Australia the Lucky Country

[TrevorW]

Just some stats

http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/australia/

:thumbsup:

[Stardrifter_WA]

True that Trevor,

Although I have always known it to be a lucky country, I just didn't realise how damn lucky we are until I travelled to poor countries.

Cheers Peter

[TrevorW]

To be sure we are, that is why everyone wants to come here !!! ;)

[tlgerdes]

Interesting to read the Net Wealth scale doesn't seem to take property ownership into consideration :screwy:

[Zaps]

Property is often seen as more of a liability than an asset, and few economists rate it particularly highly these days.

[toc]

Interesting that our work-life balance is so low. I cant complain about mine :)

[TrevorW]

Stats are stats they often don't fit in with peoples perceptions, and at most is a snapshot, data can be skewed one way or another

[tlgerdes]

Economists don't rate it because they can't create it.

If I own it, you cant take it from me because of your bad decision, unlike shares and other financial instruments.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Neither can I.

I only work about 20 hours a week, mostly. Sometimes, I work more, other times less. Very occasionally, I may even work a whole week or two in a row :eyepop: Some weeks, I don't work at all, and I look forward to them as much as I look forward to working, as I do really like my job.

No debt and a permanent casual job, is the right balance for me. :D

I have often thought about going back to work full time, the extra money would be nice, although money ain't everything. All I'd do is buy a better house, a better car and a better telescope. I already have a good house, car and telescopes, so why bother? Mind you, I do keep thinking about a 150mm Tak but it just isn't enough of an incentive for full time. :lol:

And they are right, money doesn't buy you happiness, but, it sure gives you a better class of misery. :lol:

[Astro_Bot]

Superannuation? But if that's OK, too, then I agree with you - work to live not live to work!

[Merlin66]

Having recently returned from three years in the UK and two years in Belgium - the first thing that strikes you is how much the prices have gone up.
That and the flat housing market........

[Stardrifter_WA]

Nah, not so much super......between my two ex wives and the GFC. No, ain't wealthy, by any means. But, I probably would have been if I hadn't got divorced, twice. :sadeyes: Divorce is costly. :mad2:

Both my wives left me for a mate, tis true. The worst thing about that is, I am running out of mates :rofl:

But, I am comfortable Astro, so have no complaints. I am just so thankful I own my house, and more importantly, my astro gear. I certainly wouldn't have the gear I have now, if I was still married.

Would I ever marry again? Only if they say yes to two questions. 1. Do you have a telescope; 2. Do you love sci-fi.

I have only met one woman that has said yes to both questions, sadly, she was nuts, completely stark raving mad! Bonkers even. :rofl: So, I won't hold my breath then.

[TrevorW]

Peter you need to be a wombat, a lot cheaper !!!!

[JB80]

Hard to believe that Australia is actually a more expensive place to live than in Belgium. Still I doubt in Australia you have to fork out $2.50 per garbage bag, in fact last time I checked Australia had moved up to using bins unlike here.

I find it odd, when I was growing up the most expensive places in the world to live where places like Switzerland and Monaco, these days it's Australia. In the last 4 years it has skyrocketed, 2009 Australia wasn't even in the top ten and now it's the 3rd highest overall. I think something has gone wrong.

I think the work-life balance is the most telling thing on that link.

[Stardrifter_WA]

I wish :lol:

[pgc hunter]

The only prices in Australia to have dropped are astronomical equipment. I remember seeing ads in the Aust S&T around 2005 for Celestron Star hoppers commanding up to $2100 for a basic 12" dob .... these days a superior Bintel 12" scope costs $899.

But yeah, cost of living has become obscene in this country overall... however, on my trip to Hungary last year, I found that quality of life there is much lower, despite food and drink being dirt cheap, wages are a joke and clothing, fuel and appliances is more expensive than here. One thing people often fail to take into account is wages relative to cost of living, and when that is taken into account, Australia does pretty well. We may complain about fuel prices, but our fuel is actually cheap compared to Europe and NZ, where you WILL be paying over $2 a litre for unleaded and $1.00-1.40 for LPG.

[FJA]

My first visit to Australia was in 1997 and with the Aussie dollar at $2.2 to the British pound I did pretty well, although I stayed in hostels and with friends rather than in posh hotels and I also lived on cheap burgers and supermarket foods and never set foot inside a restaurant.
I did the same frugal living on my 2009 trip but was much worse off, and I was surprised at how much prices had gone up there. Australia is probably comparable to the UK, maybe slightly cheaper but I don't think so.

It hasn't put me off though, I'm coming back next year :D