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Post by ronturner on Feb 27, 2012 21:24:24 GMT 1
To answer the original Question. Yes France is hard up, just about the same as uk and everywhere else. Life is different here: for me better too. Everybody,s circumstances are different, but for me life is less expensive here, although not as cheap as it was when my pension £s bought 1.50 instead of the 1.15 it has been buying for the last couple of years. That's a 25% pay cut. I pay much less tax here than in UK. Not surprising that Sarkosy and his lot are trying new ways to raise tax.
As a retired person in uk I would pay nothing for my health service. Here I pay about 700 euro per year to cover those things the French NHS does not pay for. However for that I get membership of probably the best health service in the world, and without wanting to dip too far into current uk politics, the service is driven by ones own GP and has a strong element of privatisation, and choice, within it. If this is what Cameron is trying to do, it will be good for you. However don't think it will save too much money. It will not. The French health budget is always overspent.
So yes, we are hard up, but we are happy, thank you.
RT
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Post by Biggles on Feb 27, 2012 23:41:54 GMT 1
Do you have a glove box on a tractor ?
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Post by johnoakes on Feb 28, 2012 11:54:34 GMT 1
NOW----photos to follow but--no glove box--no training--but the trailor and the caravan have to have an MOT LOL
My bank has been able to transfer cash for me at €1.18 for some time provided I transfer a lump and there are no extra charges-unlike Ryanair wysiwyg but being unable to be taxed in France I do pay extra in the UK
I must say I do like the French attitude of just get on with it--I recently chopped down 3 substantial Ash trees and just missed the power cables that border my garden--but I missed so no one cares--no preservation orders etc.They were on my land and so they were mine to do with as I liked.Fine for the wood burning fire next year.
Will keeep you informed re the breathalizer--can't see it being popular and the French overturn stupid regulations in an un sheep like way.
I love it here.LOL
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Post by johnoakes on Feb 28, 2012 11:59:34 GMT 1
;D ;D
ps re the French health service--I echo what Ron says and though in rude health Fay is not and we have had cause to use it.I can only say 10/10 so far.
AND my Doctor bless here says I should have a glass of red wine every day--didn't say how big but I love her so.LOL
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Post by ronturner on Feb 28, 2012 14:26:51 GMT 1
HI John, You may well be getting 1.18 at the moment, indeed I recently made an exchange at 1.205, but the AVERAGE over the last tax year (2011 for 2010 income) was 1.152, and in the tax year 2010 for 2009 income was 1.1297 (lowest was 1.035).
These averages are published by the French income tax people to work out the Euro equivalent of your GBP earnings, and in my case the "national" average just about mirrors my experience.
Surprisingly I find that my state pension which comes into my bank already in Euro's from Ireland, comes in the the most competitive rates available on the day. It looks as though HMG has a deal with the bank of Ireland to transfer at the true interbank rate of the day, rather than at a commercial rate: even a good one.
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Post by ronturner on Feb 28, 2012 14:31:50 GMT 1
We cannot chop down the Horse Chestnut trees on our land. They are part of the patrimonie of the Chateau and the village.
We are on very friendly terms with the Mayor but he wants them kept and he has the law on his side, and more importantly, public opinion.
We are stuck with them until the next "tempete" at least.
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Post by johnoakes on Feb 28, 2012 16:40:00 GMT 1
;D Clearly your region needs more trees---we have loads.LOL--and as the forests are managed even in the Higher Alps chopping down trees on your own land is no big deal---especially as I have planted a dozen or more fruit trees to keep the greens happy.LOL  Interesting comment re the Bank of Ireland--Fay gets her OAPension from there and it is highly competitive. I prefer the freedom to use the market and only change money when I have an advantage---I don't need to transfer on a monthly basis and it does pay to be able to pick and choose. no faulting your figures as usual. |
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Post by paravion on Mar 3, 2012 11:51:49 GMT 1
Dont know if this has been said (may have missed it) I would think you would need to carry more than one breathailzer as once you have used yours you then cant drive as you dont have one in the car ? unless they are re-useable ?
Brian.....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2012 21:23:44 GMT 1
Dont know if this has been said (may have missed it) I would think you would need to carry more than one breathailzer as once you have used yours you then cant drive as you dont have one in the car ? unless they are re-useable ? Brian..... Brian, It is covered but very early on. Your right but it's only French Nationals that need to do this. Not sure why as many foreigners could well be staying in the country for more than a week or two. Either, their not interested in tourists or (like Maverick) they think their country is so dull that no-one would want to be there any longer than it takes to drive through ;D |
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Post by johnoakes on Mar 7, 2012 10:43:29 GMT 1
just seen the new breathalizer kits.
About £5 for a set of 5+1 free.
Will find out more when I can.
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Post by ronturner on Mar 8, 2012 7:47:34 GMT 1
By the way, these kits are for personal use. The purpose is so that if you have been drinking you are expected to test yourself before driving. These DIY kits are indicative, rather than definitive. The purpose of the law is to make sure that the means of self test are ready at hand. (No excuses) If the police stop you for a test, they must use their own "proper" system to establish whether or not you have committed an infraction.
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