Enigin Money

Is it getting easier?

In the UK we are being told we are starting to come out of the recession. But some news broadcasters are telling us we were better of in the recession then coming out of it now.

Defining wealth as “disposable income” - comparing what people are taking home with the cost of living - Money Watch found examples of a minority who had borne the brunt of the recession - struggling financially as they dealt with pay cuts or redundancy.

But in terms of spending power, the average family was in fact £1080 a year better off.

Yet since the recovery began at the end of 2009, that effect has gone into reverse. And that applies even before spending cuts and new tax rises start to bite.

And now we are starting to be hit with tax rises and spending cuts it is difficult to see where this will take us in the next couple of years. We will see general living rise due to the VAT rise. Although it is only a small percentage, and will add amounts as little as 10-20 pence to items. When you add that to a weeks shopping, your looking at potentially your household shop rising by at least £5.

When you then add that one weeks shop to just spending money, clothes, alcohol and going out. Not to mention the rise in bills. As I said, it is hard really so see how the general public is going to be out of the recession.

Ash is in the air but where is the cash - Enigin

£2.2 billion! That is the estimated cost of the crisis to the aviation industry and tour operators - not to mention all the other areas of business affected by the Volcanic Ash disruption.

A debate is now under way as to whether it is truly the airlines responsibility to pay out to customers, whether they should receive state aid or whether is can simply be put down to an “act of God”.

What about the banks? Can’t they help - they are the peoples banks after all, and more then happy to help themselves out when in a crisis.

Lloyds Bank today announced they have made a returned profit for the first 3 months of the year. And apparently, according to them the economic conditions are “more benign”. Well not for the airlines and 1000s of people stranded around the world, coming back to huge bills and overdrafts they have had to use!

So come on Labour, Lib Dems and Conservative, your well into your race now. Your decisions and suggestions on this huge crisis for the nation can maybe save our souls - not just yours!

Enigin and Volcanic Ash

Can you believe the disruption caused by an erupting Volcano, in Iceland?!?!

It has only truly hit me in the last day or so the impact this has really had on so many people. On the news they were discussing the financial implications. Many of the airlines are most likely already bankrupt due to the amount of money they are losing on a daily basis. As well as the cost at sending the naval ships, and extra ferries, coaches etc. And then the burden being added to all the holidaymakers as they have to extend time away or find other means to get home. Many of them starting to run out of money! Then what?

And the effect on businesses. It must be costing them a bomb! Apparently taxi companies are making a lot from this “disaster” as many business men are instead using a taxi to get around, including to europe as it is there quickest and easiest option. I can’t even begin to imagine the cost that must involve.

It is actually quite daunting to think how long this could go on for plus the ongoing problems afterwards. Individually for the public, the governments, businesses, airlines and countries! Lets hope it sorts itself out soon and all consider all those people stranded, basically all around the world.

The Budget - coming from where?

I never quite understand the governments Budget announcement which everyone gets to hyped up about.

Last week on the news that was all they were talking about. Going to a number of different households, members of the public to discuss how the budget affected them. The majority?

“Hi I am Mrs Smith, I have 3 children, and my husband works 40 hours a week on £20,000 pa.” - “Oh great - well isn’t it exciting. With the new budget announcements your family will be…….£1.43 better off per month! What will you spend it on?”. Madness.

It is ridiculus. Every year this hype is made about the budget and yet it never makes any realy impact to any of us. Personally, within our families or within the business. Will Enigin suddenly be better off by £1.56 a month! Oh I do hope so, it really will make all the difference.

Money it is the Enigin of everything

Money - why? Sometimes I wonder why do we have to have money, not personally, but why does it have to exist? Is anyone ever truly happy with money!

Obviously people aren’t 100% when they don’t have money. Money is a nightmare. You either have too much or not enough. It is never in the middle.

If you have too much - your worried your going to loose it, your security is at risk, your livelihood can be altered.

If you don’t have any - you want some. You need it, there are always things you want as well as need.

If you are in the middle - which I guess most actually are. You are ok where you are, but you could always, always do with more. You have enough to live, pay your immediate bills and eat. But you still need more!

But is is the enigin, or engine, of life nowadays. Without it where would the world be! Well not in a recession I guess thats one thing.

Welcome to your blog

Andrew Booth welcomes you to this blog!
He will be writing something much more interesting that this shortly…

…watch this space!