kissfritz

[QUOTE=northernbird] Hi Northern Bird
I am from Blackburn, Lancashire so really curious about what small northern village you are from? Go on, tell us, we can compare battle scars!

Techno Freak

I've just checked our payslips, I have been paying £270 & my partner has been paying £160 per month in NI contributions. Blimey - thats £430 per month.

We are by no means mega-earners, but do both have well paid jobs. So, I dare say there are a lot of people that do indeed pay hundreds a month in NI.

We are a fit & healthy childless couple who rarely visit the doctor and have had no need for hospital treatment. I have worked full time since leaving school ( 14 yrs ) & partner has worked full time since leaving uni ( 9 yrs ). Neither of us has ever claimed benefits of any kind. The one time I have required hospital treatment it was covered on my Bupa scheme through work, so it didn't cost the NHS a bean.

If we are ever in a position to need to claim some sort of benefit, we would be 'penalised' because we have worked had and put away a small amount of savings.

I would imagine that for us, £430 per month would buy a hell of a lot of private medical insurance.

It seems to be that in this country you need to be in one of two positions, completely penniless and rely on the state, or rich enough to be able to support yourself at a good standard when you no longer need to work.

It seems the middle of the raod folk that work their nuts off day in day out and pay plenty of tax and NI seem to be the ones that are propping others up? Whats the point in working hard all your life to put some savings away and pay your house off if the government make you sell it and use it for your care home bills, ( after you've paid 50 years of NI contributions and stacks of tax ). Then, if you do have anything left when you pop your clogs, they go and take another lump of that as well - not leaving much to pass on. It doesnt really inspire you to save money, might as well blow the lot and enjoy it then let the state look after you when you're old.

Sorry for going on, I just felt I needed to comment on the post about doubting that people pay hundreds per month in NI.

I'm not saying that Australia is going to be the place for us, or that we hate the UK ( we actually really love the UK ), or that the systems for helath care etc are better or worse. I'm just commenting on our current situation here.

We are looking at Oz as a big adventure at the moment - to take it as it comes and see what happens.

Good luck to anyone coming back to the UK, and anyone leaving for their first adventure.

annalooby

My husband is an Aussie and he agrees pretty well entirely with you in regard to parochialism etc. One of the main reasons we moved back was the difficulty we had with meeting like-minded people with the ability to think outside of the square and not blindly accept the spin from press and government. We certainly didn't want to bring up kids in a society that does not allow healthy debate or opinions that are not those of the main stream.

That said - Tasmania is a lovely place and the people are great!

MikeStanton

Whoa, buddy!

Didn't you post:

"I am personally moving to Australia because "I BELEIVE" and in "MY EXPERIENCE" so far, that Australia represents a better lifestyle for my family and my children. "?

Well, guess what, my EXPERIENCE is based on living in Oz - in 4 different places (including a stay in the open prison aka the "Oz country") - and I BELIEVE that UK is far better.

It strikes me that when it comes to sweeping, you have by far the largest broom.

Remind me again, how many different places have you tried living in the UK?

MikeStanton

Wow, I wish I had your insight. Let's get rid of the NHS, but...hold on a minute...let's not stop there.

I don't use any state schools now, so let's get rid of those. And all unemployment benefit - lazy bastards. And all sickness benefits, I've never used them - obviously, the "sick" are all faking it. Which reminds me, whoever had the idea of building public hospitals? Waste of money, and they only have sick people in them anyway.

And we can redevelop the land used for cemetries. At the same time, let's get rid of the navy; it's not much use in Iraq. Oh, and let's sell off all the libraries and all the parks.

Last, but not least, I use rail to commute into town. So, let's get rid of all the roads; people only get killed on them anyway.

Now, just make sure that you don't make any claim on the Oz public system, or some - not me of course - might call you a hypocrite...

MikeStanton

Tasmania was the only place I didn't visit when I lived in Oz. Perhaps if I had...

nick72

Thats fantastic Mike you are entitled to your opinion and like you say you have lived in 4 different places and obviously felt that the place you live in the UK was better for you, again just your opinion.

The number of places I have tried living in the UK is of no relevance to you or to my statement ??

I am suprised that someone who is of obvious intellect can resort to pomposity to try and guide the uninitiated.

You have an opinion that you are entitled too as am I, because we live in a democratic society.

Please continue to answer questions on the forum as you obviously have a wealth of experience which I may in the future find invaluable.

I will put in my two pence worth when I think I can add credible information gained from my own personal experience.



Enjoy your day.

Nick

tiredwithtwins

lol....a very valid point.


nice to see you (and janeyray!) posting!!!


ps - shame to see yet another interesting and informative thread turned into a slanging match forum! not much changes round here

nick72

I agree back to the forum topic please.

Nick

saga

Rregretted... Everything was changed... not in a good way

simongb

Could you let us know some more about your experience?

Eric Hitchmo

Surely this all depends on your particular circumstances anyway? Mine were that I have lots of friends and interests in the UK, but just decided to give Aus a go. Once I got sick of beaches, Thai restaurants and coffee shops (after about a month), and realised that there's bog all else there, I realised I was on borrowed time. No amount of Aussies explaining to me that I was in "paradise" could make up for the soul-destroying boredom of the place, so I came back to the UK. History, tolerance, opportunities, humour and creativity abound here and I haven't looked back. No more picking up the newspaper to read witless drivel about my home country. No more television where "The Price is Right" is considered cutting-edge TV. No more pubs that don't resemble betting shops with crud lager that the Aussies refer to as "beer", and giant plasma TVs showing bogans in vests chasing a rugby ball and punching each other whilst the commentator shouts "Ripper!".

Each to their own I suppose. Good luck to all hoping to live the Aussie dream of a better lifestyle, where they'll be outdoors all the time enjoying healthy pursuits. That's what I say.

woodyinoz

Thank you - I can really relate to what you have said. The thought of heading to a pub with proper chairs shall be an exciting adventure, ohh and to play pool in the same building
I have to say that I am having a great time in OZ and although the kids are bored with the beaches I am sure that I will miss being able to go to places and have peace and quiet. The only problem that I have found with the beaches in Melbourne is that there is nothing there! After doing the whole sand castles thing and a few dips in the sea it's time for the hour drive home through suburban hell.
Where are the promenade's selling candy etc
Even though I do also love the parks and lakes that Melb has plenty of, I am starting to feel very lonely without family to share it with.
I am looking forward to heading back to the UK with a fresh pair of eyes and enjoying the natural beauty of the place, it is there, and now that I have pulled myself out of the rut that we all get sucked into I intend to enjoy it.
Just save some of that nice weather for next summer won't you

BadgeIsBack

Or the first time home buyers grant - which in VIC totalled about 13k....?

(I gladly accepted the assistance from the govt in respect of all these grants, but I also pay taxes and contribute.)

Techno Freak

Steady on. I was simply stating how much we pay in NI as the post I was replying to had said they doubted a previous poster paid hundreds in NI contributions.

I never said I wish I paid less NI, or that we should get rid of anything. What I said was there seems to be little incentive to work hard and save hard as most of it will end up being be taken off you when you are old anyway.