Quit everything , and start again over 50?

Smodlet

Absolutely, Mrs P and dreaming... and one person's opinions are not necessarily the opinions of all of us, no matter how right they seem to her.

"The people who love you no matter what; that's your family." If you can't stand a relative, ditch 'em, I say. "Love is thicker than blood."

MrsPorridge

Love is thicker than blood - what a fantastic way of putting it.

Smodlet

Thank you, Mrs P, but I cannot take the credit, hence the quotation marks. That must go to Mr. Michael Monroe. It is the title of a track from his second (I think) solo album after he left Hanoi Rocks.

another_casualty

One thing I must say: Compared to the last 8/9 years , I feel totally stress free since the day I actually left twickenham . Tired and groggy at times ,but I feel ok . Last year ,for example I had my brother driving me nuts with his tantrums ,and the work situation I had a final written warning suspended for 2 years. And of course, the debt.

Regarding payplan , it's probably best to be upfront tomorrow .
I did tell them about my illness when I had last years revuew .
I went through the means test etc and all was good .
This time , I will obviously give my new address and explain everything .
I told creditors about my condition ,and that I am unemployed etc. So we'll see. If they want doctors details ,then that's not a problem . They can say yes or no . Most of the offers were fair ,and at least they get cash a lot quicker .
Speaking of health : a filling came out from one of my teeth last night .
Until 2009,I used to always go every 6 months .
Has anyone noticed that since recession ,they try to push or 3 months?
Anyway ,need to make appt
Glad that you seem to think I've done well so far
Thanks
Dreaming ,you are right . I should go direct . I was just getting impatient as payplan know the outcome of my offers . Thanks

lessonlearned

Hi AC.

Re payplan.

I know nothing about nothing regarding how they work. I know nothing about dmps either but I agree that Sourcrates seems to know his stuff.

I wouldn't have thought that payplan could force you to attend the meeting though, especially as now dealing direct with your creditors, lerhaps he can advise.

Smodlet..... I think I'm going to have to stop cracking jokes. The remark about not being able to stand some relatives was just a lighthearted throwaway. I didn't think anyone would take me quite so literally.

Re work....

Sounds mad maybe but I actually believe in work, I think work is good for us. I couldn't envisage a life of enforced idleness. I know my husband hated being unable to work.

I don't think it's just about the money, there are so many other advantages to keep on working. I had my first part time job when I was 13. Saturday girl in a hairdressers, I loved it.

Retirement today is vastly different from previous generations. Today's Retirees are now far more active, with better health and increased longevity. I think we will see a lot more "portfolio working" rather than the old traditional ideas of carpet slippers (don't own any) and daytime TV.:eek: :rotfl:

AC. Good luck with the gym, take it gently. Does it have a pool and all the trimmings. Will you have a personal trainer to get you started.

I would like to join a gym and do some some resistance training but my Physio says "not yet". Maybe in a couple of months.

I am sure the gym will be good for you - hopefully they will be a friendly bunch too.

It's all coming together.

Have you done that laundry yet. :rotfl:

wendym

Yes AC Wendy does understand about adrenaline. Both she and her computer could have used some this last week. Too dull to explain, but included another sodding pred increase.

Things I know a bit about:

Doxycycline - helps a lot to take it with more water than you think you need, ideally some food, and while remaining upright for a bit.

Moving accompanying a life change. I know I am not alone in this. Many years ago my husband gave up a decently paid job in science research to retrain as a secondary school music teacher. We had a six month old and I was pregnant again. Yes I know. We were going to fund this with the profit from selling our house in the south. We had a map of England, and had to find somewhere we could afford to live, with access to a college that would accept mature students to train at secondary level. This was more difficult than you would think. So we ended up in the Midlands, he got a job, and here we remain.

It has struck me that we were helped by having two fixed points, while you have just the one. The only advice I would give is that cutting your coat according to your cloth is a good base to start from, and that decent transport links matter. We didn't manage the latter.

Off on a tangent re the north/south schools nonsense. Primary school pupils get £900 less per head in the north compared with London, and secondary pupils £1300. Effing disgraceful.

If you find a dentist I might have to move to Poole!

another_casualty

Thanks LL
Laundry : well.. I got the washing powder and comfort
Gym: no , it's a very basic ,and local setup . Had a chat last week .
I think it would be a good move to go there .
Regarding my condition : little and often is the way to go .
After I came out of hospital the first time (Jan 2015), I gave it 2 weeks Nd I went for a couple of weeks. The instructor told me I looked really well .
Alas ,the shiftwork I was doing meant I was really throwing money out the door . So tomorrow I hope things go the way they should .
Payplan : they'll probably give me a call confirming the appt . Some time today . I'll probably go with it and explain tomorrow that I may go direct.
They may be impressed by my attitude since 2012 and may give good advice . So I may say sorry and see what's said . All my means testing is out of the window and I will tell them that from the outset.
No job,move etc. I just hope that the creditors don't demand it all as they can see it .
Thursday is broadband day . Just received box from Vodafone . Haven't bothered to open it . Not bothered. before ,I was like a 2 year old and I would've been at it straight away

Smodlet

I still think you can do better than Vodafone, AC, though I have no personal experience of them. The feedback on here is, I estimate, 98% negative. They have been named worst mobile phone provider, I believe. Again, your call, just wanted to warn you. I hope you don't mind?

enthusiasticsaver

Goodness this thread seems to be escalating into houses v flats, north v south which I hope is not overwhelming you AC. You are doing brilliantly in settling in and sound much calmer and hopefully happier which is the objective of your life changing move.

I personally have no experience of the North having always lived down south and the only move we made (area not house) was a job move when my OH was offered a position by his company in Devon and Cornwall so we could move from London. It was a no brainer but it meant leaving family and friends so I understand your dilemma and we had each other which you do not. I think many of us, particularly if we lived alone would also want to stay near family and friends so I can understand you feeling comfortable in Poole as your friend lives there and it is close enough to London to do visits. This has at least given you the chance to get out of debt and move on with your life. You could take a few trips a bit further out by bus or train to see the areas further out and how easy it would be to travel in to Poole city centre to see if this opens up housing options for you but you do need to bear in mind travel costs if you intend returning to part time work.

Maybe we have always been lucky with neighbours but the flats we have in Cornwall now and the one we had in the Midlands were quiet and we have had no issue with rowdy neighbours but that is something to bear in mind.That needs to be considered with houses anyway. Hopefully Poole is a quiet town if known as God's waiting room or is that Bournemouth? Daft, the labels people put on towns as yes it is popular with retirees but the whole of the south west is really.

As I have said my eldest DD does not have a partner and has found living more than 200 miles away from us and her sister and friends has been hard hence she has also chosen to take a job in the South West and move further south to be closer. Yes it is more expensive but life usually revolves around jobs and families otherwise we would all be living up north where it is generally cheaper. I don't think anyone would argue with the fact that it is generally a warmer climate down here which might be something you need to consider with your MG.

Payplan cannot see your bank account and they will only know what you tell them. I do think it is best to be upfront and say you really want to put this all behind you now but can only offer limited settlement as you need to buy a new home and have no job at the moment. Don't go into long drawn out conversations about the whys or wherefores and don't be frightened to approach creditors direct as you have done. You can terminate your arrangement with payplan any time. No need to apologise to them, you are doing what is best for you and they will understand that. Good luck with your gym visits and glad you get your broadband on Thursday.

another_casualty

Thanks smodlet
It come down to time and who could and couldn't do broadband in the area etc .
Virgin - great reputation from a lot of people . My friend has it .
Virgin cannot do broadband in my area , despite it being a 15 min walk to my friends .
BT: website is hopeless at getting to contact anyone . I tried .I just left Bt when I moved . No good too much hassle . Plus the wifi signal was bad ,apparently not great in Poole .
Vodafone - Special offer . It's only for 6 months anyway ,as I should be moved by then
The rest ? No idea
As with any product with the word British attached to it , I see an expensive crap company . British Gas anyone ?:)0