Cost of living

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616750#Comment_118616750

What do you say to the COs and taxi people and cleaners, etc? Should they just be forced to accept a **** standard of living because.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616762#Comment_118616762

Well you dont live on 224 a week if your spouse has income too.

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616762#Comment_118616762

I am sorry that you do not have more. I take my hat off to any carer. It is a bloody tough job!

would you be happy to sell your house? Do you think that it is fair?

BattleCorp1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616715#Comment_118616715

It's not just bricks and mortar though. My Mam lives in a street where she has very good neighbours, i.e. a support network. Never understimate how much a support network like that is worth to an old person.

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616788#Comment_118616788

Loneliness and social isolation are extremely detrimental to an older person’s mortality risk (see TILDA study).

I do not think that it is too much to ask for some heating, food and public transport. These are non-negotiable

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616098#Comment_118616098

Insightful, maybe, but I have to be honest - I don't think she has grounds for complaint - or an increase.

She has a tax free cash into her hand income of €307 per week, no mortgage, if paying council rent its probably the minimum for a single person (€35 a week), no home insurance costs, and as over 70 a medical card for GP / Prescriptions. €35 per month already off her energy costs. Free TV Licence.

Mobile plans these days can be gotten for as cheap as €10 a month.

How much does tea, milk and sugar cost for one person, for one week? How many sliced pans @ €2.49 can one person eat in a week? Sorry, but treating your 13 grandkids and 3 great grandkids is your own business.

She is not living in poverty. There are many working families a lot less comfortable.

These "poor me, look how bad I have it" articles - when they really haven't - annoy me.

Fandymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616768#Comment_118616768

CO's like myself? I don't have a **** standard of living.

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616802#Comment_118616802

But if you start clocking up the ESB, heating, phone bill, internet, sky (lots of older people do not use the internet streaming service), tv licence, big collection, car insurance and tax, home insurance, home maintenance (if you own it, you have to pay when your boiler breaks down), house alarm, clothes and then food, it is quickly absorbed. I think that everybody needs little treats, like getting a takeaway or going to the zoo. It gives life a bit of colour

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616816#Comment_118616816

I looked at the pay scale. €1,800 take-home pay if you are living in Dublin and paying rent is a tough gig.

Outside Dublin, or living with the parents may make it more manageable I guess

Fandymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616788#Comment_118616788

Other streets have nice people living in them too. They aren't solely living on one street beside your mum.

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616834#Comment_118616834

Imagine asking somebody in their 70s to leave behind everybody they know and make new friends. It would not be easy. It is what you are used to

Madeoface

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616701#Comment_118616701

I'm a little bemused by all the bruhaha in the media about heating etc. I just did a claim for a working from home allowance and was shocked to see that my annual electricity and gas consumption went up by....€42 this year....in total. Roughly 3%. With me working at home for 4 months longer than in 2020. Same provider. No special deals, its a dual deal available to everyone. We live in an urban 3 bed semi.....4 of us in it, so a lot of consumption in general. Only 2 rooms insulated properly so its pretty far from energy efficient. The trick - putting more clothes on during cold days...being more conscious of heating one room and not them all, using timers on immersion etc.

I tend to agree with pensilsharpener, using the oven?? FFS. Me and my housemate did that once over a weekend when the oil heating in a rented house burst -this method of heating by oven doesn't work - and you find that out fairly sharpish!! You can buy plug in oil heaters that are actually quite good for less than €40 that will heat a room very successfully (I'm using one now on a 700W setting with the dial almost on the minimum and its cosy, on a pretty cold day too). And you can buy them with supplementary welfare payments if you are in a truly dire position.

Now the cost of diesel on the other hand.....

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616777#Comment_118616777

Why would you sell your house? You’ve gotta live somewhere. I already told you to get in touch with seai. Your parents definitely qualify for 100% grant. Get in before the queue gets too long.

Fandymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616829#Comment_118616829

I gave my details earlier on. I make E35k a year and rent in a house share in a suburb of Dublin. I'll go out tonight after work and get pissed, I'll head out tomorrow after football and get pissed. I'll stay in bed Sunday recovering and then back to work for the week, then out Friday and Saturday again. Some nights I'll cook, others I'll get takeaway. I won't make a budget and some weeks might have to stay in of a Friday if I've gone mad the weekend before.

Cost of living is just another whinge for the sake of whinging.

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616855#Comment_118616855

One of the posters suggested that my mother should sell her house and move into an energy efficient house.

look, I am just using my mother as one, amongst countless examples. People are really struggling to live here

Fandymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616837#Comment_118616837

They're 70, not vegetables, give them some credit. They've been through a lot worse in their lives than having to make new friends.

Ahherelads2022

Imagine being on low income, high enough to not get government support but low enough to have to scrape through the week to keep things together. Then you seen a family decide it's easier to not do that and get it all for free (payed for by you)

Thats Ireland today.

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616858#Comment_118616858

what if you plan to have kids? Or want to save for a deposit?

BattleCorp1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616834#Comment_118616834

Anybody saying the answer is simply to sell up and move to a better house because it's only bricks and mortar at the end of the day isn't in touch with the reality of the situation.

There may be occasions where it is possible to sell with no negative outcome, but for the vast majority of people, it isn't practicable and in some cases it isn't possible.

Yes, other streets have nice people living in them but they are strangers to someone moving into the street. And strangers aren't normally as helpful or trustworthy as people you've lived beside for the last 50+ years etc.

And then what if the house the old person is living in is in poor repair with a sh1te BER. How do they sell that and move into a nicer house with a better BER? Surely the cost of the nicer house with the better BER will be more than the sh1te house is worth? And how many banks give mortgages to old people with no disposable income?

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616864#Comment_118616864

I hope that when you reach that age, having worked until 67, you will be happy to up sticks and just move to some random, cheap area of town and to start afresh!

Fandymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616874#Comment_118616874

In relation to kids, that's a bridge I'll cross if it happens. Deposit? I can't afford one in Ireland, plan is to have a decent private pension and AVC and buy abroad in a few years once I've figured out where I want to retire to, Spain and Portugal are on the radar at the moment, but the way the EU is going Poland is on the back burner. Imagine that, I'll have to leave the bosom of where I'm from.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616820#Comment_118616820

Free TV Licence comes as part of the Household Benefits Package. Black bin maybe once a month for a single person? (I think I pay €18 a month for bins).

Car insurance and tax - €100 a month? That's if an 85 year old is still driving. No home insurance, if in a council property. €50 on average if in a private house?

TV and internet packages can be got fairly reasonably too. And how many clothes does an 85 year old buy?

What I am saying is - this person in the article with €307 per week cash, has enough means to cover all these costs. There should be no need for them to be rationing heat.

IME, many pensioners are overly cautious, and frugal to the point of meanness. They would rather go cold than actually pay the heating bill, and horde the cash.

Fandymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616883#Comment_118616883

As per above, my plan is to move abroad. So they won't even be the same nationality as me *SHOCK HORROR*!!!!

jo187

One of the biggest problems is rent. Once again the government have done noting to help with this.

They did nothing in the budget either. Seems bizarre. They basically the election on this and will lose the next one on it too.

Before anyone says anything here simple things they could do:

Rent Freeze

Tax back of some kind for renter's.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616773#Comment_118616773

Youre right that’s just my worth. But if I add their money to mine, take off the mortgage and divide by 2 then I have 280ish p/w

So the pensioner in the article with 315 and no mortgage is still better off than me. Is she really struggling?

Yeah im spending more money on fuel and electricity and some food items but I’m not gonna starve or freeze. I’m just saying people need to adapt rather than the outcry of “eat or heat”

The ones who probably are feeling the pinch are working and have high accommodation, high childcare and high transport costs.

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616903#Comment_118616903

My point is that you got into the civil service, so I am presuming that you obtained a third-level qualification. You should be able to buy somewhere to live and have kids if you wish.

Be careful buying abroad. It is great if it works out. But do your homework. I know a few people that got burnt.

Hopefully, by the time your retire, we will have rectified the situation and you can live at home if you want to

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616930#Comment_118616930

It is a fair point. I think that it is the disparity that is making people bitter, PencilSharpner. It is people just above the threshold that are noticing an appreciable decline in the quality of living that are objecting

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616916#Comment_118616916

There is a difference between choosint to move abroad versus being forced to move abroad.

Let me guess, you are in your late 20s, early 30s. You may find a life-partner, have children, experience Ill health, bereavement. It may all change your views on moving abroad when the time comes

Lowering the monthly limit on the Drugs Payment Scheme to €80 per month is an absolute **** disgrace.

jolivmmx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118617010#Comment_118617010

It makes me so angry when I hear it people not taking their medicines because they cannot afford them. It makes me feel like we are failing them

J_1980

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616923#Comment_118616923

10% of the population are renting privately or so (voting population, ie irish/british citziens).

hardly a vote winner.

Spanish Eyes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118617010#Comment_118617010

Any reason for that anger? Is it that you are unhappy with the Medical Card criteria, and many are caught having to pay monthly for their scripts instead?

This time last year the cut off for DPS was €114, then went down to €100, and is now €80. And tax relief is available for those paying tax. I pay it and am delighted with the reduction TBH. Hopefully it will go down again bit by bit, as it was outrageous on the usual suspects - the squeezed middle.

Should be a Free Scheme for Cancer patients too, I don't think there is, and some drugs are not included on the DPS, mostly cancer related drugs.

NSAman

We have been home from the States for a number of weeks.

i am fortunate that I am not on a fixed income, I am fortunate that I am not short of a few Bob. BUT…. Jesus it’s expensive here.

filled the rental car up yesterday (€100), bought oil for the house to top it up (€1000) food a week is about €200 for two people (not including cleaning stuff), don’t even mention the electric bill which has risen dramatically in two years (we have not shopped around yet).

Went to visit mam last night to find her in the dark, saving electricity and it was cool in the house (heating turned way down). Despite assuring her that all her bills will be paid no matter what, she sees the bills and is scared.

i have to say, the costs here if they continue will have a drastic impact on people coming here. I know prices in the States have also sky rocketed, but what I have spent here in a few weeks, would keep me going in the states for almost a year…it’s honestly, shocking !

lawred2

600 for electricity?

J_1980

Oil up $3.50 in NY

alle these band aids will be wiped out by further price hikes. Inflation will keep pushing until the western “needs based welfare” model breaks. Like the 70s

J_1980

Now up 4$.

$150 oil is the black swan. Keep pushing till the ecb/fed caves in. They obviously don’t want to, but this will wipe out the investment and sponger class once they do :)

kerryjack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118613811#Comment_118613811

Went in to hardware this evening 2 4x2 inch timbers 16 foot long, 2 bags of cement 53 euro, poor worker behind the counter was nearly embarrassed telling me the price and these guys get the brunt of it every day from grumpy customers.

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614859#Comment_118614859

Hardly when my home, work and school going child are all in Ireland.

I don't speak Spanish. Should I just drop out of my adult life here, board up the house and move to Spain and get a job that only requires English language?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118617343#Comment_118617343

I think its very unfair for people who are just above the cut offs and have to pay for prescriptions - the squeezed middle as you say. At one point the limit for DPS was €144. Its been slashed a few times now.

They will get the €200 energy payment, but the Gov are giving with one hand and taking away with the other.

Not personally affected by DPS, as I have a full medical card, awarded on medical grounds.

I agree there should be a free scheme for cancer patients.

LegallyAbroad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614339#Comment_118614339

There is absolutely no need to have your heat on all day - anyone doing that is nuts (or not wearing any clothes).

An hour here and there is more than enough to heat a home (even mine which has a shocking energy rating). Throw

Fandymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616933#Comment_118616933

I’ve my Leaving Cert. That is the only qualification you need to get a civil service job

Fandymo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616968#Comment_118616968

I’ll be 40 in July

I'd recommend to anyone to get a ring or nest thermostat installed.

It monitors the temperature and keeps it constant at whatever temperature you like. My bill went way down when I started using one, as I was no longer switching in on when the temp dropped and then forgetting to turn it off - especially overnight, which happened a few times.

Spanish Eyes

Some are elderly and/or cold creatures, some have babies to keep warm, everyone's need for heat is different, but I don't think it is necessary to have heat on all day and night either. Depends also on whether the house is well insulated or not also I suppose, a big issue as we are told constantly.

We two are home all day, and layer up with base layers and fleeces together with warm socks and shoes. It is not as Dickensian as it sounds since the house is well insulated and we get the benefit of sun (when it shines) through the SW facing windows. Heat is on for an hour in the morning, honestly.... and we are not tight or frugal, the house just doesn't feel cold most of the time. Then an hour in the afternoon and two hours at night. Obviously more if it is sub zero. We don't use a timer just a one, two or three hour boost as needed. Best way for us as timing it doesn't always align with our lives!

If you can, get out for an hour long walk in the day, brisk now... it warms you up and keeps the blood flowing. I hope I don't sound like I am lecturing anyone, just saying what works for us, and that may not work for everyone. Having said that, the bills have increased a lot. I am amazed at the add on costs though, often they are nearly as much (not quite though obv.) as the usage, carbon tax, standard charge, VAT and so on whether you use it much or not. That kills me but hey ho.

rob316

I'm lucky I dont have a fixed income but it's not much more than average , a tiny mortgage , my wife is my son's carer so I don't have any childcare. I'm not really feeling the pinch, I've seen hardly noticable increases to my shopping, I shop in lidl and Aldi and prices are mostly the same as ever. I got my gas bill there for 2 months 160e, thought that was fine. that's my heating, hot water and cooker. it was a mild enough winter and we were just really economical with turning on the heat but no one froze or anything. My electricity for Dec/jan was only 50 euro more than last year. I suppose where I really feel the difference is diesel. My car insurance went down by 200 euro so that helps.

Cost of goods though is not falling, I'm in purchasing for e-commerce and we have seen 100% price increases vs last year. Freight prices are just not falling and the freight companies are banking ridiculous quarterly profits.

zell12

Eh, food has gone up a bit. 30c here, 20c there, far less promotions, shrinkflation, usually purchased item absent so you substitute more expensive item, all add up to a higher grocery bill

You do realize Ireland is the most expensive country in the eurozone ??..I don't mind paying an extra 20c as you called it but alot of people are lucky to have 50 euro left at the end of the month after paying all the bills....maby not you ...but there's more people being put under pressure with the cost of living .

fits

I lived without much money for over 2 years a good while ago. Renting a crappy house and Was in dispute with landlord after previous tenant failed to settle electricity bill and he refused to pay it. Power was cut through no fault of ours. There were weeks also where I could barely afford to eat. Paying motor tax and fuelling car was a huge stretch. Thankfully got into a better place financially but I will never forget what that was like and very much empathise with people feeling the pinch. We are lucky both of us can work as have significant caring responsibilities. Many people can’t. Your family’s health is your wealth.

Our family shopping bill hasnt risen significantly over the last year. What are people buying? do they count the bottles of plonk in their weekly shops? Fixed unit pricing of alcohol having an effect!

igCorcaigh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616735#Comment_118616735

I've always maintained that people's outlook and political views on life are largely driven by that number that hits their bank account each month. Higher income = less empathy and more snobbery. If you think you are immune to this, try living on the minimum wage or social welfare income for a while, your privileged viewpoints and moral principles will quickly evaporate.

But you won't really understand the true mental anguish of poverty unless you experience it for an extended period of time. The boredom, social exclusion, stigma, lack of clothing, lack of (especially dental) healthcare, lack of holidays, the boring food, depressing living conditions and a feeling of not being in control of your life. These are real problems faced by many, and often for many complex reasons.

Please consider this the next time you vote. Vote on principle. Don't fall for the tax cuts just because you might benefit from them. Think harder.