Hard time in business

[Rusty]

Stay extended thanks to Ryan Air and a €10 flight . HOOOORAY !!! 

We went this time last year, there wasn't a sole on the pristinely groom slopes, we took a gamble again early this year. Looks like that wager has come in big time.

[Robspot]

We're not skiing anywhere this year because my wife is having a baby. Probably deliberately as well. 

[Rusty]

Wimmin do that on purpose,  also beware of broodiness in the middle of September. Keep your pistol in it's holster Cowboy Dan.

[Piglet]

Bugger, just as we thought we were back on our feet after KK's redundancy it looks like I'm at risk.  We've had "the email" that our Commercial Property sector is under review so I'll have to wait until the end of January to see how things are.  It wasn't a surprise though, the writing has been on the wall for a while, it's not a fantastic sector of law to be in at the moment     

How is everyone else doing?

[Gordonwr]

Bugger, just as we thought we were back on our feet after KK's redundancy it looks like I'm at risk.  We've had "the email" that our Commercial Property sector is under review so I'll have to wait until the end of January to see how things are.  It wasn't a surprise though, the writing has been on the wall for a while, it's not a fantastic sector of law to be in at the moment    

How is everyone else doing?

I had a memo on Wednesday to the effect that we are into " Weathering the Storm " mode. My work is sent through on a Thursday for the following week and having been told there was no work for next week, I had a call on Friday with a full week in Preston, so I can breathe a sigh of relief till next Thurs!!
 I shall be surprised if I have any more this side of 2009 though !!

[Werner]

Most of my customers are now on the "The crisis is coming-Cut the budgets-Save the children"-Hysteria, even those which are not in the financial, property or automotive sctor and aren't really affected at all. By beginning of december I was usually well booked for the year to come but this year is really different. Looks like 2009 will be a bit meagre , but hey, that's life!

[Lorry]

Most of my customers are now on the "The crisis is coming-Cut the budgets-Save the children"-Hysteria......

Lemmings - they'll all be out of work soon as a result

[Leftie]

Well, luckily I'm working a 'part time' contract' but not for very long.

I'm 'signing on' on Friday.

Being a 'registered disabled' will get me an enhanced' repayment on contributions that ZanuNuLab have deducted at 30%. But still a pittance when related to the 'cost of liiving'. They still owe me £5k.

I'm 57, sod it. I've paid all my life, they can start paying me.

The big bummer on this is that I have to curtail my 'socialising'. So no pint at lunch, no glass of wine in the evening, mince to a different recipe every night.

We were planning on selling the house in Surrey next year. Ok, we have still made a 'profit' but who is buying? who can get a mortgage?
Luckily, I have a 'bolt hole' in Emsworth and those gits don't know about.

In 2 1/2 years time my -pension kicks in. I also get a 'bus pass'. WOW

Sod them all.


Mutts nuts to the lot of them.

[nopanic - neil]

I know banks have the money.

They just make it harder for you to get your hand on it.

[Leftie]

I've been going through trying to find this thread and then thought I should read them again.

Well, I didn't 'sign on' as client needed more work done, and now it's gone quiet again, maybe 10/14hrs a week again. The phase 2 of the project has been delayed yet again until at lease September or October. Client has asked me to be 'mindfull' of the time and cost - that means do the work but don't charge for it!

However, today had interview in Bournemouth, last of 4 candidates and I think all the 'boxes were ticked'. A 6 month contract and will take me up to the Phase 2 start. Should know on Monday.

If sucessfull, I'll be passing near PigPen Towers daily.

[Leftie]

Pension funds usually invest a largish proportion in the more reputable shares. On average shares have gone down by about a third, and so has your pension, but only if you draw it this week.  Over a long time they'll go up again, so it doesn't matter.  And if you're about to retire, they usually convert your bit into gilts, which don't normally go down in value.

I'm pleased to see that the gamblers got caught on VW.  On the basis that the value of VW shares was going down, they sold lots of shares they didn't own (anywhere else you'd get locked up for that), on the basis that they could buy them cheaply in a couple of days time, and all without laying out any cash.  Porsche announce that they're going to buy 75% of VW, and the price of the shares rockets, leaving the @rseholes having to buy shares at twice the price to complete the deals.

Well done Porsche.  You wouldn't like a major stake in RBS or Barclays by any chance.

Lorry,

I realise that this is a late reply to your post but my mind was elsewhere.

Regarading the pensions element, as soon as the labour government, ie GB decided to hive off £b5 from the pension funds, I cancelled my three funds and took the money. I'm a 'down to earth hands on engineer'  and instinctively knew what would happen. It happens every time the 'Labour Party' becomes goverment.

However, placing your money in bricks and mortar does win depending on when you initially buy.

My property value 2 yrs ago was £1m, now £750k. My outlay was £50k plus inheritance, so I'm glad that the property bubble has burst. Less tax to wasting useless adminstration..

[Lord Steve]

I'm operating at considerably less volume output than last year having a major exposure to the new housing sector which has, to all intents and purposes, ceased to exist.
Started last year with 200 employees and we're now down to 120.
My biggest problem, apart from lack of available business is credit insurers withdrawing cover on my customers. The majority of my business is therefore uninsured or high risk and it's frightening! I'm getting at least one customer going bust a day now.
How's everyone else finding things?

Wish I was in the toilet paper business - now there's a commodity we all need....

[mike(liverpool boys)]

Just returned to work this mornin after a long weekend to hear mumblings that our budgets could be frozen till the end of the tax year and 4 day weeks starting soon as our friday is a wasted day, finishing at 1 o'clock. Things must be bad if a council is running out of cash. Problem is though,building maintainance is being run as a small seperate business within the council so no budgets means no repairs and no money coming in. Good job i have my Le Mans funds stashed away already

[Leftie]

Heard today that I didn't get the Bournemouth job

But at least the late delivery of the descission was due to a debate between choosing me and another candidate. I came 2nd. They said that if 'he' was not there, I'd been working from Monday.

He must be really good. (probably taught me at some time).

[Brian(Liverpool boys)]

Just returned to work this mornin after a long weekend to hear mumblings that our budgets could be frozen till the end of the tax year and 4 day weeks starting soon as our friday is a wasted day, finishing at 1 o'clock. Things must be bad if a council is running out of cash. Problem is though,building maintainance is being run as a small seperate business within the council so no budgets means no repairs and no money coming in. Good job i have my Le Mans funds stashed away already

Don't worry Mike, we will be topping up the council funds in April, with our little bit of Scotish council tax