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Re: Afraid to ask?
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 5:16 am
by jj
No, you only become a wanker after you join the Tory Party............
Re: Afraid to ask?
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 1:37 pm
by jj
If you want to curb spending, an interest-rate-rise is a typically blunt instrument. And it's a fucking cheek when the total rake, including indirect taxation, is now hovering perilously near 40%- when you're earning ?20K or less that's serious shit.
Fine, rein back card-spending and such, but most people would regard having a secure roof over their head as an essential rather than a luxury.
Another dent in Brown's claim to economic literacy.........oh, and the DSS have just 'revised' the help you get for mortgage repayments. Downwards, naturally. So for God's sake, don't lose your job......
Valid point about the Tory/tossers- but it wouldn't have worked so well that way.
Re: Afraid to ask?
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 4:22 pm
by jj
Well, so have most of us. Whatever it takes.
But I'm not sure what your point is. Are you happy with the interest increase?
I don't see what's admirable about a government encouraging people to invest in home-ownership when it suits them, and then shafting them when they do so and circumstances change (didn't Brown's economic models forecast this?). And failing to provide a stock of affordable rented accommodation: this is exactly what happened after Thatcher's changes to the Rent Act, and is worsening again now, although for different reasons.
Serves them right for having aspirations, I suppose...........
Re: Afraid to ask?
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 4:56 pm
by mart
I'm shocked by the obsession here (NZ) with property. Prices are rocketing, fuelled by constant media coverage and the hawking of "Property as safe investment" and there is no Capital Gains Tax. The value of mortgages has risen from$15 billion to $81.5 billion in the last 2 years. Debt stands at about 130% of income, up from 65% a decade ago.
Mart
Re: Afraid to ask?
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:25 pm
by jj
.......having worked in Europe for several years, I returned here amazed at the UK obsession with buying.
It's only now the Grim Reaper rapidly approaches, sharpening his scythe, that I'm considering purchase.
Re: Afraid to ask?
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:46 pm
by Deuce Bigolo
Its not just investing in properties that are pushing the borrowing to unsustainable levels
Its the freeing up of the equity in the family home that had been dormant
All in the name of wealth creation.Sounds like a good idea but gearing is a dangerous animal if you don't really understand it
Link this with the concept of living on your credit card to gain rewards and reduce interest payments on your mortgage/equity/overdraft and unless you are disciplined it can easily go all pear shaped
cheers
B....OZ