MG - The Matrix Re-wired

Memory_Girl

Just finished watching the news. The weather looked truly hair-raising today - hope everyone stayed safe and productive at home.

Now "Hairy Bikers" with No1 son LOL

MG

Dorastar

Blimey is still blowing mad round here and we have roads closed cos of wheelie bin attacks as well as fallen trees. School roof leaks and we had 12 buckets in the hall today so couldn't really do p.e! Anyone got any mse tips for growing a new roof?

Managed to get everything for me and kids ready last night so had a lovely calm start to the day for once. Ds came home with two split lips, scratches and a big egg on his head from being skittled by another child being sent out again and being blown over :eek: Poor little mite.

Hiddenidenity

Memory_Girl wrote: »

Coincidences anyone???:D

OK time for MG to eat a huge slice of humble pie in front of several Matrix Ladies.:o

Today I have a double page spread in "The Record" and "The Mirror" - and have already had a phone call from a magazine (who's tag line should be "Have a Kit-Kat!") to do another interview.

Despite my protestations that "no-one would be interested" - that "what I do is not all that unusual" and "anyone can do this" - and therefore wimping out of pursuing the "champagne life on lemonade budget" media stuff, it would appear that this is EXACTLY what people ARE interested in - my apologies ladies, you appear to see my strengths better than I do.

Creativity is apparently IN!! Knew if I hung around long enough I would be bang on trend.:D

Major rethink needed this afternoon methinks - but first a phone call t warn my Mum before she opens up the paper.


MG

Pops back from lurking

This is amazing :j:j

Eager_Elephant

clairewop wrote: »

Just opened my letters that had just been left on the windowsill, I have a date to go for the incapacity benefit medical on the 13th Jan not looking forward to it at all.

Hi Claire,

Thought I would just try to help a bit with this.

I assume that the medical is actually for you to be moved across to Employment Support Allowance from Incapacity Benefit (if it isn't ignore the rest of this).

I might have already mentioned that the descriptors of things you cannot do have significantly changed for ESA.

This factsheet http://www.dial-greatyarmouth.org.uk/factsheets/17.pdf shows the IB descriptors towards the end and as you can see there is a lot of them with varying points awarded. You had to score 15 points for physical disability, 10 for mental disability or 15 for both physical and mental disability.

ESA descriptors are these http://dls.org.uk/Advice/Factsheet/welfare_benefits/employment%20support%20allowance/Employment%20Support%20Allowance%20-After%2028th%20March%202011.pdf and you need a total of 15.

If you compare the two you can see the changes which have been made and unfortunately it is much harder to be awarded this now.

It might be worth reading these and it will take some time but you will then at least be prepared for the medical.

Also you need to note that ESA (contribution based) is only payable for 1 year. This takes effect from 1/4/12 but is applied restropectively so if someone had been on this since April 2011 come April 2012 they will either have to apply for ESA (income based) which takes into account household income so if you have a partner who works you are ulikely to get it or have to claim JSA (contribution based) which only lasts for 6 months or not claim any benefits and live off household income.

Sorry if it is not all good news but thought you should be prepared.

If you have any questions let me know.

milann

Just been having a catch up after loosing the thread at the end of the last one. Fifty-odd pages in but I've caught up now again over a few days. You lot can't half talk LOL

Happy new Year - I too have a good feeling about this year, cupboards are stocked keeping food spends down and plans to get cc's down are in place.

Tescodealqueen

Milann - you found us then (I originally came to this thread from Hypno's) and saw your post on there over the New Year

Memory_Girl

So braved the financial pots and had a good look around after Christmas.

Current acc - floating around the £500 mark as usual
Credit Union - made my 2011 £200 target
ISA - made my 2011 £250 target
Mortgage - made my 2011 1% paid off target

So now I have a good start to the New Year - I am not flush but I am solvent and have no debts lurking other than the Legal Aid Bill which should arrive sometime soon.................... BUT!!! I am solvent, I have a budget that works, full stores, enough clothes to last until the summer, fabric to make a new working wardrobe, next size clothes for the boys in stock (apart from DS1's School Uniform for going up to High School) ............................... and the twinklings of a new career peeping its head out of the murk.

So all is good here in MFin3 Manor

MG

Memory_Girl

OoooH!!

Radio Ulster have moved me up to 12.30 - better get the boys out of here with Mum for a while

MG

Kittikins

Have fun MG!

greenbee

Good luck MG

And just be thankful it isn't TV... you'd have to tidy