Non-motoring > A tax on hopelessness?	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Runfer D'Hills	Replies: 37

New Thu 3 Oct 13 17:48   A tax on hopelessness? - Runfer D'Hills

Anyway, I went down to the Spar shop at lunchtime to buy a book of stamps. They used to be a Post Office too but now if you want that facility you have to go into town, pay to park, lug whatever it is you want to post across the pedestrian precinct, queue up behind all the other sufferers until you are called forward to "position number 6 please" Always for some perverse reason makes me think of the Karma Sutra that... But anyway, back to the Spar shop, so I ask for my stamps and in putting them away in the little pocket in my wallet where I keep them I came across a little printed thing with a barcode on it which I remember being given by someone helpful to ease the process of buying a lottery ticket. Hardly ever buy one now but occasionally I take the notion and that wee ticket thing just needs to be scanned and they relieve me of £4. ( Two lines Saturday and Wednesdays ) Well, blow me down, today I hand the thing over and it costs me £8 ! Apparently they have changed the game and it now costs twice as much to have a remote chance of ever winning anything. Don't know about you but anything which requires the use of paper money is no longer throwaway. I expect there will be those who end up spending more than they can afford on the things. I did keep it though. Perhaps I'll win eh? ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 18:06   A tax on hopelessness? - mikeyb

I suspect many who cant afford it still partake. Appears the prize structure has changed and its now 25 quid for matching 3 instead of the old tenner. Few of us at work decided last year to ditch the lottery and just chuck the money into premium bonds. Had a couple of 25 quid wins and still have the original capital Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 18:27   A tax on hopelessness? - Fenlander

We've done the lottery pretty well since it started. A chance of a big earner... not that we crave that in particular... and perhaps help some good causes. Was a bit annoyed when it went to twice weekly but continued. Bit more annoyed over the years at some of the lottery supported causes... and further annoyed at some worthy local causes that were turned down. Now this proposed 2 x £2 is too much so we will probably add it to our regular charity giving self and Mrs F have with our chosen charity each.. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 18:39   A tax on hopelessness? - -

Never a regular but haven't at all for years, causes supported/rejected the reason. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 18:50   A tax on hopelessness? - R.P.

The funding for my job depends on people buying these things...less negativity please....!! :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 18:58   A tax on hopelessness? - Harleyman

I have one line every Wednesday and Saturday (same numbers) and the odd lucky dip if it gets to a double rollover or a special. Higher stake had to happen, since I do mine by direct debit anyway it means I'm spending an extra £2 a week which I don't even notice anyway. I'm not a spontaneous charity giver (shake a tin under my nose and all you get is a stare) so I guess I've just doubled my input to "good causes" and so long as they don't include too many weirdo lefty yogurt-knitting projects for ethnic minority lesbian disabled single fathers they can do what they like with it. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 19:02   A tax on hopelessness? - legacylad

I did the lottery the very first week. I didn't win so have not done it since. OTOH my P Bonds returned 5 x £25 last month. Best result ever. I await with baited breath October's winning numbers. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 19:00   A tax on hopelessness? - Runfer D'Hills

>>The funding for my job depends... Ah ! That's why they've gone up then ! Posh trucks etc. makes sense now... ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 19:09   A tax on hopelessness? - CGNorwich

If you want to give to charity do so. If you want a gamble go to the bookies. Don' t muddle them up. You will get poor value for both. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 19:18   A tax on hopelessness? - FocalPoint

I have never played the National Lottery. I was horrified when it was introduced. It is state-sponsored gambling; the good causes are just a sop to any guilty consciences or those with moral objections. If the good causes are of any importance public money should be found for them. As for those who say it's good fun to do, I fail to see it. Where is the fun for the vast majority who win nothing? Is it fun to watch the mindless draw? Do people actually know the odds? 1 in 9 to win £5 (Lotto Hotpicks) and downhill from there. Yes - I am dead set against gambling. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 19:47   A tax on hopelessness? - Robin O'Reliant

>> >> >> Yes - I am dead set against gambling. >> As one who likes the occasional punt on the horses I would class gambling as one of life's harmless little pleasures. The fact that a very small percentage of punters cannot control their spend is their problem, not mine. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 09:45   A tax on hopelessness? - The Nut

>> I was horrified when it was introduced. It is state-sponsored gambling; Although I don't object to gambling in general it always seemed wrong to me that the minimum age for buying a lottery ticket is lower than gambling in general, how is it okay for a 16 year old to play the lottery but wrong for them to bet on a horse or play a fruit machine? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 09:48   A tax on hopelessness? - Zero

>> I have never played the National Lottery. I was horrified when it was introduced. It >> is state-sponsored gambling; the good causes are just a sop to any guilty consciences or >> those with moral objections. If the good causes are of any importance public money should >> be found for them. As for those who say it's good fun to do, I >> fail to see it. Where is the fun for the vast majority who win nothing? >> Is it fun to watch the mindless draw? Do people actually know the odds? 1 >> in 9 to win £5 (Lotto Hotpicks) and downhill from there. Never play the lottery, rarely gamble except for the big races, but this viewpoint ^^^^ is far to puritanical and bah humbug, IMHO. Reply to this message | Report message       1

New Fri 4 Oct 13 15:50   A tax on hopelessness? - No FM2R

>>As for those who say it's good fun to do, I fail to see it So what? I do it. I win nothing. I still enjoy doing it. Yes I do know the odds, I don't really care one way or another how the money is spent, and if it is spent well, then great, I do not need a sop for my conscience and its not guilty anyway. I guess, therefore I must be mindless. Why are you dead set against gambling? Please don't object to it on my behalf, I love it. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 19:25   A tax on hopelessness? - Duncan

>> The funding for my job depends on people buying these things...less negativity please....!! :-) >> If you post your bank details on here we could send the money direct to you! ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 19:32   A tax on hopelessness? - Runfer D'Hills

Just been reading the blurb on it online. Seems I'm more or less guaranteed to win the raffle element of it if nothing else on Saturday. 20 grand or something which seems fair. I'll just have a look on autotrader to decide what to spend it on come Sunday... ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 20:32   A tax on hopelessness? - zookeeper

BBC presenter on breakfast this morning was under the impression that if less people now do the lottery because of the price hike he will have more chance of winning !!! Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 21:37   A tax on hopelessness? - DP

Some friends scooped £2m on a Saturday draw earlier in the year. Not enough to retire on in their late 30's, but enough to be seriously life changing, and give them complete financial security. Bought a nice house to live in, a couple of lesser ones to rent out, blew a bit on motors and holidays, and have tied the rest up in various investments. Both still working full time, but with a chunk of extra cash to enjoy every month, and the prospect of retirement at a sensible age with no worries about affording it. A nice place to be. Last edited by: DP on Thu 3 Oct 13 at 21:39 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 22:18   A tax on hopelessness? - Robin O'Reliant

People make the mistake of assuming that everyone who buys a lottery ticket is deluding them selves they'll have a chance of the jackpot. There are a lot of very tidy sums paid out every week in addition to the top prize, sums that would do most people quite nicely. An old neighbour of mine scooped £133,000 back in the early days, a game changing amount for most people. And what the hell's two quid anyway? Most people wouldn't miss it if it fell out of their pocket. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 3 Oct 13 23:31   A tax on hopelessness? - Roger.

Well, I've bitten the bullet and bought one line for two draws a week for 4 weeks, on the "new" Lotto. Even a couple or three grand would do me! Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 08:12   A tax on hopelessness? - Falkirk Bairn

Per week Alcohol <£5 Smoking £0 Sky £17 Petrol £40-£50 Lottery £4 Hardly worth mentioning the Lotto cash If, highly unlikely I know, won say £500,000 it would be a game changer! Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 08:27   A tax on hopelessness? - Meldrew

I pick up my newspaper every day and am often behind a lady who buys 20 smokes, some lottery tickets and scratch cards and sees no change out of £20. I support a couple of of charities by direct debit. With the rubbish interest rate on cash ISAs at the moment I have about £500 out in the 3rd World as micro-loans to needy folk. I get repayment monthly and no interest but it is providing help to people who need it and the Interest on £500, over a year would buy a decent bottle of wine! I do the lottery when it is a mega roll-over but not regularly. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 09:06   A tax on hopelessness? - Fursty Ferret

£4 * 52 * 40... Edti: I'm a huge fan of the micro-loan idea and have a £20/month direct debit to Kiva. In two years I've not had a loan defaulted on. Last edited by: Fursty Ferret on Fri 4 Oct 13 at 09:07 Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 09:16   A tax on hopelessness? - Duncan

>> Sky £17 >> Petrol £40-£50 >> £17 per week on Sky! Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 09:38   A tax on hopelessness? - Zero

I really really cant justify the enormous cost of sky, the output really really isnt worth that amount of money. Reply to this message | Report message       2

New Fri 4 Oct 13 09:42   A tax on hopelessness? - DP

>> I really really cant justify the enormous cost of sky, the output really really isnt >> worth that amount of money. >> I agree. Sadly, SWMBO doesn't. And SWMBO wins. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 10:13   A tax on hopelessness? - Manatee

>> I really really cant justify the enormous cost of sky, the output really really isnt >> worth that amount of money. That's how I feel about the Telegraph. £312 a year plus £1.80/week delivery for the weekday ones, call it £400 a year all up. I've kept it on because the boss looks over it at breakfast and does the puzzles, and she's a creature of habits that I disturb at my peril. i is £45 a year. I'll give it a go instead, and buy weekend papers ad hoc. I never open the Sunday Telegraph now, I haven't the patience to find the crossword amongst the drivel supplements. Just like SKY in fact, costs a fortune and you don't watch most of it! Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 09:42   A tax on hopelessness? - DP

A few hundred quid would be nice Enough to pay off the mortgage would be life changing Enough to pay off the mortgage and buy our "forever"house, perhaps renting ours (and another) out for a bit of extra income / retirement plan would be just about perfect. Anything above that I would mostly give away. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 10:34   A tax on hopelessness? - helicopter

We have had a fiver a week since the start using same numbers so 10 years x 52 x £5 = £2600 paid in and the most we ever had was £90 for four balls and the occasional £10. However wastrel black sheep younger brother won £2300 for five balls a couple of weeks back so it has come back into the family at least..... saves him borrowing or sponging it off me.... We now are buying three lucky dips at £2 each per week......on the basis that someone has to win so why not us..... Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 13:18   A tax on hopelessness? - Dog

>> most we ever had was £90 for four balls, younger brother won £2300 for five balls a couple of weeks back Only £2300 for 5 balls, I'd expect a barrow load of dosh if the missus came in and said, eh, I've got 5 balls up. The chances of getting 6 balls is akin to hitting an ant if you throw a dart on a football pitch, apparently. Blimmin mugs game if you ask me. We do a fiver a week :) Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 13:24   A tax on hopelessness? - Alanovich

>> The chances of getting 6 balls is akin to hitting an ant if you throw >> a dart on a football pitch, apparently. Interesting. How many ants are there on this pitch? Just the one? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 13:33   A tax on hopelessness? - Dog

I'll have a look next time I go down the den, you've got a long wait though ;) Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 16:23   A tax on hopelessness? - Dog

www.cornishman.co.uk/St-Ives-holiday-couple-scoop-lotto-jackpot/story-19888629-detail/story.html Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 10:29   A tax on hopelessness? - Falkirk Bairn

£17 for Sky is OK in my eyes Great football coverage, films for grandkids........ I do not smoke, drink modestly so it is a little extravagance. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 10:50   A tax on hopelessness? - Roger.

With us it's either broadband + phone or SKY. Can't afford both. No contest ! SKY is OK if one is an avid sports fan, I guess, given the enormous cost of sports event tickets. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 12:10   A tax on hopelessness? - -

We gave up Sky probably 18 months ago and went freeview and freesat, missed the extra drivel for a week or two and almost considered going back on a half price deal for 12 months when offered, we didn't though and now found some alternative online free services of programs rarely seen here (Couch Tuner we use regularly), we would not go back. Seeing how much better off the current account is for such savings is the icing on the cake. Luckily neither of us has the slightest interest in sport. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 12:31   A tax on hopelessness? - Bromptonaut

Been considering spending in light of pending change of circs but Sky isn't a saving I could make. I've never been prepared to purchase any of Murdoch's products. My only weakening has been an occasional Sunday Times. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 4 Oct 13 19:24   A tax on hopelessness? - mikeyb

>> £17 for Sky is OK in my eyes >> >> Great football coverage, films for grandkids........ >> >> I do not smoke, drink modestly so it is a little extravagance. >> Quite a bit in my eyes, although I'm on a substantial discount I negotiated. £34 and a few pence a month for everything + HD + multiroom, although think my 12 months is almost up so its going to be renegotiate / leave time Reply to this message | Report message