09dolphin
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Post by 09dolphin on Nov 26, 2023 14:56:24 GMT
Avoid JUST ANSWER as you will end up enrolled for a monthly fee of £35.00' I has asked a legal question but didn't get any sort of reasonable response but find I now have a monthly payment of £35.00 which I thought was a one off payment. Obviously it's cancelled but avoid Just Answer as they don't answer the question and then charge you £35.00 on a monthly basis.
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
Posts: 630
Likes: 856
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Post by 09dolphin on Jul 16, 2023 15:17:25 GMT
It would not work for dental emergencies but I use, and have used for almost 10 years a dental surgeon in Fuengirola Spain for routine check ups and any treatment that the check up shows I need. The dentist is British trained but retired to Spain 12 years ago as he was fed up of the NHS. His partner at the surgery is from Norway and speaks better English than I speak Spanish. Check ups and fillings. crowns, scale and polish etc are also about two thirds of the price I would pay in the UK which makes my week in Spain in Autumn and Spring a cheap break. I win all round. I've never had a bill over £350 but normally it's between £140 - £250 twice a year - but I do try to look after my teeth.
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
Posts: 630
Likes: 856
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Post by 09dolphin on Jul 11, 2023 4:43:46 GMT
If we have 2.5x the incarceration rate of say Germany, should we not be curious about that ? If we have 30% more than France, should we not be curious about why ? If we are (from memory) 3x that of Scandinavian countries should we not be curious about that ? Yet we still have higher crime rates. So if our actual objective is lower crime, less impact on society resulting from crime (both the act of, and the side effects) then shouldn't we look at ourselves in comparison and ask what we can learn ? Higher crime, higher incarceration rates. Those all come with negative societal outcomes and costs. Personally I think that should tweak our curiosity as to "why ?" and think about perhaps we are getting some things wrong. Rather than just knee jerk: build more prisons, lock more people up. . Ok let me throw this one out, I've never heard of cases from Europe where people on benefits are sanctioned, result they shoplift because they need food end up in court where they get fined, they can't pay the fines or if they do it pushes them further into poverty causing them to shoplift again. It's a vicious circle and I've seen someone in it, the end result was he got jailed for nicking 2 mars bars. Why did he get sanctioned believe it or not he was in court but the DWP refused to accept that as a valid reason. I also understand from European friends that they send nearly as many people to jail as we do however they tend to have far shorter sentences. this as an example www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64431903 yes he shouldn't have been drivng and it is tragic what happened but is jailing a man of 96 appropriate
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
Posts: 630
Likes: 856
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Post by 09dolphin on Apr 27, 2023 21:48:41 GMT
My experience of a GP surgery in the past year is mixed. As someone with COPD I'd much rather see a specialist nurse rather than a GP because the nurse seems more competent than a GP as these patients are all they deal with day by day. I found it really difficult to access healthcare after sustaining a 3rd degree burn, which became infected, to a lower limb and had to threaten to make a complaint before being able to access treatment. When I was able to access treatment it was excellent and provided by practice nurses although a GP did authorise pain medication. When I had what was diagnosed as a TIA I was seen by a GP and student the same day, referred to a specialist and had tests within 48 hours to enable a diagnosis and treatment.
It seems to me that if I have a serious medical emergency my GP is great. If my problem is not an emergency but requires ongoing care it's much more difficult to access care and that specialist nurses are able to routinely treat common problems.
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09dolphin
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Post by 09dolphin on Jan 31, 2023 17:35:49 GMT
This company never seem to "chase" losses. Almost 50% of my money invested is shown as being in debt but RbS rarely show an update and they are obviously happy to ignore when debters choose not to make a repayment. Indeed companies who borrow are able to sell their stock (when they sell their company) which has been pledged as security for the loan and RbS take no action whatsoever. Even when RbS are advised by their "inhouse" team to take action to secure debt due to a long period where nothing has been paid RbS ignore that advice. This company is typical of P2P companies. Inadequately managed and likely to be in receivership soon.
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
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Post by 09dolphin on Sept 23, 2022 21:23:31 GMT
Blame the business model that let you buy energy for the last 15 years at reduced costs, "the b@@@@ds let me save money and now I have to pay for it".
It might be better to ask "why was I not paying more for energy so it could have been a more secure green energy source?", but that would require humans to be able to think outside their short term wallet.
You could, for example have invested in Solar cells for the roof, or bought TRIG when is was under £1.
Or you could have bought another buy suggested by bobo and lost 87% by investing in a hydrogen supplier based in Sheffield. I refer to ITM power.
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
Posts: 630
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Post by 09dolphin on Jul 16, 2022 21:13:42 GMT
The update on 3rd May 2022 by the administrators of the company to whom the loan was made makes for interesting reading. It's filed at companies house.
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09dolphin
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Post by 09dolphin on Feb 5, 2022 9:07:31 GMT
When I bought my first flat in 1969 we didn't even bother to ask what the council tax was as it miniscule. Haven't times changed.
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
Posts: 630
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Post by 09dolphin on Feb 5, 2022 8:57:27 GMT
Isn't Andrew Bailey familiar with the economics of the 1970s. Didn't economists learn any lessons from then that can be applied to this day and age. One of the BOEs role is to control inflation. The Tory government has set a target of 2%. How well is he doing in achieving his targets? I'd suggest almost as well as he did when he headed up the FSA, perhaps a little better or perhaps a little worse. No doubt he will get a big bonus at the end of this financial year or he'll be promoted for his failure as often happens. Surely there is an economist somewhere, anywhere who is capable - or is his job a poisoned chalice and he's just the fall guy for an abject failure of government.
I am worried about the people who will get a 1% pay rise and have to cope with 5 - 10% inflationary pressures, pensioners who will get a rise in what is already a very small basic pension and will be badly affected by the small rise in their pensions, working people who are already on benefits and may have more than one job who will have to consider if they are actually better off working or claiming full unemployment benefits.
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
Posts: 630
Likes: 856
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Post by 09dolphin on Jan 7, 2022 18:42:57 GMT
Took the Royal Mail from the postmarked 24/12/21 until 6/1/22 to deliver a stamped 1st class letter 7 miles across a city. Took the Royal mail from the date on the invoice of 31/12/21 until 5/1/22 to deliver using a 2nd class stamp from Norfolk to South Yorkshire.
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
Posts: 630
Likes: 856
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Post by 09dolphin on Dec 31, 2021 0:55:30 GMT
Went to an appointment with my local Specsavers previously booked today at 1350 hour. I was emailed yesterday that they would contact me before my visit to make Covid checks - They didn't. Notice on the door to say "ring the bell" to access the store. Did that and spent almost 5 minutes waiting in light rain. A customer came out so I entered the store. Waited another 5 minutes at the front of the store and was ignored by the 2 staff who were visible. Walked out 10 minutes after my appointment time.
Does Covid allow, excuse or even encourage this level of customer service? I'll now make an appointment with a local independent optician. It may cost a few pounds more for my glasses but the customer service will be much better so it's good value for money.
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
Posts: 630
Likes: 856
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Post by 09dolphin on Dec 1, 2021 7:12:29 GMT
An update on my Aunts situation. She has let me see her bank accounts + saving accounts. She has over £27500 at present in savings so I don't think she can claim any help for her fuel bills. But her income is only £706.33 every 4 weeks or about £8476 pa and with a council tax bill of £1327.61 pa which is her biggest monthly bill ( or about £110 per month) + increasing costs of insurance, food. energy etc I can understand her fears. She used savings last year of £645 and is concerned that her capital won't be enough for the rest of her life assuming she lives for another 10 years when her funeral costs have to be paid. I'll be honest I have proposed that she buys her funeral now so that's £5K from her savings or leaves her with £22500 in savings. Then of course she could spend some money on a new boiler (her present one is almost 30 years old and energy inefficient) so that's another £3000 which gets her savings down to £19500 and saves her on energy costs.
Can forumites suggest other ways my aunt can spend her savings that will make her life easier or save her money but also enable her to get to a level that will enable her to access the support she needs without having to sit in a chair using an electric blanket + throw to keep her energy bills manageable.
If I'm honest I'm totally shocked and don't know how to help her manage her situation. What in the world are coming to that people who are this age are having to experience this level of suffering. Whilst I am migrant friendly I do think my aunt would much prefer to being in a 3 star hotel, provided with 3 meals a day and have a weekly allowance of £35+ per week - so why are we allowing our elderly to have worse conditions than migrants.
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09dolphin
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Post by 09dolphin on Dec 1, 2021 6:17:32 GMT
My council bill shows that I must make payments from 1st April to 1st January (10 months) and shows the sum to be paid each month. If I wanted to pay in 12 monthly installments I would have to apply by 19th March and my bill for 2021/2022 explains how to do this.
If you are paying by DD I would make the effort to go into the council offices (take along bank statements with highlighted payments) and sort the problem out in person. It will be far quicker than making numerous phone calls and be a lot less frustrating. At my council I don't have to make an appointment but I don't know if this applies to all councils.
I think most councils are reasonable when you can talk to a person but the automated stuff blindly follows procedures. If you need to split your payments over 12 months or even longer they will help because they just want the money ASAP. There is a section on my bill that shows the amount owed carried over from previous year(s) which suggests this can occur but I have no experience of this.
At worst approach you local council member or Citizens Advice for help.
I do understand how frustrating it is using an automated phone system or waiting for a person to talk to and not being connected - but that just how life is nowadays in the UK. If you can circumvent the automated system I think you may be able to sort out your problem.
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09dolphin
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Posts: 630
Likes: 856
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Post by 09dolphin on Nov 27, 2021 19:27:48 GMT
I made an unplanned visit to my elderly aunt who is 88 years old because it had snowed which wasn't in the forecast and thought she might need some shopping. I was horrified to find that her house was so cold I needed to keep my coat on and I was still cold. Honestly it was really cold. It transpires that she is so frightened of getting a large energy bill she can't pay that she's decided to only heat one room with an electric radiator which was warmish. She appears to be sitting in a chair in her living room with an electric blanket +a throw in order to keep warm which I find shocking. I know it was always a bit coldish last year in her home when she knew I would be calling but I just thought she was being frugal and careful. Now I find she switches on the central heating for a couple of hours when she knows someone is expected to visit. Totally shocking that elderly people are in this position. Needless to say I have made a payment to her energy supplier that I hope will cover or pay her energy bill for the three worst winter months and I hope I can monitor her energy usage during winter so she can at least be warm.
What surprises me is that her energy bill she pays of £40 per month didn't ring alarm bells for an elderly single lady in a 3 bed house didn't ring alarm bells with her energy company.
I know my aunt could pay double for her energy but much more would be problematic for her and I understand her fears knowing her pension income - but sitting in a chair using an electric blanket + throw just to keep warm because she is frightened she can't afford a heating bill does seem rather OTT.
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09dolphin
Member of DD Central
Posts: 630
Likes: 856
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Post by 09dolphin on Nov 24, 2021 5:26:01 GMT
If either the UK or national governments want people to get the booster jab it should make it as easy as possible for people to receive them. They already know what has worked in the past so why aren't they using the same model? As someone who believes in the vaccination route for reducing serious illness or death (I acknowledge it does occasionally fail) it does suggest from the comments here and my own experience that the national governments are not being as successful as they were with their first rollout.
Can I also say I am shocked that some European states are proposing/imposing strict lockdowns and restrictions on the unvaccinated and if it happened in the UK I would be happy to become involved in peaceful local protests. I believe people should have a choice and if they decide to be unvaccinated they take the associated risk of severe illness/death - but it is their choice. I, as a fully vaccinated person, may infect another person but I am not being deprived of various liberties. I know I am less likely to be infected than an unvaccinated person but the fact remains I could be infected and would obviously avoid contact with people I know to be unvaccinated.
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