Amnyway?
As pointed out earlier, community charge and mortgage payments can equate to up to 30% of income. Immediately shedding those two is money in the bank.
Sure, things are more expensive but that's inflation for you, it tends to make things more expensive.
Cars are expensive, fuel is expensive (both compared with the UK) but most other things are cheaper. Our water bill, far from being on par with the UK was 17 of your Turkish Lirasi's last time.
Eat lots of vegetables, fruit and use lokanta's rather than seafront restaurants (the food is way better anyway), don't drink imported spirits in bars, use the dolmus and what the hell else can you spend your money on.
So that's it, it's more expensive than it was, but if you forget the Ferrari, the harbour side meals out and the Johnny Walker, and enjoy the free sun and hospitality, there really isn't much to throw your money at.