Preparedness for when

[Deleted User]

WCS no financial advice I'm afraid, not qualified for anything like that but what I would say is take into consideration the likelihood of life becoming more difficult if your health deteriorates considerably in the future. If you have to replace any appliances etc. try to find the one with the easiest to operate controls, find things with easy grip handles that will still be useable in 10 years time and although I know it's probably not very OS buy the best most well made and reliable things you can afford, a better investment in the long run and will outlast many that are more cheaply purchased in the first instance. If your mobility is likely to be compromised make sure you know what is available from the NHS in terms of occupational therapy visits for things to help you maintain your independence, there are many many useful things available from bath seats and seats for showers through to rest stools for when you're cooking and everything else in between, if you know what the service offers you'll know what to ask for if you need it. Look into how much help you'd be entitled to for alterations to the house for a worsening condition and if you have to have anything altered in the future you'll know ahead of time where to ask for help from. I'm a great believer in looking ahead and trying to minimise problems before they happen, hope that's some use, Cheers Lyn xxx.

westlothianlass

Good evening fellow batties,
Another jaded soul here who is aiming to look after me and mine.

Sending hugs WCS, its a tough decision you have in front of you x

I keep swaying from reading/watching news items to wanting to batten down the hatches (with my collander on my head obviously:D) and ignoring them, as i'm not liking what im finding (or maybe worse not finding).

My lemon balm plant is going berserk so tomorrow I am going to make some lemon balm wine, never tried it before but seems like the most useful thing i can make with it (honest;)) so worth a pop or slug mee thinks.

Take care of yourselves and help yourself to a hug or two if needed xx WLL

ginnyknit

WCS, forward planning is a great idea. May I suggest a retirement bottom drawer. Stock up on all those things that may wear out within am few years and liquidate your assets to give you a stash of cash for emergencies or treats. Luckily we have a lot of collectibles which I sell on fleabay every so often but you can sell general stuff which will de-clutter your home. Im not saying your home is cluttered but when you will be spending a lot of time in it, it may be nice you clear the decks and enjoy buying a few new things to celebrate the next stage of life. Also you really need to make sure you are kitted out for hobbies, find places to go with like minded people so you are not facing 4 walls everyday - like me

Other than that keep on pinching those pennies hard and prep, prep, prep

notjustlaura

Thank you all so much for the warm welcomes. I've got my colander ready, the cats are preparing for hunting and I spent the afternoon clearing out the larder so I can actually see what I've got in there. I even put my herbs and spices (duplicates, missing things ... oh dear!) into alphabetical order.

Tomorrow is shopping day (because there are Farmers' Markets locally on three Saturdays of each month) and I have a menu plan and shopping list ready. As a result of my work this afternoon I've been able to strike several items which I didn't know I already had from the list which is a nice reward

I don't have spare funds for stocking up this week but in a way that's good as it's forcing me to research and think before buying (now there's a new experience). I think once I've got straight by having a few lean weeks I shall focus on winter preparedness for this year and the beginning of next. When we had the really bad snows a couple of years ago the delivery vans couldn't get through and it was terrifying. Like living in a war zone with rumours of where there was milk or bread still available whispering through the streets from one neighbour to the next. I bought the last pint of milk in the locality and remember thinking that's what life must have been like when everything was rationed and of limited supply during WWII. Romantic and dramatic thinking on my part naturally, but not something I want to do again.

So my plan is Operation Winter. A week's worth of everything one woman and two cats needs stashed on top of the larder/under the bed. And while other people are tramping the streets looking for that last pint of milk my boys and I will be snug as bugs in rugs. With colanders on our heads.

mardatha

WCS I think you could open a new etsy shop selling colanders for cats..

the_cake

I know a very handsome black and white cat who could model them for you ..... if he would keep still long enough!

[Deleted User]

I wonder if we could do a Battys calendar, we could be the COLANDER GIRLS Boom! Boom!

westcoastscot

Thanks for the support -
Lyn yes it isn't financial advice I need - I'm never going to have any more money than I need at any given time. In my work I support people to access services such as those I will need, so good idea to look with a fresh eye to my future. I may see what plans I can carry out now to make life easier in the future - I know i'm going to have to clear all the bookshelves off the stairs at some point to put in a stair lift.

Ginny - loving the idea of a bottom drawer, my biggest fear is that hands will get worse and I won't be able to knit :-(. It's an excellent idea to stock up on non-perishable items I know i'm going to need, particularly while I'm able to sew things like nighties and such. I have a lot of crafty goodies as I still have my wee craft store online, but am going to think seriously about using the able time I have left to stock up on a supply of hand knits for myself and my family.

I do purchase well if I have to buy at all, and it's a good idea to look for user-friendliness in future purchases.

Thanks - lots to consider!

edited to add: Mar - I knit with wire, so could totally do that!!! Just need a model :-)

WCS

[Deleted User]

Good Luck WCS you'll sort life out for the better for you and yours I'm sure. Is there any funding from any of the Government Departments that might get you a grant towards your stair lift? and in the fullness of time when you are retired there will probably be a loft insulation and cavity wall insulation scheme to keep you more snug at home and save on fuel bills. Our council did the loft top up and the whole house cavity wall insulated for £250 as we were pensioners. Saves us loads in the cold weather. Cheers Lyn xxx.

[Deleted User]

ginnyknit wrote: »

Dear Bob no I was safely ensconced in the house

Can't have been you I saw, on my way home from work, then.