Good old DMBC

[Thinwhiteduke]

Today letters hit the doorsteps of its lower paid staff threatening to terminate their employment if they do no take a 2% hit before the end of June. (Well, I'll clarify that £14999 =1%, £15,000=2%, £20,800=2.5% - nothing above that).

This whilst hatchetwoman Miller enjoys her £145,000 per year salary (a proportion of which she earns whilst posting on Twitter in works time  - I dare say if any other staff member was undertaking such practices they'd be disciplined).

Thing is, everyone gets a service from a Council that is totally dependent on how motivated and valued its employees are, if you've been unimpressed with what you've had up til now.....its about to get a hell of a lot worse.

[mjdgreg]

They know money is tight and they still wasted £150,000 on a pointless referendum just because they didn't get the mayor they wanted. That could have paid her salary for a year. No wonder they are cutting salaries. Also don't forget that pay and future final salary pensions are being reduced by the current rate of inflation.

When I put this to my wife who works for the council she surprised me by saying 'well at least I've still got a job so I 'll harden up and take the pain as losing my job would be a lot worse'. She also said 'it's the cushiest job I've ever had and all the other perks I get make it a small price to pay compared to how some of my mates are being treated by private companies'.

I said I bet you're right fed up with the coalition government imposing cuts on councils and again she surprised me by saying 'no I think they're doing a great job given the amount of debt Gordon Brown left behind. If anyone's to blame it's him. I'm just glad I live in the UK and not Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Ireland etc. where things are a lot worse. I don't want my children paying for any more borrowing to sustain my present lifestyle. It's time I started living within my means to help future generations'.

[Filo]

They know money is tight and they still wasted £150,000 on a pointless referendum just because they didn't get the mayor they wanted. No wonder they are cutting salaries. Also don't forget that pay and future final salary pensions are being reduced by the current rate of inflation.

When I put this to my wife who works for the council she surprised me by saying 'well at least I've still got a job so I 'll harden up and take the pain as losing my job would be a lot worse'. She also said 'it's the cushiest job I've ever had and all the other perks I get make it a small price to pay compared to how some of my mates are being treated by private companies'.

I said I bet you're right fed up with the coalition government imposing cuts on councils and again she surprised me by saying 'no I think they're doing a great job given the amount of debt Gordon Brown left behind. If anyone's to blame it's him. I'm just glad I live in the UK and not Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Ireland etc. where things are a lot worse. I don't want my children paying for any more borrowing to sustain my present lifestyle. It's time I started living within my means to help future generations'.

To be honest, I thought you were probably not married and lived a Walter Mitty style existence, is your wife your imaginary friend?

[jucyberry]

My lord, not being funny or anything, but if that is what passes for pillow talk at bedtime in your house Mick............................................................................................... ...Well, I'll say no more..

[RedJ]

do you two live in Daily Mail Land?

[GM-MarkB]

[mjdgreg]

do you two live in Daily Mail Land?

No, we live in the real world. We have both hardened up and decided it's no use moaning about the cuts to our standard of living. We've realised that we were living beyond our means at the expense of future generations. We've decided that we don't want our children and their children to have to foot the bill for our excesses.

We're all in it together and a lot more people need to harden up and just get on with it. Is it really so bad just to have one car on the drive instead of two? One holiday a year instead of two? Twenty fags a day instead of forty? Five pints a night instead of ten? I could go on but I'm sure you get my drift.

Now, if you were really hard like me you'd pack the fags, the holidays and the drink in. I've gone from being a three car household to just the one. I draw the line at getting rid of that one as there are far too many smelly people on public transport.

[RedJ]

do you two live in Daily Mail Land?

No, we live in the real world. We have both hardened up and decided it's no use moaning about the cuts to our standard of living. We've realised that we were living beyond our means at the expense of future generations. We've decided that we don't want our children and their children to have to foot the bill for our excesses.

We're all in it together and a lot more people need to harden up and just get on with it. Is it really so bad just to have one car on the drive instead of two? One holiday a year instead of two? Twenty fags a day instead of forty? Five pints a night instead of ten? I could go on but I'm sure you get my drift.

Now, if you were really hard like me you'd pack the fags, the holidays and the drink in. I've gone from being a three car household to just the one. I draw the line at getting rid of that one as there are far too many smelly people on public transport.

guess what, I don't drink, smoke or go on holiday, haven't been for 5 years, have 1 car, never tried to live beyond our means yet still struggle.

[Filo]

do you two live in Daily Mail Land?

No, we live in the real world. We have both hardened up and decided it's no use moaning about the cuts to our standard of living. We've realised that we were living beyond our means at the expense of future generations. We've decided that we don't want our children and their children to have to foot the bill for our excesses.

We're all in it together and a lot more people need to harden up and just get on with it. Is it really so bad just to have one car on the drive instead of two? One holiday a year instead of two? Twenty fags a day instead of forty? Five pints a night instead of ten? I could go on but I'm sure you get my drift.

Now, if you were really hard like me you'd pack the fags, the holidays and the drink in. I've gone from being a three car household to just the one. I draw the line at getting rid of that one as there are far too many smelly people on public transport.

guess what, I don't drink, smoke or go on holiday, haven't been for 5 years, have 1 car, never tried to live beyond our means yet still struggle.

I`m sure when Mick inflates his imaginary wife again, she`ll have some wise words for you Redj

[bobjimwilly]

guess what, I don't drink, smoke or go on holiday, haven't been for 5 years, have 1 car, never tried to live beyond our means yet still struggle.

Same here RedJ. I wonder exactly what it would take for Mick to get pissed off with the Tories? Dave and Nick need to get him on board for their PR team. Either that or he can just bend over whenever they demand it, which is what we're all being forced to do at the minute.

[mjdgreg]

guess what, I don't drink, smoke or go on holiday, haven't been for 5 years, have 1 car, never tried to live beyond our means yet still struggle.

If you're struggling then what are you doing about it? It's no use throwing your hands up in the air and waiting for the government to sort out your problems. Gordon Brown has made sure that no government for at least a decade is going to be able to improve your standard of living. The obvious solution is that you need to harden up. Do you really need that plasma telly? Is that computer really necessary? Is that season ticket more of a luxury than a necessity? (especially now Saunders is in charge). Is switching from Sky to Freesat really as bad as people make out? Do you religiously use the comparison websites to make sure you're getting the best deals on your utility bills and house and car insurance?

These are just a few suggestions to get you back living within your means. If you try all that and you are still struggling why not start up your own businesses? (yes businesses not business). Why do you think so many immigrants flock to the UK? It's because there are so many wonderful opportunities for people if they've got the slightest bit of get up and go in them. I'm hoping that there is the tiniest bit of entrepreneurial zeal in you that will help you improve your life. I run four of my own businesses and could run many more if I could be bothered. Two hours a day does me just fine these days as I have now decided to take my foot off the gas a bit and spend more time with my lucky family. You too could do this if you got up off your arse and stopped waiting for the government to make everything alright in your life.

Hope the above has helped put you on the path to fulfilment.

[Filo]

Is that computer really necessary?

Do you religiously use the comparison websites to make sure you're getting the best deals on your utility bills and house and car insurance?

Mick, you really should get your post`s proof read by your inflatable lover before posting them, those two comments rather contradict each other, don`t you think?

[mjdgreg]

mjdgreg, you really should get your post`s proof read by your slim beautiful lover before posting them, those two comments rather contradict each other, don`t you think?

I'd like to that think even RedJ would have the nouse to go to a public library and borrow one of their many computers.

[Filo]

mjdgreg, you really should get your post`s proof read by your slim beautiful lover before posting them, those two comments rather contradict each other, don`t you think?

I'd like to that think even RedJ would have the nouse to go to a public library and borrow one of their many computers.

Many have been closed down or operate on limited hours or when volunteers are available, due to the austerity cuts the present government have imposed

[mjdgreg]

Many have been closed down or operate on limited hours or when volunteers are available, due to the austerity cuts the present government have imposed

Then I suggest RedJ checks when they are open and doesn't go to one of the libraries that have been closed down. That shouldn't be too difficult. The libraries have been closed by local councils and mayors not by government. We're still borrowing massive amounts of money so your comment 'austerity cuts' is way off the mark. Our National Debt will have doubled during this parliament. The cuts imposed so far are merely scratching the surface and  go nowhere deep enough to get us living within our means. We've only 'cut' slightly the amount we're borrowing. We are still massively in the red and going further into the red every minute.

[Filo]

Many have been closed down or operate on limited hours or when volunteers are available, due to the austerity cuts the present government have imposed

Then I suggest RedJ checks when they are open and doesn't go to one of the libraries that have been closed down. That shouldn't be too difficult. The libraries have been closed by local councils and mayors not by government. We're still borrowing massive amounts of money so your comment 'austerity cuts' is way off the mark. Our National Debt will have doubled during this parliament. The cuts imposed so far are merely scratching the surface and  go nowhere deep enough to get us living within our means. We've only 'cut' slightly the amount we're borrowing. We are still massively in the red and going further into the red every minute.

Maybe the ones that are open are only open during working hours, and given the fact that he`s already struggling it would n`t be prudent to take time off work to search for a library that may be open, paying unnecessary fuel costs of bus fares when he`s trying to "live within his means"



anyway, is n`t it time you copied and pasted something else to reflect your mad world?

[mjdgreg]

Maybe the ones that are open are only open during working hours, and given the fact that he`s already struggling it would n`t be prudent to take time off work to search for a library that may be open, paying unnecessary fuel costs of bus fares when he`s trying to "live within his means"

At least you seem to agree that he can do without his computer. In my book, if you're really struggling then a computer is a luxury. If getting to a library is the herculean task you say it is (I have my doubts) then I'm sure he has got some mates who would be happy to lend him their computer now and then. It's not that hard to get off your arse and get to a computer if you really want to.

[Filo]

Maybe the ones that are open are only open during working hours, and given the fact that he`s already struggling it would n`t be prudent to take time off work to search for a library that may be open, paying unnecessary fuel costs of bus fares when he`s trying to "live within his means"

At least you seem to agree that he can do without his computer. In my book, if you're really struggling then a computer is a luxury. If getting to a library is the herculean task you say it is (I have my doubts) then I'm sure he has got some mates who would be happy to lend him their computer now and then. It's not that hard to get off your arse and get to a computer if you really want to.

Mick, don`t put words there that I did n`t say, I do not agree with your views one iota!

Redj probably has n`t got any mates, due to the fact that he would be out working in the sweatshop for his meagre pittance to sustain his meagre existence, and he would have no spare cash to socialise and mix with the elite of society, and in any case if he had some spare cash, would the wallpaper tycoons of this world really want a peasant mixing in their social circles?

[mjdgreg]

Redj probably has n`t got any mates

You're probably right. Maybe he has got some family that would lend him a computer?

I'm not convinced he's as hard up as he makes out. He just thinks he is. Having a season ticket and travelling to matches is not cheap. If I was as hard up as him that would be one of the things that would have to go.

[jucyberry]

Yes you have to live within your means and if there isn't much money in the pot you are a fool if you are frivolous with money you don't have......But on the other hand, you only have one life and everyone has to have something to make that life bearable..

I would say that as Redj doesn't smoke drink or go on holiday (three totally overrated pastimes imho) then he is fully entitled to have a computer..it's all about balance after all.. There is a bloody great difference between living and existing...the money in his household is his business not anyone elses to comment on..

I do hate the Daily mail ethos of minding everyone elses business  that seems to be rife in this country at the moment...

[mjdgreg]

I do hate the Daily mail ethos of minding everyone elses business  that seems to be rife in this country at the moment...

Then I suggest you stop reading it. I don't know what the Daily Mail ethos is as I have never read it.

You're right about RedJ's finances being his own business. He posted details of them himself and I was merely trying to point him in the direction of 'hardening up' with some very useful suggestions as to how he could start to live within his means. I'm only trying to help.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Local government is so inefficient you would not believe, the amount of money that gets wasted is unbelievable.  Some of the cash that gets spent in local government would get laughed out of the door in the private sector.  I see a lot of it through work, although the local authorities are getting a bit tighter with their expenditure they've still a long way to go to get to the levels the private sector operate at.

[RedJ]

Christ Mick you talk some b*llocks. I need my computer for my work, making it a necessity rather than a luxury, and if I were to give up this "luxury", then I'd be hard pressed to do quite a lot of my work.

We actually had our freeview box given to us for Christmas, we only pay the yearly licence fee, so that one's out the window.

I don't mind you commenting on my personal situation as I myself put it out there, but there's no need to be so f**king patronising.

[jucyberry]

Freesat is a bit of a con too..I used to have Sky but gave it up.. However, as I haven't got a terrestrial aerial I still run my tv through the sky dish..

I did look into freesat, I think it was around £50 at the time.. funny thing was tho all the programes i get for nothing out of fresh air are part of what you pay a fifty pounds fee for.. So I didn't gt it..

 There, hows that for being economical.. 

[mjdgreg]

Christ mjdgreg you talk some b*llocks. I need my computer for my work, making it a necessity rather than a luxury, and if I were to give up this "luxury", then I'd be hard pressed to do quite a lot of my work.

OK, I agree you can keep the computer. I've got some more suggestions to help you out.

Switch to a water meter. When you have a bath let others use the bath water with/after you. Once done use the effluent to flush the toilet and water the garden.

Shop at one of the main (expensive) supermarkets? Buy all their basic/economy ranges (you'll soon get used to the awful taste). Or shop at Lidl, Aldi etc.

In winter don't put the heating on. An extra layer of clothing can make a huge difference.

Try walking instead of using the car. You'll help save the planet and get some free exercise.

Get free solar panels (or if you can afford it buy them). I bought mine and I'm now £170 a month better off for 25 years.

Let me know if you need any more suggestions (I've got loads). Hopefully I've given you enough to start making a real difference to your life.

You know it makes sense. We're in it together.

[mjdgreg]

Freesat is a bit of a con too..I used to have Sky but gave it up.. However, as I haven't got a terrestrial aerial I still run my tv through the sky dish..

I did look into freesat, I think it was around £50 at the time.. funny thing was tho all the programes i get for nothing out of fresh air are part of what you pay a fifty pounds fee for.. So I didn't gt it..

 There, hows that for being economical..

Freesat is free. The clue is in the name. You only have to pay for the box. It will hook into a sky dish so you simply just have to swap the boxes. There are HD boxes out there with pause and rewind for the more affluent.

[RedJ]

Christ mjdgreg you talk some b*llocks. I need my computer for my work, making it a necessity rather than a luxury, and if I were to give up this "luxury", then I'd be hard pressed to do quite a lot of my work.

OK, I agree you can keep the computer. I've got some more suggestions to help you out.

Switch to a water meter. When you have a bath let others use the bath water with/after you. Once done use the effluent to flush the toilet and water the garden.

Shop at one of the main (expensive) supermarkets? Buy all their basic/economy ranges (you'll soon get used to the awful taste). Or shop at Lidl, Aldi etc.

In winter don't put the heating on. An extra layer of clothing can make a huge difference.

Try walking instead of using the car. You'll help save the planet and get some free exercise.

Get free solar panels (or if you can afford it buy them). I bought mine and I'm now £170 a month better off for 25 years.

Let me know if you need any more suggestions (I've got loads). Hopefully I've given you enough to start making a real difference to your life.

You know it makes sense. We're in it together.

I love how you assume I'm stupid enough to not already do these things..

[Thinwhiteduke]

Get free solar panels (or if you can afford it buy them). I bought mine and I'm now £170 a month better off for 25 years.

£170.00 a month better off...please present some figures to prove your not talking b*llocks.

[Thinwhiteduke]

Christ Mick you talk some b*llocks.

I don't mind you commenting on my personal situation as I myself put it out there, but there's no need to be so f**king patronising.

He can't help it - he's a Tory.

[Thinwhiteduke]

Today letters hit the doorsteps of its lower paid staff threatening to terminate their employment if they do no take a 2% hit before the end of June. (Well, I'll clarify that £14999 =1%, £15,000=2%, £20,800=2.5% - nothing above that).

This whilst hatchetwoman Miller enjoys her £145,000 per year salary (a proportion of which she earns whilst posting on Twitter in works time  - I dare say if any other staff member was undertaking such practices they'd be disciplined).

Thing is, everyone gets a service from a Council that is totally dependent on how motivated and valued its employees are, if you've been unimpressed with what you've had up til now.....its about to get a hell of a lot worse.

Anyway....back to my starter, it appears that nasty piece of work Miller may be a little rattled. The letter to return to her, rather than the one she's produced, via the Unison blog will help of course....

http://www.doncasterunison.blogspot.co.uk/