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ALMOST 800,000 ADULTS across Ireland are relying on their credit card to make ends meet, a survey released today shows.
Of the more than 2.6 million who have a credit card, 30 per cent are falling behind on their repayments, although this represents a fall of 39 per cent from December 2012.
The figures are revealed in the latest edition of the Irish League of Credit Union’s (ILCU) ‘What’s Left’ Tracker, and detail how much disposable income people have left after paying off essential household expenses.
This has risen by almost €50 since December 2012, and most adults are now left with €182 left at the end of the month.
Recovery
13 per cent of the 1,000 people surveyed said their disposable income has risen, something that Kieron Brennan, CEO of ILCU, said is a further sign of recovery in the economy.
“However, despite this, people continue to struggle and a significant proportion of the population are struggling to pay household bills on time every month,” he said.
480,000 people have no disposable income at the end of the month, a fall of almost 40,000 since September 2013.
For those with money leftover, the number choosing to save has risen more than 10 per cent since 2012.
4 in 10 home-owners are planning to make some kind of sacrifice in order to pay the property tax, most likely socialising (64 per cent) and clothing (55 per cent), but are most likely to keep up their mortgage and car insurance payments.
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The universal social charge needs to be scrapped now!!!!
The name yes USC but it will come back with another name like AIR charge or Wee charge or something to that affect.
You have to love spin really!
“480,000 people have no disposable income at the end of the month, a fall of almost 40,000 since September 2013.” – so nearly have a million people have nothing left after the bills are paid and 800,000 are relying on credit cards to stay afloat but that all pales because some others have €182 left after everything is covered.
That €182 won’t last long though if a tyre needs replacing on the car, or a service is due, or a GP visit is needed, or the washing machine breaks!
But hey, party time right? Quick.. someone sell me an overpriced apartment!
*half a million
2 million
Ian – pointing out that things are improving might be inconvenient for some but it’s not spin.
Spin would be where you looked at the facts and picked out the ones that suited your agenda.
@Bob: “Spin would be where you looked at the facts and picked out the ones that suited your agenda.”
Soo.. not like making a big deal about some people having €182 after the bills are paid while mentioning (almost in passing) that almost half a million haven’t a penny and still more are relying on credit cards to make ends meet.
Like that you mean?
I Wish I had 182 euro left at the end of the month.. if I didnt have credit card we would starve near the end of the month, then the cycle starts all over again.
increase in disposable income, enter Irish Water………….and its gone!
Thank you Enda Kenny for emptying our pockets. We will vote you in again like muppets.
Who else is there to vote in?
Three red thumbs but no answers. Predictable.
That wont last long with the full property tax and soon water charges on the way thanks Enda
Is it people on CE schemes,now what to do with that extra €20 a week
On the rise !! Where or who does these surveys .. My disposable income went with the pay for the gambling rich debts property tax .. I have to play catch up every bloody week ..
I love the way people on The Journal seem to have the mindset of “If it’s not true for me, then it’s not true for anyone!”
I love how every1 slates the government and the mess we are in. Yet, they sit back and accept it!
There must be 1000 frequent commenters on here, I assume most are unhappy with how things have progressed with this government. Yet, the closest words to revolt are “I won’t vote them in again”
Do something about it, take to the streets, bring 2 friends (and a packed lunch) that will bring 3 thousand to the streets.. More will follow.. Changes will be inforced.. Or, is the comfort of that arm chair too enticing to move?
(Q the red thumbs)
You hit the nail on the head..the sheeple of Ireland will never again take to the streets together. .A few years ago I took to the streets myself to protest against the property tax in Cork and when I saw only 150 people I said thats that.Irelands finished..I packed up and headed for Spain where I was tokd things were worse.Well I must say ..just the fact that everyone has FREE medical care..a family of 4 can eat out for €25. Car tax is €125 a year for excellent roads..creches are also free..and the weathers good. The other thing is..the Irish could learn a good lesson watching the Spanish people stand together and take to the streets in their thousands. There’s lots of crap in the irish news about how bad thibgs are in spain but I can tell you than earning much less money here I have much more in my pocket here than I did in Ireland.
Agreed :) no one is to blame. We have been blinded with materialistic goods and lowered into a fake sense of security. It’s amazing how many people sit on the breadline yet have iPhones & 42+ inch tv’s…
McLuhan said it right.. Soon our teachers will be advertising firms.
I did a delivery to a pub in Ballyfermot last Wednesday at 5 o clock… Place packed and karaoke was hopping! No recession there!
Agree. Are The Journal and similar sites Government sponsored , so that people will let off steam online , instead of onstreet?
Eh, no.
so people are having to rob peter to pay paul,,,,,and how do they do that ?,,,,,through bank credit cards,,,,,the banks always come out on top dont they, after all the wrong they have done,,,,our Government have facilitated this too with all their inventory taxes which people need to borrow more to pay,,,,but hey once the government and their banking friends and water consultants get richer at the poor mans expense we will be grand
You’re certainly not short of disposable commas,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.
More money in pockets of the people thanks to our fantastic leader, well done Enda :)
it wont be there long, full years property tax and by UK prices 500 euro for water, the money will just be resting in your account
Will Take your comment byrondenis as a jeer at Enda !!
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