Latest Moan From You and Me 2025

We would end up like many third world countries, where people trek long distances to obtain water from dodgy sources, and try to save what falls from the sky. People would hoard it, while others would attempt to steal it.

Anarchy and many dying of thirst. But we would not waste the precious liquid.

 

Anyone who has a house has to pay bills or the bailiffs will be round

 

A big problem is that we produce water to very high standards quality wise and then flush most of it down the loo!

 

It helps dilute the crap that the water companies pour into the rivers.

 

Why is it that you help people out but afterward you feel "why did i even bother"

 

I occasionally use the ATM at Sainsbury’s. On my most recent visit, I noticed that at every stage of the process, it asked me if I wished to see my balance before proceeding … which I didn’t. Anyway, as I was walking home, I wondered if maybe that was because I was being charged for the transaction. So, I’ve done a bit of research and it seems Sainsbury’s has sold the running of these ATMs to a US company. At the moment, the terminals are still free to use, but I think that is something worth watching. I can’t imagine a US company throwing away an easy option to increase profits and those little “Would you like to see your balance before continuing?” nudges might, at some point, be deemed as having offered you the chance to find out you were incurring a charge.

Call me suspicious, but … You gotta keep your wits about you where banks are concerned.

 

No, it's for those who can't add or subtract, like having a running total displayed at each transaction. Pay a bill, how much is left? Now take some money, how much is left? Luckily the machines only make beeping noises, I'd hate to have them add a laugh track to the devices

That said, I think they have the nerve to charge for all of these transactions since they are making so much interest on the gargantuan bucket of money flowing through their facilities each day. Even fractions of pence add up if you've got millions of transaction per diem.

 

Ah, fair enough, @CanadianLori. I can cope with being considered dumb better than being fleeced!

Am just reading a book on banking and finance - The Pay Off by Gottfried Leibbrandt and Natasha De Teran. Apparently, holding onto incoming money for one day before paying it out nets banks $40 billion a yr. A tidy sum.

 

All the ATMs I've ever used always say if they charge or if they are free, but I do agree that now they have shut nearly every bank branch in the country they are probably planning to all start charging soon, just to get at your own money.

I think the check balance thing is for people who are sailing a bit too close to the wind as mostly they ask, or show, the balance before the transaction you are going to make, giving you a chance of not going overdrawn.

 

The US take-over of the Sainsbury’s machines will be completed in May. I would not be surprised if they start charging for withdrawals soon after that, @pete.

 

I've never used a Sainsburys one, Morrisons have a couple but they are run by Nat West.

I've seen others in shops but usually they say that you will be charged on the front of the machine.

 

My OH uses a Sainsburys cashpoint so I will certainly make him aware.

Do the supermarkets still offer a cashback option when you pay for your shopping ? I don't think I've had reason to use it since the start of the pandemic when cash use was practically wiped out.

 

It might come to nothing. And, if charges do come in, hopefully Martin Lewis will alert the nation.

Re cashback, I’m not sure. There are so few manned tills these days, I always use the self-checkouts.

 

I always use the self checkouts these days, once you get used to them its much better, I struggled slightly at the start.
I one beef is there is never enough staff to look after them, I always have a "small" amount of alcohol and I find it a pain having to wait for someone to come and confirm I'm over 18, my face is staring at me on CCTV, I must look young I guess.
Maybe AI can sort this out in a while.