Where to live in Europe?

[Lichtgestalt]

Obviously not in Britain

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... urope.html

Britons pay more for food and fuel than other European citizens, while spending more time in the office per week and enjoying less sunshine.

Their disposable income levels are also falling behind residents of other countries, and funding for health and education is below average.
Only Ireland fares worse than Britain in an updated quality of life index for Europe compiled by uSwitch.com, as the republic has fewer hours of sunshine, a higher retirement age and lower public spending on essential services.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, the price comparison website, said: “Last year compared with our European neighbours we were miserable but rich, this year we’re miserable and poor.

“Whereas some countries work to live, UK consumers live to work. In fact we work harder, take less holiday and retire later than most of our European counterparts - but the high cost of living makes this a necessity rather than a choice.

“With salaries failing to keep up with inflation, it’s likely that we’re a long way from achieving the quality of life that people in other countries enjoy.”

Last year’s league table of 10 leading European economies - assessing income, prices, working culture and public spending – put Britain in last place.

This year it has jumped above Ireland but in some respects Britons are now faring worse than residents of other countries.

Britain now has the fourth-highest retirement age of any country – averaging 63.1 years – and is set to rise still higher.

Net household income after tax, at £37,172 a year, is now lower than the amount earned in Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark.

This is likely to fall still further when VAT rises to 20 per cent in the New Year, while public services will suffer following next month’s Comprehensive Spending Review, which will lead to budget cuts of up to 40 per cent in some Whitehall departments.

France and Spain again topped the quality of life index, as workers there have more paid holidays, earlier retirement, lower prices, longer life expectancy and more sunshine.

[Burbage]

France + Spain = Barcelona

[Dinosaur]

and Wealth Taxes

[cromasaig]

and Wealth Taxes

All tax is wealth tax, fundamentally, isn't it?

Still, I much prefer Germany. Except the sodding LANGUAGE!

[Burbage]

Who needs wealth?

[Morrolan]

and Wealth Taxes

All tax is wealth tax, fundamentally, isn't it?

Still, I much prefer Germany. Except the sodding LANGUAGE!

Wieso?

[Bender]

Who needs wealth?

The people who want breadmakers and stuff.

[Scrummy Mummy]

And if you want Kenwood even more so.

My bread slicing device just arrived today in the post from the UK, so no more uneven slices!

[Burbage]

Bread slicing device...



Slices are only uneven if you have more than one of them.

[Bender]

My bread slicing device

Is that what we call a knife? Picture please.

[Scrummy Mummy]

Here you go......

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/evenslice/F/k ... duct/13173

A website after your own heart (Bender, that is, not Burb, I imagine)

[Pinklepurr]

Ooh, I love Lakeland stuff...

[Dinosaur]

Who needs wealth?

Who needs tax. I've given it up.

[Bender]

Here you go......
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/evenslice/F/k ... duct/13173

Here's the Aussie version, which folds up for storage and which I don't have.

An electric knife works great for bread, it stops the bread from being squooshed and mangled when slicing. Bonus: it's another wonderful and unnecessary gadget to spend one's wealth on.

[Burbage]

I wonder how human society has managed to survive without integral crumb catchers.

[Beesknees]

And if you want Kenwood even more so.

My bread slicing device just arrived today in the post from the UK, so no more uneven slices!

Ooo Scrummy - do Lakeland deliver here ? How tempting!

[Scrummy Mummy]

They do, but it was going to be some huge sum for that and a few bags (e.g. banana bag to stop your bananas rotting) as it's based on price not weight. So I got the stuff delivered to my mum and she posted it on.

[Scrummy Mummy]

I wonder how human society has managed to survive without integral crumb catchers.

True enough, but if you want to go down that route we can discuss the equivalent pointless luxuryness of iphones, ipads, home cinemas etc. Not stuff we need, but maybe nice to have.

[Beesknees]

They do, but it was going to be some huge sum for that and a few bags (e.g. banana bag to stop your bananas rotting) as it's based on price not weight. So I got the stuff delivered to my mum and she posted it on.

Have you got one of these Scrummy? http://www.lakeland.co.uk/electric-yogh ... /3440_3441

I bought one when I was home recently and it's fantastic. I get a litre of organic low fat yoghurt everytime I use it and that lasts us about 5-6 days. No powders or additives just start the yoghurt with a couple of teaspoons of yoghurt and milk. Will never buy yoghurt in Singapore again.

Do the bananarama bags work?

[Scrummy Mummy]

Just put the bananas in the bag in the fridge so will keep you posted.

I was just thinking yesterday that I should think about a yogurt maker as the new healthy me gets through tons of the stuff.

[cromasaig]

We just used to make it in a bowl. Milk, chuck in the yoghurt and the climate does the rest for you. Don't think the kit does anything different, or does it?

[Scrummy Mummy]

In our case it stops the cats from drinking it!

[Bender]

Have you got one of these Scrummy?

Looks very similar to this one, bought one at the local HN last year for $25.

[Beesknees]

Have you got one of these Scrummy?

Looks very similar to this one, bought one at the local HN last year for $25.

Where is HN? I wonder if the yoghurt maker has been reduced from $80 to $25 because it's a Breville? I don't think they have a very good reputation do the? We went through two Breville water coolers within about 14 months in Oz (and then gave up and bought a different brand)

[Bender]

Where is HN?

Everywhere in Oz.

I don't think they have a very good reputation do the? We went through two Breville water coolers within about 14 months

Sure you've got the right brand? Not aware of Breville ever having made water coolers. Breville has a long history and generally has a very good reputation.

It was reduced because I used to work in retail, know people and have great negotiating skills.