(member)

20/06/2008 10:04

Credit Crunch

I have read this months magazine & whilst I accept that there are a lot of highly paid women I feel that W & H is alienating the average income female. Most of us do not earn between Ł30,000 - Ł80,000 which were the figures quoted in the article regarding money. At the present time people are wondering if they can pay the bills they have let alone feel even more depressed about the salaries that the minority earn.I am starting to wonder if this magazine is only aimed at high earners in the South East of the country because very little seems to relate to the rest of the country.

(member)

20/06/2008 10:11

Re: Credit Crunch

I haven't read that article yet, but surely it would make more sense for them to aim at people on average incomes, which I thought were more around the low twenty thousands.

(member)

20/06/2008 10:49

Re: Credit Crunch

Exactly. I work for a mortgage broker and as you rightly say that is nearer the norm. I think W&H are losing touch with the real world that is happening in the big wide world.

(member)

20/06/2008 11:17

Re: Credit Crunch

Why don't your send a message directly to the Editor?

She says she welcomes comments! And she needs to understand her audience to target the editorial

Jeni

(member)

20/06/2008 11:39

Re: Credit Crunch

I will but I just wanted to know if others agree with me or whether I am out of touch here in Cheshire. Although I see what women are earning all over the Northe West when mortgage applications are done I wondered if the rest of country earn much more.

(member)

20/06/2008 18:52

Re: Credit Crunch

Hi Sue11

I don't think you are out of touch at all. There are actually quite a lot of features in W&H that are aimed at high earning women. I think this must be one of them. I must admit there are times that I wonder if the magazine is for me - I would love to know what their target audience is.

(member)

20/06/2008 22:27

Re: Credit Crunch

I've just cancelled my subscription to another magazine for exactly the reasons given above. I've been a subscriber for years, EVEr such a long time, and it's not been a quick decision, and in many ways I feel I am being unfaithful.

They have had a revamp. They used to do a range of "expensive But I can dream" clothes and cosmetics, as well as "now these you can afford" stuff, and interviews with real women. I felt it was my magazine.

Now, after the revamp, they are doing stuff I can't afford and would never wear. And the women the interview aren't role models, they are a select elite, a clique from whom most women are excluded.

W&H, listen carefully

..wispa

(member)

21/06/2008 11:05

Re: Credit Crunch

Hi Wispa, I very rarely buy the magazine now and even I remember my mum buying it many decades ago when it was just as you described. But your description of elite is just right and maybe the magazine should remember that their target market is not the same as the Tatler. The average person is making cut backs and they may just be cutting back on magazines that no longer target them or make them feel good.

(member)

22/06/2008 10:32

Re: Credit Crunch

Hi All, Although I now live on the Continent, I agree with you all. Although I must confess I do love looking at the clothes and accessories which come with a price tag beyond my reach, I think it would be far more realistic if we were shown pictures and info of the top range, with similar alternatives in far more reasonable prices alongside it. That way it would cater to all. The credit crunch is making (previous) high(er) earners too economise, as prices rise, but incomes do NOT. I do realise that magazines are planned months and months in advance, but all the same, the current market should be taken into consideration, and instead of making the readers feel even more down and out, the mags should pep up, and show that just because funds are (a bit or a lot more) short now, that there are alternatives......

(member)

22/06/2008 12:26

Re: Credit Crunch

Gok Wan is starting a new show this week showing us Designer Clothes that are coming out on the catwalks now and where to shop to get them that look near enough the same at High Street prices!
Its on Thursday i think, im having a look.

(member)

22/06/2008 12:58

Re: Credit Crunch

Susang on which TV channel is it???? If it is on BBC1 or BBC2 then I can receive it on the cable here on the Continent, if it is ITV or anything else, I am left out.....

shame, because it sounds interesting!!

(member)

10/07/2008 22:13

Re: Credit Crunch

Hi Chatelaine just read your post. Gok I believe is on channel 4. You can log onto channel 4.com and bring up all the previous weeks tv programmes for free. You could try this and see if you can watch it from your computer. Hope this helps. Cannot live without Gok!!

(member)

11/07/2008 20:12

Re: Credit Crunch

Hi Sue

I agree with you. I live in the South East and earn nowhere near that amount of money. I do work for the NHS though so that may account for it! I would like to know what all these people earning between 30-80K do for a living. Perhaps its time for a change in career

(member)

06/10/2008 19:27

Re: Credit Crunch

I loved this month`s issue,it gave me lots of ideas to update my winter wardrobe. I have bought a mock croc bag which is the key accessory and I am heading off to Dune for the boots featured in the magazine.
Because of the credit crunch I ventured into a local charity shop and found a brand new pair of Hobbs grey flannel trousers,labelled 99 pounds for 17.50 pounds and have abandoned my search for a new coat because I am wearing my daughters old black duffle coat,(she`s at uni).
Bring on the cold weather!
Suzie88

(member)

07/10/2008 20:56

Re: Credit Crunch

I've put off getting a subscription because I feel the magazine is being aimed at those above my salary - and I'm at the lower end of thier salary bracket. Most of the fashion is in the 'dream land' category for me. As things get tougher, the magazine could go, as it becomes less relevant.

(member)

13/10/2008 18:49

Re: Credit Crunch

Hi Groovymama,

I agree when you say that the fashion is Dreamland for you,me too some of it, but you can often find a very similar thing much cheaper in another shop. I like to know what is in fashion and buy one or two expensive items which will last a few years and mix them with cheaper styles from Zara or Gap.

Suzie88

(member)

15/10/2008 17:32

Re: Credit Crunch

Hiya

I am newbie to W&H and have just signed up for the forum. I really enjoy the magazine and the stories are very real and effect us all. However, I do agree while I love all the fashion, make up etc pages they are way beyond my reach. I am disappointed in this as I like a lot of the styles, and when I go to look at where they were bought it's as if they are for the high earners and not the average person with mortgage, family pressures etc who really struggle month to month.

(member)

15/10/2008 19:28

Re: Credit Crunch

Hi All, Its four months since this thread started and I think its more relevant now than ever before. I think that everyone is watching what they spend now just in case. I personally love reading how to make cut backs and save money even if I don't want or need to. Especially when it comes to cooking meals.I think that is another area that the magazine needs to address.

(member)

17/10/2008 19:08

Re: Credit Crunch

I'm not renewing a subscription to another magazine (a home one) for the same reasons...I can't and doubt that I will ever be able to afford what they have in their mags. When I began the subscription 6 years ago everything was within my reach one way or another - whether it's from Oxfam, car boot sale or home made with a bit of creativity! The homes belonged to everyday working people but now they all seem to be converted barns in rural France or some huge Victorian one on the outskirts of somewhere posh and totally out of my league! The last one I looked at had an article about going green - suggesting using paint at Ł25 for 2.5 litres! I'd love to go green but not at a price tag that would mean me sleeping rough!

I've ditched other glossies as they are aimed at a lower age bracket and this is the first W & H I have had. As I write this I haven't finished reading it but the few articles I have read so far have been fantastic and it would be a real shame if I got further into the mag onto to discover that the articles are totally out of my league too.

By the way, I don't earn anywhere near the lowest wage bracket mentioned...nowhere near! And as a full time working mum, that's like rubbing salt in an already gaping wound.

(member)

17/10/2008 20:52

Re: Credit Crunch

I subscribed to Eve for years, but gave up when it stopeed being a "middle income" mag and started being a "rich girls" mag.

And what has happened - it's now closed down due to "economic problems"

I wonder how many other ladies stopped buying it for the same reason?

.wispa

(member)

17/10/2008 23:48

Re: Credit Crunch

I think it's about having a balance between things we can look at and dream of owning but then having items that the average person can afford. However we all have a different idea of what is affordable as some of the high street shops that sell trousers for Ł80+ I would not be able to afford.
I would also like to see fashions directed at the larger lady as I get very fed up when I see something I like the look of and it only goes up to size 16 or in some cases size 14!! Please we are not all super slim and rich!!!
Margaret

(member)

24/10/2008 11:46

Re: Credit Crunch

I also felt having read last months copy of W&H that it was aimed at the higher earners. I still loved the sentiment and the positive attitude but felt quite depressed at the fashion pages as I felt that they catered only for those on a higher wage.

(member)

24/10/2008 13:44

Re: Credit Crunch

I would think if you are earning a lot of money you would be more likely to buy Vogue or Tatler magazine, you wouldn`t be carrying Woman and Home under your arm.

The fashion editor needs to have a rethink! methinks

Suzie88

(member)

06/11/2008 14:23

Re: Credit Crunch

I've just got the December issue and it doesn't look like the magazine have taken any notice of us all. They clearly know better than the average woman or maybe they don't want the average woman reader. Lets hope next years magazines takes into account that these aren't normal times. Sue

(member)

12/11/2008 18:35

Re: Credit Crunch

I quote agree sue11, they really don't seem to give a **** what we think. I consider myself an 'average' reader but obviously we aren't good enough to bother with. It looks like no-one from W&H even bothers to read these forums. My email to the Editor last week on the subject of lack of communication got absolutely no response either - what's the point in suggesting we email the Editor if she doesn't bother to reply? Has anyone else ever emailed her and had a reply?

Well, perhaps they'll regret it when people don't renew their subscriptions. Woman & Home team, is there anybody out there?????

(member)

13/11/2008 11:33

Re: Credit Crunch

I don`t have a subscription, I just read it online.I started cutting down long before this credit crunch started.
Suzie88

(member)

19/11/2008 12:43

Re: Credit Crunch

I have just finished reading Nov issue W&H - I borrowed it from the library ( I used to subscribe but it got too expensive to buy ) and I have to agree that I feel the target audience is for high earners . I work part time and don't earn very much but I do like nice things to wear and for my home. But reading this and particularly the fashion pages, I felt that it was aimed at others and not ordinary women like me. I have to say that I am disappointed.

adnyl 55

(member)

19/11/2008 14:38

Re: Credit Crunch

Sadly, I have recently renewed my subscription. I really wish I hadn't and I certainly won't renew it again next year. The Editor doesn't reply to emails; that awful Kenco ad is still there; no-one ever seems to win the competitions; and as others have said, the magazine is not aimed at us 'average' women. Very disappointing and it seems no-one at W&H cares at all.

(member)

09/12/2008 11:34

Re: Credit Crunch

I've just read this thread, and totally agree. My cat kindly gets me a subscription each Christmas (don't know how, as she gets hardly any pocket money) but it would be lovely to have the expensive gear with high-street alternatives. And I'm not talking about expensive high street either!
Plus, it would be lovely to have more ladies in the magazine who AREN'T top-earners, who don't run their own company or are top fashion thingies.
Also, I didn't get the Marie Claire magazine with December's issue.

Do you think anything will happen next year?

(member)

10/12/2008 15:41

Re: Credit Crunch

Actually, I owe W&H a little apology. Looking properly through the fashion pages, there is a mixture of 'how much???' items and cheaper items, from M&S, Top Shop etc. So it does show the different looks in expensive and cheaper versions.
The comment about the 'real' women still stands though.

(member)

11/12/2008 13:42

Re: Credit Crunch

Hi Sue and all you other ladies here

I to feel the magazine is featuring things way out of most of our reach and pockets. May be it is just a few of us here but I can not really believe that!

The credit crunch will effect all of us sooner or later and it isn't going away mark my words. With the government lending to the stupid banks and bailing them out when will it stop! VAT cuts how silly. Only making those who have debit spend more thinking they are getting a good deal1

My OH has a good salary coming in and is in the high tax bracket but still we are struggling with our two kids being at uni. Then there's the mortgage, bills and we personally have to watch and consider every Ł1 we spend.

I will not be renewing my W&H subscription again for the very reasons you have brought up here Sue.

A while back this same issue of expensive clothes, high flying women and over priced select holidays features was discussed on the forums and the question Why? was asked of Woman and Home's magazines editors.

Yes it is nice to dream and have the odd glamorous, up market and top class feature but when the magazine is so full of them it, for me personally, makes me feel depressed and I think Woman & Home magazine looses touch with the majority of women who are reading it.

(member)

17/12/2008 17:44

Re: Credit Crunch

Hi
I am a school teacher near Windsor and earn 35k. I do not consider myself to be earning major money and have only been in the profession for 7 years. However, 35k doesn't go very far as I am the primary worker in our family. My husband is disabled so only earns around 11k a year - we moved down from Norfolk as there was no work - not even for teachers about 5 years ago and for a short while we were both on benefits - it equates to being around 21k before it is worth working - if salaries are so bad perhaps that is why so many people are on benefits- they actually get paid more?

(member)

17/12/2008 17:46

Re: Credit Crunch

I will add that despite a reasonable salary we don't have a house that we own and cars are both at least 4 years old so I guess its swings and roundabouts.

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