Tag Archives: Money

Fewer Toys

October 17, 2008 – 12:33 pm

The BBC reports that the toy manufacturing market in China is facing major difficulties: The Chinese news agency Xinhua said 52.7% of the country’s 3,631 companies making toys for export went out of business in the first seven months of the year.

By Paul | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

One Word Response

October 9, 2008 – 6:51 pm

From the BBC: Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he is “angry” about irresponsible behaviour by bankers and has warned that “the days of big bonuses are over”. Wrong!

By Paul | Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged | Comments (0)

TheHill.com – Soros floats alternative bailout plan with Dems

October 2, 2008 – 11:34 am

Here’s an interesting idea from George Soros. Instead of the current bailout plan, he suggests getting troubled banks to issue enough extra stock to recapitalize them, with the stock being bought by the government. This would restore balance to their accounts (with extra cash on hand they wouldn’t be so extended, and their balance sheets [...]

By Paul | Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged | Comments (0)

Oh Sweet, Sweet Irony

April 7, 2008 – 7:34 am

Apparently the American Mortgage Bankers Association is having problems paying its mortgage. I’d been thinking that I was a potential future victim of the crisis. The mortgage we have cost £195 to set up, and gets us 1.5% off the standard rate for the life of the mortgage. The current equivalent deal costs £795, and [...]

By Paul | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Customer Disservice

March 25, 2008 – 8:20 pm

Here’s the text of a message I sent to ASDA (owned by Wal-Mart, bringing their aesthetic but sticking with UK ideas of low prices, not the US version): I’ve just returned from a visit to your Fareham store. As I was checking out a transvestite walked past, presumably having finished his own shopping. The person [...]

By Paul | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)