One of my goals is to eventually be able to purchase a house. Many of my nursing colleagues are purchasing homes that are worth $450,000, $500,000 or even more. Sadly, my budget is about half of that or even less, which means the houses I have to choose from are not appealing. Most of them are small, old, or both.
I am just curious how other nurses manage to purchase decent houses? I've been looking through my income, and I just can't find a way to make it possible to incorporate such a house into my budget. I am salary, so there are no opportunities for overtime.
What are other nurses' experience with buying houses? How did you make it work? Did it require switching jobs? Inquiring minds want to know!
a. Much less ability for those in the working, and middle classes to live outside the city in a rural environment.
Any body can live and work in rural areas, most choose not to although it depends what you mean by rural? On your own miles from anyone? No. But people live in villages.
On 4/7/2021 at 4:17 AM, myoglobin said:
b. Effective tax rates (especially when considering VAT taxes that are integrated into virtually all good and services) that commonly range of 50% of income (especially when you consider gas taxes).
But what do you get for your taxes? Sick pay, Unemployment benefit, Old age pension, Help with university, No medical bills.
On 4/7/2021 at 4:17 AM, myoglobin said:
c. Less effective ability to "choose what you want to do" there is more "tracking" on to vocational or professional tracks at younger ages.
I have no idea what you are talking about.
On 4/7/2021 at 4:17 AM, myoglobin said:
d. Less ability to afford a place of decent size, and cars that are not tiny (and therefore subject to greater risk when auto accidents occur).
We are a smaller nations so less space so homes are smaller. Cars are specifically designed and tested with safety measures plus laws on seat belts, alcohol and texting while driving. US cars tend to be less fuel efficient.
On 4/7/2021 at 4:17 AM, myoglobin said:
e. Relatively tiny portions of food. Indeed, in visiting over 10 EU countries I actively searched for buffets and found almost none and the few I found were very expensive.
Americans are noted for overeating. Compare your obesity rates to the rest of the world.
On 4/7/2021 at 4:17 AM, myoglobin said:
f. Almost no ability to defend oneself. Here I can have my AR-10's, AR15's, shotguns, pistols and rifles. There I could spend a lifetime just trying to get a permit for a revolver.
Why are you making this a bad thing? We stopped people having weapons after children were killed. If you want one for sport you can get one but it is regulated. And yes I know about Switzerland.
On 4/7/2021 at 4:17 AM, myoglobin said:
g. Very truncated free speech rights with no firm constitutional protections.
Where? UK does not have a constitution. Just because America has one does not mean everyone should have one.
On 4/7/2021 at 4:17 AM, myoglobin said:
h. With certain exceptions a very secular society that respects traditional Christian values to an extent that makes even most left of center states seem like a Christian tent revival.
Absolutely, religion has no place in daily life. If you want to be religious go for it but leave everybody else out. In US "nones" (as in no religion) are increasing.
On 4/7/2021 at 4:17 AM, myoglobin said:
. I have also traveled to virtually every state in the United States except Maine and Alaska and find great cultural variation from one state to another.
Seriously? You are trying to compare Italy, Greece, France, Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales,Holland, etc. etc. with the homogeneous mass that is America?
On 4/7/2021 at 4:17 AM, myoglobin said:
To be sure there are some advantages to Europe in terms of social services (I really like Swiss, Poland, and Romania for example) however it is a different social contract. I cannot speak for others but as for me give me liberty or give me death.
es, social services are good although I'm not too sure that Poland and Romania are good examples.
What freedoms do you have that we don't have?
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
I could not find buffets. Low carb was virtually impossible. What they called bacon simply was not. I don't drink or smoke and am not in to sex or drugs, smokers and alcohol, prostitutes and drugs seemed much more prevalent than in the United States
I can find a buffet in almost every city, low carb is easy to find - just ask. So bacon isn't bacon because it looks different? Sorry but that is stupid. You don't have to drink alcohol in a pub or restaurant, lots of people don't drink and find plenty of places to go. Smoking is banned indoors and if you are seeing prostitutes andd drugs then stay away from theose places. I can go out and not see these, even in capital cities in different countries.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
My son and I only drink water and it was hard to get water refills at the restaurants.
Just ask for a jug of water. No problem.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
Gas was over $5.00 per gallon.
Yep, I'll give you that one but so what? Cars are smaller and more efficient so don't use as much.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
I could never get full on their meals (granted I only eat one meal a day and even then only four days per week).
That is really your problem not anyone else's. Ask for what you want.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
I live in a modest 2500 square foot rental with a pool in a gated community for 1800 per month. Our landlord's (whom we visited in the UK) said their home was worth about 1.5 million pounds and was about half the size (granted it had more character) they said to live in the country was quite expensive.
So what? totally irrelevant.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
I could not find any shooting ranges and didn't see a gun store except in Swiss.
No you won't see gun ranges. They are private clubs that are regulated.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
My friend in the ICU who moved from London said he earned about $20.00 per hour as a RN with five years experience there. Here he was earning about $40.00 at the time. He also said that taxes were over 50% when you considered VAT tax, gasoline.
Yes, we are underpaid but I call BS on 50% tax. Also, did he tell you about the 10 weeks paid vacation every year plus 1 years sick pay? Also include overtime and Saturday/Sunday and night enhancements. And of course, no medical bills.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
I could not find a single Walmart in Europe (my favorite store).
Seriously? that's a complaint? You understand that ASDA is part of the Walmart group? This is another seriously stupid thing to say.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
I could not find most of the supplements like SAMe that I take daily for ADHD and MDD.
Why would you not take your supplements with you? If your travelling then take your medication - basic stuff.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
I could not find a minivan to rent at any price (We only drive Honda and Toyota minivans).
Any car hire firm would give you an equivalent.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
None of the hotels I stayed at would facilitate hooking up my PS4 (most in the United States do) and yes I brought a converter.
If your going to play with games then stay home.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
People thought me odd for wearing shorts which I wear here even to very nice restaurants.
Nothing wrong with shorts but if you are fine dining then make it an event, not casual. Should add that I was once eating in a hotel and American was sitting with a baseball cap on - height of bad manners unless you have cancer and hair loss from the chemotherapy.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
When I would describe our modest home with a pool in a gated community for $1800 to Uber drivers they told me (in the UK they basically didn't speak to me in France) they told me they paid that for their small flats 30min outside of London.
Why are you boasting about yourself to Uber drivers? That's nasty.
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
A/C was rare in every country we visited.
It's a cold continent. A/C is only needed in the UK for about 1 month a year. Why pay for something that is just going to sit idle?
12 hours ago, myoglobin said:
The cameras for traffic enforcement were miserable with the speed limits constantly changing I always felt like I was getting a ticket.
Why would you have problems? Find out what the speed limits are and stick to them.
Sorry, but you have come across as an entitled, spoiled brat of an American who thinks the world should be the way it is in your home town. Stay home and don't give decent Americans a bad name.
11 hours ago, Curious1997 said:
It's no wonder you believe the things you do. I hope Macawake and GrumpyRN reads this. No wonder my parents found it so easy to fit in here. We have literally no complexity or culture at all.
A bit late to this but as they say in Scotland Jings, Crivvens.
Do you really think that I would feel the need to validate myself to you? Ask yourself, what does it say about you, that you feel the need to believe if an online presence is real or not?
Okay, I understand you cannot give us any validation as to your boasts.
You must live in a different reality. You should first realize that you are responsible for what and who you believe in and accept the consequences for those choices. Maybe, start questioning if you should turn the other cheek author etc.
Gotta say I do not believe random boasts/comments on the internet. Do you?
a. Around 9k to a tax account I take off around 36% in taxes Leaving around 16K.
Good. The IRS will be relentless if you don't pay them.
16 hours ago, myoglobin said:
I pay for my son to help me in my business doing clerical things about $600 per month. Straight cash so I cannot write it off as an expense
And more importantly, he doesn't pay taxes on it.
16 hours ago, myoglobin said:
g. I buy about $500.00 per month in ammo.
h. I buy about $800.00 per month in Silver.
You are better off investing in sterling silver items that you can take to the gold shop.
I. I buy about $300.00 per month in supplements for myself and my son. I treat our severe ADHD naturally and I purchase most of the supplements that I advise to my clients.
K. I spend about $300 month on professional journals, podcasts and paranormal podcasts that I like.
I take courses from the V & A (Academy) Museum, University of London and have never spent that per month. Stop the Patreon spending and look up podcasts on Amazon music. Let the ghosts take care of themselves!
L. I buy about $300.00 per month in Crypto currency.
M. I buy about $300.00 per month in stock on E-trade.
You can't roll over your interest gained?
N. I buy mom son's groceries at college each week about $600 per month.
One person spends $150/week on groceries? I bet he is stocking this away for the future.
O. I buy all of my sons science books also for myself s
Somehow I think your son realizes there is NO inheritance and you will be in a medicaid bed, so maybe he will get the money now?
I have to ...say you have a good idea where the money goes.. just tighten it down
Good. The IRS will be relentless if you don't pay them.
And more importantly, he doesn't pay taxes on it.
I do purchase US Silver Eagles. My goal is to get an RV and with Sat. Internet / Solar Arrays and live as a "nomad" mostly on BLM land out West and to build a "cash only" Psych NP business (no more insurance means less regulation). I am already licensed in four states and if I add another five or so and cast a "wide" enough net this should be possible.
to build a "cash only" Psych NP business (no more insurance means less regulation).
Ummm, in this world? Do your current clients pay in cash? I thought I saw hefty CC fees on your list. Maybe you can have your clients pay with a chicken, corn or other bartering....
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
16 hours ago, myoglobin said:
First off my loans about about 160K most of it occurred to get my ASN over 12 years ago. During that time I "maxed borrowed" to help pay rent so I only had to work part time. Also, I took more loans for my BSN again to subsidize my income since I went down to part time as an RN ICU nurse to make it through school. No loans for my Masters (but since I haven't made payments 30K or so is interest thus the original amount was around 130K). The rest of the 30K in credit card debt was run up over the years (it was around 45K in Jan 2020 went I started working as an NP). My SO owes her own 60 K in student loans also ran up during her ASN when she max borrowed to only work part time. So my gross is around 25K per month. Here is where that goes:
a. Around 9k to a tax account I take off around 36% in taxes Leaving around 16K.
b. I give my SO around $4,500 in expense money since she switched jobs to my company and is just now rebuilding her income (back up to around 8K per month before taxes she was making $80.00 per hour at her old NP gig).
c. I pay for my son to help me in my business doing clerical things about $600 per month. Straight cash so I cannot write it off as an expense.
d. I pay about 4K each month to the credit card companies.
e. I spend about 2K per month eating out since I don't finish until 11PM EST we never eat at home. However, since I fast three days per week I only eat food on Sat, Sun, Mon, and Thur.
f. I don't own a car so my SO pays the one car loan. I do drive her 2012 older minivan paid off.
g. I buy about $500.00 per month in ammo.
h. I buy about $800.00 per month in Silver.
I. I buy about $300.00 per month in supplements for myself and my son. I treat our severe ADHD naturally and I purchase most of the supplements that I advise to my clients.
K.I spend about $300 month on professional journals, podcasts and paranormal pod casts that I like.
L. I buy about $300.00 per month in Crypto currency.
M. I buy about $300.00 per month in stock on E-trade.
N. I buy mom son's groceries at college each week about $600 per month.
O. I buy all of my sons science books also for myself so that I can meet with him each week and try to tutor him in Anatomy, Micro, and Chemistry, but we usually end up arguing because he doesn't want my help any longer.
Keep in mind my income started at $1700 in Jan of last year and only increased to the present level in Nov of last year.
Not really sure where the rest goes. Although, I have built up about 10K in my checking savings account and my SO has built up about 60K or so in various accounts (but we keep our finances completely separate). Honestly, I aspire to have maybe an RV that I pull with a truck and live as a Nomad either on our own land or someplace with internet so I can do my job. I would work even if I won the lottery. It would be nice to be able to afford a place of my own and be able to have a garden. I was sad last week when I tried to plant some flowers and a few vegetables on the back side of my house behind some bushes and the homeowners association still cut them down. .
I am beyond baffeled by these expenses: It seems that you spend a lot of money on hobbies such as shooting. I love shooting sports but I would never let it cost me 500.00/ month. And $600 on journals and podcasts is insane for someone who claims they will not have enough money to be able to retire. I hate to tell you this but Social Security is a Ponzi scheme that will likely be gone at sometime in the near future.
$600/mo in the stock market is also a stretch because if you aren't making money in the market you should get out, I say this a a person who has been moderately successful in stocks having made around $250,000.00 in the past 10 year. We don't use E-Trade but have a reputable broker to advise us and if a stock is not performing for 6 months we dump it.
Purchasing your step-son's groceries is also problematic. It's OK to help subsidize his expenses but he should also have a job to help pay for incidentals. Having a job and learning the value of money and how to budget are important skills every young adult should learn, and how is he using $600/mo in Groceries is beyond me. Like most college students he can live on Top Raman and coffee. I don't spend that much for my family of three. And while I pay my son's Community Collage tuition and books. He also does chores and work around the house to earn $80 to -$100/week for his own incidentals. I would like to point out that he offered to pay for his tuition and books as he loves feeling independant. Now that business is opening up I expect he will be looking for a job.
Buying copies of you son's book so you can help hom with his homework seems a tad creepy and helicoptorish. Especially since he doesn't want you to do it.
I'm not so good at math but just the bolded items could be eliminated and you would have around $70,000.00 a month. Put 20% ($3500.00) in high interest accounts per month to start a retirement fund or put it in an IRA.
You still have over $60,000.00 a month to put towards student loans and paying off credit card debt.
My daddy used to tell me that in order to retire comfortably you need to have 1,000,000.00 in assets to draw off in retirement. I would argu that it's now a higher amount but that's what my SO and I are shooting for, Our house has been in the family since my husband was a baby and we will allow our son to rent it if he wants when we make our move to rural America. If he doesn't want it we can sell it for around $700,000.00.
We have been able to do this with me as an ADN and him at a modest income from his federal job.
So if you can't do better with your finances delare bankruptcy on any debt that quailfies and start building your new credit line. You can recover and have the BK off your credit report in 10 years and you can retire to the nomad life in style.
Also, get a life for yourself and stop living vicariously either through others or tv or social media. It's Spring, great weather. Get out and enjoy yourself if you can.
You know nothing about me but a simple post. I just believe in reality. I have always found boasting or regaling others with their financial acumen out of the boardroom or bank to be made of pipe dreams or a need to impress. Will this help??? I am impressed. There, your need is fulfilled. While your life is dreams of fantasy, mine is real and more in the moment that yours. Best wishes for you in the future with fiction writing, I hope you don't hear/feel a thud coming down when the dreams vanish.
I am beyond baffeled by these expenses: It seems that you spend a lot of money on hobbies such as shooting. I love shooting sports but I would never let it cost me 500.00/ month. And $600 on journals and podcasts is insane for someone who claims they will not have enough money to be able to retire. I hate to tell you this but Social Security is a Ponzi scheme that will likely be gone at sometime in the near future.
$600/mo in the stock market is also a stretch because if you aren't making money in the market you should get out, I say this a a person who has been moderately successful in stocks having made around $250,000.00 in the past 10 year. We don't use E-Trade but have a reputable broker to advise us and if a stock is not performing for 6 months we dump it.
Purchasing your step-son's groceries is also problematic. It's OK to help subsidize his expenses but he should also have a job to help pay for incidentals. Having a job and learning the value of money and how to budget are important skills every young adult should learn, and how is he using $600/mo in Groceries is beyond me. Like most college students he can live on Top Raman and coffee. I don't spend that much for my family of three. And while I pay my son's Community Collage tuition and books. He also does chores and work around the house to earn $80 to -$100/week for his own incidentals. I would like to point out that he offered to pay for his tuition and books as he loves feeling independant. Now that business is opening up I expect he will be looking for a job.
Buying copies of you son's book so you can help hom with his homework seems a tad creepy and helicoptorish. Especially since he doesn't want you to do it.
I'm not so good at math but just the bolded items could be eliminated and you would have around $70,000.00 a month. Put 20% ($3500.00) in high interest accounts per month to start a retirement fund or put it in an IRA.
You still have over $60,000.00 a month to put towards student loans and paying off credit card debt.
My daddy used to tell me that in order to retire comfortably you need to have 1,000,000.00 in assets to draw off in retirement. I would argu that it's now a higher amount but that's what my SO and I are shooting for, Our house has been in the family since my husband was a baby and we will allow our son to rent it if he wants when we make our move to rural America. If he doesn't want it we can sell it for around $700,000.00.
We have been able to do this with me as an ADN and him at a modest income from his federal job.
So if you can't do better with your finances delare bankruptcy on any debt that quailfies and start building your new credit line. You can recover and have the BK off your credit report in 10 years and you can retire to the nomad life in style.
Hppy
My son (not step son) has a job. I pay him $600.00 cash and buy his groceries. The clerical work he does for me is valuable. Most of my debt is student loans and does not qualify for Chapter seven. Plus I earn too much money to qualify for Chapter Seven. I don't plan to retire until at least my 80's and when I can't work it's time to eat a bullet or to walk off in to the forest and face my destiny over time if I am too much of a coward.
The silver, ammo, and Crytocurrency,, stocks are based on the premise that the United States is headed towards a total economic collapse and that these investments might hold up a bit better once the hyper inflation sets in and SHTF. I often joke with my SO that I will be able to use one week's paycheck to pay off my student loans and the next weeks paycheck to purchase a loaf of bread. Frankly, before I started an IRA I would consider getting some health insurance since I haven't had coverage since my teenage years and I'm now 52. (my plan was to hold out for Medicare if I live that long).
31 minutes ago, londonflo said:
Ummm, in this world? Do your current clients pay in cash? I thought I saw hefty CC fees on your list. Maybe you can have your clients pay with a chicken, corn or other bartering....
About 10% of my clients pay cash. My rates are $150.00 for a 90 min evaluation and $75.00 for a 30min medication management followup. I earn about double that on the clients with insurance. However, 30% goes to the company that does my billing, and gets me the business.
You know nothing about me but a simple post. I just believe in reality. I have always found boasting or regaling others with their financial acumen out of the boardroom or bank to be made of pipe dreams or a need to impress. Will this help??? I am impressed. There, your need is fulfilled. While your life is dreams of fantasy, mine is real and more in the moment that yours. Best wishes for you in the future with fiction writing, I hope you don't hear/feel a thud coming down when the dreams vanish.
What happened in Oncology? Were you exposed to too much radioactive txs? Dude, you are a very angry person! Chill out!
Be impressed with your own life and forget about other people's! Read a good book, have some wine, go to the park and enjoy this amazing weather! Be grateful! Embrace your htn ?
Myoglobin ? Doesn’t sound like your European holiday was much of a success...
I’ll start by admitting that most Gibraltarians probably don’t have the opportunity to live in rural areas. I mean, there’s about 34,000 of them living on 2.6 square miles. Slightly crowded one would assume...
Curious mentioned several European countries but I’ll focus on the three he listed first; UK, Denmark and Sweden.
On 4/7/2021 at 5:17 AM, myoglobin said:
I have been to virtually every one of the countries that you specify and noted several things (in general).
a. Much less ability for those in the working, and middle classes to live outside the city in a rural environment.
b. Effective tax rates (especially when considering VAT taxes that are integrated into virtually all good and services) that commonly range of 50% of income (especially when you consider gas taxes).
c. Less effective ability to "choose what you want to do" there is more "tracking" on to vocational or professional tracks at younger ages.
d. Less ability to afford a place of decent size, and cars that are not tiny (and therefore subject to greater risk when auto accidents occur).
e. Relatively tiny portions of food. Indeed, in visiting over 10 EU countries I actively searched for buffets and found almost none and the few I found were very expensive.
f. Almost no ability to defend oneself. Here I can have my AR-10's, AR15's, shotguns, pistols and rifles. There I could spend a lifetime just trying to get a permit for a revolver.
g. Very truncated free speech rights with no firm constitutional protections.
h. With certain exceptions a very secular society that respects traditional Christian values to an extent that makes even most left of center states seem like a Christian tent revival.
I. I have also traveled to virtually every state in the United States except Maine and Alaska and find great cultural variation from one state to another.
To be sure there are some advantages to Europe in terms of social services (I really like Swiss, Poland, and Romania for example) however it is a different social contract. I cannot speak for others but as for me give me liberty or give me death.
a. What on earth do you mean when you say that the middle and working class folks have less ability to work in rural areas? Some of the smaller countries in Europe have quite high population densities, but in a country like Sweden with a population of only ~10 million and that is the approximate same size as California, there’s ample opportunity to live rurally. Denmark and the UK are more densely populated but still, plenty of rural to go around...
b. It wasn’t quite 50% last time I checked but even if it were, I could live with that.
I work fulltime night which is three 10 hour and 50 minute shifts. If you work nights you only work 32.2 hours per week (instead of 38) because of the increased wear and tear on the body.
I own the apartment I live in (apartment by choice because I love living in the city center), I can comfortably afford to travel abroad on vaccations or extended weekends as often as I want. (Well, pre-Covid). Seven weeks of paid vacation per year, sick pay for as long as needed. (The first year is automatic with a physicians note, after that it becomes a bit more bureaucratic).
In Sweden (like in many other European countries) university is free, maternity/paternity leave here is fifteen months per child (can be stretched to eighteen months at a lower $ rate). Paid sick leave to stay at home to care for your child until the child turns twelve. For children with special needs, it’s until the child is eighteen. Healthcare is universally accessible. My employer pays towards my retirement. I save extra not because I really need to, but because I want to be able to afford a bit more then the basic necessities when I retire.
c. What has given you the idea that Europeans have less ability to choose what they want to do for a living? The fact that university is free, makes higher education available to everyone (who qualifies academically).
d. Smaller apartments, houses and especially cars, is mostly a choice. Small cars are better for the environment. Walking or riding your bike to work is better still. The smaller appartments and houses are sometimes due to a limited amount of space available, but in general we aren’t that fixated on size.. or status...
g. Truncated free speech rights? Europe is a continent with almost as many countries as you have states, and the majority have protected free speech. Some countries like for example Poland, which you for some unknown reason seem to like, has definitely taken a turn in an authoritarian direction. Hungary is another. And Turkey.
h. Again, Europe has many countries with different cultures, but yes the UK, Denmark and Sweden are all quite secular. I don’t find that problematic. Do you think it’s a problem?
I definitely haven’t been to all US states. The ones I have visited are New York, California, Nevada, Arizona, Kansas and Colorado. And Illinois and Texas I guess, if you count O’Hare and DFW ? Which I don’t. Anyway... I’ve really enjoyed the times I’ve spent in the US, but it always surprises me when some Americans express such a strange opinion of Europe. But it’s been educational Myoglobin ?
Well this took an interesting turn. Now we have two dudes comparing peens?
Im embarrassed for everyone here that this is in the general nursing forum in all its glory for everyone to see. Nothing to see here, folks! Just another day on a professional nursing site. But hey, whatever gets clicks, I guess?
Klone, are you getting peen envy? I knew you would eventually! They're not all they're cracked up to be, get it, cracked ???. You would like me Klone. I'm a funny dude ??.
GrumpyRN, NP
1,348 Posts
Any body can live and work in rural areas, most choose not to although it depends what you mean by rural? On your own miles from anyone? No. But people live in villages.
But what do you get for your taxes? Sick pay, Unemployment benefit, Old age pension, Help with university, No medical bills.
I have no idea what you are talking about.
We are a smaller nations so less space so homes are smaller. Cars are specifically designed and tested with safety measures plus laws on seat belts, alcohol and texting while driving. US cars tend to be less fuel efficient.
Americans are noted for overeating. Compare your obesity rates to the rest of the world.
Why are you making this a bad thing? We stopped people having weapons after children were killed. If you want one for sport you can get one but it is regulated. And yes I know about Switzerland.
Where? UK does not have a constitution. Just because America has one does not mean everyone should have one.
Absolutely, religion has no place in daily life. If you want to be religious go for it but leave everybody else out. In US "nones" (as in no religion) are increasing.
Seriously? You are trying to compare Italy, Greece, France, Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales,Holland, etc. etc. with the homogeneous mass that is America?
es, social services are good although I'm not too sure that Poland and Romania are good examples.
What freedoms do you have that we don't have?
I can find a buffet in almost every city, low carb is easy to find - just ask. So bacon isn't bacon because it looks different? Sorry but that is stupid. You don't have to drink alcohol in a pub or restaurant, lots of people don't drink and find plenty of places to go. Smoking is banned indoors and if you are seeing prostitutes andd drugs then stay away from theose places. I can go out and not see these, even in capital cities in different countries.
Just ask for a jug of water. No problem.
Yep, I'll give you that one but so what? Cars are smaller and more efficient so don't use as much.
That is really your problem not anyone else's. Ask for what you want.
So what? totally irrelevant.
No you won't see gun ranges. They are private clubs that are regulated.
Yes, we are underpaid but I call BS on 50% tax. Also, did he tell you about the 10 weeks paid vacation every year plus 1 years sick pay? Also include overtime and Saturday/Sunday and night enhancements. And of course, no medical bills.
Seriously? that's a complaint? You understand that ASDA is part of the Walmart group? This is another seriously stupid thing to say.
Why would you not take your supplements with you? If your travelling then take your medication - basic stuff.
Any car hire firm would give you an equivalent.
If your going to play with games then stay home.
Nothing wrong with shorts but if you are fine dining then make it an event, not casual. Should add that I was once eating in a hotel and American was sitting with a baseball cap on - height of bad manners unless you have cancer and hair loss from the chemotherapy.
Why are you boasting about yourself to Uber drivers? That's nasty.
It's a cold continent. A/C is only needed in the UK for about 1 month a year. Why pay for something that is just going to sit idle?
Why would you have problems? Find out what the speed limits are and stick to them.
Sorry, but you have come across as an entitled, spoiled brat of an American who thinks the world should be the way it is in your home town. Stay home and don't give decent Americans a bad name.
A bit late to this but as they say in Scotland Jings, Crivvens.