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In Topic: UK pensions
2012-05-16 08:59:03
bendix, on 2012-05-16 08:30:40, said:
It was never meant to be easy gmac. That's one of life's harsh lessons. But those vagaries over which we have no control simply reinforce the importance of taking the whole subject seriously, something most people just don't want to do, preferring to live for today rather than plan for tomorrow.
There is merit in the live for today argument of course. Until the horrible moment when tomorrow arrives.
There is merit in the live for today argument of course. Until the horrible moment when tomorrow arrives.
One of the most frustrating things in the UK seems to be that those who live for today get baled out by the Government when tomorrow comes whereas those who plan and save end up with very little themselves and have to foot the bill.
In Topic: UK pensions
2012-05-16 08:25:26
GuestHouse, on 2012-05-16 08:15:16, said:
Bendix, to correct you on something.
The UK state pension is not a 'Safety Net' and was never meant to be a safety net - From its inception it was always meant to be a pension which would allow ghe old to live in comfort and dignity in retirement.
You, I and others who earn or have earned a good salary might choose to save extra for a better life in retirement. You and I agree that extra saving forbretirement is a good thing.
Where we disagree is tou have a view of the intent of UK state pensions which is at odds with the stated aims of UK pension provisions and you have a view of the ability of people on low income s to save which is out of touch with reality and even basic maths.
The UK state pension is not a 'Safety Net' and was never meant to be a safety net - From its inception it was always meant to be a pension which would allow ghe old to live in comfort and dignity in retirement.
You, I and others who earn or have earned a good salary might choose to save extra for a better life in retirement. You and I agree that extra saving forbretirement is a good thing.
Where we disagree is tou have a view of the intent of UK state pensions which is at odds with the stated aims of UK pension provisions and you have a view of the ability of people on low income s to save which is out of touch with reality and even basic maths.
A very valid point. There are also those of us who have accumulated a decent amount for our retirement and now find, having retired to Thailand a little early, that the fruits of our years of labour are being rapidly eaten away by low uk interest rates and the fall of sterling against the baht. No matter how well you plan things can change that are beyond your control.
In Topic: Police Stopping Motorcyclists
2012-05-14 20:25:38
manarak, on 2012-05-14 03:16:57, said:
PoodMaiDai, on 2012-05-10 23:35:12, said:
And if they want to be real dicks and can't find anything to ticket you for, they will point to something stock on your bike and say it's modified, which is illegal, which earns you a ticket even though it's not modified. That doesn't happen a lot, but it does happen.
If you have:
- international driver's license with category A allowed
- helmet
- properly functioning rental bike with contract
- not drunk/no drugs
They will let you off the hook in 99% of cases if you discuss politely, because after 5 minutes of discussing with you, they missed at least two of the plenty of other fishes.
Small problem with that solution is that the rental cost works out to far more than the tea money!
In Topic: Which Is Pattaya'S Most Dangerous Intersection?
2012-05-11 23:13:30
Spoonman, on 2012-05-11 19:45:19, said:
None freak me out, I just put on the hazards and power straight through them all.
You do realise that when you put on your hazards as you "power through" vehicles approaching on your left side only see your left side indicator and may well pull out in front of you expecting you to turn left!! Standard operating procedure for Thais at all junctions but to my mind extremely dangerous.
