Cruising Caribbean Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 @LukeJ This is my first time hearing of a sugar tax! That's wild! That wouldn't fly in the US. I almost think the US wants its people to get sick so the pharma companies can benefit from everyone using life sustaining drugs. Pharma companies make wild amounts of money off the the unhealthy people here. The amount of people with diabetes and high blood pressure is sickening. As annoying as a sugar tax must be, at least your government recognizes it as harmful instead of recommending it. The US almost encourages sugars in the daily diet. We use products called pedialite when children are ill and pediasure when children are "too thin." The top ingredients in these beverages are high fructose corn syrup, oil, artificial colors/flavor, and water. I refuse to give them to my children although the pediatrician recommends them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 The UK just tax everything. Honestly it is disgraceful. Taxes are going up again to fill in a financial blackhole that the government have got themselves in. People are getting themselves in debt to help the government who are in massive debts. You are correct that big companies make money off unhealthy people and will continue to do so, that's why I was surprised they are planning on a smoking and vaping ban. The amount of money they make off people is eye watering I should imagine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall James-Vargas Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 @LukeJ A sugar tax is intriguing! It's a cleaver idea. When did that tax come about? I'm interested to learn more. I see the value behind banning those things because of harm to people and the environment, but it's a money maker. Taxes are a great way to make money off of people, but if the people get upset about it, it's a different story. I hate to think that the government wants to make money off of people but it's unfortunately a logical perspective. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 @Kendall James-Vargas I believe it came in around 2018. It's fairly new and an idea by the government to get another way of taking money off hard working Brits. I genuinely believe that we would be the most wealthiest people if it weren't for these masses of taxes. I'm all for being taxed, of course it helps pay for infrastructure and so forth that the country needs. We should pay some sort of taxes, no problems. But it's the amount of taxes and the pathetic little things that we are paying for just because the government waste the money and can't do their jobs properly is the frustrating part. Because they overspend on nothing, we are forced to pay more. The sugar tax alone brings in over £300million, and I'd like to know what they do with the money. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall James-Vargas Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 @LukeJ Does this sugar tax apply to things bought prepackaged in store or does it also apply to desserts in restaurants? Does the sugar tax apply to all sugared drinks as well? I can't imagine how is could be regulated. It's very intriguing! I'm shocked that tax brings in £300million! Your roads and sidewalks must be immaculate. Do you have free public transit for all? Do you have free public healthcare for all? That's just wild. I wonder if eventually that tax would go away. As someone who isn't subject to paying such a tax, it seems a little ridiculous. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 @Kendall James-Vargas all prepackaged, especially drinks are raised. You'd be surprised what is taxed in the UK. Even petrol (or gasoline), the UK would be the cheapest in Europe pre tax, however thanks to this government, we are the most expensive petrol after it's gone through the tax process. We pay 40% of tax on it, so that's a big raise in price. The government claim that these prices go towards the roads, but it doesn't. You ask if our roads and sidewalks are immaculate, I wish I could say yes. However the realities are they are in a disgraceful condition. Honestly you would not believe how bad they are, full of potholes, with people falling over cracked sidewalks and cars damaged with the amount of potholes the roads have. The councils claim they have no money to fix them, yet we can't seek compensation for damages to our cars. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall James-Vargas Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 @LukeJ I guess desserts at a restaurant are an exception then. That's such a bummer you guys have to pay more for a treat! Wow, the UK is the cheapest for petrol yet it's still marked so high! A 40% tax is crazy! I'm shocked. Is this supposed to be a push for public transit? What is the motive? How are you supposed to get around, biking in the snow? I find that insane. That tax is way too high! Gasoline over here is just the regular tax and the price isn't too bad. Everyone needs gas although there is a push for electric vehicles. I don't want an EV car either. Where is the money going? Is there not any transparency? It seems quiet off to me. Potholes in the roads should be taken care of with this kind of crazy tax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 11 Share Posted September 11 We are in a bad way as a country I'm afraid. So many people are struggling for money, and I can't see it getting any better. Everything is just on stop here, nothing seems to be getting done. However there doesn't seem a lot we as a public can do. There are strikes, protesters, failing system, you name it. It's like a TV show lately ha ha. Still if you can't smile about it, you would be crying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Caribbean Posted September 11 Share Posted September 11 @LukeJ I'm reading through this so surprised. I didn't know any of this about the UK. You have taught me so much in these comments. It's easy to think that areas in Europe have it so good, but it seems like the UK government really isn't looking out for its people. Taxes that high should leave your area pristine and lovely. If you are paying that much, you should only have good things to say about the UK. It's not fair that you are paying and it's not benefitting the people. I hope things change for you all. Otherwise, how are you supposed to afford a cruise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 @Cruising Caribbean thank you for your kind words and we can only hope that the UK will regain it's former glory. It's not fair on all of us living here. Asylum seekers are at an all time high. Prisoners especially convicted killers are released early because we have no room in prisons. Our NHS which should be the envy of the world is an embarrassment, that simply doesn't work. Councils have no money, education is struggling due to lack of funding. There is no wonder people are looking to go cruising just to get a respite from the doom and gloom of the country. And if that means they get themselves into debt just to simply get away and have some enjoyment in their lives, then so be it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall James-Vargas Posted September 12 Share Posted September 12 @LukeJ It almost seems many will be not wanting to live there and begin to move elsewhere. When things are that steep it will drive people out of there. It doesn't sound like a good longterm home if it continues to trend this way. Do you have hope that things will change? Have you considered relocating elsewhere? I feel sad for you to be in such a place that doesn't feel supportive of its residents. Has the housing market declined due to this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 16 Share Posted September 16 Many people I know have left, friends moved to Australia for a better life. I don't blame them. I would move, but my wife is not keen on the idea. I think she will miss her friends and family too much. I get it, family ties are important to her. House prices are crazy and they keep getting higher and higher. I can't see how it can honestly keep rising. At some point there has to be a price cap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall James-Vargas Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 @LukeJ Australia has to be an awesome place to live! They must be loving it there! Maybe you could go and visit them. I guess people make a place. Maybe once those people choose to move on too it would feel different. I'm moving to be near family so I really understand that. Being close to family is nice. I just don't want to be too close! Right now we will be staying about 3 miles from my in laws. That's a bit too close for me, but it was a great priced rental for the time being. I love a more northern costal feel, but my husband wants to be near his family forever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 Yeah there are pros and cons to everything. You get better things for your money and a better work life balance. They seem happy over there and always posting on social media about their adventures. I would like to move to North of France, I loved their living and i could find myself chilled over there rather than stressed out because of life in the UK is frustrating. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall James-Vargas Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 @LukeJ North of France sounds lovely! Is the cost of living cheaper there? Are the climates nicer there? Are there better cruise embarkation ports? You want you money to go further for sure. It's one reason I have relocated to state with no state income tax. Even the tax to buy groceries here is cheaper, and it feels so good to be able to afford things. Having to feel financially restricted is hard if you know in other places you would live a different life. The less expenditures you have, the better! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 We get on a ferry and get off at St. Malo which is a beautiful little town. It's so picturesque and full of life. Depending on where we are going then, we spend a good few hours there and go on our way to our vacation home. I'm not sure what the cost of living is like as I haven't really looked too much into it, but food is cheaper and drink and even house prices are cheaper so it's a good start I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Caribbean Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 @LukeJ St. Malo sounds like a fun adventure! I love that ferry is so convenient from there you are. I actually booked a cruise that disembarks into France! Have you been to Cannes, France before? That's were the ship will disembark from its Transatlantic voyage. It will also stop in places like Spain and Morocco along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 The ferry is very convenient. You can do a day's crossing if you wish. It only takes an hour and a bit from one of the ports. The further down ports cross across by the Brittany era, which we go on and stop at St. Malo is an overnight ferry which makes me chuckle each time. It only takes a few hours so how can we have an overnight ferry, they must switch off the engine and drift. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Caribbean Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 @LukeJ I wish the US had more ferries. They are lovely to ride on, so scenic! I guess I love everything water/boat related, like cruising. Shutting the engine off would be such a waste of time. I would rather take the quick ferry than the longer overnight one! The fact that I will get to go to France for the first time gets me so excited! I really hope this cruise works out for my bunch. I'm trying to convince my husband an 18-day journey is a great idea, but he isn't sold yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 You must tell us of your travels to France if/when you go. We can also give you plenty of tips and advice. Obviously you would want to see the main attractions like Paris and so forth, but to me, true France are the places far away from th busy cities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Caribbean Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 @LukeJ Paris will be so far away if I take this cruise. I already paid the deposit for two staterooms to solidify the itinerary. The biggest factor is taking off of work. I'm considering the idea of working on sea days to accommodate such a cruise. It's such a long amount of time to be off of work! My brother speaks of Nice and Antibes. Those are places he has been while working on a private yacht. I would ideally travel more throughout France if time allowed. I just don't know if time will allow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 I totally understand that the distance is a big problem. It's easier for us in the UK to go anywhere in Europe as the travel distance isn't that severe as it would be for yourself to travel. The countries in Europe have a fantastic history to delve into, and even the architecture of the buildings is something to be admired. I love seeing these places seeped in history as it adds to the character and the ambience of these places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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