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What's it like to live on an "average" household income?

Ben James Ben James | 13:24 UK time, Friday, 2 December 2011

On WHYS on BBC World TV at 1500GMT, we'll continue to talk about your experiences of living on an "average" income in 2011.

We're talking about it because of the big reaction to this piece on the BBC news website - all about the experience of the so-called "squeezed middle" in these economically tricky times.

Take part in the conversation and tell us your stories by posting on our Facebook page or tweeting with #whys; follow us on Twitter @BBC_WHYS.

While we're on air, you can call us on +44 20 70 83 72 72.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Germany has shown leadership in so many ways in tough economic times. Germany is an economic power under severe pressure and wants a new economic ethic in relation to the running of the European banks. Debt is the major problem and Europe should not be allowed to go belly up. America and China may need to give a helping hand!

  • Comment number 2.

    The hyphenation marks around average are very apt. It is very difficult to establish an "average" on an international level- even in the EU which is relatively cohesive, it is difficult to establish what a "middle" income is, imagine across continents...

  • Comment number 3.

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  • Comment number 4.

    with such soaring prices of food, clothing and everything around us in addition to the inner desire of any person to live a decent life he or she deserves, i think it is absolutely difficult to live on average household income.

  • Comment number 5.

    Living on an average income means thrift which disciplines one so much that one does not need to be German to navigate in a sustainable economy. The problem in the world is not that of nationality. It is the one of a total chaos and loss of principles. Those with the middle income appear to be disciplined on three sides - by their economic status, by the austerity measures in the crisis and by the whip of unbalanced administrations/governments. Finally it becomes too much on the squeezed middle while the rich go on reaping profit and the indigent remain begging. Who has pulled the strings so tight, pray? Liudvikarut

  • Comment number 6.

    I meant to comment on the Belgian shooting as the topic of today but there appeared no space for that, so I took up this topic because my comment was going to be connected anyway. I wonder if the BBC reporters and journalists realise that disrupted family relations, economic chaos and the suppressed emotions of many people living "on an average income" build up to an intolerable strain. I would even tend to think that the Belgian shooting was an issue approximately in this context rather than in any other. And it was confirmed that it was not related to terrorism. The average income may be becoming a problem because many people who had had ambitions for a better life have to make do with it and because it continues progressively with no end in view. Men may be more vulnerable by an average income than women because women try to scrape somehow and manage, while men think globally and when there is no positive development, they give up. Some take to shooting and self elimination. The present economic situation, natural and moral conditions are conducive to crimes like spontaneous shooting at an unsuspecting crowd. Thank you Liudvikarut

  • Comment number 7.

    All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

 

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