jasepom

I do think before I speak. The debate is a simple one, you provide for your family wherever you are. Saying its materialistic is nonsense. Would someone who is earning $180k per year here, go back to UK without a job and risk everything. That's crackers to me especially if you have a young baby to care for. Of course if they have another job to go to that is a different matter. Living without income and the stress of finding a job is not fun. You know more marriages break up over problems with money than anything else. I think I've said that there are ways to be happy whenever you are but money does make a difference believe me.

Sorry I stand corrected only part of the flight was premium economy, must have been Virgin. But Ethiad still have good legroom for standard economy.

Sadly you can't survive without money you have to provide for the family. Call it materialism if you want but you cant survive on love alone. Ever woman deserves a nice family home to live in. Just materialism - I can't believe you actually said that.

I've found that making your wife happy involves providing for her financially as well as emotionally. I've been successful in one but not the other. If you can do both you've succeeded wherever you are.

Mate don't get personal ok? You don't know the full extent of my situation. I can offer advice purely because moving back to the UK was such a disaster for us. That's why I'm saying don't go through with it unless you are 100% sure it's right for you. Exactly how to you have to be qualified to offer advice you patronising sod!

There is of course no racism or alcohol fuelled violence in England. Crap roads, houses and pubs are pretty prevalent too. I'm sure your Aussie friends will miss u.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there could be postnatal depression at work. With the arrival of a baby the first year will naturally bring a mixture of feelings and being away from extended family. Not a good time for making big decisions.

Yeah I agree you can turn every holiday into the time of your life. Gives your relatives something to look forward to. Split paying for flights or whatever. You see them more it's not always possible to do the se even when living in the same country. Also when living and working in Uk you could be a long way away from your family anyway.

I'm not so sure, yes she is missing home and everything but they are in a good position so why have a massive upheaval. It's only one person in reverse if you look at it that way. Holidays, holidays, holidays are the answer.

I never wanted to go back myself and my wife pushed us to go and now we've split.

Or don't upset them by taking them away from their friends. THEY are settled in Australia remember.

Historically tax was introduced for higher income earners but the burden has been placed at the lowers income levels. Remember if you earn less you are taxed on the same income as higher earners. It's what they earm over and above a certain threshold that is taxed more. Its pretty fair to me that another tax band be introduced.

I'm sure it will affect people but as they say it could be worse. It's not going to make a tremendous difference to drivers they enjoy one of the cheapest petrol prices in the world so extra 2% wont be horrendous. The price of petrol fluctuates by 10c a litre anyhow depending on supply and price cycle here.

An extra 3c a litre on fuel. How will people cope ?

You also have to consider the job market. Yes you may find jobs back in Uk but if you end up on struggle street you will have regrets about leaving Oz. You're heart can lead you into trouble. There are ways to deal with it other than putting everything on the line. A counsellor may help your wife with her homesickness.

Who's to say it will save the marriage? I've seen couples move back to UK and had a breakup there. The stress of moving across the world can do that to people. Without sounding too mushy it could be that she needs love and support here. She has a loving family which is the most important thing not where u live.

Melbourne is still around $3.50 to $4. To be honest I think it's a fair price to pay for a coffee these days. In the Uk you can pay over £2 as a comparison.

I personally think a move to uk would be a disaster if you're both not commited to it. It would also be a shame for you to give up your lifestyle here whatever your wife thinks about the UK now may not be the same either after being back there a while. My suggestion would continue to let her have trips back to UK if she wants to see relatives and to let her maybe extend that to 3 months if she wants to test the water. I mean she's not really trapped in Australia is she ? Trips back home means she can see friends and family and to some extend still be part of their lives. She can create a bit of England here too. Have English friends and celebrate being English, pot about the garden and all that. Help her as much as possible to understand what's missing.

The labour govt was successful due to strong leadership and a good fiscal policy of keep the economy moving through public spending. Unfortunately Brown wasn't prepared for the GFC had to deal with a long recession which the Uk is still getting out of. The UKIP parties popularity is hardly surprising as the voter does not have a clear view of where do we go from here. And there is increased anxiety over population explosion.

I was just taking the drive home from work not long after settling into Melbourne life. I came over the top of the Burwood highway heading towards Knox and coming into view I saw a huge bright ball just over the horizon. Took me a minute to realise what it was, a case of 'jamais vouś. It was of course the Moon but Id never seen anything like it before. So large and bright it was really amazing. Like seeing it through a telescope.

Solution to draughty houses wear a onesie and get cosy by the fire. :biggrin:

You can still get away with shorts and tees in the daytime if the suns out. Pull the trackies on when it's not

How is that ? What I can't say I like the food here. WTF

Yeah what is it with the recent trend for scruffy beards. For me the best things about Oz are :- The food The food The food The cold beer The food I honestly find the simple foods tastes so different here. Maybe it's the sunshine but you can't beat a lovely fry-up on the back porch. The meat here tastes soooooooo good.

To be honest unless your 6'4 premium economy is perfectly comfortable on Ethiad. They give you 5 star treatment without travelling business class.