Is there anyone else here from the UK?
- Thread starter claire
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Hi Claire,
I don't quite know if we would count, but we are from the UK even though we are now living in the US. We have been here since 1998 and are green card holders after initially having L1/L2 visas. All our family (parents, sibs, etc.) are in the UK. I believe there are one or two other Brits around on this board who may identify themselves. Why do you ask?
jj
I don't quite know if we would count, but we are from the UK even though we are now living in the US. We have been here since 1998 and are green card holders after initially having L1/L2 visas. All our family (parents, sibs, etc.) are in the UK. I believe there are one or two other Brits around on this board who may identify themselves. Why do you ask?
jj
yakers
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Went to school there for a year and later lived there for several years courtesy of the US Navy. Liked it and would like to go back for an extended stay. Happy to see some Brits posting here.
Peter
Full time employment: Posting here.
Claire, I am British by birth but a US citizen since 1997. Why do you ask?
Peter
Peter
ladelfina
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I'd imagine she's asking since the UK investment and tax universe varies from the US one.
Just off the top of my head, I think nun is living and/or investing in the UK, and ashtondav has just joined us.. I know there are a couple of others; I would search the posts for UK and see what comes up.
Even thought the principles are universal, as far as specifics go it is a pretty US-centric board, so investors from other countries may not be tempted to hang around all that much.
Moderators: I have also seen Canadians getting slightly lost.. Is there a way to add a member's location to the ID that appears on their posts? Is that something other forum members might like? (This info is publicly available for those who put it into their profile, but one has to view each profile and then have a good memory for who's who...)
Just off the top of my head, I think nun is living and/or investing in the UK, and ashtondav has just joined us.. I know there are a couple of others; I would search the posts for UK and see what comes up.
Even thought the principles are universal, as far as specifics go it is a pretty US-centric board, so investors from other countries may not be tempted to hang around all that much.
Moderators: I have also seen Canadians getting slightly lost.. Is there a way to add a member's location to the ID that appears on their posts? Is that something other forum members might like? (This info is publicly available for those who put it into their profile, but one has to view each profile and then have a good memory for who's who...)
yakers
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It may be of interest to both our foreign posters and to Americans with an interest if foreign investing to have a board here. Investing principles (like saving 25X desired SWR) are fairly universal but there may be issues in other countries that are worth considering. Most modern, western countries have similar issues to ours so I would find it interesting to see how they are addressed.
Yakers, who has had a subscription to The Economist for 27 years now...
Yakers, who has had a subscription to The Economist for 27 years now...
Hi all,
the reason I ask is that Im just interested if anyone else in the UK has the same mindset, you know LBYM and ER. Its just that in this country given the high cost of living etc i just think sometimes that its just not possible for the majority of peope to even consider ER, most are just living day to day or month to month.
Also I think we are probably 20 years behind the US with investments, people dont tend to invest, not sure why, i think there is a general perception that investments are beyond the grasp of ordinary people, or probably because people just dont have the money
Claire
the reason I ask is that Im just interested if anyone else in the UK has the same mindset, you know LBYM and ER. Its just that in this country given the high cost of living etc i just think sometimes that its just not possible for the majority of peope to even consider ER, most are just living day to day or month to month.
Also I think we are probably 20 years behind the US with investments, people dont tend to invest, not sure why, i think there is a general perception that investments are beyond the grasp of ordinary people, or probably because people just dont have the money
Claire
ladelfina
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Claire.. it is the same way in Italy and probably much of Europe. Not to get into politics but I think the mindset of socialism (dole/pensions/public health) has a lot to do with it, as does a certain dose of "old Europe" ennui/fatalism/existentialism compared with Americans' hard-charging, money-grubbing, "rugged individualist" ways. I try to take the best I can from both worlds! 
The Italian constitution starts out with Article 1: "Italy is a democratic republic based on labor." So everything revolves around public jobs, unions, political labor parties, pension guarantees, etc. Private entrepreneurship is given short shrift and practically doesn't appear on the radar screen. As I posted elsewhere (I think) even the wealthy here do not trust the universe of stocks and bonds (somewhat justifiably); they put it all into real estate, or they spend it (yachts are popular).
One good friend here is an Irish woman who "puts her money into the hole in the wall" and then takes it out again. It took me a while before I realized the "hole in the wall" meant an ATM/Bancomat!
I think Europeans also have living standards that the average American would not countenance, and they are less driven to "acquire" things. Said Irish friend, at 40, was sharing a 2-bedroom apt. with a married Italian couple and subsequently the couple's baby for a number of years.. Worked out for them all just fine.
I think the LBYM part of the equation they have down. much more so than the average American credit-card holder, but investing for ER (rather than wangling a "baby pension") is indeed beyond their ken.
The Italian constitution starts out with Article 1: "Italy is a democratic republic based on labor." So everything revolves around public jobs, unions, political labor parties, pension guarantees, etc. Private entrepreneurship is given short shrift and practically doesn't appear on the radar screen. As I posted elsewhere (I think) even the wealthy here do not trust the universe of stocks and bonds (somewhat justifiably); they put it all into real estate, or they spend it (yachts are popular).
One good friend here is an Irish woman who "puts her money into the hole in the wall" and then takes it out again. It took me a while before I realized the "hole in the wall" meant an ATM/Bancomat!
I think Europeans also have living standards that the average American would not countenance, and they are less driven to "acquire" things. Said Irish friend, at 40, was sharing a 2-bedroom apt. with a married Italian couple and subsequently the couple's baby for a number of years.. Worked out for them all just fine.
I think the LBYM part of the equation they have down. much more so than the average American credit-card holder, but investing for ER (rather than wangling a "baby pension") is indeed beyond their ken.
The "fast & easy" solution is to put your location in your profile's "Forum Profile Information" section for "Personal text". This is how my posts show the "Whaddya DO all day?!?" You could also include it in your signature (bottom of the "Forum Profile Information" section).
I'm not sure if this latest version of the software wil automatically display a poster's location.
As for non-U.S. boards, let Dory know your interest. And, of course, someone's gonna have to volunteer for moderator duty...
I'm not sure if this latest version of the software wil automatically display a poster's location.
As for non-U.S. boards, let Dory know your interest. And, of course, someone's gonna have to volunteer for moderator duty...
wabmester
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AltaRed
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Not sure there is enough non-US traffic and participation to have a non-US board, but it could be tried if enough people show interest. Canadians have Financial Webring Forum that is similar to this forum and most Canucks would be best served being active there, as I am already. There is also the Canadian Business forum as well...with some similarities again as well.
As yakers noted, the basic themes of LYBM, 4% SWR, etc, etc are universal...or at least virtually identical in Canada. I have learned a lot from here and have used FIRECALC making the appropriate substitutions for Canadian based systems and processes.
As yakers noted, the basic themes of LYBM, 4% SWR, etc, etc are universal...or at least virtually identical in Canada. I have learned a lot from here and have used FIRECALC making the appropriate substitutions for Canadian based systems and processes.
Hi Wab
Yeah thanks the Idler is great i read the forum regularly - but its a slightly different mindset dont you think - most of them dont want to/wont work at all, whereas most people on this board realise the injustice of the system but try to work within it for a while in order to finally break free....
Yeah thanks the Idler is great i read the forum regularly - but its a slightly different mindset dont you think - most of them dont want to/wont work at all, whereas most people on this board realise the injustice of the system but try to work within it for a while in order to finally break free....
ladelfina
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..whereas, you, claire, have put it in a nutshell..!
I really could go on & on about the differences in mindset: class system definitely not dead; medieval "guild"-like work practices and laws; fascist/communist social and economic 'planning', lack of investing transparency and education... "money" is still kind of a dirty word, not for polite conversation.. it's all quite difficult to overcome for the individual. Good for you, though, that you're here and you "get it"!
Another anecdote is that of my best friend in the US, married to a guy from London. He's content to put in his 40 hours at a semi-skilled job, come home and sit in front of the telly or go out for beers with his 'mates'. She's burning the midnight oil with a freelance business because she wants "more", including financial independence. He doesn't know what all the fuss and bother is about and dabbles in armchair communism/worker's rights kind of stuff -- he a very bright guy, and very nice, but the divergence in philosophies has put a real strain on their marriage. Back when they were both starting out young and poor the chasm didn't seem so wide. She wants to grab the brass ring.. he couldn't care less.
--
Nords, of course you are right and I overlooked those possibilities.
There is a lot of interest in foreign investing here, but I'm not sure that it would rate a separate board if only for the fact that then the usefullness of subsections for other investment classes would become apparent.. (discuss bonds here, discuss real estate here, discuss index funds here, etc.). Not sure if that kind of breakdown was ever considered or if it would be useful at this point considering the massive amount of info that is already lumped into "FIRE & Money". Also, if people just were to look at the sections they think they want, they could miss some potentially interesting material.
Peter
Full time employment: Posting here.
ladelfina said:
I think that's a fair summary of one difference in attitudes between the US and the UK. Not everyone in each place is like that, of course, plenty of successful entrepreneurs in the UK, and also 'easy does it' types here. But in general, not a bad observation.
However, I wouldn't be so quick as to say one way is better than the other. Being happy with what you've got is a good start to a happy life.
Peter
AltaRed
Full time employment: Posting here.
Certainly cost of living is higher in Europe than in North America and thus purchasing power is considerably less. Having said that, the average European is less materialistic than the average American and appears to want to be that way. I could not discern whether Europeans were any happier or less happy than the average American, BUT I did see more Europeans with friends on the street than I ever did while in USA. They are also less in a hurry and do not seem to be nearly as stressed as Americans trying to live the American dream.
Europeans spend more of their leisure time in the city core at pubs and cafes and I could really like that lifestyle. I used to take advantage of those opportunities during the many business trips to Europe when I was working.
Europeans spend more of their leisure time in the city core at pubs and cafes and I could really like that lifestyle. I used to take advantage of those opportunities during the many business trips to Europe when I was working.
donheff
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
That is one of the reasons I like where I am (Capitol Hill DC). Parts of some American cities are becoming more European in that respect and I think that is a good thing. My European travels are limited, but among the few places I have traveled I found Italian central cities to be the best for that open, relaxed, social atmosphere. I am heading to the Tuscany coast on a bike trip in May and am looking forward to seeing if my memory serves me well.AltaRed said:
Texas Proud
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Hey Claire...
I can say that this name is more from the UK than other places... and I find it intersting that you ask about the UK... when I was there I found that most people said they were from England, Ireland or Scotland... not many said from the UK..
As to posters... I was VERY surprised how many people lived on 'overdrafts'... I would say over 75% of the people I dealt with carried an overdraft and were very happy when they got back to zero..
The cost of living in London was outrageous... most things we pay a dollar for they pay a pound... do the math!! And almost everyone I knew had roommates... since my company was paying for my place.. I lived alone... but, it was very enjoyable except for all the people...
have heard some bad things about other cities with the 'yob' mentality... but I guess it is in our cities also...
Nice to hear from you Claire...
I can say that this name is more from the UK than other places... and I find it intersting that you ask about the UK... when I was there I found that most people said they were from England, Ireland or Scotland... not many said from the UK..
As to posters... I was VERY surprised how many people lived on 'overdrafts'... I would say over 75% of the people I dealt with carried an overdraft and were very happy when they got back to zero..
The cost of living in London was outrageous... most things we pay a dollar for they pay a pound... do the math!! And almost everyone I knew had roommates... since my company was paying for my place.. I lived alone... but, it was very enjoyable except for all the people...
have heard some bad things about other cities with the 'yob' mentality... but I guess it is in our cities also...
Nice to hear from you Claire...
Hi Texas Pound!
Nice to hear from you too
Yes you are correct, its just that i couldnt be bothered to type england scotland or wales so the UK was just easier. I know what you mean about overdrafts everyone i know has one and uses it (they seem to have to)
most people over here seem happy with their "lot", if they can just get through the week/month then anything else is a bonus
The very high cost of house prices and comparitively low wages makes it difficult for someone to get ahead, i know some people who once they pay their rent/mortgage/utilities barely have enough left over for food.
This country holds nothing for me, I dont like the lifestyle, high cost of living, politics etc , cant wait to get out of here....
Nice to hear from you too
Yes you are correct, its just that i couldnt be bothered to type england scotland or wales so the UK was just easier. I know what you mean about overdrafts everyone i know has one and uses it (they seem to have to)
most people over here seem happy with their "lot", if they can just get through the week/month then anything else is a bonus
The very high cost of house prices and comparitively low wages makes it difficult for someone to get ahead, i know some people who once they pay their rent/mortgage/utilities barely have enough left over for food.
This country holds nothing for me, I dont like the lifestyle, high cost of living, politics etc , cant wait to get out of here....
claire said:
hello Claire
Just to be clear can I assume you are posting from the UK?
I am a Brit also but I dont live in the US.
I left the UK in 1962 but have returned often. The cost of living is shocking over there and I often ask myself how my relatives make do.
In case you are interested there is a Brits Expat discussion forum which is used by those in America, Canada, and down under (Oz and NZ).
If you wish I can post the website address. (I assume this would not be verboten?)
Texas Proud
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Claire,
Yes... it is a high cost of living there.... one of my friends rented a 'room' for I think 400 Quid a month... she did have access to the rest of the house, but so did all the others in the house... her room was maybe 100 sq ft...
My two bedroom at Sloan Square cost about 3,000 pounds a month plus utilities!!! Glad I did not have to pay...
And when my family came over to visit... I said you will pay a pound for most things you pay a dollar.. but back then the exchange rate was 1.30 or so, not 1.85... The cost of using the tube was also high if you were out in the high number zones...
Yes, it was a very interesting place to live for awhile, but I would hate to have to do it on my own....
But, you are right... almost ALL the people had the same attitude about work that I do.. it is to make some money to live on, not you whole life... that is missing here in the good ole USA... So, even with their lot in life and thier overdrafts, almost all were very happy...
What part of the UK do you live??
Yes... it is a high cost of living there.... one of my friends rented a 'room' for I think 400 Quid a month... she did have access to the rest of the house, but so did all the others in the house... her room was maybe 100 sq ft...
My two bedroom at Sloan Square cost about 3,000 pounds a month plus utilities!!! Glad I did not have to pay...
And when my family came over to visit... I said you will pay a pound for most things you pay a dollar.. but back then the exchange rate was 1.30 or so, not 1.85... The cost of using the tube was also high if you were out in the high number zones...
Yes, it was a very interesting place to live for awhile, but I would hate to have to do it on my own....
But, you are right... almost ALL the people had the same attitude about work that I do.. it is to make some money to live on, not you whole life... that is missing here in the good ole USA... So, even with their lot in life and thier overdrafts, almost all were very happy...
What part of the UK do you live??
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