hows the recession affecting you,etc

What's happening in the wider BMW scene? Gossip and news about forthcoming models. Plus off-topic chat.
321bhp
Joined: Mon 01 Dec, 2003 19:34
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hows the recession affecting you,etc

Post by 321bhp »

ive just totted up myself and my partners fuel bill for last month,me being a taxi driver and her a driving instructor,so the fuel hike has not been good,anyway were in for about £900 last month,this time last year £750

and im starting to work days that i didnt work,just to make more fuel money,were cutting back on going out,and weekends away,shopping etc etc etc

hopefully this time next year will be better,im not saying im skint its just we seem to think about what we are spending our money on nowdays

glad i brought the new z before the fuel goes up any higher,so just wondered if anybody is cutting back,

oh trips to the local escort agency are on hold :wink:
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Titan
Joined: Fri 01 Apr, 2005 20:20
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Post by Titan »

We're certainly cutting back Terry
I was made redundant just before Xmas without much prospect of another job.
Even though I'm only 21 (honest) :!: my 30+ years of engineering experience doesn't count for anything.
It was suggested yesterday that I should consider the position of "Sales Negotiator" at a local estate agency.
Anybody want a house to go with their Z ?
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Devon Z
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Post by Devon Z »

We've had to cut out the little luxuries like........FOOD :!:
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GazHyde
Joined: Fri 26 Feb, 2010 21:27
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Post by GazHyde »

Generally cutting down on non-essentials.

Changed my 5 series for a Diesel Cooper recently for better fuel consumption, £20 per year road tax and halved my car insurance to boot!

Fuel is one of my bigger monthly expenses (c£250) but I won't stop putting fuel in my Zed as it's my only vice...

Pretty sh*te time generally in the country. :(
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

Titan wrote:We're certainly cutting back Terry
I was made redundant just before Xmas without much prospect of another job.
Even though I'm only 21 (honest) :!: my 30+ years of engineering experience doesn't count for anything.
It was suggested yesterday that I should consider the position of "Sales Negotiator" at a local estate agency.
Anybody want a house to go with their Z ?
Terry, I'm really sorry to hear you were made redundant :( hopefully something will else will come along.

Working for a local authority budgets are being slashed, worst I have ever known it. Its ridiculous the Gov't coming out with the bul$hi1 that thousands of public sector workers will simply be able to walk into private sector jobs, many of which have spent 4 years at university at local authority expense for specialist training. The jobs simply aren't out there unless you fancy packing shelves :?

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Titan
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Post by Titan »

TitanTim wrote:Terry, I'm really sorry to hear you were made redundant :( hopefully something will else will come along
Thanks Tim
I moved from the public to the private sector 12 years ago because the grass was definitely greener.
How ironic that those who stayed are (mostly) still there, with final salary pensions and significantly better redundancy terms if push comes to shove.
Am I bitter?
Yes - but not for my ex-colleagues
I resent the way the country has been run further and further down by successive politicians /criminals :shock:
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zedwheels
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Post by zedwheels »

Things arnt good in the private sector either, the idea that the private sector can make jobs available so soon into this recession is not going to happen. More bad times ahead i think, :bawl: i have seen my workload drop by more than half since xmas. We'r all doomed, :cry: just make sure that your tank in the Zed's full and enjoy. :drive Hope you get an offer soon.
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pingu
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Post by pingu »

I'm a courier. We have 12 drivers and you can only expect one job a day. If it's only a few 10s of miles, then it's home-time.

I did 100 miles today for £30. I was first out at 7am. I was back for 11 and the guy who was 4th was still waiting for a job. If I had to survive on it I couldn't.

Good for me and my little project :D , but the others hate it.
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billz
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Post by billz »

Its not just the fuel costs affecting us all. Our shopping bill is up by about £20 a week, things such as coffee we was paying £1.49 now its £1.89 butter was 89p now 1.38 fuel last year £1.18 now £1.33. looky for me all my bills were put onto fixed rates where i could i.e gas/electric and mortgage. I am lucky in the fact my job is as secure as it can be and if i loose it my trade is always in demand.
We have stopped going out every weekend and only now do the essential works on the house, decorating and changing furnishings have gone and its a case of make do with what we have till things pick up, mind the spending on the zed has gone up, just bought new roll hoops, wind deflector, body bra, wheels and carbon handles and going to get front end resprayed, well i have got to keep my prioritys :lol:
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trigg35
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Post by trigg35 »

worked for dss for 12 years until 2005.we all moaned about our jobs and pay.im now in the private sector doing 40 hours per week instead of 37 with no pension and four weeks leave rather than six for the same pay i got 6 years ago at the dss.that will teach me! anyway i hope to sell the z3 in a couple of months so i hope someone has got £5000.checked autotrader tonight and the same ones from months ago are still for sale :(
jontymo
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Post by jontymo »

yeah got to admit the last government left us in a complete mess!!!

looks like years of us all suffering to get back on track.
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snoops
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Post by snoops »

You know what I've cut down on, the weekly push and shove around ASDA filling up my trolley, spending £120+ and not being able to see what I'd got for it.

We're now eating the food from the freezers and the cupboards that I'd stocked up as if we were going to have famine and I just call at the local co-op on my way home for the odd fresh item. We also throw less waste out because I'd bought too much fresh stuff.

I do a shop at ASDA once a month to buy the big basics and I now have more time to relax at the weekends.

There's an advert for the co-op on TV at the moment advocating what I now do and they're right, my cupboards are groaning with 3 for 2's and BOGOFs.
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Z3cade
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Post by Z3cade »

Yep were all affected.. Worst for us is the household bills and weekly shop.. Gone up alot for sure...
Luckily as for the zed its only used as a weekend car so fuel isnt much of a problem as we use the tdi polo everywhere else....

You would think with the fuel prices at the moment that thirsty cars like the zeds would be going cheaper as people changing for diesels... But i think z3 and M// prices are going up... alot!
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seasurfer
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Post by seasurfer »

Snoops, I like the last line, sounds like my house too :roflmao:
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trigg35
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Post by trigg35 »

dont think z3's are going up to be honest.remember seeing a mint z3 2.2 sport for sale for £8500 14 months ago.emailed saying £8000 was my limit so didnt want to waste each others time if he wanted more.he would not go below £8200.would not dream of paying that now and saw it for sale by the same guy for £7000 last autumn.with z4 prices dropping so will the z3 and the financial climate will effect a luxury purchase like this.some nice 3 litre cars are going for less than £6000 now :bawl:
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

I bought a copy of BMW Car today and in the "whats hot and whats not" the Z3 and Z4s are currently the worst of the BMW range for free falling prices, the M's are suffering badly, great if you want to buy :lol: I guess buyers just don't want thirsty engines anymore :| I have to say the 1er is fantastic on the pocket with £35 a year tax and infrequent pump trips but I'm still hankering after that Z4 Coupe to replace the oil burner :|

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Titan
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Post by Titan »

TitanTim wrote:I bought a copy of BMW Car today
I just looked at it on the shelf ........ :|
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Hard Top
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Post by Hard Top »

Titan wrote:
TitanTim wrote:I bought a copy of BMW Car today
I just looked at it on the shelf ........ :|
Yeh, and probably bought the Playboy. :wink:

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rgf
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Post by rgf »

Hard Top wrote:
Titan wrote:
TitanTim wrote:I bought a copy of BMW Car today
I just looked at it on the shelf ........ :|
Yeh, and probably bought the Playboy. :wink:

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... he wouldn't be able to reach it! :)
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Jonttt
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Post by Jonttt »

Well to put a slightly brighter spin on things I had the pleasure of seeing the smiling faces of 4 new starters today, thats 9 people I've taken on in the past 3 weeks for a new project we have in Liverpool. Some have come from other jobs for better shifts, but I've taken on 3 long term unemployed and one geordie guys whos relocated to get married to a local girl after discharge from the army following 3 tours in afghanistan (you have never met a happier guy ;-)

Its wierd as I actually struggled to get the type of candidate I was looking for as Range Rover are taking on so many people locally.

I'm not in the mood to get on my soapbox but its opened my eyes again to the "professional" spongers who would rather live off the taxpayers than do a days work in their life. I had two people turn up for interview for a cleaning job who when they found out the salary said it was not worth them taking it as they would take home no more compared to what they were getting in benefits.....that was despite it being paid well above the minimum wage and 30 days holiday pa :roll: I have no idea how benefits work but its as though they expected to get paid £20k with no skills/experience before they will consider coming off benefits, strikes me they are looked after a little too well be my taxes ? The sooner the money is diverted to help those who want to work get back into work the better!

Another example is I had about 6 months ago was an admin girl who was long term unemployed but the government paid me to give her a job for 6 months with no obligation to keep her on after the job. She was no star but did a decent enough job so I offered her a permanent job, she "thought" about it for the weekend and got her mother to phone in and turn it down stating it was not worth it for her as "they" would loose too much in benefits :shock:

I ended up taking on a girl stright out of Uni, 3 years of studying a stupid degree in media sciences but she's doing OK "learning" how to actually work!
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Jamezee
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Post by Jamezee »

The price of lamb has shot up, ask MTM :)
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Hard Top
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Post by Hard Top »

You got that right Jamezee, I hope that MTM is not too worried? :lol:

HT

According to statistics from the Department for Food and Rural Affairs there were 21.3 million sheep and lamb in Britain at the end of last year, a fall of 3 per cent on the year before and a substantial decline from the 27.6 million at the start of the decade.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink ... rtage.html
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Z3cade
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Post by Z3cade »

Im still waiting for the first person to turn around with ` Z3 Tdi engine conversion ` :wink:
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Ballie
Joined: Tue 16 Jan, 2007 19:03
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Post by Ballie »

Hey guys,

I definitely agree with all you comments. The prices in the UK are stupid at the minute. I’m quite lucky as I don’t own a property at the minute because I’m being looked after by the military (Accommodation/Food).

The fuel prices especially are astronomical in the UK at the minute. Seems drivers are always the ones who have to foot the bill. I’m working in Oman at the minute and it costs approx 25p a litre!

I have to admit, he future doesn’t look good for our country. With fuel prices and the cost of living ever rising, I can see there being some sort of rebellion happening, similar to what’s going on in places like Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries. :evil: Theres only so much people can take.
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OXO
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Post by OXO »

Ballie wrote: I can see there being some sort of rebellion happening, similar to what’s going on in places like Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries. :evil: Theres only so much people can take.
lol

To replace the government with what? There's no viable alternative.
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Gio
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Post by Gio »

Things here are not good, was put on a 4 day week at the beginning of January (not good at all with everything going up in cost), and if it doesn't start to pick up soon I think redundancy is looming.
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Ballie
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Post by Ballie »

OXO wrote:
Ballie wrote: I can see there being some sort of rebellion happening, similar to what’s going on in places like Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries. :evil: Theres only so much people can take.
lol

To replace the government with what? There's no viable alternative.
I did'nt mean to replace the goverment! I just meant in the way of protests and such. lol
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marcusplowman
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Post by marcusplowman »

No difference to my life really...well apart from being able to upgrade home due to the big drop in property prices...thank you recession :D
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Mouldy
Joined: Mon 26 Jan, 2009 19:40
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Post by Mouldy »

marcusplowman wrote:No difference to my life really...well apart from being able to upgrade home due to the big drop in property prices...thank you recession :D
That's typical of the 'F**k you' attitude that seems to dominate our once selfless society.

No signs of a thought for those facing redundancy, loss of income, closure of a business or repossession of their home.
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pingu
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Post by pingu »

A recession is an opportunity for those who either have liquid assets or the bottle to put it all on the line.

It's miserable for those of us who like the status quo.

I have been using the surplus cash from the low mortgage rate to reduce the capital. Those who have needed the surplus to buy necessities will be overstretched when the interest rates increase in the summer. Those who used the surplus to buy luxuries may live to regret it. I hope we all made the right choices during the "good times".
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Z3cade
Joined: Sat 09 Jan, 2010 18:18
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Post by Z3cade »

Talk about putting a downer on things! buger....
Things are hard for everybody at the min but its the little things that we should all cherish...
Whether that be family and friends or a smile per mile we have when driving our zeds... :-)

you lot should think yourselfs lucky as im going to be zedless after tomorrow.... Yep shes sold and i will have to wait till the next zed before i can have the wind in my hair again :-( I could be zedless for awhile....
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Jamezee
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Post by Jamezee »

Sorry to hear that :(
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Jamezee
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Post by Jamezee »

Ballie wrote:Hey guys,

I definitely agree with all you comments. The prices in the UK are stupid at the minute. I’m quite lucky as I don’t own a property at the minute because I’m being looked after by the military (Accommodation/Food).

The fuel prices especially are astronomical in the UK at the minute. Seems drivers are always the ones who have to foot the bill. I’m working in Oman at the minute and it costs approx 25p a litre!

I have to admit, he future doesn’t look good for our country. With fuel prices and the cost of living ever rising, I can see there being some sort of rebellion happening, similar to what’s going on in places like Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries. :evil: Theres only so much people can take.
They want democracy, we have it and can't be ar**d voting :!:
Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one. Harry Callahan.

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rgf
Joined: Sat 23 May, 2009 08:09
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Post by rgf »

I work for a charity that provides support and care for people with learning difficulties. Local authorities are cutting our funding by about 15% this year with more cuts next year. Whilst everything is being done to protect the jobs of the employees, it is inevitable that the quality of services and support provided will be affected. This means that the most vulnerable in our society get another kick in the teeth. These are not the people Jontt is talking about, but people who rely on the support of others through no fault of their own.
I am educated (reasonably), physically and mentally fit (sort of). I will survive if my hours get cut or even if I get laid off. Some people can't.
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Jonttt
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Post by Jonttt »

I could not agree more, but unfortunately we have a whole generation of beneift spongers diverting funds from those who can't work.

I remember about 5 years ago queuing in a post office in a deprived area, there were too young girls in front of me (both less than 20 at a guess), both pushing prams, both bragging about how they will never have to work in their lives, how much more they will get with their next kid and how their aspiration was to get a council house with more bedrooms.

Sad lives in many respects as they will add absolutely nothing to society and yet would be perfectly able to do so. I left feeling so sad that they just knew no better and my fear is there are hundreds of thousands if not millions of people who will just "expect" to be looked after for their whole lives and sadly be content with those lives :head:

This really comes to a head in a recession as so much money is used to support this culture that those who genuinely need short term support whilst they find employment / retrain cannot get it (I'm not just talking money support).

I've just "sponsored" 2 new startup companies by giving them some office space that was not being used, free to use for 6 months why they get started. There is no way they could have a go at this otherwise as the banks / government just do not want to know. I have been through there business plans, liked what I saw and have given them a chance. The thing that sold them to me was that they just would not accept living on benefits and not at least trying to work. Neither could find work despite being very experienced. This is their chance to do something they would never have dreamed of ie owning their own business.

Two extremes (ie on one hand people not wanting to work, on the other those with the drive and determination to try and make something work for them). The problem is how does the government support the millions in the middle ?
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

Problem is it's catch 22, if you don't look after benefit spongers, workshy etc, they will take what is not theirs anyways :| i.e. your Zed and that is all precious to you :(

Personally where all hope is lost with these types, they should be shipped to outer space :lol:

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billz
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Post by billz »

The government could always try supporting our country instead of giving away billions in foriegn aid and giving billions to the thousands that come over here to live from foriegn countries, they should adopt the Australian values, ie, if you can not take support yourself dont come here, if you can not write or speak the language do not come here. The trouble is you seem to be able to come from any foriegn country and our government say " a house" how big do you want, ooh you havent any money, never mind here is more than enough for you and if it isnt we will create more taxes the british people can pay so you have enough.
Am i bitter at foriegners comming here no. Am i bitter at foriegners comming here who we have to support and pay for. your damn right i am.
Charity begins at home so stop paying billion to foriegn aid and spend it where it is needed at this moment in time. AT HOME
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Phil
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Post by Phil »

Interesting thread - but I noticed a comment which is getting personnal - dont want to moderate the conversation but lets keep it 'clean'
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pingu
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Post by pingu »

Phil wrote:but I noticed a comment which is getting personal
I've missed that one, anyway..

I saw a programme on the telly the other day about foreigners (non-EU) working as car washers. Surprisingly, I didn't think "Kick them out". I thought "Well done for being prepared to do what you need to feed your family".

As far as I know none of them were on direct benefits as they were 100% illegal.

The argument for sending them back to Afghanistan and Iran was "You are stealing British jobs". I will be very surprised to see a Brit doing the jobs they were doing for the money they were getting.

I've gone from middle management to being "just a courier" on 30% of my previous salary, so some would say I'm over halfway down the ladder to washing cars on supermarket carparks. I've not had many problems with my recut cloth, but I wouldn't have survived if I lived like I did three years ago.

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Hard Top
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Post by Hard Top »

pingu wrote:
Phil wrote:but I noticed a comment which is getting personal
I've missed that one
I think it was Jamezee's comment about sheep. :lol:

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HandsomeMike
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Post by HandsomeMike »

I just cant afford to drive my zed. I'm a teacher who is 'in between jobs', i had to drive it to an interview and it cost SO MUCH! For the next one i borrowed my mums Nissan Micra. Sigh...

I'm dreading something going wrong with the car, just couldnt afford it!
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Post by Jamezee »

Hard Top wrote:
pingu wrote:
Phil wrote:but I noticed a comment which is getting personal
I've missed that one
I think it was Jamezee's comment about sheep. :lol:

HT
This is one sheep getting up close and personal :!: :!:

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Hard Top
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Post by Hard Top »

Jonttt wrote:I've just "sponsored" 2 new startup companies by giving them some office space that was not being used, free to use for 6 months why they get started.
Jonttt, nice one, its good to see someone willing to help starters.

We did not have that sort of help, back in 2001, when two of us decided to quit our jobs and start our own business, we had to pay top $ for our facility.
Our business plan created much enthusiasm with our potential customers and the bank (due to the fact that we did not need the bank's money at the time)

Two years later, and we were running into problems due to cash flow, our customers (major players in the oil & gas industry) were taking two to six months to pay us.

So we give the bank a call (you know, the people that store your money for you) and they said that they would come round in a couple of days for a chat.
I have to assume that the two people that turned up were out on a jolly, as they were more interested in our little office set up (comment's such as 'nice work stations') rather than the pointy end of the stick.
By that I mean the equipment in the workshop, that cost us mega bucks, and was the whole point of the company.
Guess what, bank computer said no.

After a long discussion, I decided to quit the company (as we had already had to lay off two people) and I was sick of paying tax for a salary that I was not taking out of the company.
Dutch law required that a director had to take a set salary and pay his/her tax, if you took the money out of the company or not.
By quitting, I hoped that would give my buddy a chance (as I moved on to work abroad) as it would cut down on the costs.

Fast forward, 2009, he went bankrupt.

Going out on your own is a double- edged sword (over here) after working for the 'man' for 21 years, before starting my own company, I am now not eligible for any social security what so ever.
They would just tell me to 'eat my own house'.

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Post by Warrior »

JohnTTT

Regrettably your view that a job offer that matches the salary of the benefits offer should be taken is one that many support. But having been a 'victim' of the benefits system, albeit back in the early 90's I believe it's such views that contribute to and prolong what is a difficult situation for many.

Society HAS to accept that some people will work 100 hours a week to achieve whatever goals they have set, others will happily do 40 hours, some are happy doing just enough work to survive and others simply do not want to work. Now, however unpalatable that is to comprehend it's as much a fact of life as peoples desire or not to partake in exercise.

The point i'm trying to make is that the focus on the benefit systems failings almost always relate to the bottom tier (of spongers) and it is this highly public appraisal that forms the building blocks for the entire system, which in turn penalises those who do want to get back into work.

Sorry for the thread hijack :oops:

In answer to the OP's question.

Difficult times out there for all. I moved my business from a home base to a small unit on a developing farm business estate. Most of my business neighbours have done the same and for varying reasons, not least confidence of those who have cash but won't spend it, are all under the cosh.
Last edited by Warrior on Mon 21 Feb, 2011 02:07, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Jonttt »

Mine is just a simple observation that may be right may be wrong (I have absolutely no interest in politics) and only limited exposure to these issues ie I cannot understand how someone can be "comfortable" / in as good a financial position not working as someone working for a living. What incentive does that give people to actually work if there is no financial incentive to do so (and in some cases I've experienced a perceived/actual discentiveto work?)

Until the politically correct "nanny" state stops "nannying" to these layabouts then how can the fundemental building blocks be built?

This country has come a long way in 100 years but unfortunately what was seen as a luxury not so long ago is now seen as a "right" whether earned or not.
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Post by snoops »

Jonttt wrote:Until the politically correct "nanny" state stops "nannying" to these layabouts then how can the fundemental building blocks be built?
A young lad came working in our department last year, unfortunately his home life hadn't been up to much but the Council were trying to support him and once he moved into our department quite a few of us took an interest in him and made him feel part of the team. We all thought we could see a positive change in him and his attitude (which initially had left a lot to be desired).

That was until his girlfriend fell pregnant and he really perked up then. Once she was the right number of months along he just walked out but not before sharing why with some of us. More money, everything paid for by the state, flat, etc. etc.

I tried to have the "think of your future" chat with him "don't you want to better yourself and take home a well earned pay packet". He simply said "why should I, I'll be better off on benefits". He'd been brought up in a home living off benefits and it was all he had ever known.

Very sad sign of the times.
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Post by Jonttt »

Thats exactly what the fundemental problem is to me in this country.

I'm working with a new contract cleaning company at the moment. They have realy opened up my eyes to eastern europeans as its ran and staffed almost exclusively by Polish staff. Its easy to think why are they over here taking english jobs but after a few chats with them and seeing the quality and pride they take in their work its pretty obvious to me that very few "english" nationals would do the job they do as its physical, cold, grotty work and they can just sit in the pub and "earn" as much in benefits and free living. Whereas the polish earn a better standrd of living than they would at home. They all intend returning to poland at some point and can't believe how "comfy" the jobs are in this country for the money.

Stop the "free rollers" benefits I say and they will soon "choose" to do these jobs or face having no money at all.

Anyway I'll get off my soapbox as its not really the point of the OP.

In answer to how the recession is affecting me, I'd say it was challenging but rewarding as it forces you to look at new opportunities. I'm lucky enough to work with a true entrepreneur, he has the ideas, does the deals and leaves me to make them work. I've just set up 3 new companies for 2 new ventures. The opportunities are fantastic and I have my work cut out to make them work over the next 12 months but thats what makes working life for me, currently I'm as busy as ever but rather than working long hours for a corporate giant I now don't care how many hours I work as I love my job :D
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Post by Warrior »

Sorry Snoops..........a sad case of 'there we go again' as an extreme example of the abuse of the benefits system is considered the norm and i'll say again is exactly the reason the benefits system focuses on and spends millions on advertising to 'grass up your neighbour'!

It's a distraction that takes little or no account of the many cases where those who have fallen into the benefits trap and want to work their way out of it are allowed to do so.

A good friend of mine who is dying from cancer was told he had to go to work in between his chemo and radiotherapy treatments because they were some weeks apart! Another guy I know, a distinguished gentleman, a former stockbroker who again through ill health had fallen on hard times and been unable to work was told that he HAD to take a job as a toilet cleaner.

I'm sorry, shock horror stories about immigrants and young mums fleecing the system may well be true but until we change the system to focus more on those that want to work we are dead in the water.

Footnote: I lost a well paid job the day before my wife was due to go back to work, just as my daughter hit 6 months of age. Locked into building work to make my house habitable, as interest rates hit an all time high (early 90's) I had no option but to sign on. I had an offer of 12 weeks of work on a short term contract negotiating and training recipients of the Camelot Lottery machines but had to refuse it as any benefits received would be stopped, not for 12 weeks but for anything from 6 months up to a year, requiring re-application and assessment, a heady task in itself. I simply couldn't risk it and sadly whilst that was 20 years ago the system has yet to change.

OK, no more soapbox from me............... :oops:
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Post by TitanTim »

Instead of paying out benefits why not bring back National Service? Anyone not wishing to partcipate can be rounded up by the newly formed pressgangs :lol: Seems like a good idea to me.

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