Telstra's" statement" now simply a bill

I see that Telstra has gone to summary format with their bill statements. Looks like they have been planning this for a while in the guise of a cost cutting measure (yet at the same time they have gone from two colour bills to full colour individually printed ones).

I for one think this is a total cop-out for their billing. No longer is it easy to see the regular "mistakes" they make in their billing.

It seems ironic that my latest bill should be more than last months, yet I have used Telstra about half as much during this time.

Sure I could check it online, but then what is the point of sending me a statement ? And if you've ever tried to use their website, you'd realise what a joke this can be.

Sol Trujillo might have profits up at the moment from his plush Sydney office, but I wonder if he can sustain this when he is sacking staff left right and centre and if customers start leaving in droves ....

To be honest, this is the last straw for me with Telstra and though I've been a loyal customer for many years. The main reason I've put up with their crap for so long is that they are the only Victorian based Telecom and it is sometimes a case of "better the devil you know".

That being said, I will be changing providers over this latest (of many) reductions in customer service.

Global Economic Recession - Can I get my quotes now ?

One of the biggest things that has frustrated me during the last few years has been a total inability to get quotes from tradespeople.

More often than not, they are simply too busy - perhaps due to the booming economy.

I've had people come out to look at things, but they hardly ever follow up and very rarely answer follow-up calls.

It used to be that tradespeople chased work rather than turned it away.

Now with a recession looming, high petrol prices, interest rates and cost of living, I'm hoping that the demand on these people will reduce so that they start knocking on my door rather than the other way around ....

Starbucks - wake up and smell the slowing economy

I read with interest about Starbucks closing many of its US and Australian stores.

Personally, I say good riddance, I am not the biggest fan of the tacky American franchises and it gives more unique and personal local businesses a chance to once again fill the gap.

But the closure probably highlights a bigger issue - the slowing economy and that it is starting to hurt the middle men. As consumers feel the pinch of rising petrol prices, food costs and interests rates. This particularly effects office workers in the service industry, they cut down on the "nice to haves". Unless you are seriously addicted to coffee, that means less cafes and restaurants. These businesses are usually the first to feel the pinch and then the jobs and spending that both their staff and their management do will eventually catch up to the rest of us.

Many Australians think they are sheltered from the world economy due to the mining boom. Personally, I'm far from sold on that.