make do and mend for tougher times

the_cake

Thanks to all of you for kind support over my ill cat .... things always seem worse at night, somehow, and I felt very low when I got back from the vet yesterday. He is still purry today and is obviously is no pain or discomfort, eating, drinking and using the litter tray. I will just take it one day at a time, and enjoy his company while I can.
Pops, it obviously varies from place to place, but when I had occasion to go and see a Co-op funeral director I was really impressed by him - a lovely compassionate man and a very peaceful atmosphere, too. Sorry, no idea if a funeral plan counts as savings ... and please consider making a will and leaving your estate to a charity - I think otherwise the Govt./taxman get everything!!

Popperwell

The Coop Funeral set plan will cost me £2,990 over one year but over three it rises to £3,448(With interest)but if I start paying whatever plan I take I have to find that money(Even if circumstances change)at present I probably could do it)but it may be better if the DWP agree to take it from Mum's money as it is an essential bill for the future and on my low income that's a lot to lose but if I don't sort it out...I suppose it causes problems for the authorities, not me as I won't be here.

I will need dental work carried out so that will reduce Mum's money further as I probably can not claim whilst I have her capital...but with full rent, CT, BT, gas, electric and food that ain't going to last long...

The solitor says that I can keep the will as it is and if anything happens to me the last paragraph about where worldly goods go would be honoureed but to be honest I doubt there will be anything remaining.

And as I said Mum's brother my next of kin is 80 so should I survive to 70 that would make him 95! And even he doubts he'll survive more than another ten years at best...

Isn't this awful...

Can't believe I'm going back to CAB again...and have to wait until August 28th

fuddle

pops sitting there worrying isn't going to do you any good. Your house is your priority. You will do everything to make sure you survive and keep that roof over your head.

You can rent that spare room out pops using http://www.gumtree.com. It's free to post there. Have a look what others are charging for a room rental. There is absolutely no reason for you to be fretting about keeping your home because there are things you can do should it happen. Be proactive, you're part way there with storing food.

You must stop fretting ok, you will get ill. We're all hovering on this line. DH might lose his job, he's in construction, construction isn't good. If he does....... if, pops, if. then we have a 3 bed house rented with two little girls. We'd be hit with bedroom tax then as they can share in the eyes of the rules, I believe. It's all if. If pops is a life ruin-er one way or the other.

I have lost a house, I have faced the problem of finding somewhere to live. The only house I could get was on top of a fishing tackle shop. It was damp, it was unsafe for my kids and even though that prospect was very real my family still didn't want to be guarantors for us. Something kicked in with me, a fighting spirit that made me determined to find something better. A solution. I did. When you're really faced with it you get there and you cope, you find solutions.

Nobody knows. At least, and you might not like this part, but at least you have a while with your mams inheritance. Many, many people are facing this with absolutely nothing in reserve.

the_cake

Well said fuddle, and hats off to your fighting spirit!
Pops, I know you want to get things sorted out, but maybe you are trying to do too much so soon after your Mum's death. Maybe you need to just do a bit less, be still, and be kind to yourself for a little while. xx

fuddle

If you avoid the fact that there's plastic pegs and state of the art Ikea Irma fleece this would be OS play My two making a teapea out of branches.

ginnyknit

Pops, I cannot understand why you think you would be made homeless, if your cash runs out then you just claim benefits again. As you are disabled Im sure they cannot put you out on the street. Maybe a call to your LL - council? would put your mind at rest. Working yourself into a frazzle will not help your mental health, maybe a visit to your GP is in order and ask about grief counselling and discuss with him your feelings of anxiety.

I had a look at the 'Age UK' website and they give advice to the over 50's regarding all your concerns including pre-paid funerals. Why don't you pop on their site and have a browse. I am going to have a good look as my OH is disabled and has cancer so think I will be in need of support soon.

I also googled 'savings thresholds for claiming benefits and it gives you everything you need to know - the ceiling varies for HB and pension credits between £10,000 and £ 16,000 but even so you seem to be eligible for something if you are better off than that. Hope all this helps focus your thoughts more and you get some rest hugs GK

Popperwell

Fuddle, Ginnyknit, The Cake, You are all correct in what you say.
There are more than myself to think about and most of us have had or will have to face adversity and as you say that fighting spirit will come out.

Got to get out of the me, me me...attitude. It's not like me at all...

At this time I am happy and if I had not lost Mum my life has not changed that much...I can still listen to the music and plays on the radio, for now I still have access to the internet. I have as you say fuddle learnt with all your help how to portion food, make it last, eat less, use the electric and gas sparingly, purchased hopefully enough warm clothing to stay warm, the gadgets to cook cheaply. Even those tealights now...I'm doing all that I can to survive...

At least the form came back with good news...:)That's one hurdle sorted.

Got my trousers back from the tailor, took my others over...had my haircut, I may have very little hair but it looks as different again.

Thinking of going into the neighbouring town now to change my theatre ticket and see if I can find some decent shoes(there is a pound shop there too...two in fact:p

I won't use them today(no room to put the food if I buy it)but I found 4 £10 M&S gift vouchers that must have belonged to Mum so one day I can treat myself to some M&S food perhaps...and there was £30 in cash too...

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE - that's just what mine loved doing, an old blanket and a few bits of string over some bean poles, or the whirligig washing line and they had a palace. An old cardboard box and a bamboo cane and they had a ship to go to china, the mothercare fireguard upside down with some cushions and they had a sleigh, usually pulled by my little ponies. What a rich world they inhabit at that age, no boundaries other than their own imaginations. My two still remember it with affection at 28 and 33. Who needs money????? - you're a good Mummy - Cheers Lyn xxx.

Popperwell

Found my woolen hat and one glove that matches, if only I could find the other one...

I'll run short of toilet rolls:p

Wilkinsons three ply 16 rolls for £4...they are an excellent buy...

[Deleted User]

POPS - there is a place in this universe for lost things, but only in ones never in pairs. I have never seen two of anything lost outside, where are all the lost socks that vanish in the washing machine? Your glove is in another dimension by now - until you buy a new pair that is, when it will miraculously re-appear again!!!!!!! Cheers Lyn x.