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Cost of living comparing Heviz with Alanya

cdw057

You have seen quite some posts from me (perhaps too many), but on costs a summary (from my perspective)


-Minimum salary in Turkey is higher then in Hungary

-As per above restaurants in Hungary are cheaper (believe it or not)

-Vegs and fruits though are much, much cheaper (and better) in Turkey, rip off in Hungary

-As for communal taxes, cheaper in Turkey (but things change quickly)

-In Hungary I had my own company and company car (very profitable over the years by the way), in Turkey I do not even want a car (too risky, everything is close anyhow (I have to say i changed my Hungarian driving license in a Turkish one)

-In Hungary (working for a company with my wife) Health care EUR 50 pm, In Turkey (private) EUR 250 (for two of us I have to add)

-Smoking in Hungary is still affordable, but in Turkey it is just cheap (max EUR 1.80 per package of Marlboro)

-Some reports on Alcohol, but honestly not too much difference with Hungary (a bit more epensive but not too much)

-In Hungary we had our own gardener (expensive, but he was on time and did his job well and (working in a hotel) had connections with electrians etc . OK we have no garden anymore, but people delivering, repairing, even creating cables are great (and a VERY affordable price (but it should not matter too much (result))

-Health care, even if not allowed specialsts and assitantents in Hungary are happy to receive tips (and we gave, EUR 20 here, EUR 20 there), no problem

See also

Living in Hungary: the expat guideInternational RelationsFilms to watch & to look out forToday's WeatherAbsolutely Anything ElseManaging meals in HungaryBrexit and its implications for British, HU and any other citizens
fluffy2560


    You have seen quite some posts from me (perhaps too many), but on costs a summary (from my perspective)
-Minimum salary in Turkey is higher then in Hungary
-As per above restaurants in Hungary are cheaper (believe it or not)
-Vegs and fruits though are much, much cheaper (and better) in Turkey, rip off in Hungary
-As for communal taxes, cheaper in Turkey (but things change quickly)
-In Hungary I had my own company and company car (very profitable over the years by the way), in Turkey I do not even want a car (too risky, everything is close anyhow (I have to say i changed my Hungarian driving license in a Turkish one)
-In Hungary (working for a company with my wife) Health care EUR 50 pm, In Turkey (private) EUR 250 (for two of us I have to add)
-Smoking in Hungary is still affordable, but in Turkey it is just cheap (max EUR 1.80 per package of Marlboro)
-Some reports on Alcohol, but honestly not too much difference with Hungary (a bit more epensive but not too much)
-In Hungary we had our own gardener (expensive, but he was on time and did his job well and (working in a hotel) had connections with electrians etc . OK we have no garden anymore, but people delivering, repairing, even creating cables are great (and a VERY affordable price (but it should not matter too much (result))
-Health care, even if not allowed specialsts and assitantents in Hungary are happy to receive tips (and we gave, EUR 20 here, EUR 20 there), no problem
   

    -@cdw057


You'll have to tell us your monthly income to know at what level it's affordable.


BTW, cigarettes in HU are about 2500 HUF for 20 now.  That's about 6 EUR.   It's very much cheaper than my own country (UK) which can be as high as 16 EUR (6700 HUF).    Obviously cigarette smuggling is big business.  Since the UK left the EU, the limit is 200.  Obviously no limit inter-EU.

Marilyn Tassy

It is hard to compare prices for different places.

We pay no rent in Hungary but in the US it would be a different story.

Health care cost in Hungary are , I forget the current cost, 12,000 forints per person;there abouts.

In the US medicare costs seniors at least $178.00 per month with a 20% co pay for a specialist and 10% co pay per visit for a GP;

It does not cover any dental.

$178. is for the min. coverage that does not include meds.


The wages might be higher in the US for many, not everyone though.

It is all eaten up by high power and medical bills plus rent or a mortgage.

I have zero interest in moving back there.

They way the US citizens are being treated is a crime; The money for national disastors through FEMA is already gone! Given to illegals for their support.

I suppose they can always crank up the printing machines and make more money.

cdw057

@fluffy2560 Me and my wife have no income whatsoever, just living from savings (2.5 years to go for pensions). In Hungary and Turkey we count just below EUR 3.000 pm (including everything (depreciation, taxes. restaurants, alcohol, cigarettes, repairs, health insurance, ..).

Actually the same. EUR 3K might sound decadent (and it is), but comparing to eg Germany or Netherlands it is actually quite fine (with own property).


You might think rules and things in Hungary change often, I can say to you in Turkey changes are even more frequently (hence a possible return consideration to Hungary).

fluffy2560


    @fluffy2560 Me and my wife have no income whatsoever, just living from savings (2.5 years to go for pensions). In Hungary and Turkey we count just below EUR 3.000 pm (including everything (depreciation, taxes. restaurants, alcohol, cigarettes, repairs, health insurance, ..).
Actually the same. EUR 3K might sound decadent (and it is), but comparing to eg Germany or Netherlands it is actually quite fine (with own property).
You might think rules and things in Hungary change often, I can say to you in Turkey changes are even more frequently (hence a possible return consideration to Hungary).
   
    -@cdw057


That is a very high monthly (assumed net) income compared to the average pensioner in Hungary. 


Meanwhile, in the real world, my MIL gets about 500 EUR a month from her working life as a teacher and it's now no longer feasible to live on that amount. She owns her own home which is in poor condition.  What's tipped it over is energy costs - she cannot afford to heat her home using her gas central heating.  No insulation, rubbish windows, bad doors - very typical type of 1970s house in Hungary.  Luckily it's not so cold right now. But it's no longer possible to cover her life there on that amount.


My MIL is dying right now so she won't be paying any bills or receiving any income by Christmas.

cdw057

@fluffy2560 Very sorry to hear that, receiving only EUR 500 pm as a pension for a teacher that is outrageaous. Having said that local Hungarian pensioners have to do with even less than that. When we left for Turkey we gave away our winter clothes and a load of books as well as canned food. (they were happy)


But typically in Hungary family takes care of you, but as expats, of course situation is different.

We knew/know quite some pensioners (Hungarians and Germans) in our village, some of them in a terrrible situation.


I do not care what anybody says, a bit of cash is important to have an acceptable life.


I lived in many countries and luckily also in Luxembourg ((special rules for husband and wife (provided you lived/worked there for 10 years +(I did)). (I have to add even partial compansation against inflation)

I worked in the Netherlands for quite some years, but not too much expect and in case I die my wife can only get a very, very minimal pay-out,  for the UK I do not know what happens (I worked there before Brexit), but I invested through an employer scheme (very profitable GBP 60 K when I reach one off and to be transferrred to my wife)

Hungary employment/pension (even if 7 years (me and my wife)) is neligible.


For me once reaching 65, 70% will come out of Luxembourg (even if working less than 30% of my life there), sad really, Dutch system is also not too bad, but not focussed on couples, more on individuals (which can create issues in case of decease for spouses)

SimCityAT


        You have seen quite some posts from me (perhaps too many), but on costs a summary (from my perspective)-Minimum salary in Turkey is higher then in Hungary-As per above restaurants in Hungary are cheaper (believe it or not)-Vegs and fruits though are much, much cheaper (and better) in Turkey, rip off in Hungary-As for communal taxes, cheaper in Turkey (but things change quickly)-In Hungary I had my own company and company car (very profitable over the years by the way), in Turkey I do not even want a car (too risky, everything is close anyhow (I have to say i changed my Hungarian driving license in a Turkish one)-In Hungary (working for a company with my wife) Health care EUR 50 pm, In Turkey (private) EUR 250 (for two of us I have to add)-Smoking in Hungary is still affordable, but in Turkey it is just cheap (max EUR 1.80 per package of Marlboro)-Some reports on Alcohol, but honestly not too much difference with Hungary (a bit more epensive but not too much)-In Hungary we had our own gardener (expensive, but he was on time and did his job well and (working in a hotel) had connections with electrians etc . OK we have no garden anymore, but people delivering, repairing, even creating cables are great (and a VERY affordable price (but it should not matter too much (result))-Health care, even if not allowed specialsts and assitantents in Hungary are happy to receive tips (and we gave, EUR 20 here, EUR 20 there), no problem        -@cdw057

You'll have to tell us your monthly income to know at what level it's affordable.

BTW, cigarettes in HU are about 2500 HUF for 20 now.  That's about 6 EUR.   It's very much cheaper than my own country (UK) which can be as high as 16 EUR (6700 HUF).    Obviously cigarette smuggling is big business.  Since the UK left the EU, the limit is 200.  Obviously no limit inter-EU.
   

    -@fluffy2560


My cigs are €7 for 25.

SimCityAT

@cdw057


Pension in Austria is about €2500

cdw057

@SimCityAT:). mine (Marlboro)  EUR 1.70 for 20

cdw057

@SimCityAT I suppose worked your life in Austria?

cdw057

@cdw057 Do you have to pay taxes (in Austria (by the way no plans to go there) on pension (local fees, healthcare, income taxes , ... )

fluffy2560


My cigs are €7 for 25.
   

    -@SimCityAT


That's even cheaper unit costs than here as it's 20 in a packet here.


I regularly take cigarettes to the UK, 200 at a time for some relatives.


Their biggest complaint is about the price there. £5 for a packet of 20 seems an absolute bargain.

fluffy2560


    @cdw057
Pension in Austria is about €2500
   

    -@SimCityAT


By HU standards that's substantial. It's criminal what it's like here. The pension should be like 1000 to 1200 Euro at least get by these days.


Many old people here are asset rich (sort of) and cash poor. Mrs F's family own property but it's all decrepit and badly maintained. It all needs substantial capital to bring it up to standard. And no-one has any cash to do it.

cdw057

@fluffy2560 Some years ago we hired Ukraine company for repaires/maintenance (legal or not is another matter, but we got an invoice (from Budapest), and I have to say good price and quality ). Yes maintenance is crucial and let it go is tricky ....

fluffy2560


    @fluffy2560 Some years ago we hired Ukraine company for repaires/maintenance (legal or not is another matter, but we got an invoice (from Budapest), and I have to say good price and quality ). Yes maintenance is crucial and let it go is tricky ....        -@cdw057


They are all too far gone.  They all need complete gutting back to a shell and renovation.  it's probably better to knock the houses down as they just aren't worth fixing.  If one builds again, one can use modern design techniques, materials and insulation and cut the costs for operating it way down.


BTW, we just received our new electricity bill.  We were paying 46K HUF a month.  Now we have the adjustment of underbilling for 66K HUF.  Next year, it will be 52K HUF a month.   The bill is used as a propaganda instrument.  It says on it what a wonderful subsidy they've given us.  Yeah right, pull the other one, it's got bells on!

cdw057

@fluffy2560 Still acceptable, but with a good boiler and islation it reallys should be lower than you indicated. Very good plus (with regards to energy bills (just looking at borders)


Of course many people have issues (you can help them, a lunch/dinner fully paid for (and a special experience (We did from time to time (3 or 4 times per year) (my wife cooks well by the way.

People appreciate!!


Bottom line you can feel people appreciated (in the end the are/were)


Of course I am drunk (again), but drunk people are honest (I think (not per se agressive, i am more quiet and passive))

fluffy2560


    @fluffy2560 Still acceptable, but with a good boiler and islation it reallys should be lower than you indicated. Very good plus (with regards to energy bills (just looking at borders)Of course many people have issues (you can help them, a lunch/dinner fully paid for (and a special experience (We did from time to time (3 or 4 times per year) (my wife cooks well by the way. People appreciate!!Bottom line you can feel people appreciated (in the end the are/were)Of course I am drunk (again), but drunk people are honest (I think (not per se agressive, i am more quiet and passive))        -@cdw057


There are 4 of us (6 including the dog and cat).  We are heavy energy users.  We've got a lot of electronics and machinery here. We are completely modernised as the house is only 7 years old. Heavy insulation/triple glazing/sealed doors/modern gas boiler/air source heat pump etc.  We do not have solar although I've been thinking about it for a couple of years.


Anyway,  our bill is cheaper than others.  The energy bills are likely higher because of the oil price and our gas boiler.  It should not be a proper excuse for higher prices - the wind and sun cost doesn't change their output and atoms split regardless of the Middle East or Putin.


Our immediate neighbours are in no need of any help from us.   They have family and this is the Budapest burbs and a commuter area for the city.  People here have good jobs, decent cars and nice houses.   People like my MIL are in need of help and of course, we do what we can for her in her dying days.


I did notice that two of our neighbours insulated their homes in the last year and one of them has an extensive solar installation.  The solar installation has to be the next way forward if only to lessen reliance on the grid as it's already being used by Orban for his own political ends.  Distributed and independent generation is more resilient. 


However, before doing any of that,  I'm sure a water crisis is going to come to Hungary because of climate change.  Last year's weather was brutally hot for long periods.  I've always planned to install a rainwater storage system. I started out at 2,000 litres, but decided it should be 5,000 litres and now I'm toying with 8 to 10,000 litres.  If I'm going to dig a hole in the garden to put the tank in, I might as well make it a big one.


Don't be drunk.  It'll ruin your liver and put you in an early grave.

SimCityAT


        @fluffy2560 Some years ago we hired Ukraine company for repaires/maintenance (legal or not is another matter, but we got an invoice (from Budapest), and I have to say good price and quality ). Yes maintenance is crucial and let it go is tricky ....        -@cdw057

They are all too far gone.  They all need complete gutting back to a shell and renovation.  it's probably better to knock the houses down as they just aren't worth fixing.  If one builds again, one can use modern design techniques, materials and insulation and cut the costs for operating it way down.

BTW, we just received our new electricity bill.  We were paying 46K HUF a month.  Now we have the adjustment of underbilling for 66K HUF.  Next year, it will be 52K HUF a month.   The bill is used as a propaganda instrument.  It says on it what a wonderful subsidy they've given us.  Yeah right, pull the other one, it's got bells on!
   

    -@fluffy2560



Thats what they tend to do here, knock the houses down and rebuild them.


2 supermarkets (Lidl, Penny Market) in my town needed updating, so instead of renovating they knocked them down and rebuilt them. Which I found strange, but after visiting both of them, they have done a really nice job. Both now have their own solar panels on the roof.

Marilyn Tassy


    @fluffy2560 Still acceptable, but with a good boiler and islation it reallys should be lower than you indicated. Very good plus (with regards to energy bills (just looking at borders)
Of course many people have issues (you can help them, a lunch/dinner fully paid for (and a special experience (We did from time to time (3 or 4 times per year) (my wife cooks well by the way.
People appreciate!!

Bottom line you can feel people appreciated (in the end the are/were)

Of course I am drunk (again), but drunk people are honest (I think (not per se agressive, i am more quiet and passive))
   

-@cdw057




Sorry, I must disagree with drunk people being honest.

I found it more that they tend to push their views more on others, right or wrong.

My mother drank allot towards the end of her life, she had cancer but she was also probably suffering from a faulty liver as well.

She was sweet as pie when not drinking but when she drank, you had bettr run for your life if you disagreed with her.


My step dad drank allot, he had a semi legit reason for it, a 2 X POW who was put under torture, had all his teeth pulled out in his mid 20s and his toenails as well. Nothing compared to things he saw happening though.

When he drank he acted a fool, mumbling and screaming out the names of his deceased buddies.

Not a pretty thing to see.

My brother who is still in rehab and only 55 years old was drinking before he got his sepsis.

Now he is clean and sober, it is all out of his system.

He lost his leg however because of his sepsis and his body being run down, the drinking did him more damage then good.

Do not wait until it gets so bad they start cutting off body parts, there is help out there.

I admit, I like a beer or two but that is my limit.

Marilyn Tassy


        @fluffy2560 Some years ago we hired Ukraine company for repaires/maintenance (legal or not is another matter, but we got an invoice (from Budapest), and I have to say good price and quality ). Yes maintenance is crucial and let it go is tricky ....        -@cdw057

They are all too far gone.  They all need complete gutting back to a shell and renovation.  it's probably better to knock the houses down as they just aren't worth fixing.  If one builds again, one can use modern design techniques, materials and insulation and cut the costs for operating it way down.

BTW, we just received our new electricity bill.  We were paying 46K HUF a month.  Now we have the adjustment of underbilling for 66K HUF.  Next year, it will be 52K HUF a month.   The bill is used as a propaganda instrument.  It says on it what a wonderful subsidy they've given us.  Yeah right, pull the other one, it's got bells on!


Holy cow Mr. Fluffy!

That is one high bill each month!

I asked what our average electric bill is, answer was, about 5,000. IDK, we do not keep light on at night while submitting ourselves to the electric weegie board, the tv, internet. Our water heaters turns on 2 times per day for hot water useage, it is enough for the two of us.

We had a larger water heater but replaced it will a smaller one because we never used the entire tank in a day.

Our gas bill is the highest bill in the winters but still not all that bad overall.

-@fluffy2560

fluffy2560


Holy cow Mr. Fluffy!That is one high bill each month!I asked what our average electric bill is, answer was, about 5,000. IDK, we do not keep light on at night while submitting ourselves to the electric weegie board, the tv, internet. Our water heaters turns on 2 times per day for hot water useage, it is enough for the two of us.
We had a larger water heater but replaced it will a smaller one because we never used the entire tank in a day.Our gas bill is the highest bill in the winters but still not all that bad overall.-@fluffy2560        -@Marilyn Tassy


It is high and I was shocked when I saw it.  I thought we were paying much less.   Mrs F pays all the bills and deals with the administration.  Meanwhile I slave over a hot laptop so I wasn't paying that much attention.   But we have an awful lot of electrical things on 24x7  and we use things like the tumble dryer now the weather is turning. I was saying we need to turn things off to see how much better we can do.  It's either that or solar power.


I should say we live in a detached 4-bedroom house - it's quite a large place by city standards. And we have a lot of windows.  It really heats up in the sun like today so I don't know where the electricity is being used.  It's utterly a suburban life style.  It's so warm today, I've had to open the windows.

fluffy2560

Sorry, I must disagree with drunk people being honest.
I found it more that they tend to push their views more on others, right or wrong.
My mother drank allot towards the end of her life, she had cancer but she was also probably suffering from a faulty liver as well.
She was sweet as pie when not drinking but when she drank, you had bettr run for your life if you disagreed with her.

My step dad drank allot, he had a semi legit reason for it, a 2 X POW who was put under torture, had all his teeth pulled out in his mid 20s and his toenails as well. Nothing compared to things he saw happening though.
When he drank he acted a fool, mumbling and screaming out the names of his deceased buddies.
Not a pretty thing to see.
My brother who is still in rehab and only 55 years old was drinking before he got his sepsis.
Now he is clean and sober, it is all out of his system.
He lost his leg however because of his sepsis and his body being run down, the drinking did him more damage then good.
Do not wait until it gets so bad they start cutting off body parts, there is help out there.
I admit, I like a beer or two but that is my limit.
   

    -@Marilyn Tassy



I spent 2h on WhatsApp video with a friend of mine early this morning.  He's down in the dumps as his wife died of sepsis a couple of months ago.  He was drinking a lot when we spoke.  My job was to listen to him.  I'm extremely garrulous in many circumstances so it's not a natural state for me.   But the upshot is it'll take a while to adjust to a different life.  It's a trauma losing one's partner.  He's a kind of depressed drunk, not an angry one.


But he's not wasting time, he's got a female friend coming in from abroad who also has been traumatised from the civil and tribal unrest in her own country.  Anyhoo, I went through the tourist hotspots of the UK's North West he should visit with her.  Surprisingly there's a lot to do and see.


I don't think he should drink any more.  It'll put her off as prospective partner. Her home country trauma was partly caused by fighting of drunk men behaving badly and violently.    Alcohol brings out the worst in some people.

cdw057

@fluffy2560 A few comments

  1. Solar, when we moved in there the installation was there, and I have to say it has helped from day 1 ( (now 10 years ago)
  2. We had a massive pond (for watering the veg garden and good for the dogs to swim and play)
  3. On alcohol, yes a vice (a big one), but it makes me feel relaxed and limit for example my pain of rheuma. No doubt about it, it is not good. Alcohol I think will not help with creating an easy heart attack though, but I am now 60 + (well over) and had a good life, lets see how far things go, but I am not afraid at all to die, but better in a happy situation.

fluffy2560


    @fluffy2560 A few comments

Solar, when we moved in there the installation was there, and I have to say it has helped from day 1 ( (now 10 years ago)
We had a massive pond (for watering the veg garden and good for the dogs to swim and play)
On alcohol, yes a vice (a big one), but it makes me feel relaxed and limit for example my pain of rheuma. No doubt about it, it is not good. Alcohol I think will not help with creating an easy heart attack though, but I am now 60 + (well over) and had a good life, lets see how far things go, but I am not afraid at all to die, but better in a happy situation.

    -@cdw057


Probably some space cakes would help better than the alcohol.   If I was going to self-medicate, I think I'd choose some drugs over the booze.  Harder to get I know but nice dreams.  I am sure it's easily possible to get something like ketamine in Turkey.  Bit risky but you'd be out like a light.


I'm also 60+ ( mid-60s) but while I have things wrong with me, there's nothing major so far.  I am easily able to walk the dog - I just came back, 3km in 45m.   Ok, things are rusty and a bit stiff until I get moving enough.  If I did more than about 5km, it'd be uncomfortable. I did gardening and some minor DIY yesterday and I sure paid for it today but I still did the dog walking today.  It's like a habit/drug and I miss it if I don't do it.

cdw057

Probably getting a bit off topic (I have to create a new post), but for walking dogs (my wife did sometimes, but really not needed and appreciated by the dogs (christof001 on you tube)

By the way 3 km in 45 minutes is not bad at all (compliments !)


I have set borders for myself since I was young (smoking and drinking only, but no weed, or something stronger).

Of course many  things are bad for health (and perhaps some are good (supposedly) , bottom line genes are very, very important (my father died at 39, his mother at 64, her husband at below 50 (I do not know); on the other side one of the grandmas of my wife (smoking all her life) lived well over 90.


On the good side, I eat a lot of garlic and onions (I like them and they are supposed to be healthy).

fluffy2560


    Probably getting a bit off topic (I have to create a new post), but for walking dogs (my wife did sometimes, but really not needed and appreciated by the dogs (christof001 on you tube)By the way 3 km in 45 minutes is not bad at all (compliments !)I have set borders for myself since I was young (smoking and drinking only, but no weed, or something stronger).Of course many  things are bad for health (and perhaps some are good (supposedly) , bottom line genes are very, very important (my father died at 39, his mother at 64, her husband at below 50 (I do not know); on the other side one of the grandmas of my wife (smoking all her life) lived well over 90.On the good side, I eat a lot of garlic and onions (I like them and they are supposed to be healthy).        -@cdw057



I try to keep up a good pace with the dog walking but I am not going that fast. It's a steady pace over known ground. I have specific routes I do.  I also have a sports watch which tracks my route/measures heart rate (but not blood pressure) and uploads all the data to a web site. It records and calculates a lot of stuff like pace, ascent/descent and so on.   Apart from that,  to get any benefit from exercise, one has to raise one's heart rate about 120 beats/minute.  I was doing mountain biking (aka MTB) but far less so recently as my knees are going a bit.  I did some over the summer.   The MTB really does increase your heart rate.


You don't have to accept your genetic heritage for an early death and you don't have to hasten it either.   You don't have to listen to people posting here either.


I'm pissed off I'm 64 and when I look at it realistically and I check the average age for a person like me, maybe I've got 16 to 20 years before something nasty catches up with me. It could catch up with me next week!  And I was planning to do so much but how long will I be competent?


I look at my MIL who is dying slowly right now - maybe 3 weeks to go?  She probably had another stroke as there's been a significant change.  From my perspective and Mrs Fluffy's,  it seems she wasted her life feeling sorry for herself, making bad choices romantically and having no determination to actually live properly and embrace all opportunities.  We don't know what she thinks because we're not sure how much of her is still in there.  She can only answer Yes/No now and sometimes not even that.   Anyway, the family members are dropping by to say Goodbye and the priest is going there today.   


Garlic, onions, booze and cigarettes - sounds like a party!

Marilyn Tassy

Milk thistle for the liver is a good detox.

I have started adding baby spinach or ricola bits with our veggie mix with breakfast.( half an avacado, half     a pepper, half a tomato and perhaps slices of red onions) Have veggies and half either one egg and tiny slice of cheese of meat. Just a few bits of different items with one slice of bread.

We hardly ever snack and get by fine with 2 small but mixed meals per day.

Often I skip fruits because I just can not eat more.

My husband is not overly excited to see a huge handful of salad greens served with is morning sausage but he is going along with the program, so far.

Garlic and onions are good for you although in eastern practices they say too much of those is not good, something to do with over heating your body?

IDK, too confusing to follow too many different things at once.

I still never go past 120 lbs and usually am closer to 118.

After I was ill and got super skinny, 108lbs I told myself I did not care how fat I got again as long as I was well.

I am well and I think by expecting whatever was to be, I got lucky and am not worried about gaining weight, just staying at my natural size.


I do not wish to be mean about people over drinking, I do love a bit of a drink too. I stopped all drinking while I was really ill, for a good year or so.

I worry more about what is leaking into my beer via the cans then I worry about a bit of beer in my system.Should buy glass bottles I suppose.

I have personally seen the bad effects of over drinking in my family going back generations. There really is a reason the call them, spirits, people are sometimes taken over when drinking too much.

Marilyn Tassy


        Probably getting a bit off topic (I have to create a new post), but for walking dogs (my wife did sometimes, but really not needed and appreciated by the dogs (christof001 on you tube)By the way 3 km in 45 minutes is not bad at all (compliments !)I have set borders for myself since I was young (smoking and drinking only, but no weed, or something stronger).Of course many  things are bad for health (and perhaps some are good (supposedly) , bottom line genes are very, very important (my father died at 39, his mother at 64, her husband at below 50 (I do not know); on the other side one of the grandmas of my wife (smoking all her life) lived well over 90.On the good side, I eat a lot of garlic and onions (I like them and they are supposed to be healthy).        -@cdw057


I try to keep up a good pace with the dog walking but I am not going that fast. It's a steady pace over known ground. I have specific routes I do.  I also have a sports watch which tracks my route/measures heart rate (but not blood pressure) and uploads all the data to a web site. It records and calculates a lot of stuff like pace, ascent/descent and so on.   Apart from that,  to get any benefit from exercise, one has to raise one's heart rate about 120 beats/minute.  I was doing mountain biking (aka MTB) but far less so recently as my knees are going a bit.  I did some over the summer.   The MTB really does increase your heart rate.

You don't have to accept your genetic heritage for an early death and you don't have to hasten it either.   You don't have to listen to people posting here either.

I'm pissed off I'm 64 and when I look at it realistically and I check the average age for a person like me, maybe I've got 16 to 20 years before something nasty catches up with me. It could catch up with me next week!  And I was planning to do so much but how long will I be competent?

I look at my MIL who is dying slowly right now - maybe 3 weeks to go?  She probably had another stroke as there's been a significant change.  From my perspective and Mrs Fluffy's,  it seems she wasted her life feeling sorry for herself, making bad choices romantically and having no determination to actually live properly and embrace all opportunities.  We don't know what she thinks because we're not sure how much of her is still in there.  She can only answer Yes/No now and sometimes not even that.   Anyway, the family members are dropping by to say Goodbye and the priest is going there today.   

Garlic, onions, booze and cigarettes - sounds like a party!
   

    -@fluffy2560




Sorry to hear her time may be very close.

We all should have the mind set of being ready to check out anytime but also not be living in fear of what is next.

I honestly had no idea how really ill I was when I was sent into isolation in the hospital here 3 years ago.

I had such low white blood count that I felt I was in a mental fog and semi floating away.

I am not going to push anyone to believe but in the hospital room I knew I was not alone.

Everything I needed was there with me. I was a bit sad to think I may not ever see my husband and son again but I also was not in fear for myself at all.

I was not told much by the staff expect I had to be away from people and all germs and I needed shots to get my blood back to normal.

I swear, before I got ill, I was super healthy, looked a good 10 years or more younger then my actual age and was full of energy.

Even now I look younger then my nearly 70 years but although I am well again, it took all these years to feel my energy returning.Not sure if it was being ill or if I just learned to except whatever is in the cards.I no longer feel I must compete this or that everyday, just take it as it comes.

Marilyn Tassy


    You have seen quite some posts from me (perhaps too many), but on costs a summary (from my perspective)
-Minimum salary in Turkey is higher then in Hungary
-As per above restaurants in Hungary are cheaper (believe it or not)
-Vegs and fruits though are much, much cheaper (and better) in Turkey, rip off in Hungary
-As for communal taxes, cheaper in Turkey (but things change quickly)
-In Hungary I had my own company and company car (very profitable over the years by the way), in Turkey I do not even want a car (too risky, everything is close anyhow (I have to say i changed my Hungarian driving license in a Turkish one)
-In Hungary (working for a company with my wife) Health care EUR 50 pm, In Turkey (private) EUR 250 (for two of us I have to add)
-Smoking in Hungary is still affordable, but in Turkey it is just cheap (max EUR 1.80 per package of Marlboro)
-Some reports on Alcohol, but honestly not too much difference with Hungary (a bit more epensive but not too much)
-In Hungary we had our own gardener (expensive, but he was on time and did his job well and (working in a hotel) had connections with electrians etc . OK we have no garden anymore, but people delivering, repairing, even creating cables are great (and a VERY affordable price (but it should not matter too much (result))
-Health care, even if not allowed specialsts and assitantents in Hungary are happy to receive tips (and we gave, EUR 20 here, EUR 20 there), no problem
   

    -@cdw057

I no longer really offer tips but then again I only see my oncologist a couple times per year.

Have not seen or GP in ages for anything.

IDK, 8 or so years ago when my husband went in with national health for a minor hernia operation he tipped but it was odd.

No one ever has explained how you are suppose to hand over cash, in an envelope I suppose.

Well he wanted to wait until he saw who actually was going to cut him open before handing cash to just anyone.

Here when prepped for almost all surgery  they have you fully naked with just a sheet on for a cover.

They wheeled him into the operating room and started to put him under. He had no pocket to store his $300. cash tip.

Last second the doctor walked in , husband handed him the cash and went down for the count.

For a bit he thought , hmm, where can I stick this cash before I pass out? Only one place came to mind!

Where the sun don,t shine!

cdw057

@Marilyn Tassy Liver is important and so is the condition of rest of body (amazing whas can body can do to repair things). In my family lung emboly seems so be a tradition (very sad), also for me (I spent a week in a good hospital (in Turkey) but i survived (not the best experience I have to say (but very, very good service (I came back to get a present for nurses)).


I am not in the best condition, but a normal heart attack would be best, I do not want to be 100 with dementia or other.

Bottom line elderly people create a buden for society and spouses (including me for my wife)

What is this drive for  limiting smoking, let people die (where I am upsest is obesity not being addressed (difficult))

Marilyn Tassy

@Marilyn Tassy Liver is important and so is the condition of rest of body (amazing whas can body can do to repair things). In my family lung emboly seems so be a tradition (very sad), also for me (I spent a week in a good hospital (in Turkey) but i survived (not the best experience I have to say (but very, very good service (I came back to get a present for nurses)).I am not in the best condition, but a normal heart attack would be best, I do not want to be 100 with dementia or other.Bottom line elderly people create a buden for society and spouses (including me for my wife)What is this drive for limiting smoking, let people die (where I am upsest is obesity not being addressed (difficult)) -@cdw057


IDK, I picked up the results of my 3 years out of treatment CT yesterday;

Looks like I am good to go for another 100,000 miles;

This CT was a very big one, contrast dye and making me drink 2 liters of water before the scan.

It looks at all the major organs in the body;liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen intestines,all of it, even the condition of the spine.

I do have arthritis but had that since I was very young, otherwise, I am in great shape, barring an accident or fall.

The key is moderation in all things.

I may need some work on my brain but that is another issue!!

2 CT s ago, they found a couple of tiny spots on my lungs, gone now;

I do believe in the power of pray and the power of eating right and getting enough rest.

My type of cancer can be found in at least 90% of the population. I was just run down and became a victim for a short time of the virus.

It is under being a STD but not really, more of a STI, a type of infection.

The better you take care of your overall health they better it is in the long run.The type of virus which caused cancer in me was dormant for over 5 decades! Now days they have a vax for it. HPV infection;Need to get the vax early and the cut off is at age 45.

fluffy2560

I picked up the results of my 3 years out of treatment CT yesterday;Looks like I am good to go for another 100,000 miles;This CT was a very big one, contrast dye and making me drink 2 liters of water before the scan.It looks at all the major organs in the body;liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen intestines,all of it, even the condition of the spine.I do have arthritis but had that since I was very young, otherwise, I am in great shape, barring an accident or fall.The key is moderation in all things.I may need some work on my brain but that is another issue!!2 CT s ago, they found a couple of tiny spots on my lungs, gone now;I do believe in the power of pray and the power of eating right and getting enough rest.My type of cancer can be found in at least 90% of the population. I was just run down and became a victim for a short time of the virus.It is under being a STD but not really, more of a STI, a type of infection.The better you take care of your overall health they better it is in the long run.The type of virus which caused cancer in me was dormant for over 5 decades! Now days they have a vax for it. HPV infection;Need to get the vax early and the cut off is at age 45. -@Marilyn Tassy


This is good news.  Congratulations on the all clear.   I've heard about the HPV vaccination.  In fact I think both our HU kids have had it.  They were giving only to girls but now I think boys get it as well.   I think possibly we had to pay for our son's at the time.  I am not sure why they don't give to people over 45.  Perhaps the menopause?


My MIL was taken away to hospital this morning.   Unbelievable stupid GP was there and was saying, why didn't you call me? And of course, Mrs F said, we did call you but you were not interested.  Literally that's what happened!  The GP denied receiving the call and was trying to cover for being negligent.  But my BIL knows the nurse so there's definitely a record of family speaking to the GP.  There's no way the GP can blame this on the relatives or the patient.


There are rumours that the GP likes a drink.  The GP took a blood sample, but being addled left it at my MIL's house.  Mrs F had to go to the GP office and tried to drop off the blood sample and while there collect the papers for the ambulance people and hospital.  But the courier who was due to take the blood to the hospital lab had already been and gone.  So Mrs F had to go to the hospital with the blood sample as well as her Mum.  It's just weird crap all around.


Anyway, the upshot is they think she's had another stroke.  I thought we were familiar with stroke symptoms but in this case, the symptoms were not as published.  Even the carer who is actually a nurse didn't spot them. It's because she's got dementia as well. Hard to tell what is dementia and what isn't.   


Now they are going to scan my MIL's head.  It doesn't make any difference, they aren't going to do anything with her.  She's too far gone and the damage is probably permanent.  Partially negligence maybe on the GP's lack of care.  That's the second stroke.   I doubt she'll survive a third one.  She's just a ticking stroke timebomb.

Marilyn Tassy

Mrs. Fluffy must be feeling very stressed out. Sorry, dealing with illness is stressful and having medical staff that drops the ball makes it worst.

I know, had it happen many times with many people.

They give the HPV vax free to those under age 15 here in Hungary; both sexes.

They cut it off age age 45 because studies have shown that it is not effective after that age. Then again, some studies have shown it may work on different forms of HVP, different strains of the virus at any age.

I was willing to pay for it but the medical run around was too much here;

Asked my oncologist for it, he said it was too late? Then I asked my GP, she said only a gyno doc can make out the script.

Went to one, she did an exam on me fist and chatted for a long time; Seemed she knew what she was doing but I was wrong; I picked up 2 types of bacterial infection due to her exam; Not sure if her assistant was the issue or what. Had to have 3 exams and saw not only her but a male gyno doc in the same clinic; He was an idiot!! He sent me to a surgeon!! The surgeon was confused and had no idea why I was sent to him; We did not know either but just followed orders!

Had those 3 exams all within 4 weeks time; The lab work did not come back for a month and my infection was not treated until the lab results came back; I had some old anti biotics at home and was going to just start taking them on my own but decided to wait to see what they would give me; Turns out, they gave me the same meds I had at home!

Went back to the female gyno doc for my HPV script after all that other business we being taken care of. She said she no longer could write me a script and to ask my oncologist for one!!

Forget it, they do not know what they are doing!!!

I know hard to follow this tale, confused me too!

Marilyn Tassy

Oh, back to my exams, funny as my husband is not everyone thinks so.

The male gyno doc did his exam on me, embarrassing for me to have a man doing that personal exam. I was 3 weeks into my infection by then and had some swelling and redness;

He said he had 30 years experience and that I looked totally, normal!

My husband could not take it and asked him what sort of bodies had he been looking at for 30 years because I was not normal at all at that time!

I wanted to laugh but also cry, so frustrating!

fluffy2560

Oh, back to my exams, funny as my husband is not everyone thinks so.The male gyno doc did his exam on me, embarrassing for me to have a man doing that personal exam. I was 3 weeks into my infection by then and had some swelling and redness;He said he had 30 years experience and that I looked totally, normal!My husband could not take it and asked him what sort of bodies had he been looking at for 30 years because I was not normal at all at that time!I wanted to laugh but also cry, so frustrating! -@Marilyn Tassy


Your hubby's comment made me laugh even if it was under adverse circumstances. ;)


Maybe we should go back to posting on Absolutely Anything Else as we're way off topic.

fluffy2560

Mrs. Fluffy must be feeling very stressed out. Sorry, dealing with illness is stressful and having medical staff that drops the ball makes it worst.I know, had it happen many times with many people.They give the HPV vax free to those under age 15 here in Hungary; both sexes.They cut it off age age 45 because studies have shown that it is not effective after that age. Then again, some studies have shown it may work on different forms of HVP, different strains of the virus at any age.I was willing to pay for it but the medical run around was too much here;Asked my oncologist for it, he said it was too late? Then I asked my GP, she said only a gyno doc can make out the script.Went to one, she did an exam on me fist and chatted for a long time; Seemed she knew what she was doing but I was wrong; I picked up 2 types of bacterial infection due to her exam; Not sure if her assistant was the issue or what. Had to have 3 exams and saw not only her but a male gyno doc in the same clinic; He was an idiot!! He sent me to a surgeon!! The surgeon was confused and had no idea why I was sent to him; We did not know either but just followed orders!Had those 3 exams all within 4 weeks time; The lab work did not come back for a month and my infection was not treated until the lab results came back; I had some old anti biotics at home and was going to just start taking them on my own but decided to wait to see what they would give me; Turns out, they gave me the same meds I had at home!Went back to the female gyno doc for my HPV script after all that other business we being taken care of. She said she no longer could write me a script and to ask my oncologist for one!!Forget it, they do not know what they are doing!!!I know hard to follow this tale, confused me too! -@Marilyn Tassy



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