A pensioner between a rock and a hard place

Toto

RAS wrote: »

Hi

Whatever you do, make sure that you are getting the OD transfer at 0%. I am useless with this stuff, so check on the CC forum.

If you cannot use the virgin O% card, then put as much as possible on the halifax CC and cut the OD back over the next two or three months.

It will be a tough year, but at the end, you will be debt free and can lighten up.

If it gets too much remeber you can have one month which is slacker... as long as that does not extend to two months.

Re-do your SOA on senseofcards and then push the snowball button. This will tell you when you will be debt free and you can track how every spend and deposit against you de bts affects it. Some people find it addictive.

As for lunches - invite a couple of folks over on a shared meal - one brings starter, one main and one desert. Take it in turns. You get out, get company and a shared meal at a lower cost.

This is a great idea. There is no need to go without a social life, but get creative. You can do the shared meal thing, invite friends over for a games evening, playing cards is always a favourite.

Sometimes I find horse racing on the tv and record it (don't watch it ) then when friends come over (bringing wine with them) we have a race evening. You can bet what you like, sometimes we use coins, or even better chocolate coins.

Another thing I do, particularly with my girly friends is have a movie evening. You can get a free trial of a dvd rental service through lovefilm or blockbuster (remember to cancel before the trial runs out).

JanMGreen

One question that I raised earlier didn't get a response, but I really would appreciate it if someone could give me the answer, please.

I have Scottish Friendly Life Assured Term Assurance that matures in 2012 and my intention was to save it towards my eventual funeral, as I don’t want my kids to have to pay for that. Does anyone know whether I shall be expected to pay tax on it (and also confess to those bodies which give me housing and council tax benefits) about the matured sum of around £1500 I shall receive?

I would be inclined to regard it just as savings. If I have to admit to receiving it, I fear that could seriously affect my pension credit and related benefits and leave me in an even deeper mess.

Toto

I honestly don't know but why not ask the question on the benefits board, I'm sure they will be able to help

link here

JanMGreen

OK Toto, I'll do that. Thanks.

Jacks_xxx

JanMGreen wrote: »

One question that I raised earlier didn't get a response, but I really would appreciate it if someone could give me the answer, please.

I have Scottish Friendly Life Assured Term Assurance that matures in 2012 and my intention was to save it towards my eventual funeral, as I don’t want my kids to have to pay for that. Does anyone know whether I shall be expected to pay tax on it (and also confess to those bodies which give me housing and council tax benefits) about the matured sum of around £1500 I shall receive?

I would be inclined to regard it just as savings. If I have to admit to receiving it, I fear that could seriously affect my pension credit and related benefits and leave me in an even deeper mess.

As I understand it my lovely - from sorting out my mother in laws finances - you can have up to £6000 (might be £8000 actually) in savings before it affects your housing and council tax benefits - so either way £1500 shouldn't be a problem.

Love Jacks xxx

MellyB_2

As you are over 60 you can get cheaper cinema tickets - I think it's £3.95 if you go during the day. Maybe go with some friends?

My mum does this and even sometimes goes on her own!

x

MellyB_2

Jacks_xxx wrote: »

As I understand it my lovely - from sorting out my mother in laws finances - you can have up to £6000 (might be £8000 actually) in savings before it affects your housing and council tax benefits - so either way £1500 shouldn't be a problem.

Love Jacks xxx

If I remember rightly I think it has now increased to £16,000.

x

Jacks_xxx

You're quite right Melly B here's some "horses mouth" info from DirectGov

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018926

I also forgot to say earlier that MIL was left some money that she was worried would put her over the top, and so she used it to pay for her funeral in advance. It cost about £2500.

On the subject of hairdressing costs I said to my hairdresser that I was going to have to extend the time between appointments because of finances, and she said that lots of people were in the same boat at the moment and would it help if I alternated between her and one of the cheaper stylists? So that's what I do now. She also said that if my overgrown fringe was driving me nuts to come in and and she'd give it a quick snip for free - so I do that too! It may be worth having a chat with your stylist about how to keep going to him/her but spend less money - for a while at least. That way they get to keep your custom and you get to save some pennies!

Love Jacks xxx