'supporting each other through really tough times'

carriebradshaw

just popping by to say hello,especially to mardatha *waves* I've not been here for a looong while as I caught the comping bug and have been doing really well so I've become a little bit addicted Since I was last here I've become a Nan to a lovely wee boy and my daughter is due to have her second baby in April No snow here in the North West Highlands yet just lots of rain for weeks on end, today it started off with sunshine then a hard frost came down and hasn't lifted. I still keep a well stocked store cupboard most of the time but it's getting low now so hoping to go to supermarket next week and re -stock, just hope it doesn't snow before then. I finally got not 1, but 2 slow cookers (different sizes) one has currently got pork chops and veg in for tea, smells fantastic I use the large one for batch cooking and soup, so glad we bought them both as they are in constant use now We haven't lit our fire much this Winter so far ,we bought some halogen heaters and have just been heating the room we're in and I started using my tumble dryer for the first time in years.It saves all the mess and cleaning out the fireplace every day & coal has just got so expensive to buy plus if it's a windy day it just seems to chew it up real quick so I'm sure we're saving money and the coal dust isn't good for my asthma anyway. I hope everyone is doing ok and coping, roll on Spring that's what I say, my rhubarb crowns have started to grow and my chives too, I need to see new life and growth now , Winter has been so wet and grey x

Popperwell

State pension changes: The winners and the losers

State Pension Leave Most People Worse Off

nuttyp

OH has just rang, in norwich they have had an inch and a half of snow in an hour!!!!!! Looks like its on its way here. I dont like driving in the snow, ice, fog or heavy rain. TBH i would just like someone to drive me everywhere lol. i blame my dad for making me learn how to drive, he said it would give me independance.

Sun is shining here, a few clouds in the sky too so it hasnt got here yet.

2tonsils

I can't remember who said that people living abroad can get a pension at pensionable age after working for just one year in the UK and paying contributions but this is incorrect. My husband had to have the full amount of contributions to get his basic pension at 65 years old and they even questioned three weeks when he was not credited with paying them in all those years...it turned out he had been in hospital at the time. You have to have all the contributions paid for the full number of years to get the pension.

I am 57 and I have the same problem as other ladies of the same age on here. I was told I would not get anything till I was 68 but then they said the years of looking after my children, then my disabled hubby I was not credited with contributions. They asked for 2000 pounds now to ensure I would get a few pence a week when I am 68...I told them to get lost and that I would put the money in a savings account instead. I have done that and added to the amount since otherwise I will have nothing to survive on.

On a much more positive note......I got offered a great job this morning. It was the same real estate company who offered me a commission only job a few months ago (I turned them down as I can't afford to do that). She rang me last night and offered me a basic wage plus commission as well and a small fee for each write up I do on their website. It will bring loads of opportunities to me, I will work from home online and even the small amount each month will make a huge difference. I am going to save most of it for when I retire (if it ever happens lol). It is only ten hours a week but its a job I will love and it has lots of chances of getting bigger and better in the future. I will deal with the luxury end of the market and have lots of contact with clients.

Second piece of good news is that my OH found a recliner chair that he can sit comfortably in and they delivered it this afternoon. Found one on amazon but they would not deliver to us in Greece. He is now comfortable in it, in front of the fire.

I went into the catalogue shop and found a lovely M and S business type jacket that fits like it was made for me...I had to borrow ten euros from my OH to buy it......and he gave it me as a good luck gift for getting the job this morning. I feel really happy I have a chance to do well at a job I love.

Weather warning out for us again with force 9 winds and dangerous storms till the weekend. Just hope my internet stays on this time! Stay warm and safe folks....

Popperwell

For anyone with family who have autism and learning difficulties etc...this may be of interest Word of Mouth(live at 4pm)repeated at 11pm next monday but will be available on line soon or can be downloaded...

kidcat

meme30 wrote: »

Sevenup01:. The good news is that as long as you are claiming Child Benefit you are receiving NI credits. You will get Child Benefit until your last one leaves Further Education. .

This is no longer the case Meme, not sure when it changed but when I checked you now only get NI contributions paid until your youngest child (who you receive CB for ) reaches 12 - this seems to have been changed a while back yet many people do not know apparently.


Taken from the hmrc page
How to get National Insurance credits
You'll get National Insurance credits automatically in some situations. If you don't, you'll need to apply for them.
Qualifying automatically for National Insurance credits
You'll get National Insurance credits automatically:
if you're getting certain benefits like Employment and Support Allowance or Carer's Allowance
if you are a man approaching age 65 - see the section 'National Insurance credits in different situations'
for the tax years when you become 16, 17 and 18, if you meet the conditions - see the section 'National Insurance credits in different situations'
if you're getting Child Benefit for a child under 12
if you're receiving Income Support and caring for a sick or disabled person
You can find out more about qualifying for credits in the section above on National Insurance credits in different situations.




However I am seeing new bits on other areas which suggest the age of the child may be dropped to 6

Byatt

I am 60 this year, a year I expected to retire back when I paid increased NIC when married (you could opt to pay a reduced rate)...I will at the current calculation now retire in March 2017. I will have 45 NIC years by then. (I miss out by one month because of my birth year)

My health is not great, sometime, without being morbid, I wonder how I will keep on working. Not only that, as it's March 2017 will the new changes apply to me or not? I have no idea what would be better or worse. I suspect, as it always seems to be the way, it will be worse.

I appreciate that things have to change, but I also believe women of my generation are the ones that miss out considerably because of 1) the promises/expectation that were made (I did not add further to my pension because of family commitments, and instead concentrated on my ex's pension) and b)not being given enough time to do anything about the changes, which have been so recent. Women statistically are poorer in retirement.

Having said all that, I am trying to be philosophical and not expend negative energy thinking about what might have been. But nonetheless it makes me angry.

[Deleted User]

Hello BYATT nice to hear from you again, how are you? How is BESS I hope she is well after her operation and recovery. Is the woodstove still making you happy and more to the point making you comfy? Cheers Lyn xxx.

Byatt

I'm fine, Mrs LW, thanks for asking. Bess is doing really well, the operation has made a huge difference to her.

The stove is amazing!! Can't believe I left it so long to use it. I am getting really good at lighting it now, and it's so warm here, that on Sunday I was convinced it was mile but when I went outside there was a thick frost! Also a light snow shower later! It's so heart warming too, something about watching a fire that is very healing. edit, it also boils my kettle and heated up the mulled wine.

And, yesterday, I got a rescue cat, and he's gorgeous. Bess is now my DD's dog (although I still love her dearly) and I have missed having a pet, fought the urge for so long, but then a series of circumstances introduced me to this lovely 5 year old boy cat, all white like Bess!

[Deleted User]

Brilliant my friend, and a puttytat too, what is his name and does he lay in front of the fire? How lovely that you now have a new friend, Lyn xxx.