My trip to Oxford

[Incognito]

Indeed. One might expect someone who has moved on from money to measure success in something other than pounds and pence.

This is Walter Mitty we're discussing though.

[Paddy]

I may point out that rates are lower and prices higher in the UK but these are matters of fact, I often whinge about the quality of life in the UK and I despair for the state of the nation and contemplate how to make it better. Particularly because I have a child who is starting school soon I lament the state of British education and the violent and materialistic culture into which our children are being inducted. This is something I do for fulfilment.

You however seem unable to see value in anything that doesn't have a price tag attached.

Another problem with the UK is that although you can earn good money; the cost of living is too high, I know some Eastern European IT workers who have gone back home because although the wages are lower, they have more disposable income.

In Greece there has been rioting because they are going to introduce their version of council tax.

I am also in touch with some expats who moved to Europe and they all say it is the best thing they have ever done for their kids.

[sasguru]

Indeed. One might expect someone who has moved on from money to measure success in something other than pounds and pence.

I do indeed. I value my growing expertise in oil painting and am trying to write a novel in my spare time.
I'm also working on my Plan D which may provide another fortune but I'm doing that for the satisfaction not the money.
HTH

[sasguru]

This is Walter Mitty we're discussing though.

Your bitterness shines through. Tut-tut.

[AtW]

Point of order - those who wish to pick up sasguru should do so in dedicated thread.

[doodab]

Another problem with the UK is that although you can earn good money; the cost of living is too high, I know some Eastern European IT workers who have gone back home because although the wages are lower, they have more disposable income.

I have a distant relative who married a Polish girl, binned his IT support job in the city and moved out there. He's as happy as larry.

[doodab]

I do indeed. I value my growing expertise in oil painting and am trying to write a novel in my spare time.
I'm also working on my Plan D which may provide another fortune but I'm doing that for the satisfaction not the money.
HTH

And yet you describe anyone with less money than you as a failure. Why is that? Would you consider yourself a failure if you had less money but were twice as good at painting?

[AtW]

Would you consider yourself a failure if you had less money but were twice as good at painting?

If I was twice as good at painting I'd be selling my work at Christie's.

HTH

sasguru

[sasguru]

And yet you describe anyone with less money than you as a failure. Why is that? Would you consider yourself a failure if you had less money but were twice as good at painting?

I don't describe anyone with less money than me as a failure.
I consider people to be failures if they whinge a lot without trying to change anything.

HTH

[doodab]

I don't describe anyone with less money than me as a failure.
I consider people to be failures if they whinge a lot without trying to change anything.

HTH

I'm still trying to visualise your oil paintings.