Learn to control money but do not allow it to control you

Firewalker

Wow! Just re-read my last message, Haven't a travelled far from not knowing how much I earn to knowing what benefits my pension carried and about compound interest. Surprised even myself there.

FW

NorthernLas

Smart casual to me means no faded or jeans with holes in. Think 'what would I wear to go to a parents evening'. So, I would say black trousers, a nice unfussy shirt and a cardigan/jacket because I would worry as to weather I was gonna be too hot or cold in London.

I would also whack some jewelry on and put lip gloss in my bag. Big jewelry (if you are able to wear it) gives people something to start a conversation about and is supposed to detract from any body parts youi don't like. Depending on the shape of it it can highlight assets that people would not notice otherwise (I am a bit of a Trinny shape and therefore need all the help I can get!!!)

Firewalker

Thanks, NL. As you know I am a 'lady of the traditional build' as Mma Mamotsve (sp) usually says. So deflecting attention from body parts will be hard - but I like them all and what others may think while important is irrelevant.

Shall do - planning to wear a smart pair of per una jeans with a per una top (which is frilly to ofset my severe looks) and a black corderoy jacket. Hope this is presentable enough - in Bulgaria we say that people receive you according to what you wear and accept you for your brains.

Firewalker

redsquirrel80

Firewalker wrote: »

Thanks, NL. As you know I am a 'lady of the traditional build' as Mma Mamotsve (sp) usually says. So deflecting attention from body parts will be hard - but I like them all and what others may think while important is irrelevant.

Shall do - planning to wear a smart pair of per una jeans with a per una top (which is frilly to ofset my severe looks) and a black corderoy jacket. Hope this is presentable enough - in Bulgaria we say that people receive you according to what you wear and accept you for your brains.

Firewalker

Sounds lovely Good point about the pension. As for saving, I just need to get this stupid debt out of the way.. part-time working and the house in the country will be mine...

MrsMoo2U

Firewalker wrote: »

Cheri, I think it comes with the times and wisdom. I have been thin king this for a long time though - particualrly if one has the income to rent and invest some why own. As to the appearance of wealth - yep, this is what our houses are. It gets worse - very few people sell them to capitalise on the funds in old age. Because of a tradition of inherited wealth in Europe we keep wealth safe, instead of making it work for us, so that we can leave it to our children (or whoever comes after us).

I have come to believe that: a) our investment in children should be the opportunities we creat for them to amass wealth; b) apart from this we should let them make their own way; and c) perfect personal finance management is when you die to have enough for a modest funeral, plus/minus several pounds. Anything above that has to either be spend (but on happenings rather than possessions) or left to good causes of our own choice.

Firewalker

Oh boy do I agree with this post so much. I used to believe that I was hard done to as a child because my parents were not rich, we lived in a council house and we didnt have much. As I got older and realised that I was the one amongst my friends that knew how to budget, pay bills, stand on my own two feet I began to realise that I had it all. Then in a previous job I used to hear people saying all of the time that they couldn't/wouldn't dream of downsizing or selling their house to provide them income and comfort in their old age as they had worked all of their lives to be able to leave that money to their children (most of whom never visited and refused or couldnt help with care requirements as their parents got older). Too often I have seen old people struggling to make ends meet whilst sitting on a pot of money that cannot be accessed to help them live their lives.
I do own a property but I have always had the opinion that when I am older the property will be sold to provide me with a comfortable retirement and at that point I will look to rent or go into a residential care home. After all, I have paid into the state pensions so why shouldnt I get them to look after me. (I dont mind paying my way though) :rotfl:

KC, I have a flat to rent by the seaside in Wales if you fancy relocating !!! Seriously though, that might be a good plan in the longer term if that is what releases some income for you whilst still having an appreciating asset but only if you can rent somewhere to live for less than you are getting in for your place

Lara44

I like the frog metaphor because frogs are not scary but eating one sounds horrible! Am I the only one who doesn't feel better once the frog is eaten? Somehow these frogs are part of a scarier giant toad, one with horns or something. Things have calmed down here, I think they will stay that way until next Thursday when the Preisdent is sworn in and the opposition leader returns.

Future financial stuff is something that I really want to get a handle on. After the wedding is paid I think we will find a financial adviser. There are small bits of money all over the place but we lack pensions, insurance etc. I would like a stream of money to invest, and I would like to give more.

Congratulations on achieving your target Firewalker, that's amazing.

williamD1964

Firewalker wrote: »

Have a question though: we were told that the dress code is smart casual. What would you wear? I am a scruffy academic you realise so navigating all that is a bit of a problem. I also find codes of any kind restrictive.

Firewalker

FW Leather is very smart and very casual, and not at all restrictive!

savingwannabe

Mr William, smack botty!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

williamD1964

if thats on offer SW I will be around in a few hours!

savingwannabe

You are soo funny. Glad you are happy. Hey we are having a reunion and visiting Aesop next week from 3dogs' thread. You live in London. Are you going to be working not this Saturday but the one afterwards? 14th May? Would you like to meet some of the funny people from our thread? 3dogs, Mr 3dogs, me, Steve, Andy, Aesop? Unfortunately we dont do anything rude. We just have a laugh. Steve'll soon have you doing his ironing.