Given that the price of renting a flat has rocketed up in Brighton and families face being forced out of their homes due to the free market in housing, I find it hard to muster any sympathy for Tamsin Barks who lost money on property investments (The Argus, April 1).

Here is someone who was already living a comfortable lifestyle who decided to speculate on rising house prices by acquiring a portfolio of seven properties.

What is amazing is so many people claim not to trust politicians but are perfectly willing to trust people who approach them with get rich quick schemes. As PT Barnum once said: "There's a sucker born every minute."

What about stories from the other side of the fence, where those without a property portfolio must balance increasing housing costs by cutting back on food?

  • James Stephenson, Marine Parade, Brighton