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Marriage, relationships & families

Archives for June 2018

Small house & stay at home, or big house & keep working?
Hi money savers, I know it's an age old question, but... You're thinking of starting a family. The options are: 1) Remain in your fairly small house (with a fairly small mortgage) and be a stay at home parent until your child(ren) are both at school. Then go back to work and think about the bigger house. 2) Move to the…
How to order birth certificate
IVE BEEN ON GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE WEBSITE THEN " Search the GRO Online Index " WEB PAGE BUT THE OPTIONS ARE YEARS 1837 TO 1917 BUT I WAS BORN AFTER THAT, AM I MISSING SOMETHING
Which dating site would be best for finding someone who wants to settle down and have a family?
Hello all, Which dating site would be best for someone looking to meet someone with the aim of settling down and starting a family? I seem to be doing well on OKCupid, if you measure dating site success as numbers of people contacting you! Unfortunately, I seem to continually get messages from women who say on their…
domestic abuse, restraining order and implications
Asking on behalf of a friend…. My friend has 2 children with her most recent ex-partner. After suffering several years of abuse with her now ex-partner she finally took the brave step to go to the police…. Long story short the ex-partner has been found guilty of various offences including assaulting her and has been put on…
Heterosexual Couple Win Court Case for Civil Partnership. I don't understand it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44627990 I don't understand this at all and would love to, but I just can't see what it's all about. Marriage and a Civil Partnership are the same thing essentially. They allow each person to declare they are together and have the same legal rights. From what I understand gay couples can't get…
Change of Name
Hi all, I am expecting my first child in July. I would like to change my surname to my late mother's maiden name. Is there a best way to do this? I have looked only but it all seems very confusing as there seems various ways. Many thanks
Toddler broke his arm and is in a cast - going on holiday in a week!
Hey all, my 2 and a half year old managed to fall off a chair on the weekend and break his lower left arm in 2 places :( he had to have it moved back into the right place under general anaesthetic yesterday and it!!!8217;s now in a plaster cast and sling. He!!!8217;s doing REALLY well and is not letting it bother him at…
Money Moral Dilemma: My friend won't buy travel insurance - what should I do?
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks... My travelling companion has not taken out travel insurance, despite our trip having been booked and paid for. He says he will nearer the travel date. I have stressed the importance of doing it now, so he's covered for cancellation, but he is unfazed. What should I do?…
Take family member to court for discrimination?
Hi all, I've been thinking about this for a few weeks now, but I'm pretty galvanised today to at least ask if anyone's done it! Some of you may have read my other thread about how my Uncle has been treating my Mum in relation to the death of my Aunt and the whole probate situation; this kind of relates to that. Long story…
Keeping Things Fair
Sorry if this is the wrong place for this... My MIL kindly pays us £180 per month for childcare costs. She did the same to my sister in law when their child was younger and is a firm believer in keeping things equal between her 2 daughters. We now have a second child and she's alluded to the fact that she will do the same…
Private CAMHS Diagnosis / Assessment
Hi all - we are having real behavioural issues with our son, and they've been getting worse for the past year. Last week he was asked to leave his school, thankfully he's now in a different one but his behaviour at home is getting worse. He's violent, runs away, inappropriate - the list goes on. He's been referred to CAMHS…
Bizarre behaviour from neighbours, at wits end!
My neighbours have done a lot of stuff over the past year of my tenancy but yesterday was the final straw. I returned home from a business trip where I was away for a whole week. I ironically was sellotaping a notice to my front window stating for post not to be left with them if I’m not in and I noticed the trees missing…
Retinal Detachment recovery time?
Any first-hand experiences of the above welcome as OH had the op last week and cannot get any definitive advice re going back to work or driving.
Big change, new lifestyle!
This morning I woke up feeling tired, ashamed of myself and also guilty for failing, yet again, to stick to my good intentions! I drink too much alcohol, use every excuse imaginable not to use my gym membership, have become flabby, overweight, unfit and am knackering my liver. There! I said it....now what? The truth is, I…
Garden issues can anyone advise please
I moved into my property a few months ago (it’s a housing association house) and have been busy slowly trying to get it looking good. I am now looking at getting the garden in good order but have several issues; 1. I want to get 6 foot fencing on the left and back of the garden and replace the fencing on the right also.…
Am I being unreasonable? Relationship is on the rocks over partner's drinking...
Cried most of the afternoon and joined because I need to speak to someone - anyone - as I think I'm about to ask my partner of 4 years+ to leave and go live at his mums. I can't take anymore. I love him very much but money is an issue and other matters are now pushing things to breaking point. I'll try to make the long…
Can you help? Family moving to Malaysia.
Can you help? I have a friend who is moving next month to Penang island in Malaysia. She is moving with her two children aged 8 boy & 2 girl. She has had a great opportunity there and in a year or two aim to return back to England. She is looking to educate her children while in Malaysia. The options she is looking for…
Thinking of buying wife a house and getting a legal separation
Hi, I am separating from my wife of 7 years. We have 2 wonderful children aged 5 and 1. Unfortunately its just not working and its got really bad at times - police called due to arguments etc. but I won't go into that here. We have a house worth about 160-170K with about 85K remaining on the mortgage and I have about 30K…
Where did my thread go?
Hey, where did my thread go?! It has vanished.. .
Present for 90th birthday.....no clue what to get.
As title really. What on earth do I get someone who has everything they need. She is financially fine, has moved into a small flat in supported accommodation , doesn’t actually ‘need’ anything to be fair. At 90 it shouldnt be about need anyway but more about bringing a smile etc or a nice experience. It’s a friend of my…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Marriage, relationships & families

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