Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

The only other time I have been paid weekly was when I was at uni and used to work on a casual basis for the DSS (as it was then) in the holidays. There we used to get a giro on a Friday which we had to take over to the post office to cash. Bit like being on the dole and cashing a giro... benefits aren't paid like that any more either...

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

The Brits advertise the sale of new cars with a weekly price, I think it looks more affordable to some consumers, Im sure payments are made monthly. buyer.

I think of money on a monthly basis and I think that's what most Brits do...

The UK are early adopters, they were using direct deposit in the 70s, in 94 when I was last employed as a worker in the states I was getting paid by check (Cheque) I have a feeling that's how it still is today for many private companies here, I see Car Dealers hand out checks to their employees on the 1st and 15th... I'm guessing Govt local and federal use direct deposit...

I used to love getting paid in cash every Friday lunchtime, to see that paper money and coin in that blue envelope with a little window was a great feeling...

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Yes it has the feeling of 'thats real' money.

Nowadays we are just clerks, we see the money come into our bank accounts and we forward it on to the gas, utility, cable TV, phone ect. and we get whats left.

I think the new trend is, we don't forward the money they just snatch it out of our account. Its called automatic payments I think.

We need to rethink who is getting our money and adjust our obligations.

Of interest to some of you, I got my gas bill on line this morning and for the period March 15 to April 15 it $57.70 or £34.42, which I think is comparable to what some of you are paying in the UK.

Cheers

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Well, who would ever have thought it! I just got a job - and a pretty good one, too! Now what to do!!

I seriously think I will only stay on the job three months at most - or may be only a month and a half before I go back to the UK.

I am quite frankly a bit torn as to what to do. I wanted to get the dogs back before it gets too hot here and the airlines refuse to take them. If I do that, it means I have to leave by the end of May - which I still might do anyway. I start work next week so I can still work for six weeks if I decide to follow through and leave by the end of May.

The alternative is to wait until the first part of October when the airlines start flying animals again after it begins to cool down.

My heart wants to go back by the end of May but it makes more business sense to stay until October. If I stay, I can resolve a few issues (things I'd like to take back, etc.) and also have a nice buffer of cash to take back so that when I get a job over there, I can hopefully rent a place immediately - not quite sure how that works over there yet, though.

On the other hand, I have waited so long, I want to go by the end of May.

What to do!!!

PS - Did any others have a sort of "winding down" year before they went back to the UK?

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Windsong, you have waited so many years to move back - another 6 months will go by so quickly. I think all round for dogs, you, and financially it's best to stay on. save as much as you can, get self started and then adios America..

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Windsong - great news about the job. I had 5 winding down years before moving back. It took me two years to sell my stuff as I lived in the boonies and had to take stuff into the nearest city to sell them - estate sale, yard sales, consignment sale and the last few months, private sales. And I had to be emotionally ready to leave which was rough on me as I had made wonderful friends. It is not easy starting over, no matter how much help is waiting at this end; it is a major culture shock. Given the opportunity to make decent money, I would take it and then you won't be strapped for cash, there or here. Your dogs will thank you as they won't have to be parted from you other than on the flight over.

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Agree with both these posts. It makes sense to stay as long as you can and save as much as you can. I know the UK has a much better benefits system/safety net than the US - but still - you wouldn't want to go over there broke. It makes sense to save so you have a good "cushion" for starting over there.

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Having them as we speak!

About that new job - there's a reason it came along when it did. I say don't mess with the karma.

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Exactly!

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Good Friday at the seaside. I guess the churches are empty:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/island...7644071292892/

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Is it a holiday?
Not many people about.
I went out and sat on a rocking chair on the porch but I came back inside because it was too hot.
Thanks again for the pictures. No pictures of trains?
Cheers

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Atheist! :) It's Good Friday today. I know - church and state, and I agree with that. But over here it is a selective situation - some shops closed, some not. Enough visitors - school half term + Easter + trains running again. Today the trains blew their horns as they came into the station, just as they did the day the track reopened. They were everywhere - coming down the street in droves from the parking lots - sorry - car parks - at the upper end of town. Bothering the wildfowl which are nesting, eating ice cream and dropping litter. Next week they will have gone, until Summer. Can you tell I am not too keen on tourists - at least the bucket and spade type, even though I understand the attraction of the south west. And the sunshine, of which we have had a great deal lately. :)

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

All the shops were open here in Bournemouth, M&S, Tesco as well as those aimed at tourists. Town centre was busy as were the parks.

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

Gone are those days of tranquility there was something nice about Wednesday being half day and Sundays shops being closed. It gave everyone time to wind down now it seems people are always on the go. I liked the more relaxed way of a few years ago.

I am always annoyed when I see how much trash people leave behind after events of any sort. They should be made to clean it up. When children see parents dont care they grow up with this same attitude and with all the news media coverage of the warming planet you would think some time should be given to how untidy we have become, it all has an effect on the Earth on nature in the end its the little things that count.

Islandwoman 120 Enjoyed the pictures. After the snow of a few days ago and the cold it was a welcome sight.

Happy Easter to all of you.

Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
 

I hope you all had a happy Easter.

We packed a picnic and went to a lake. No grass, just desert type of environment. We enjoyed the potato salad, ham on Hawaiian sweet rolls and strawberries on angel food cake with cream.

Cheers