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Over 50s MoneySaving

Archives for January 2011

buying a house in joint names
an elderly relative and I are considering buying a house for both off us to live in . My relative has first stage dementia . No medication ,and lives on her own. We have considered sheltered housing ,but she was allocated 16 points so I cant see anything happening there . I have seen a house that may be suitable ,but what…
I have a problem
I won.t rejoin under another name because I think this might be happening to other people of my age. The thing is I have a weak bladder ( I think) , but it has got to the stage where I am wetting myself more and more. I am 50 have had 2 children and it has got so bad recently.. where if I sit for a long period of time ..…
probate question
my father passed away earlier this month i am just sorting his bank account out, i am the only benificary and his bank said if the amount is under 25k then it does not have to go to probate but unfortunatley it is £4.95 over that, i really dont want to go to probate unless i have no option. £21k of that money was in a…
Another Probate question
BG's please move if there's a more appropriate board for this. For a simple straighforward will for an estate of c£15k in cash which appoints more than one executor, do all the executors have to attend an appointment with the Probate office to obtain a probate grant? What happens if one of them is very poor health and…
Gifting money to relatives
hi and I've never done this but there are protocols and I shouldn't wish to butt in. I have been searching for advice and commentary on the subject of care, elderly, gifting and all. My nan is 100 and talks complete !!!! but assessors believ every word?? She pays for own care but is left with no personal allowance. Mum…
Pensioner Discount at Homebase Stores?
Hi there My father has asked me to ask if it is possible to get a pensioner discount at Homebase Stores? I know B&Q do 10% on Wednesdays, but do Homebase do something similar as there is nothing on their website about it and I cant find anything else on google. thanks!
Help with Parent's money
I have elderly parents who sold their home and went into Sheltered accommodation. We have the lumps sum to deal with and now Mum may need nursing home care. The lump sum is under the threshold for IHT. 1. How much can we legally give away to whittle the lump sum down? Does it matter if the total is under the threshold for…
MIL in hospital - loss of housing benefit?
I wonder if anyone may have experience of this situation and be able to help me at all please. My 80 year old mother in law may need to be kept in hospital for some 7 weeks in total, she's currently in intensive care. Have been informed by a friend that as she is on housing benefit for her rented property she will lose…
Are you over 50 & experiencing redundancy?
We've had a request from some Panorama producers making a show on problems the over 50's have when they get made redundant. Here's what that they sent – please get in touch with them directly if you'd like to get involved … Are you 50 plus and about to be made redundant in the next couple of weeks? Are you 50 something and…
assessment of nursing needs.
Sorry I have another question as well about Dad. The hospital are currently doing a discharge/needs care assessment for him and i am allowed to have some input. I understand that if dad needs 'nursing' care as opposed to just social care then I have a chance of getting some of the nursing home fees covered. However what…
Bupa care homes for dementia sufferers
I've noticed in some threads people have mentioned relatives being in Bupa Homes and i wondered if generally they are well respected in the industry. My dad has severe vascular dementia he has no memory at all and no ability to perform even the most basic of tasks for himself. He has been very happily living in a…
Eye Test / Over 60
Could someone clarify for me, the charges for an eye test once you reach 60. I turned 60 this wk but don't officially qualify for State Pension untill November 2011 (owing to the new rules. I can't get a bus pass untill then and when I phoned Specsavers about the cost of an eye test for over 60 they said it would be £19.…
Cold Calling
Hi, Can anyone tell me if there are any regulations re cold calling on the elderly, who may be not terribly savvy or even confused. Many thanks
grandmas been in a nursing home 1wk can we move her
My grandma has been in a nursing home 1wk we want to move her for various reasons. She is self funded and is classed as temp for the first 12wks we have rang the home the manager was very stroppy and said we have to give 28 days notice then hung up on the phone, my grandma are us have not signed a contract as we was only…
Grandfather Gifting Money / Nursing Home
Hi, My grandfather doesnt own his own home but he does have around £70k in cash/savings bonds. Unfortunately his health is taking a turn for the worse and he has made his own decision to go into a home. He wants to give £50k of his cash away to my mum/uncle, leaving him around £20k to pay towards his care home. He hates…
Woman at 60?What pension benefits can she get now?
My wife turned 60 on New years eve 2010,but because of the new pension regulations her official state Pension start date is in Sept 2011. So she cant get a bus pass or winter fuel allowance until then.But she can get free perscriptions for being over 60 and the Odeon cinema does reduced tickets for over 60,s as well,and…
Retiring to Malta
I've been to Malta 5/6 times and love the island, love the people. I'll be 50 this year and if not for family comitments, would retire there tomorrow. Just wanted to start a thread on this really. I know when I've been there the cost of living is cheap and rental properties are available for very reasonable prices. Has…
Forums for midlife people?
I know this probably isn`t the place to post this but I really don`t want to put it in Discussion Time or the Arms as it`d get ripped to shreds. :( To keep it MS, there are plenty forums online for young families, and OAPs, but I can`t seem to find any specifically for middle agers that aren`t about particular medical…
Help! Urgent Advice Needed - To Use Savings or Not?
I own a rental property, which has recently suffered from extensive flood damage. Sadly insurance renewal got overlooked when I had an accident and is therefore non-existant.:eek: So, I need to raise about £10,000 to cover repair and refurbishment. What is the best way? Do I use savings (practically all of them) or take…
Selling a TIC property to fund care- any experiences?
I've asked this question on the House buying, renting and selling board, but I think may be this board may have some folk who have been through this situation? If a property is held as "Tenants in Common", does it have any value once the first "tenant in common" is deceased? I ask because we are involved in executing a…

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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
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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
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Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
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Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
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Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
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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
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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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Over 50s MoneySaving

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