But it's true! I just learned about this today. Apparently back in May 2001 the Irish government started something called the Special Savings Incentives Scheme. Under this scheme (term commonly used similar to program - not necessarily meaning something sneaky), when you would deposit money into a special account applied for, the government would match 25% of the amount! No, REALLY! So basically for every 4 Euro deposited, the government would put in 1 Euro. One of the catches was that you had to leave your money in that specific account for 5 years. Also, you had to be at least 18 and you could only have one per person. So a parent couldn't open up an account for each child. There was a 23% tax at the end, but I think that there was also an interest that would offset that a little.
Without the tax, if you put in the maximum (which wasn't that high) and left it in for the 5 years, you would have accumulated 16,000 Euro and then the government would have matched that by 25% giving you a total of 20,000 Euro. Not too shabby!!!
For a better explanation: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/money-and-tax/personal-finance/savings-and-investments/government_savings_scheme
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Healthcare System
UPDATE: I forgot to add that she even gave me a number for after hours and weekends so that I wouldn't have to go to the hospital and wait for days if I were sick. These people are great!
At some point, even though I can't remember when or by whom, I was told that in order to see a specialist, I'd have to first go to a general practitioner. This is how it used to be under my health insurance at home years ago, so it wasn't anything new. I got a recommendation from a colleague here for a doctor that works for a practice that is within walking distance from the office. I have to plan almost everything that I do around the office since nothing is open on the weekends it seems.
When I made the appointment, they only asked for my name and the date and time. No health insurance questions. I was able to make an appointment for 5:00 and headed over there a little early in order to try to sign in early since I figured I'd be sitting there for an hour. And then of course I also expected to be sitting in a room in the back for another hour. But that's not how it went at all.
Once I got there, I checked in and filled out the basic "first timer" form. As I sat there, people were called into the back and I swear most of them came out in no more than 5 minutes. Bing, bang, boom, done. Must be easily diagnosable. At about 5:10, I was called into the back by the actual doctor. No nurse came to greet me. She directed me to her office - yep, her office - and we sat in there and she answered all of my questions. Then she let me know that she can write any prescription that I would need. Therefore there's no need to see a GP then make an appointment with a specialist and have them write the prescription. Such a time saver!! She also can write prescriptions for a 6 month supply. You gotta be kidding me with this stuff.
As any American would, I hurried up to get health insurance thinking that if I got hit by the tram, I'd be in deep financial trouble. But they didn't even ask for it - ever. You pay a certain fee as a private patient and then submit all of your receipts at the end of the year for a refund. This is sort of a pain at the end of the year, but it's nice to be able to make an appointment without having to track down your health care information. And you don't have to choose specific doctors.
As far as the girly stuff goes, since boys read this blog I won't discuss it here. But if you girls are interested, just let me know and I'll send an email.
So, the result is that they have a much better handle on efficiency at the doctor's office here. Quite a pleasant experience!
At some point, even though I can't remember when or by whom, I was told that in order to see a specialist, I'd have to first go to a general practitioner. This is how it used to be under my health insurance at home years ago, so it wasn't anything new. I got a recommendation from a colleague here for a doctor that works for a practice that is within walking distance from the office. I have to plan almost everything that I do around the office since nothing is open on the weekends it seems.
When I made the appointment, they only asked for my name and the date and time. No health insurance questions. I was able to make an appointment for 5:00 and headed over there a little early in order to try to sign in early since I figured I'd be sitting there for an hour. And then of course I also expected to be sitting in a room in the back for another hour. But that's not how it went at all.
Once I got there, I checked in and filled out the basic "first timer" form. As I sat there, people were called into the back and I swear most of them came out in no more than 5 minutes. Bing, bang, boom, done. Must be easily diagnosable. At about 5:10, I was called into the back by the actual doctor. No nurse came to greet me. She directed me to her office - yep, her office - and we sat in there and she answered all of my questions. Then she let me know that she can write any prescription that I would need. Therefore there's no need to see a GP then make an appointment with a specialist and have them write the prescription. Such a time saver!! She also can write prescriptions for a 6 month supply. You gotta be kidding me with this stuff.
As any American would, I hurried up to get health insurance thinking that if I got hit by the tram, I'd be in deep financial trouble. But they didn't even ask for it - ever. You pay a certain fee as a private patient and then submit all of your receipts at the end of the year for a refund. This is sort of a pain at the end of the year, but it's nice to be able to make an appointment without having to track down your health care information. And you don't have to choose specific doctors.
As far as the girly stuff goes, since boys read this blog I won't discuss it here. But if you girls are interested, just let me know and I'll send an email.
So, the result is that they have a much better handle on efficiency at the doctor's office here. Quite a pleasant experience!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Poop
First real rain since I've been here is happening at this moment. I know this not because I am looking out of the window but because I have just been out in it for lunch and my cute red shoes are now all wet. I did have a kick ass umbrella though, so at least the top part of me is dry. Can't say the same for the hem of my dry clean only pants.
Preeeettttyyyy
I took a few pictures on my walk home yesterday. The neighborhood that I live in is relatively big in size, but my street is the last one so it's got it's own privacy. There are mountains in the distance and the neighborhood is hilly so you can see a separate neighborhood down the hill. On the first picture you can see to the right the top of a roof on a house that backs up to the hill that I'm walking on and below the next neighborhood over. Pretty neat I think. Just thought I'd share. :)
Guinness
I think these kegs should last the pubs at least through the night. :)
(Taken overlooking the Guinness brewery).
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Woah nelly
During a quiet Saturday ride on the train heading away from town, there was a sound like a gun had been fired and then I felt something hit me - something light. Turns out it was pieces of glass that had broken off of the window across the aisle from me. The picture above was taken from my seat. The thought is that it was kids being stupid. It completely freaked out the girl that was sitting in the seat next to the window, as you would expect. Fortunately the window didn't completely break apart on the rest of the ride home.
That's enough excitement for one day!
The sneeze is connected to the...
Tailbone. Everything seems to be connected to that thing. In order to remain consistent, I had my "fall of the month" (see "Thank God for Tide Sticks") when I got back from NY. I was traveling down the stairs with little sleep to relax on the couch when the following happened:
slip...
ow
ow
ow
(OMG, I'm still falling)
ow.
Immense pain begins. Now, this was one week ago and I still can't sit directly on my tailbone. I know what you're thinking, who does that?? But believe me, we all do. I can be sitting on the floor and move like a normal person to get up, and YEOOOH! Smack on the tailbone. The worst part is when I sneeze because no matter if I'm leaning over (worst way) or standing up, I still feel it pull down there. And there's nothing that I can do about it whatsoever. Just wait it out. I thought for sure it would be all fixed by now.
A co-worker here told me about her awful story when she fractured her tailbone. Apparently that was 4 years ago and she still has a little trouble here and there. If only I could've landed on one of the cheeks. Then at least all of the insulation that I store there for safe keeping could've been used for something good. :)
slip...
ow
ow
ow
(OMG, I'm still falling)
ow.
Immense pain begins. Now, this was one week ago and I still can't sit directly on my tailbone. I know what you're thinking, who does that?? But believe me, we all do. I can be sitting on the floor and move like a normal person to get up, and YEOOOH! Smack on the tailbone. The worst part is when I sneeze because no matter if I'm leaning over (worst way) or standing up, I still feel it pull down there. And there's nothing that I can do about it whatsoever. Just wait it out. I thought for sure it would be all fixed by now.
A co-worker here told me about her awful story when she fractured her tailbone. Apparently that was 4 years ago and she still has a little trouble here and there. If only I could've landed on one of the cheeks. Then at least all of the insulation that I store there for safe keeping could've been used for something good. :)
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