Prudential ‘shopping basket’

Sir,
There have been quite a few replies to my letter about the Prudential ‘shopping basket’, I should like the chance to reply.

It has been mentioned that items have increased in price since joining the EU. This I do not dispute, a basket of shopping was mentioned in the Prudential survey, I disagreed with the prices mentioned so compared by carrying out my own checks. Of course items differ from shop to shop but I am talking about one of the large, well-known local supermarkets and I still stand by my findings for those particular items.

Mr Chapman in particular mentions my letter. If he had read it properly he would have noticed I have been coming to Cyprus for twenty years, owned a property here for ten and lived here for four, on a fixed budget I hasten to add, not some private income as Mr Chapman rudely suggests.

In my last paragraph, if again it had been read properly, I was generalising about people retiring abroad, not just to Cyprus but anywhere in the world and I have known a lot of miserable individuals who bemoan their fate continually making them very unpleasant people to know and I’m not just talking about “the price of fish”. I was suggesting that anyone retiring abroad should arm themselves with as much knowledge on their chosen country as possible and be absolutely sure of their move, otherwise problems can occur which can lead to ill health etc. I was recommending, think before you act.

I notice that it is believed that going back to the UK will solve financial problems, well perhaps it will, but I am also very aware of prices in the UK as we visit the UK fairly regularly. I also speak on a regular basis to relatives and friends who mention how prices in England are rocketing. Going back may come as a bit of a shock as several people I know who have returned will testify.

I hope that anyone returning to the UK or moving to any other country come to that, find solace because let us remember there is no such place as Utopia.

I trust I do not have to read any more letters containing rude accusations about my financial status (which is my own business and nothing what so ever to do with the article), I now hope this will be the end of it.

Jean Goldsmith (MRS)
Tala

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