Endie

If for London the 1980s was the decade of yuppies, now the capital finds itself home to the "endies" – Employed but with No Disposable Income or Savings. Feeling unloved, overworked and ignored, endies are becoming disillusioned with their lot, according to a report from the Centre for London that suggests there are now about a million modest earners in the capital.

An Endie typically earns between £20,000 and £33,000 as an individual or a single parent, or between £20,000 and £33,000 as couples with dependent children. They have to shop at the supermarket – usually Lidl or Aldi – after 8pm when the produce that has reached its sell by date is reduced in price.

Endies live quiet and modest lives largely hidden from view for a simple reason: most cannot afford to go out. Life is an endless treadmill of work, commuting and recovering at home, often with the Internet for company and little other respite.