Half of UK adults are financially vulnerable, City watchdog finds (opens in new tab)

Indeed, 1 in 6 are most likely 'struggling' already. The UK ruling class have really done an excellent job of squeezing the life (physical, financial and social) out of the average citizen. I don't think they quite realise what they've done, and how angry people are. It doesn't feel like a happy country at the moment.

It's also remarkable how efficient it is at creating wealth for people willing to forego some immediate gratification.

My parents had over $1 million saved when they retired, and had never earned 6 figures in a year, combined. How? Investing a little every month in index funds in an IRA. Aside from that they also put two kids through college.

But yes, if you decide to spend every dollar you earn, capitalism will happily accomodate you.

Because in nature, organisms don't grow to the limits of their environment, right? They willingly limit their growth so that all enlightened organisms can share equally in a workers paradise, amidst songs of empowerment and fraternity, while marching collectively towards a bold new future!

Yeah... no.

Evolution shows us that organisms do grow to the limits of their environment. A "capitalist" system is no different. Making thinly-veiled religious statements about the evils of capitalism means rhetoric is more important to you than understanding.

Edit: for the nay-sayers, who seem to have missed my point: These behaviors aren't a result of capitalism. Blaming capitalism, or using ideological rehetoric, is wrong. These behaviors are a result of reality. Of evolution. Of the Dariwnian struggle for existence.

Blaming capitalism for these behaviors makes no more sense than blaming capitalism for a disease like malaria. Malaria was around long before capitalism, or even people, existed.

This is the UK. Capitalism has done a haphazard job of keeping the poor down. In fact, it's been highly selective at keeping the poor down.

Specifically, it's done an effective job on poor white, poor black men of Caribbean descent and poor Muslims (esp women) of Asian descent.

It's conspicuously failed to keep down poor Asians of Indian or Chinese descent and poor blacks of African descent.

Of course, there are some nay sayers who think that our brand of capitalism might not be the only reason for the persistence of poverty. There have, for example, been rumours that the cultural value of education correlates suspiciously well. Educational attainment definitely does (see ONS stats on same).

Fortunately, we all know that correlation is not causation. It follows, therefore, that no correlation is causation so it's probably capitalism. Unless it's racism. Yeah, it's probably racism.

It's more like people are used to extend their expenses to same amount as their earnings. Saving is not sexy, new car is.

>It really is remarkable how efficient capitalism is at ensuring that proles are born with nothing and die with nothing.

Compared to what?

I really don't think you understand how bad the problem is. They don't take holidays as they have no money. The amount of rough sleepers I've seen on the streets recently has risen beyond all comprehension. It's directly correlated to austerity (and universal credit implementation)

The people struggling aren't doing those things in the first place.

Those at the edge of not being able to afford rent already don't take vacations and don't spend frivolously.

As others have noted, it's not "will collapse into a disaster," it's "struggle."

It is not news to me that in general, relatively poor people do not have a ton of slack in their finances. If it's news to you, well... okay. But I think you just weren't paying attention.

So, right, something in the general vicinity of 5% of their yearly income.

Again, it doesn't seem really surprising that lots of relatively poor people would "struggle" with additional expenses equal to around 5% of their income.

Can confirm - my rent has only gone up £150 in 19 years largely because I never bother my landlords.