Inflation/ cost of living etc

[Walesforever]

I know there has been numerous discussions on the minimum wage constantly going up etc but I’m interested in how people are finding their “ overall costs” moving forward.

We have had a villa here for about 15 years and usually spend about 6 months a year out here.

One big thing We have noticed over the past few years that there are far fewer people going to bars and restaurants which in turn makes us choose not to go as much ourselves. Obviously the price of food and drinks has continued to climb and the dire lack of any decent entertainment is also a factor for us.

We are lucky that we can do most maintenance jobs ourselves but the odd job that we haven’t been able to do the prices we have been quoted would even look silly expensive in the UK.

Then I guess when you add in the cost of car maintenance/tax/petrol/ shopping costs etc etc. the overall monthly outlay continues to climb.

Obviously for people on a fixed income some areas need to be trimmed back to survive.

Just curious as to others experiences over the past year or so and thoughts moving forward.

[Groucho]

Who has a fixed income?

[frugal90]

Pensioner

[benjaminbutton]

We're supposed to be getting a locked amount in April, but as taxes are going up substantially I will be pushed up to a higher bracket so I'll be about 70 gbp a year better off, I can't be sure until later.

[snd1966]

I have really noticed during the last year the sterling I receive does not go nearly as far even though the exchange rate is at it's highest.
Eating out has suddenly become a serious think about and can I do better at home which in turn is better for my diet.
Bills I can not complain about as we still do not pay monthly what we were paying in the uk back in 2004

[alphamike]

Agree with snd1966, high inflation is hitting hard on cash available. I never used to think twice about going out for a meal, but I do now, and nowhere near as often as I used to. I'm even put off going for a coffee these days. I know I've moaned about the cost in the past and that still holds good, but now my moan is about being served in paper cups where the coffee is far too hot to drink, so coffee shops are another place to be avoided now for me.

[Reyntj]

Same here on everything.
.
Also.i wont pay for a coffee unless its a bardak
Ive only had a few coffees this year


Was having a few a week before.

[Groucho]

Pensioner

UK pensions are only fixed for a year...

[waddo]

"UK pensions are only fixed for a year..." Given that as an example then nobody has a "Fixed" income? However, a large number of people must have a "Fixed Duration" income or nobody could possibly budget their incomes against their expenditure?

I guess the OP was just using "Fixed" as an example? The pensioner can have a fixed income for a year but can't really budget with it due to the rapidly changing cost of living and residency cost requirements that can also change without warning. Living here is just a balancing act at the best of times - still better off here than in UK for most.

[Keithcaley]

I think that the expression 'Guaranteed Income' is more appropriate (unless you DIE of course! )

[EnjoyingTheSun]

UK pensions are only fixed for a year...

Fixed in the way that you can’t ask for a pay rise or change jobs for a better paying one or do a bit of overtime.
Does that help clarify?

[benjaminbutton]

Awful April,l as it has been referred to in UK, really is living up to its name. On UK TV yesterday it seems to have been mooted that the Chancellor could very well announce another "budget" in June, rather than the October one.

[Walesforever]

"UK pensions are only fixed for a year..." Given that as an example then nobody has a "Fixed" income? However, a large number of people must have a "Fixed Duration" income or nobody could possibly budget their incomes against their expenditure?

I guess the OP was just using "Fixed" as an example? The pensioner can have a fixed income for a year but can't really budget with it due to the rapidly changing cost of living and residency cost requirements that can also change without warning. Living here is just a balancing act at the best of times - still better off here than in UK for most.

Yes thanks for clearing that up Waddo. I was merely trying to get a feeling as to if and how the souring prices are effecting other ex pats.

Like I said the huge difference we have noticed is in bars and restaurants where once upon a time even on weekdays there was always a guarantee of a decent crowd of people. Now it’s a struggle to see the odd one and two. These are the same places we’ve been going to for years!!
Oh and don’t get me started on the lack of entertainment!!

[alphamike]

Oh and don’t get me started on the lack of entertainment!!

If the bars, restaurants etc. are not getting the footfall, they won't be able to afford entertainment on top. On saying that there is entertainment on, suppose you just have to know where and when. Check out some of the FB groups, that seems to be where they advertise.

As for fixed income, am eagerly awaiting to see what end of month brings with works pension....I can't see it changing much.

[waddo]

alphamike, a bit like you I also am waiting for the end of the month - but - because all my pensions are Government I will end up with little extra due to the increase in income tax payments. They give with the spoon and take back with the ladle - lol.

[Jeremy S]

Are ex-pats leaving NC also affecting falling trade in local businesses, bars and restaurants? Are we 'foreigners' wanted in NC? Do we want to stay in NC? I feel that the answer is 'no.' I'm sure the changes to the property laws and taxes haven't helped. I, for one, will sell up and leave once I can.

[Walesforever]

Oh and don’t get me started on the lack of entertainment!!

If the bars, restaurants etc. are not getting the footfall, they won't be able to afford entertainment on top. On saying that there is entertainment on, suppose you just have to know where and when. Check out some of the FB groups, that seems to be where they advertise.

As for fixed income, am eagerly awaiting to see what end of month brings with works pension....I can't see it changing much.

The problem is the lack of quality entertainment. It feels like It’s the same half a dozen entertainers doing the rounds for the past half a dozen years or so. I get it’s a chicken and egg situation with bars not wanting to spend money on entertainment if nobody is turning up. Yet they probably have to do something to attract more people out at times.
I certainly wouldn’t want to be a bar or restaurant owner that’s for sure.

[Mollie the cat]

We have just returned from the UK. Last week we visited a well known chain of restaurants Miller and Carter. They offer a lunch special, £18 for two courses £21 for three courses, lots of choice including steak if you so choose. Great food, great service, generous portions. The reason I post this there is a restaurant near us (Ozankoy) who are charging £28 for a steak, just outrageous.
We used to go out twice a week locally to support the restaurants, now its more like once a month. Friends of ours love going out, they have dropped from 3/4 times a week to once a week.
Everything here has shot up, electric, petrol, supermarkets, even my barber has risen his prices over 75% in three months! We cannot wait to get out of here after 22yrs.

[susiesusie]

Here's an idea. . Grand national on at tge weekend as well as premiership/championship footy.
Buy the 50cl carlesberg and efes which there were pallets full in the supermarkets at 30tl. Then sell them for the same profit margin as normal . Costs you nothing and loyal customers think they are getting a bargain. Same applies fir strongbow which Is 40tl a can. Can't believe bars are selling it for 120+ the only bar I knew of that treated their customers when drinks were bought cheaper and passed it on to customers was the roadhouse.
No doubt there were more but not anymore

[Reyntj]

I do laugh at people when they say they use to go restraunts to support them.. like its an act of charity generosity...


It use to be dirt cheap ..thats why people where eating out more...over the years its gone up...comes across a bit righteous that establishments only had folks visiting as an act of charity...

[alphamike]

Reyntj. Must admit I go out to places because I want to, but still it is supporting local business, just as you would anywhere else in the world, certainly not charity. Expect most people feel the same.
I used to live in a village in UK and tried to support local businesses there, rather than head into city. Unfortunately when I was back last year, the fishmonger has gone, same for the butcher, cycle shop and numerous others. Plenty of coffee type and charity shops though. Quite sad really.

[benjaminbutton]

When you say support local business, do you mean support establishments that happen to be local to you or do you mean support businesses owned and supported by locals themselves. I have found a few of the latter in my neck of the woods, I agree the tables and chairs might not be be of the best and sometimes a bit dingy but food good and very reasonable. Pretty sure they don't "do" steaks if that is your food of choice.

[tutor4u]

Went to Red Ribbon last night. 2 pork chops , home made chips, mushrooms, tomato and onion rings. desert Chocolate fondant and ice cream.
Drinks Bombay and Tonic + large Bells and 7 up. cost was 2000TL good food , great service and great value

[benjaminbutton]

Just goes to show, it can be done If owners are not greedy but serve good food and drinks are reasonable, people will turn up and support them.

[susiesusie]

That's exactly the point I was trying to make .

[EnjoyingTheSun]

Just goes to show, it can be done If owners are not greedy but serve good food and drinks are reasonable, people will turn up and support them.

One day the penny will drop that a high margin/profit from one customer isn’t as sustainable as a high turnover generated from lots of customers.

I think the problem is in the past was you didn’t have to be much of a business person to make money, it was shooting fish in barrel.
Now times are harder you do have to have a clue.

[susiesusie]

Well said.

[tutor4u]

Khans Sunday lunch, 2 starters, 2 roast beef, 1 beer, 1 glass of wine = 870 Tl
ps roast was excellent.

The Roast beef tasted like roast beef , not like sandwich beef that has been warmed up!

[benjaminbutton]

tutor4u, that sounds very good, I've almost become a vegetarian here because of the rubbish meat, particularly the lamb and beef and resultant prices. Mind you, after 21 years, I'm positive some of the lamb sold is goat!!

[Kanonier]

alphamike, a bit like you I also am waiting for the end of the month - but - because all my pensions are Government I will end up with little extra due to the increase in income tax payments. They give with the spoon and take back with the ladle - lol.

Mil pension + 1.7%.

[tutor4u]

Best Butcher Ozankoy Fillet steak , just great , only place to buy it.

[alphamike]

alphamike, a bit like you I also am waiting for the end of the month - but - because all my pensions are Government I will end up with little extra due to the increase in income tax payments. They give with the spoon and take back with the ladle - lol.

Mil pension + 1.7%.

That's the figure that's been suggested for mine too, just waiting for end of month for confirmation. No matter what, it's going to be taxed. About time they unfroze the personal allowance, but fine know that's not going to happen.

[poppy++1]

Goat has a very distinctive taste nothing like lamb… Tried passing goat off as lamb in Dominican years ago ..

[waddo]

Civil Service pension +1.7% as well and with State Pension leaping up there at 4.1%, on a fast and dirty count up I will be £73 better off this year! Just not quite sure where I will spend all this but I guess it will just happen as normal - lol.

[Kanonier]

Civil Service pension +1.7% as well and with State Pension leaping up there at 4.1%, on a fast and dirty count up I will be £73 better off this year! Just not quite sure where I will spend all this but I guess it will just happen as normal - lol.

Every little helps!!

[benjaminbutton]

Won't pay a months electricity.

[Dave G]

Yesterday paid this year's property tax, it had increased from 940 TL to 2,750 TL almost 200%