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Author Topic: Can I Survive Retirement?  (Read 7028 times)

mrsgoggins

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Can I Survive Retirement?
« on: September 24, 2008, 11:33:08 am »

Hello Sailors,
They've just shut down the Post Office that I've run for 6 years and I'm sitting all alone waiting for the cash van to collect my valuables.

I quit my job as a professional engineer and took my cynicism with me to the Post Office as a sort of retirement activity which became almost full time. I've got to say it changed me because people sought and appreciated my help and advice, and I started to like my customers - a new experience. When our planned closure was announced thee was much talk of the damage to the community and of the effect on old people and a fairly large protest was launched - to no avail of course. As closure approached I started to appreciate that the impact on my customers would be real and to understand the importance of my Post Office and staff to the local community.

The closure was accompanied by many wet eyes, on both sides of the counter, bottles of wine, cards, compensation, etc.

I remain cynical but it is reserved for those who design and implement plans - in this case our Government - with no regard for our community and way of life, and as for bank executives well ********.

So can I survive retirement? YES YES YES of course I can and will enjoy it to the full. I have a wonderful wife and my 1/19 scale TID with home built steam plant will progress at last and Stavros ain't having this one! (the TID that is)

Sorry about the pathos,
Regards
Keith
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barryfoote

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2008, 11:41:59 am »

Keith,

Sorry about the closure. Just another example of a Government that does  not care enough about it's people and communities.

That said, enjoy your retirement. I retired early through no chioce of my own and on ocsions it does get frustrating but by and large it is nice not to have to set the alarm clock......unless you want to..

Barry
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RipSlider

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2008, 01:12:31 pm »

Just out of interest:

What is to stop a private company - for example MrsGoggins Ltd - setting up a shop which sells stamps, has franking capacity, has enough post to support a delivery pickup from the postman in a van etc etc etc.

Barring some of the re-selling, especially insurance which needs a big company behind you, what CAN'T be done, in some capacity, by a private individual?

If you were really interested, could you set up a shop which provides roughly the same service as a Post Office?

I guess pensions money might be an issue.



Anyway, good luck in your retirement

Steve
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funtimefrankie

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2008, 04:16:11 pm »

Tesco has done more to close small shops than anyone :(
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catengineman

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2008, 05:52:27 pm »

They took the Post Office out of our local Safeway (now Morrisons) then shut the old village Post office then shut the Kirkley Post Office and then they shut the Oulton Broard Post Office so now we only have the 'general' in town but as the Que is always out through the door I now use a Post office in Beccles which is around ten mile away but still easier to get to and use than the town two mile away.
We signed petitions to keep every one open but failed and now there is talk of sliming down on the general ?
Gov'mt ?  >>:-(
I am a few years off of retirement but when I do ??? Oh well I will worry when that time comes.

R,
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Stavros

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2008, 06:03:57 pm »

Dammed spoil sport and me fancied another TID.


Go on enjoy your retierment


Stavros
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Bryan Young

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2008, 07:49:30 pm »

Basically, I just do not understand the mind-set behind the Post Office closures.
I understand that the PO was sort of privatised a number of years ago, but on the understanding that the provision to the public would remain unchanged. Now it has to show a "profit". Did the original deal really only meant a profit fo investors or for the public at large? Although I am pretty vehemently against any form of Nationisation I do think that there is a case for it where national structure is concerned. Transport, Power, Postal services, Defence and so on (and water.....)....so why do we flog them all off to foreigners. Because this "government" wants to see the end of the UK as such. And it is winning. Thank goodness I am now approaching my twilight years and will not have to witness the total decline of the nation I have supported so well. Nearly in tears about all that! BY.
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White Ensign

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2008, 08:11:17 pm »

... just can say: Welcome in the Europe of the 21st century. It`s not a typical British, much more a European problem. The town where I live (population 63000 approx.) had 3 post-offices. They closed all three and gave the business in private hands. Just one shop left, who has the "Mail-section" in his Electronic- shop. But no additional person was hired, instead of this the clerk behind the counter has to serve two lines: One for the shop and one for the mail. And the orders from his boss are clear: Electric-spares first. So, if you want to give up some letters or packages, take a book to read with as it`ll take about 40 minutes in the morning and up to 60 minutes of waiting  at the evening time.

But they say, this is more effective and would save costs. But nobody can explain, why post-service had another increase. It leads to another fat bonus for some managers, leads to more unemployeed, the shares (which you cannot buy as too expensive and in certain hands) bring out another higher profit and they use this money to buy other companies to save taxes for... " creating and saving jobs".
So- if you are retired and have your pension- enjoy it. You`ll never know how long it`ll last.

Welcome in the world of Global Players. They play global, but definately not in your area. Welcome..... to the real world.
Bryan, your posting wasn`t cynical- it was reality.

Best regards,
Jörg
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Reade Models

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2008, 08:26:51 pm »


Bryan

(And this is nothing to do with politics)

I understand how you feel and empathise, all of those years of service...

I too hate the idea of nationalisation, but I do think that it is obscene that the British people should be held to ransom by utilities profiteering as we are.  Water, electricity, gas etc. should NEVER have been privatised.

I would even go so far as to say that these industries should be re-nationalised, and the present foreign owners thrown out without any compensation.

Malc



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Colin Bishop

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2008, 08:43:46 pm »

I have to agree with you there Malc. Whilst the nationalised utilities were not always as efficient as they could have been (and that could have been remedied) the bottom line was service and not profit. Basic services should not be in the hands of those whose first priority is profit.

Colin
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malcolmfrary

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2008, 09:18:00 pm »

Out of idle interest, who was it suggested that privatising the core services was a good idea?  I know the country voted on it in a democratic manner, and believed that so-called "competition" was a wonderful thing that would result in huge savings, but as far as I know, we do not have a means of getting to the pack of horse traders who sold the goods and getting our money back off them.  Or our livelyhoods.
By the way Mrsgoggins, its not cynicism, its scepticism.  Cynicism is when you dont care, scepticism is when you dont believe the lying *astar*s.

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Reade Models

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2008, 06:53:21 am »

I know the country voted on it in a democratic manner

I can remember the vote on the 'Common Market' referendum too.

I think that I must have been the only guy in the country to vote against it, it certainly seems that way sometimes?  Ted Heath was nothing less than evil for what he did to our country.

Common Market my a^se, all he wanted was subjugation of the British people with his 'New World Order'.  With the stroke of a pen he destroyed all of the effort and sacrifice made by so many in the previous years.

He made a complete and total mockery of the lives that were lost in two world wars.  His legacy?  'elf and safety, straight bananas, and all of the other sheer lunacy that comes out of Brussels.

And we're daft enough to put up with it...  EDF buys British Energy - just watch your electricity bills now!

(Sorry guys - rant over).

Malc (just a little to the right of Atilla the Hun)



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banjo

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2008, 09:21:50 am »

 ;D

Blame the Conservatives!!!

Who closed down the railways to break the strength of the union members?
Who closed the mines to scupper the pitmen?
Who knackered the heavy industries of this country; the Conservatives
Who privatised the utilities.....

Now they have boy in mans clothing they want to put up to be PM and you numpties will vote for them..

 O0

Ah ..that feels better
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David_S

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2008, 09:30:05 am »

And how many of the people who today complain about the foreign ownership of formerly public utilities eagerly bought their allocated shares in British Gas, British Telecom, etc. so they could sell them like good little capitalists a year or two down the line and pocket a hundred quid or two?  >:( The government was selling the public what the public already owned and millions flocked to buy.
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Proteus

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2008, 09:30:15 am »

yes but Who knacker ed everybody's Pension..G brown Esq

who sold our gold reseve at the lowest price ever

do I need to go on >>>>

Proteus
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banjo

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #15 on: September 25, 2008, 09:45:48 am »

yes but Who knacker ed everybody's Pension..G brown Esq

who sold our gold reseve at the lowest price ever

do I need to go on >>>>

Proteus

Without doubt Conservative Governments have legislated for a self-centred, self-serving minority.  The mass of deluded folk who vote them into power suffer just as much as those who oppose them.  When millions of pounds vanish from the Stock market where do you think they go?
Do you really think that members of working mens clubs take a break from crib and dominoes to plan a coup on the stock market.   Have hundreds of old ladies in the MU cashed in on selling stock short?
When they take a break from the House who is it that pops in to check on their Company Directorships?

Come on get real
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DickyD

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #16 on: September 25, 2008, 11:17:51 am »

Our main Post Office in Southampton is now on the 1st floor of W.H.Smith which is in the middle of a pedestrian precinct.

Now how bright is that ?  >>:-(
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banjo

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #17 on: September 25, 2008, 11:33:35 am »

 ;D

Dicky.... your footy team isn't much cop either......

you'd best move to Pompey
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roycv

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #18 on: September 25, 2008, 11:49:30 am »

Hi all in the days when I used to get paid for my opinions, I remember being involved with the department of Trade and Industry.  They were told from on high to get more efficient and reduce the 'man' power by 10 %, with the idea that they will still have the same workload.

The first response was to find a unit with 10% of the work force in it and 'privatise' it!

Fortunately it was stopped but the thinking in these departments is more about who you know and massaging one's own promotion than doing the job in hand.

Another thing that happened more recently was a very senior chap I know who was 'in charge' of our dealings with one of the European countries retired.  He did not get the expected letters after his name and was most upset!

So from being the slightly important person he was at drinks parties who expected to be treated defferentially.  Now, thrown on to his own resources he has carried on with the drinking and is little more than a shambling wreck usually found sitting in front of his T.V.
 His wife was quick to leave as well.
Such are the people that seem to rise in Government!!!!!!

I hope I have not offended too many people!
regards Roy
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dreadnought72

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #19 on: September 25, 2008, 12:25:04 pm »

Malc (just a little to the right of Atilla the Hun)

I can't wait for a Tory government. And my political beliefs are alongside/to the left of Tony Benn's, and I'm an utter Europhile. :o

Here's why I can't wait:

I live in Scotland and, as Labour have amply demonstrated in the past few by-elections up here, as they've drifted right, they've lost their way. The support and continuing groundswell to the SNP since the Scottish Parliament win is tangible. There's a more optimistic, "can do" attitude all about me. Which is great to see.

So ... the best result come the next election, from my point of view, is a swing to the Tories "darn sarth" (presumably with just one or two Tory MPs up here) allowing them to win handsomely. Meanwhile Labour evaporate in a fit of in-fighting. Lib-dems do nothing much as usual. The result would be:

Almost certainly a move by the SNP to take control in Scotland and press for independence. The UK splits up, Scotland finds a home embedded in the EU, I get paid in Euros, this country gets support alongside the Irish and Danish "small nations" model, local feeling turns from rumbling "anti-English" sentiment into a much more productive "pro-Scottish" mindset, with a undeniable "Socialist" feel. And while we're about it, the English can have their nuclear weapons back.

Excellent!

Andy
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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #20 on: September 25, 2008, 12:34:02 pm »


So you're not much of an Anglophile then?  {-) {-)

On a more serious note, do you think that Scotland will ever break away from the Union?  I know that there is a groundswell in Scotland that points that way, and to be honest, I suspect that a lot of the English would welcome the Scots b^^gering off to Europe.

On a personal level, I think it's all rather sad.  I've got a lot of good friends in Scotland.

Malc


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barryfoote

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #21 on: September 25, 2008, 12:35:34 pm »

Malc (just a little to the right of Atilla the Hun)

I can't wait for a Tory government. And my political beliefs are alongside/to the left of Tony Benn's, and I'm an utter Europhile. :o

Here's why I can't wait:

I live in Scotland and, as Labour have amply demonstrated in the past few by-elections up here, as they've drifted right, they've lost their way. The support and continuing groundswell to the SNP since the Scottish Parliament win is tangible. There's a more optimistic, "can do" attitude all about me. Which is great to see.

So ... the best result come the next election, from my point of view, is a swing to the Tories "darn sarth" (presumably with just one or two Tory MPs up here) allowing them to win handsomely. Meanwhile Labour evaporate in a fit of in-fighting. Lib-dems do nothing much as usual. The result would be:

Almost certainly a move by the SNP to take control in Scotland and press for independence. The UK splits up, Scotland finds a home embedded in the EU, I get paid in Euros, this country gets support alongside the Irish and Danish "small nations" model, local feeling turns from rumbling "anti-English" sentiment into a much more productive "pro-Scottish" mindset, with a undeniable "Socialist" feel. And while we're about it, the English can have their nuclear weapons back.

Excellent!

Andy

Andy as a proud Englishman, I totally agree with you. Maybe then we can all be proud of our roots and have good old friendly rivalry instead of bitterness..

Barry
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dreadnought72

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #22 on: September 25, 2008, 12:39:17 pm »

Thing is, I'M ENGLISH. I moved up here 15 years ago from the north of England.

 O0

(They probably let me in because of my name)

Andy
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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #23 on: September 25, 2008, 12:42:47 pm »



Turncoat!
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dreadnought72

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Re: Can I Survive Retirement?
« Reply #24 on: September 25, 2008, 02:16:13 pm »

Well, I'm originally northern English. I came up here to steal my sheep back.

Andy
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