Budget 2010

So, the budget today has left me feeling a little deflated.

I don't really know what I expected out of it but I do know that I haven't gained anything.

All I can do is sit back and feel slightly "smug" that I stopped smoking on 22nd December 2009 and the increases in "Tobacco Tax" wont affect me !

"Tobacco duty up 1% from midnight on Sunday and by 2% in real terms each

year until 2014"

I can also feel smug that, I dront drink very much either, so the "Cider duty to rise by 10% above inflation from midnight on Sunday" won't affect me either. Apparantly they are justifying the massive hike on the 'ol apple juice to stop binge drinking ! - Do they think we are all stupid?

Oh, and "Wine, beer and spirit duties to rise by 2% from midnight on Sunday and

further 2% rise planned for two years from 2013"

Oh yes, I'm feeling very smug now and it gets better ....!

Stamp duty scrapped for homes below £250,000 for first-time buyers YEAH !!!! as I am a first time buyer this was music to my ears. However, even though the rented accommodation I live in is twice, possible three times the cost of a mortgage, I am in the unfortunate position of not having a deposit and nor likely to with the cost of rented property sucking away any potential savings for my 10 - 15% deposit required !

Hmmm, not so great !

Ah, well I suppose I can look forward to my retirement, at least if they keep putting up the heating allowance for retired people I should be nice and cosy in my sheltered housing.  I'm not saying that it is unworthy, quite the opposite - I'm glad there will be provision there to look after me when I retire.

Oh yeah, minimum retirement age is going to be abolished - so, maybe I wont retire and I'll just work myself into the ground so I wont benefit from the bus pass, the heating allowance or anything else which, realistically will have been phased out by the time I'm potentialy eligble !

Hmmm - not feeling so smug anymore !

How has the Budget affected you, has it/will it even affect you at all ? 'd like to know. How many first time buyers are in a position where you just cant get a foot on the ladder because of the deposit situation but can afford a mortgage !?