Thanks Ashish...My savings would have been better a year ago, but I didn't have money to spend on a trip then.
Noreen,
Interesting.
My feeling is your Savings would have been much more if the EURO was close to 1.20 vs the USD(where it was last year).
And if the French were not interested in Leaving in their La-La Dream world!!!
Welcome Back!
Ashish.
One of the big advantages with supporting social service programs through a non-profit is the feeling of choice it gives you. As taxpayers, we may not like supporting this demographic or that one; but if we give to charity, we can be more selective -- giving freely to organizations that reflect our particular views and that "help" people we personally consider deserving.
Ashish, I probably saved about 5% going to France in late May as opposed to early May, and 6% over early April. London was less dramatic: I probably saved about 3.5% going in late May vs early May (about 2% over early April.)
That said, I didn't spend enough money to make the "gain" all that significant. The big savings for me was a buy one night, get one night free at the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris -- with a free upgrade to a room overlooking the Paris Opera. (It's a benefit of the Intercontinental Ambassador's Club -- we got some juices and cookies, too.)
Re: Paris perspectives
back2basicz
5/29/2012 3:06:46 AM
Asa,
Very,very True.
Can you tell me Why that is the case?
Its actually very simple-Donations there are "Voluntary";nobody is forcing those Private Sector Donors to put Money into various Faith Based or Secular NGOs[Non-Governmental Organizations].
I wholeheartedly agree and appreciate your notion here.
Don't you think it makes more sense then for the Govt to consider scaling back their Personal Safety Net(Thats what 99 month Unemployment Insurance and Disability beyond 1 year amounts to today)?
Honestly,I would rather Pay Zero Dollars in Taxes to fund the Govts various Entitlement programs and rather pay the same(or even a Larger amount) to a Charitable Organization of my Choice[Pelosi and the Rest of the Democrats must be kicking & screaming!!! Oh by the way I would also cut Militiary Spending sharply!!!Now I got McCain and rest of the Republicans Mad!!!!]
I am seeing the Same Issues right now in Greece too.Nobody in Greece trusts the Govt to do anything for them.
So the Ordinary Greeks are doing things there own way
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18228577
Regards
Ashish.
Re: Paris perspectives
AskAsa
5/28/2012 9:50:46 PM
I actually believe in a wide and deep safety net. No one should have to go hungry or have to sleep on the streets in this country.
I differ with most on the way to achieve this.
After traveling the country and getting up close and personal with people in the most awful impoverished circumstances I made the same observation in each place I visited. The people receiving the most help to not only survive but overcome their circumstances were being helped by non-governmental organizations. Either private fundraisers or faith based organizations were doing more to alleviate suffering and find real solutions than their goverment counterparts. . I would gladly put time and money into projects like these.
Re: Life in the big city
back2basicz
5/28/2012 4:46:29 PM
Fred,
Nice.
I support your Decision,Wholeheartedly!!!
Ashish.
Easy question to answer @back2basics, I would rather study them in detail from Lake Tahoe, as I will again this summer.
Re: Life in the big city
back2basicz
5/28/2012 3:14:03 PM
Fred,
I understand.
Where would you rather Go to see the Real Pain/effects of the Eurozone recession in France?
Strasbourg?
Marseille?
The Border with Spain?
Cheers
Ashish.
I certainly enjoyed your post Noreen.
However, I do have a point that needs emphasis. Doctors take biopsies in order to determine if a patient has cancer and what kind of cancer it is. Unfortunately, the biopsy is of no value when no part of the tumor is included in the tissue removed.
In much the same way, a study of Paris is like trying to study social unrest in America by examining life in Disneyland, or in Beverly Hills for that matter.
The tourist in a wealthy area might find the population to be reduced with more homes for sale, but the remaining residents are still fat and happy. Many of them assuage their guilt by wailing about the plight of the disadvantaged from the comfort of their saunas or from the side of a table they paid $40 thousand to sit at.
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