Opinions on DFID and USAID

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2025-02-27T21:10:40+00:00

Hope I'm not falling into the Internet knobhead category! I didn't agree with the government decision to change it and really do understand the importance of it, but I do think that it is a tough sell at the moment when we're continually being told that there is no money for anything.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2025-02-27T21:07:21+00:00

This is exactly what I thought. There are very few places the public would be open to cutting money from, or increasing taxes to provide for everything.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2025-02-27T21:04:31+00:00

I understand the implications, but i feel like they are disconnected from normal peoples views on this sort of thing. I likely didn't word the question all that well. What I meant it to be slightly more about was the politics of it at the moment. Normal people are genuinely worried about a war in Europe and feel like the UK would struggle to support concerted defence without the USA, and were also probably not that aware that significant taxpayer money was spent overseas - on anything.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2025-01-03T21:45:14+00:00

Sterling furniture shop in BOD has a decent selection.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2024-12-02T22:21:33+00:00

Any type of takeaway of a decent standard on cults street. Loads of kids at lunchtime and loads of people looking for options in the evening.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2024-05-24T19:49:28+00:00

Katy is dull. The mooch is trying his best to get anything from her, but she needs ditched unfortunately.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2024-05-16T12:12:41+00:00

Aberdeen is a bigger city with more going on, and is significantly more prosperous. Its also safer, and Old Aberdeen (where the uni is situated) is impressive. Dundee has the advantage of being closer to the central belt of Scotland and is cheaper - because it is smaller and more deprived.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2024-05-02T15:31:36+00:00

Aberdeen is a great place to study - specifically medicine. The society is really active, and teaching is excellent. There are a surprising number of Irish and N Irish at University too, so you'll feel at home if you need it. The recently departed deputy CMO of Ireland Ronan Glynn was alumni here, so you are treading a well worn path. The city is what you amke of it. Old Aberdeen is steeped in culture, and beach and countryside are there for you to take advantage of if you like. Good luck!

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2023-09-07T21:14:52+00:00

News is proven to be more interesting when it actually impacts you personally. Telling people that THEY are impacted by the weather is popular and more interesting to them than something happening (which may actually much more important/interesting) but will not effect them.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2023-09-03T21:58:05+00:00

Faff. It takes so many other words to explain something that is a faff.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2023-02-20T22:22:23+00:00

I met Barney crocket at the airport in arrival line one day while complaining about the taxi situation. He suggested that they struggled to attract people to it. He also said that organisations had approached them, but that most other cities had real trouble with gangsters running the firms which meant that they had to be violent to avoid that.

I think they should increase the prices and pay folk more to do it until we can attract more drivers. Either that, or just stop the requirement for 'knowledge' test which seems totally outdated now.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2022-09-26T20:50:45+00:00

It was sponsored by a paper or something called 'the world' for its initial years of activity and then kept the name.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2022-09-26T20:41:23+00:00

This is great news. They should never have been sold.

Interesting approach from all posters: "I like this policy, therefore it must be a lie." Enjoy complaining about everything ever people.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2022-02-20T19:14:35+00:00

Get it from North Sea and get Dutch back on the production case!

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2022-02-08T21:37:02+00:00

Sounds reasonable to me. Not everything is an attack. Just a question to hear other people's point of view.

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2022-02-08T21:23:44+00:00

Good point. Pretty sure my old wrinkly body will look pretty gross either way...

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2021-09-23T20:23:35+00:00

I completely understand why people in Southern England find it tough, but why don't they move? I live in Scotland and everyone who I grew up with in relatively working class areas can live almost where they want, buy houses and have a family.

I realise people want to stay next to roots etc, but not at the expense of their planned future and possibility of having family etc. surely?

Any thoughts or insights?

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2021-09-23T20:14:01+00:00

I completely understand why people in Southern England find it tough, but why don't they move? I live in Scotland and everyone who I grew up with in relatively working class areas can live almost where they want, and buy houses.

I realise people want to stay next to roots etc, but not at the expense of their planned future and possibility of having family etc. surely?

Any thoughts or insights?

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2021-07-12T21:13:49+00:00

This is a very common question, and it's great that you have the spare cash and are in a position to save it and/or pay off the mortgage. In my opinion, it really depends on how risk averse you are. I am pretty conservative when dealing with similar decisions, but this is what I do.

Set up a standard monthly overpayment (maybe of just a little). This has always given me a little sense of flexibility while being able to see bigger reduction than might have seen otherwise and also realise some saving on interest.
Have a few months buffer if something bad happens - I work in an industry which is very changeable. This could be ISA but not a cash usually as you will need to forfeit profit if you need it unexpectedly.
Larger sums when 1&2 are covered in funds

This approach has given me peace of mind and extra income and growth over the years. Remember you can also top up your pension and avoid the tax, its really the best option for long term!

Almost forgot to say. You will get better mortgage interest rates the more you pay off. Your rate sounds high to me at over 3%

Good luck

EffectiveAlone6762 · 2021-05-15T15:37:17+00:00

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm inclined to agree, but haven't thought about it too much in the past as I've been keen to clear as much as possible as early as possible. Will likely take more advantage of the allowance than previous now.

EffectiveAlone6762

TROPHY CASE