Will Mr/Ms Average please step forward...

[jim]

Average is misleading in terms of statistics. The distortion comes in because it is a notional figure somewhere between the highest and lowest points. More accurate would be to highlight the median, this is the figure which occurs the most often in the count. In this case the average shows a point approx midway between the highest and lowest income, the median would show the income earned by the majority of people in the count. This figure would be a lot less than the £45k quoted and more accurately reflect the reality of income for the majority of the population.

Holding my nose high and wearing my self-satisfied, smug grin, I can say as a matter of pride that before working as a supply teacher I was earning 3 times on a regular teaching contract compared to what I bring home now. We manage to survive gracefully, it's a matter of being sensible. However, I still feel compassion for those on less than the median who struggle.

Love and Peace
Jim

[snapdragon]

we might have been on Median pay (between us) a few years back, possibly the short period where we unaccountably had no problem with bills or too much month for the money, but it didn't last long
ah well back to the frugal lifestyle

I don't think I heard the whole thing - but I heard part of a discussion about 'happiness =£50K' that concluded Pagans (they said witches but were talking about druids, so I reckon they mean Pagans) were the happiest, in that context Pagan/Heathen being a person close to the earth (discounting the religious aspect) and natural world makes sense to me.

[NaturalBlue]

I think someone at the BBC wants a pay rise, so they came up with this....

Lol that does seem likely - I know plenty of people that earn way less than that and certainly aren't struggling! It's not far off our families yearly income - but we do so much with it... There are 5 of us and we have at least 2 proper holidays a year we drive 2 cars, our children have everything they need (and a fair amou t of what they want!) we eat well, have plenty of family time and do loads together - personally I would say we have a high standerd of living compared to some at that wage bracket!! Perhaps I should re-evaluate and ask for a pay risen economic grounds

[Stonehead]

I don't think I heard the whole thing - but I heard part of a discussion about 'happiness =£50K' that concluded Pagans (they said witches but were talking about druids, so I reckon they mean Pagans) were the happiest, in that context Pagan/Heathen being a person close to the earth (discounting the religious aspect) and natural world makes sense to me.

I've been up to my knees in mud and muck for weeks now. Does that count? Or should I lie down to get closer still and so attain true happiness?

[snapdragon]

I've been up to my knees in mud and muck for weeks now. Does that count? Or should I lie down to get closer still and so attain true happiness?

Oh I think you count as a heathen Stoney but am sure you could lie down if it makes you feel happier