Almost two million people in Ireland are broke after paying their bills every month according to a new survey.
The economic recession is putting huge pressure on household budgets according to a report in the Irish Independent.
The paper carries details of a new survey showing that more than 1.6 million people have €50 ($65)or less to live on every month after paying essential bills.
The majority of people say their financial situation will worsen in 2013 thanks to measures introduced in the December Budget.
A new property tax and changes to pay related social insurance (PRSI) have been named as pressure points on family spending.
The survey was commissioned by the Irish League of Credit Unions.
The survey found that two-fifths of adults have had to sacrifice spending on other household items such as food and entertainment to pay energy bills.
The survey, conducted by iReach among 1,000 adults in December, suggests that working adults have emerged as among those most financially put-upon.
The results show a big rise in the number of workers who say they have €50 ($65) or less to live on after paying essential bills.
Up to 700,000 people with jobs had just €50 or less a month to survive on in December after covering their main bills, up 69,000 from October last year.
The figure rises to 1.6million when homemakers and the unemployed are included.
The December Budget had a negative impact on nine out of 10 people.
The survey also found that seven out of 10 adults are unable to save.
Chief executive of the Irish League of Credit Unions Kieron Brennan said: “Disposable income overall continues to decrease with 72pc stating that they have less disposable income in December than they did in December 2011.
“Many are simply continuing to struggle to survive on a daily basis.
“Many individuals and families are sacrificing spending on other household items including food so that they can keep on top of their bills.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.WoundedKnee | Jan 20, 2013, 07:50 AM EST
Yet another truly ignorant comment from Warrenpint. But that never stopped him from posting about something he is utterly ignorant of. And as to his stupid "blame the Africans" cliche, remember that the SAME political and economic ruling class (warrenpint's Fianna Fail buddies for example) that gave Ireland Mass Immigration have now given it Mass Emigration and Mass Misery. Fianna Fail skunks like Warrenpint should stop spraying where decent people are having a discussion.
BrianO | Jan 19, 2013, 09:12 AM EST
Everything is free, the government provides, this is what you wanted this is what you got, stop complaining.
warrenpoint00 | Jan 18, 2013, 09:51 PM EST
Couple of years back they borrowed money and spent money like there was no tomorrow. They enjoyed exquisite holidays, had a holiday home or two and had two cars.They also wore designer clothes spent lavishly and shopped regularly in New York.They also choose their jobs and turned their noses up at the less paying jobs.Now their bubble has burst, tomorrow has come around and now they are forced to live on $65 a month.And of course they blame the Africans.
bobby | Jan 18, 2013, 07:12 PM EST
I was in a Post ofice in Dublin a few months back and an African woman infront of me was getting her childrens allowance money, i lost count after €1100 i don't know how many children she has. Then she handed in a western union slip.
Ms.Gail | Jan 18, 2013, 07:00 PM EST
$65 a month for food and entertainment? We had to cut out the entertainment for 3 years unless we got paid to attend or were the guests of family members. We had meals made from scratch and bought groceries very, very carefully. Some meals for less than $1.00 for the family of 3. Still that comes to about $90 per month, so we got jobs checking out customer service at fast food places and grocery stores. We didn't go out to not only save on entertainment costs, but to save on fuel for the car. We turned the heat to 60 degrees F in the house and wore extra clothes. Since we have well water and an electric pump we cut back on frivolous washing and turned off the water while brushing teeth. We didn't buy new clothes except for a growing child and that from the thrift store or Goodwill or Salvation Army, including Prom dress for $10 instead of $200. Frugal living wasn't easy, we still live frugally and it is so not stressful to have to worry about not having the money for mortgage, fuel, insurance, food and medical care.
FastEddy | Jan 18, 2013, 12:37 PM EST
All inflation is caused by government, government prints the money and government can too easily print too much.
Will Hamilton | Jan 18, 2013, 12:24 PM EST
That's the result of Independence; a country where the majority pay for the thievery of the arch catholics and public purse pickpockets.
bunchesofun | Jan 18, 2013, 08:52 AM EST
That's about what we have left as well, and we're in the US. However just changed from a regular phone company ($80 a month) to a voice over internet for $180 for two years which will save us over $72 a month. Hopefully that will help things.
WoundedKnee | Jan 18, 2013, 08:27 AM EST
Remember, this is a country which spends over a thousand million a year on welfare, free schooling, hospital care, prison places, translation services, housing etc etc for foreign migrants. The same country also "gives" (don't know how you can give what you don't have) nearly a billion dollars a year to Thrid World charities, often to countries which have an Air Force or Navy ten times what the Irish have.