Another pointless thread

Enjoy them when they arrive Stefan, Gunslinger Girls looks interesting, my son is looking at getting the first series after seeing the trailer.

Thank you HG, I already know I'll enjoy them.

Gunslinger Girls is quite good, at first look it seem like an action oriented girls with gun thing but there is actually so much story wise that the action isn't important.
It's going deep with the characters of the girls and try to find the answer if these girls are still girls so don't expect an action flick.

I'm glad I don't have to really think about things like retirement, will want to keep it that way for a bit longer.

Good idea.

So basically you were hoping the council would pay for you to not work for them, whilst at the same time paying someone else to do the job you'd left? Then bear in mind that the money you have been paying-in was actually going towards the people who had already retired, not being invested in anything towards your own retirement, and was costed on the basis that people would live until 65-70, not 90+, and that employers would always be expanding instead of shrinking (i.e. more people working than retired)...add all that up, its hardly surprising final-salary & public sector pensions are in such a complete and utter mess... don't blame a government that's been in power for a few months for a system that's been fundamentally broken and unsustainable ever since it was thought up in the 40's...its just taken 60 years for the flaws to reach the point that they can't be brushed-under the carpet any longer.

Anyone who took "early retirement" deals in the 90's (like my parents) has been laughing all the way to the bank. Sadly those of us who didn't get that opportunity now have to ...somehow... pay for those extrodinarily generous deals, and as a result can't afford anything for our own retirement.

True Flossie - former colleagues of my husband were made offers they would have been stupid to refuse - some retired at 55 (or even younger), on a full pension with a good lump sum. Some then went on to find work elsewhere and have done very nicely thank you.
One said he would have needed a hole in his head to have refused the offer they made. He went on to do a lot of voluntary work rather than starting a second career, which keeps him busy and means he doesn't feel so bad about the deal.

Stefan - you are never too young to start thinking about your pension. Honestly. The way things are going you could be in even deeper sh*t than we will be. AOW will be too expensive and pay less and less, and company pensions are getting worse all the time, so I'd start saving if I were you.

It's rarely mentioned what a rough ride people paying into personal pensions have had. The Tories came up with an idea of opting out of SERPS and paying the money instead into a pension. I fell for it and Which mag recommended Equitable Life which basically went bust a few years ago. The EU told the UK govenment that they had to pay compensation to the policy holders. Labour stalled on it and the Tories seem to be doing the same. All this time Equitable Policy holders are dying. SERPS opt out now seems to have been a bad idea.

Anyone believing that the longer they leave a pension fund the more it will accumulate is in for a big shock. They will probably never get as much again as they would have if they had cashed in 2 years ago. Annuity rates have been very low for the past year or so.

I lost the little pin that sits in the portafilter of my Espresso machine. My fault - it is so small it fell down the drain because I forgot to put the plug in before taking it all apart.
So I e-mailed the manufacturer about it.

It would have been nice if they said yes, we have them, what's your address? We'll pop one in the post to you. Total cost to them under €1. But no. They cost 39c + VAT. Oh and €5 post and packing .

So I have just done a bank transfer of €6.85 (I ordered two of the things while I was at it). Ridiculous.

The camera I ordered for my DIL came with free insured post and packing - value of camera and accessories over €200. But a little bit of black plastic costs €5 to send

Always check the "U" bend trap in your sink first - it may have settled at the bottom without being flushed away.
The P/P scam is becoming another little earner for big companies now as well as the sharks on Ebay etc.
Disgraceful !!

I agree with your advice to Stefan too - never too early.

My private pension - funded by not taking holidays - was effectively halved by the great Broon and his band of muggers,my government pension starting next year,if I`m around,will be about £109 per week - yippee !!

Its not just pensions, the entire benefits system in this country has been broke for a long time and successive governments fail to do anything to fix it, why? because a high percentage of people on benefits are Labour voters and Labour dont want to lose those votes, The Conservatives are equally afraid to rock the boat as they know if they do, an even higher number of benefit recipients will get off their arses when voting time comes round again.

Its time we stopped dolling out money to people who have no intention of trying to get a job, hand out food/clothing vouchers instead, why should honest working people be expected to pay for Chavs to sit on their backsides, watching plasma tv's or playing Nintendo all day, send them to community service centres and make them earn their keep.

Ok chaps, enough pensions and politics please.

I did check my U-bend but the little blighter was gone .
Ah well hopefully I'll have a new pin on Tuesday so I can enjoy an espresso again.

The sun is shining and it is a glorious day.

I showed the new Panasonic (for my DIL) to my husband last night when he go back from France, and commented I was tempted to get something like it, just to slip in a pocket when out. He said good idea, have a look and decide on one.
I am tempted by the new RZ10, but the W90 is also appealing.

But the K5 has priority right now.

See I am very good at spending money while we still have it .

I'm still studying so that first, over two years I can start thinking about work.
And I'm actually planning on not staying here, hopefully the grass is green somewhere else. (Sweden?)

Also they will probable change it 10 times in the 45 years i need to go *sighs*

Ooops

Quite right, sorry Gwyn.

In hindsight the words "dont get me started" seem to apply rather well, but do bear in mind if it wasn't for the high wages of Ferry Captains who are trying to save for their retirement you'd be able to come to Whitby

Just a last one Gwyn.

What I meant flossie was to leave the council and not get a council pension until I'm 65.

Not get an early payout!

Coffee machines, now that Gaggia are no longer available in the UK I'm having to bodge seals etc. from where ever I can get them.

Still, my Cubika keeps going.

Gaggia are no longer available in the UK . Are you sure?

I found this for you- http://www.gaggia.uk.com/

Mine is only a Saeco - I needed a machine quickly and it was the best I could find in stock at the time. I need my daily espresso .