A question for Candadians and UK folks and the Universal Healthcare

[PineappleMama]

Now I could see if they had a system for that like they do certain home grants/loans... like if you move within X years then you have to pay it back from the proceeds... but if you stay there for those X years then it's free and clear. That's helped a lot of folks get into a home.

If you say, had to attend training/school of some kind... in the hopes of someday getting off assistance thanks to a new career... gets written off. If you just take it and keep leeching, then you have to pay it back. Give those that need a leg up one, but not let just anyone use use use... course how much would be spent tracking down the sneaky ones... prolly more than the car was worth/will be if you find it. Not like a house where it's gonna stay put. Hmm, something to think on.

I hate that my kids aren't covered, that's my primary concern... and I've tried... sucked it up and begged for help, tried the lower priced one and was booted even though I complied, called and called and called companies and every quote was way too much (that $400 one was the BEST quote I got for me, not the worst!)... we'd literally have to choose insurance or food. The only way we could get insurance is if I got a job... I don't mind working... but with my skills/experience that's a hard prospect in a great market, n'mind this market... and at best it's a low paying job and not full time... not that I'm saying I deserve some high paying position I'm not qualified for, not at all, just pointing out facts... and those hours/pay would have to pay for insurance AND day care costs... I did have a job at one point while the kids were in PS, but I was only allowed to be there 11-2... 15 hours per week... made for a little more comfy bills/Christmas but wasn't enough to cover a premium. Maybe if I could find something at night... and then be awake/doing school with the kids all day... but that'd be a LOT... and it'd have to work around DH's work and school schedules... and most employers can't make those kinds of accommodations for employees... their shift changes are at X... DH isn't home most days until 6... except on Sunday, that could be any time... Saturday he's usually home by 530... etc. I can't expect them to alter everyone else's schedule just to suit me. Make someone stay late to cover me, pay them overtime to cover me, etc. So, yeah that's why I don't work... at least right now... and we just make do and hope nothing goes wrong or that if it does we can make payments. That's just me personally, everyone is different. Now if a job happened along where I could work enough hours/pay to pay insurance and I could take the kids with so no day care costs... and maybe had internet/wifi so they could do their HS stuff while there... with my skills/experience... then I'd be all set. But as yet that perfect job hasn't been handed to me so I clip coupons and buy on sale and DH goes to school (near perfect average, Dean's List, he's awesome) so someday he can have a job he loves and that provides for him and us well...

I imagine a lot of folks are in similar financial situations... not exact, but paycheck to paycheck and hoping... those with kids and without... with mortgage or rent... new car with payments or old car with problems... DH gets his Bach in December... then we've got a decision to make... get Certified to teach HS over summer and start and hope able to get Masters (because he eventually wants to teach college level)... OR apply for Masters program in Fall (can't start in spring) and do the same we've been doing for another two years but be guaranteed he gets his Masters under his belt while he has a job that works with his school schedule... and have the degree needed, minimum, for the job he really wants. Tough call... love to see the insurance and added income... but also want him doing what he loves, not what he has too... he's BEEN doing that you know? Oh, and it costs roughly $3000 to get certified... that is NOT covered by grants or scholarships like his tuition mostly has been... and then there's the student loan... only about $1100 I think, which is GREAT for a four year degree, but that starts coming due 6 months after you get out of school. If you're in Masters it's delayed until 6 months after that's done. Eenie Meanie Miney Mo... work or school which way to go...

 

[Hillsvale]

Quote:
Curious Hillsvale, what are you paying for a salmon per pound? I can't figure out the metric thing

Wild Sockeye fillets $10.39 per pound at Sobey's
To me that is utterly ridiculous when I live right next to the Pacific Ocean. Can't afford to buy it that often. To go fishing yourself is not cheap either.
The price of dairy products has hit the roof. Cheese is very expensive now.

What about lumber, say.....10foot 2x4?....Here at Rona probably spruce wood, $2.87
Firewood is going for approx $200-$300 per cord depends what you want, straight fir, mixed, Arbutus etc..

I think minimum wage is $8.00 per hour here. A non-livable wage.
Housing prices are gross. Rents are gross too, if you can find a place to rent.

Despite the outlandish price of things around here, some people still manage to own all the right toys (Harley MC's, boats, RV's etc.) and live in huge McMansions.

(McMansion is a local slang term for huge 4000 square foot house with all the bells and whistles. Sort of like supersized McDonald burgers.)

2x4x10.... kiln dry spruce = 3.00
I buy fire wood for cash, split.... 200. (which is good)

a large brick of cheese goes for a standard price of just short of 8.00 but once and a while there will be a blow out of just short of 4.00 (then we buy lots)
2 litres of milk runs about 3.89.... for MILK!
Sockeye... urgh! The price of salmon is utterly rediculous... a reasonable portion (as in not those tiny single serving pieces... maybe 1.5 times)... upards of 10.00 per piece! We tend to buy the whole fillet, cut and seal in the suction bags... or buy rainbow trout, 1/2 the price.

We make good money, live in a nice house (well one that I torn up all the carpet and left the plywood LOL) and spend very little that hasn't something to do with animals and their welfare... oh and wine!!....we are drowning in vehicles payments which all come to a halt in a year (thank god) and our gas usage/costs (thank you SUV's) is through the roof... since we sold the home in town and cottage by our current residence. We now commute about 45 km each way... and can't wait until we can get something economical for the every day and keep the paid off SUV as our "farm vehicle"... the second SUV can go back to dodgey dodge (its leased).

I remember being able to live much cheaper years ago and I really fail to see how our quality of life has improved other than growing our own food... the high salaries, high cost of living, stress, bosses expecting the world and everyone with their hand out...

Something as simple as friends looking for a pound of bacon to try it, one friend has asked for lamb, moose, goat, pork and chicken (we raise all but the moose of course) ... but they don't want to help with the costs, I am sure when the turkey's and geese are done they will want that too.... drop in the bucket in the big scheme of things of course but it still cost us money to produce it.

I can't imagine living on the 20k per year I did about 15 years ago!!

 

[BlackBart]

Hillsvale wrote:

oh and wine!!....

a bottle of good local wine will cost you approx $12 for 750ml.

All the richies from Canada's big cities are moving here and driving the price of everything up.......than they complain about Roosters crowing in the morning....sigh
Roosters versus sirens......no contest.

 

[Hillsvale]

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No sirens where I live... but I do have to come to the city every day for ... work

Inniskillen (sp) wines are wonderful, Grand Pre locally makes some nice wines as well... as a matter of fact there are quite a few good local wineries...

I work for a local developer... currently on a 10 year project with lots and lots of condos on the waterfront... keeps the people downtown and outa my hair! lol

 

[BlackBart]

Quote:
LOL people love their waterfront property

How about Bill #C-428 ? why bother working

 

[Hillsvale]

Quote:
LOL people love their waterfront property

How about Bill #C-428 ? why bother working

Wow... Our governmnet should be ashamed of themselves, there are pensioners who worked 40 years who can barely make ends meet and they are thinking of giving a oension to residents who have only been here 3 years than may or may not even have contributed!

 

[BlackBart]

Yup Canada is a place where the minority rules. I wonder who makes these decisions?
I think they are finally getting around to changing the refugee laws, thank god. At least they are talking about it but that could take years to change.

They said there is another Asian freighter heading for our shores.
I don't know what is like in Nova Scotia but in BC it is getting ridiculous.

 

[Hillsvale]

Quote:
We aren't AS bad for refugees but with the ice free port.... I think there is more than the authorities let on.

Sadly my spouse (and other legitimate immigrants) had to jump through crazy hoops to come here as a landed immigrant (UK), you aren't ALLOWED to work until you get a work permit which took about a year, once working you pay for EI but are not allowed to claim for 3 years... ...his renewal papers (a stamp and a new card) take 33 weeks to process!

I am not sure how painful it was years ago when my dad came over... probably easier with a transfer between the Roayl Navy and the Canadian Navy... as it is if a company "elsewhere" transfers and employee to Canada I suppose.

I understand allowing productive people into the country, I understand refugees in danger.... but just to let someone into the country whom doesn't pay their way rots my socks off!

 

[PineappleMama]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101024/ap_on_bi_ge/us_employer_health_plans

Another article I hope is just a bunch of hooey. They're speculating that employers may try to drop insurance, or at the very least make employees pay for more than they have been... and it's supposedly due to the new health care thing. That will come down to each individual business of course, and DH's boss has never been one to leave his employees hanging in the wind... he'll sell equipment, take a loan, not take a check himself, whatever is needed to make sure his employees get their due... so I'm not to worried that DH will no longer be covered, if costs skyrocket that's a fear, but not just for the heck of it... but that's not the case at a lot of larger companies.

This turns out to be a bunch of hot air.

 

[BlackBart]

Yeah, my sister-in-law had to jump through lots of hoops too. She should of just come on a old freighter

Lots of people in my area choose to live in Canada because of the benefits they receive from our social programs and handouts. But their alliances lie with their country of origin.
I suppose that is to be expected. Just don't criticize the country that gives you handouts when your own country will not.