Hasbeen, Some of think of you as extraordinary, what a lovely change to hear from a person who has seen and done so much, obviously has a few bob, and retains his humility. If in the future I disagree with anything you post, please don't take it personally mate, it will only be a difference of opinion, and I would most certainly would not deliberately hurt your feelings, you are rare bird, a well balanced individual, not all that common in this place, where we have a great many opinionated people, including myself, I will look forward with interest to reading your posts, and hope you find your stay with us a pleasent one, Regards,Shaun

No SHONGA, I do not as you think, have a few bob.
This is not a bitch, I chose to spend my most productive years playing games. Then I chose [with a little persuasion] to start a family when in my 40s, not a way to produce wealth.
What I do have , & this is a bitch, is an asset, & because of this my family live on less than the pension. I can only count 2.5 acres as primary place of residence, the rest is asset. This is one of the most insidious of our welfare traps. I receive $8 per fortnight, & thank you tax payers, & health care card.
I could sell the place for enough to buy a nice house in a nice suburb. Believe me I have thought, a number of times, of shooting our old horses, & doing just that, but only for a second or two. They have given us too much for that, & I could never entrust them to someone else's care. Besides, I cant not apply that solution to my 94 year old mother, in her granny flat.
I am not allowed to subdivide off the 2.5 acres, & sell the rest, as councils are frightened future owners may demand the services, demanded by city folk & those in remote communities, water etc.
It is dificult giving our youngest daughter, still in high school, the advantages the older ones had. I have a rye smile as I spend
$20 on petrol to take her to & from the part time job, where she will earn $25, but I believe the best thing we can do for our kids is to teach them that they can have anything, if they will work for it. She does enjoy ariving at worw in my shiny old sports car, which is just as well, as its the only one I have.
We have a great life, but do get a bit short with others bitching, about their lot.

Dear Hasbeen

I think it is wonderful that you are rearing your children with such good values. And that you are caring for your 94 years old Mother! You may not be rich, but you have certainly had an enriching life as a result of your own efforts. Good on you.

There is another thread that you will no doubt find interesting, vis a vis: "Be Happy, Not Rich" (or similar words).

Cheers mate
Kay

PS: Graham - I too like the idea of contacting selected others as suggested above.

Oh dear an innocent comment about a few bob has indeed upset you, my friend, sorry about that, I assumed you had because of your yaughting, I know they are not cheap. as Kay said above be happy, not rich, this is my attitude, as long as your happy mate, that's all that is really important, I'm sorry my assumption was incorrect, and I feel your pain, and agree with you that the best thing we can reach the young, is to enjoy a good day's work, and I add manners, all the best mate, Regards,Shaun

Shonga,(and others of course) I linked to the yahoo On Line Opinions group (click the red forums section on the browser - and then click on email discussions. Join up, and bingo! There appears to be many discussions occurring over there with a great many dissenters and accusations of right and left - just what the doctor ordered ey? Apparently I am a lone female though I do doubt that. OK everyone, back to the dinner party....pass the chardy ta!

Tinkerbell 1952, I cannot find you on other sites, so at risk of the rednecks of this world emailing me my email address is shonganewman@bigpond.com hope to hear from you, Regards,Shaun