed be splashing out on luxuries by not a renting a more appropriate property within her budget.

Squatman

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I'd wipe your ass with my head for twenty euro. I make twenty, you save thirty, everyone happy.

Its not often i actually lol. but this made me lol

Buona Fortuna

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I'd wipe your ass with my head for twenty euro. I make twenty, you save thirty, everyone happy.

You just had to load up that image for me didn't ya.

Now I can't get rid of it

Caliden

It's not just you.

I've got a reasonably paid job but every month I find myself with less than 50 left in it.

No idea where I'm going wrong. I think it's a case of Parkinson's law, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_law , only in this case with money. i.e. I'll spend whatever I have.

So this month I'm going to try something different, instead of trying to keep spending low so that I have something to save at the end. Take 100-200 out at the start of the month and put it somewhere.

Highflyer13

And the media keep peddling out 'we've turned a corner', 'recovery is strong', 'get on the property ladder quick as house prices are on the up' (obviously a supply problem) but yet my pocket is not seeing it and things seem to be getting a lot harder. Most people I work with are in the same boat.

Dowl88

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

You're on 30k and too pretentious to rent a studio or share with others, that's not the economies fault, that's yours.

I am paying 550 for a nice three bedroom house but 120 km away from Dublin. Renting out two rooms for 185 each to friends

In Lonesome Dove

OP, you are definately not alone. I'm underemployed and living back at home. Bills are minimal as in I or my mam, we don't have cars or the expenses associated with them, or house insurance or a sky package. I find my wage just melts away and I'm living sensibly enough in that I don't go out drinking and boozing.

Grayson

Caliden wrote: »

It's not just you.

I've got a reasonably paid job but every month I find myself with less than 50 left in it.

No idea where I'm going wrong. I think it's a case of Parkinson's law, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_law , only in this case with money. i.e. I'll spend whatever I have.

So this month I'm going to try something different, instead of trying to keep spending low so that I have something to save at the end. Take 100-200 out at the start of the month and put it somewhere.

I did up a weekly budget and added everything up. then I took out the amount i needed and told myself i wouldn't withdraw any-more. I get paid tomorrow. Last week it looked like I'd have 200 left over but I now have exactly 13 left. Bills came out early.

It's nuts that no matter how you budget, you still come out with nothing.

Irish Halo

ClareP1983 wrote: »

after paying all my bills

seamus wrote: »

Pretty much impossible to say without knowing what falls under the heading of "bills" and how much she earns.

+1

Look at your bills, outside the utilities do you need those services and products? What is on your c/c bill? Those things can build up very easily in a month.

anncoates

If the job is good and the person is budgeting themselves, obviously there must be additional outgoings - mortgage, debt repayments to be that broke.

I don't really now what everybody considers a good wage ether. 60k or over?

seamus

Dowl88 wrote: »

I am paying 550 for a nice three bedroom house but 120 km away from Dublin. Renting out two rooms for 185 each to friends

That's your choice, I'm not sure why it sickens you.

You hardly expect to be able to rent the same house in Dublin for that money?

Dowl88

anncoates wrote: »

I don't really now what everybody considers a good wage ether. 60k or over?

It depends on circumstances really, living in or outside Dublin, single, married with kids etc.

Get a nice house outside Dublin for 550, while inside Dublin there like 1300?

seamus

anncoates wrote: »

I don't really now what everybody considers a good wage ether. 60k or over?

Depends on what kind of life you expect to have. €30k - €40k is a good wage for a single person with no dependents; plenty of money there to enjoy oneself.

LiamKK1982

They might say they're broke but they'll be strutting around with an iphone 6 in a few weeks, I'm saving up for a used iphone 5, I'm po' white trash

geret

Dowl88 wrote: »

I am paying 550 for a nice three bedroom house but 120 km away from Dublin. Renting out two rooms for 185 each to friends

I bet you have the best room even though your friends pay more rent than you

squeekyduck

Its not just you OP. A lot of my friends are living hand to mouth each week, got forbid they got sick and miss a weeks wages.

The problem I see is the general cost of goods. I was in Tesco UK and as an example kerrygold butter is £1.40 (€1.60 ish), in Tesco Ireland its €3. Thats a product made in Ireland and it works out cheaper abroad. I know there are costs in wages, VAT etc but to have an Irish product costing more in its country of origin is ridiculous.

There are so many examples but unfortunately the Irish just keep getting shafted on price. Add in a higher tax rate and you see the average person getting squeezed even more and more.

smash

Dowl88 wrote: »

I am paying 550 for a nice three bedroom house but 120 km away from Dublin. Renting out two rooms for 185 each to friends

That's 240km a day you drive... your 370 that you make from the rent is easily going to be chewed up by fuel costs in a month doing mileage like that. I'd suggest you take your 550+370 and get a 1 bed apartment in Dublin!

Sugar Free

anncoates wrote: »

I don't really now what everybody considers a good wage ether. 60k or over?

I think that's a 'How long is a piece of string question' e.g.

- Graduate on 25K in Dublin City = fecked
- No mortgage, no family accountant on 60K = fine

60K is about 3300 a month which for someone not in a lot of debt or with no kids should be enough to live comfortably, even in Dublin.

seamus

squeekyduck wrote: »

The problem I see is the general cost of goods. I was in Tesco UK and as an example kerrygold butter is £1.40 (€1.60 ish), in Tesco Ireland its €3. Thats a product made in Ireland and it works out cheaper abroad. I know there are costs in wages, VAT etc but to have an Irish product costing more in its country of origin is ridiculous.

Kerrygold 250G is £1.60 (€2.01) in Tesco UK.
227G is €1.69 in Tesco IE

That's 8% more expensive in the UK than in Ireland (€8.04/KG -v- €7.44/KG)

Our groceries are cheaper than we think they are in many ways, part ofthe problem is that we tend to rely too much on pre-packed or specialist foods rather than home-produced and/or fresh foods in season.

skywalker

Caliden wrote: »

It's not just you.

I've got a reasonably paid job but every month I find myself with less than 50 left in it.

No idea where I'm going wrong. I think it's a case of Parkinson's law, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_law , only in this case with money. i.e. I'll spend whatever I have.

So this month I'm going to try something different, instead of trying to keep spending low so that I have something to save at the end. Take 100-200 out at the start of the month and put it somewhere.

I got the tip years ago that you treat savings as a bill. Pay it out at the start with all the other outgoings. That way you are only likely to dip into savings towards the end of the month if you really need it for something, as opposed to it being in your current a/c where its easy to take 20/50 whatever back.

smash

smash wrote: »

That's 240km a day you drive... your 370 that you make from the rent is easily going to be chewed up by fuel costs in a month doing mileage like that. I'd suggest you take your 550+370 and get a 1 bed apartment in Dublin!

I think he's paying 550 minus 185x2

desertcircus

A 240km round trip for work is complete madness. You're not even stuck in the house - you're renting, so you can move closer to work.

Mr. CooL ICE

I'm so broke that I agreed to make another Ghost Rider

dub_skav

smash wrote: »

That's 240km a day you drive... your 370 that you make from the rent is easily going to be chewed up by fuel costs in a month doing mileage like that. I'd suggest you take your 550+370 and get a 1 bed apartment in Dublin!

This kind of financial calculation might explain why people are struggling :pac:

squeekyduck

seamus wrote: »

Kerrygold 250G is £1.60 (€2.01) in Tesco UK.
227G is €1.69 in Tesco IE

That's 8% more expensive in the UK than in Ireland (€8.04/KG -v- €7.44/KG)

Our groceries are cheaper than we think they are in many ways, part ofthe problem is that we tend to rely too much on pre-packed or specialist foods rather than home-produced and/or fresh foods in season.

It certainly wasn't that price when I was in Tesco a few weeks ago, I don't want to derail this thread so I will agree with you on your post. There was possibly a price change.

My point is that the cost of goods are too high when you compare with our neighbors. Alcohol, food, petrol is all too high. I know this first hand as I dread having to travel back to Ireland especially when I am in a main European city.

I will give Ireland one positive for cost, and that is car insurance, it has to be among the cheapest in Europe but I wish I could say that against the other goods.