Brown and out..

[Sam Slater]

I don't think buying Nintendo DS's was the point, Eric. But well done for picking out the least important statement that was purely inserted for decoration.

My point, obviously, is that most pensioners in the UK have -at least- ?100pw to play with AFTER the costs of keeping themselves warm. A single pensioner gets more money per week than a single parent on benefits gets for two (and that single parent doesn't get free bus passes, tv license subsidies, winter fuel allowances, etc etc).

I'm not having a go at pensioners, just pointing out that if they're dying from the cold I think the problem isn't due to being pink-lint.

[Flat_Eric]

Sam,

I think you're falling into the trap of (a) assuming that the circumstances / finances of the old boy you know apply to and are typical of ALL pensioners (a survey sample of one isn't exactly representative or scientific now is it?) and (b) forgetting that pensioners have other costs besides heating.

I don't know *ANY* UK pensioners who have 100 quid a week "to play with", as you put it (I'm sure that some do - but many struggle to make ends meet).

- Eric

[Sam Slater]

Well, actually, I can use this guy as a representative of other pensioners. He's no private pension coming in so I'm guessing he's not getting any more than others his age. Of course, he's no mortgage or rent to pay but got a widescreen tv (2), sky, broadband, pays a gardener to do his garden once a fortnight over the summer and likes a drink now and again. He even told me he has to keep drawing money out of his account because it accumulates up and goes over what he's allowed to have in savings before the government start taking it off his money (or something like that). Imagine that: having to draw money out because you've got too much in! Imagine telling that to someone in less developed nations.

If he's no rent/mortgage to pay and he has around ?100 a week after taking into account heating his home then what other essentials apart from food would he have to fork out? I'm single and buy fresh grub and eat well on ?50 a week (if I don't eat out) and I'm a 33 year old, active bloke. In fact, I buy too much and I'd say 25% ends up in the bin. What are these pensioners doing with their money if they have to decide on whether to eat or keep warm over the winter? What's the dole these days, for adults? ?60? Well a pensioner gets double that and yet people on here are mostly convinced those on the dole have it easy. Well, it can't work both ways I'm afraid. You can't say a 6'4'' fella is having it easy on ?60 a week but a 4'9'' granny who gets fuel subsidies, free travel, concessions on eating out, theatre, cinema and tv licences, and despite being half the size has double the money to live on, and then say she's poverty stricken.

How does that work then? I'm curious. Can you give me an example of a pensioner that's not getting enough?

I don't know about you but if someone said they'd pay my rent, give me ?5-700 a year for my fuel bills, give me free public transport, half to my tv licence, a third off going to the cinema/theatre, free dentist/prescriptions on top of ?120 to get some grub every week then while not living in luxury I can't say I'd be starving and freezing my tits off.

What is a cert is that the pensioners didn't get all that in 1996.

[number 6]

You are right Sam they certainly didn't get all that pre 97. And lots of people want it to go back to those pre 97 days when low income pensioners had a pretty miserable existance.

[number 6]

Im pretty sure the first thing Cameron will do pension wise is axe pension creidts,the one thing that has brought the poorest pensioners up to a fairly decent living standard.

[Flat_Eric]

Sam you've convinced me. How foolish I was not to see it.

Of course British pensioners are all living in clover, with more money than they know what to do with.

I feel much better for knowing that. Thank you. It's comforting to know that I'll have no financial worries in my old age, that I'll be able to afford all the latest hi-tech wizardry, and *still* have money to burn (or at least "play with"). And all on a state pension too. Bloody marvellous!!

Perhaps I'll even be able to afford a weekly outcall from a high-class prozzie as well - after all, got to find something to spend it on rather than have the government cut all those lovely allowances.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest. Roll on 65 - and welcome to Sam's world!

- Eric

[Sam Slater]

No problem, Eric. I only asked for an example of where a pensioner couldn't live on ?120 a week. Since you resorted to sarcasm then I'm guessing you haven't one (an example).

[Flat_Eric]

Well here's some facts & figures for you Sam.

Purely for information purposes though because obviously you're right and everyone else must be wrong. Or mistaken. Or not budgeting properly.



- Eric

[Sam Slater]

That website's not working for me, Eric so can't yet comment.

In the meantime, give me examples of things an elderly person has to purchase that takes all their ?120pw so they can't afford to put the heating on. Pretty please?

And while you're at it, are you saying people on the dole and single mothers don't get nearly enough too?

Cheers.

[Flat_Eric]

Sam Slater wrote:


>>


No Sam I can't.

You've got me.

They don't pay council tax.
None of them pay any rent or (possibly still the tail end of) a mortgage.
They don't have to use electricity.
Or water.
They have no upkeep / repair costs on their homes.
They don't need to buy anything for their homes.
They don't run a car.
They have no insurance policies.
They never go on holiday - or even out for the day (shouldn't be doing that at their age anyway).
They don't need to buy clothes because they walk around naked all day.
They they don't have to buy food because they don't eat.
They don't drink either.
etc. etc.

Just as well really - because all these things add up.

Like you say - pensioners only have heating to pay for. That's the only expense they have to worry about.

Single mums and the dole are separate issues.

- Eric