Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

mummytogirls said:

My headteacher has gone against BoJo and only invited year 6 and keyworkers back! The LA have backed it and we just have to wait to see if we have a backlash from the parents. Its ridiculous isnt it!!!!! xx

Well I can see why MTG. I think our HT will go for it, but with only 6 - 10 per class not the fifteen the government suggested. It's still being worked out though. I don't know how the parents will react.

elizabethhull

Great news about getting full pension - that will be such a relief.
Here's hoping Npower are right and you are in credit - you seem to have paid them a fortune !!

What a lot of work at school, I bet they are REALLY glad you're there - reliable, conscientious and committed to the children's well-being. They (and the children) can always tell if the staff are in the right job.

HairyHandofDartmoor

elizabethhull said:

Great news about getting full pension - that will be such a relief.
Here's hoping Npower are right and you are in credit - you seem to have paid them a fortune !!

What a lot of work at school, I bet they are REALLY glad you're there - reliable, conscientious and committed to the children's well-being. They (and the children) can always tell if the staff are in the right job.

Thank you Elizabeth 🙂. How are you?

foxgloves

Interesting about the pension info, HHoD. I won't get a full state pension because I didn't go back to work following my decision to take VR during all the endless rounds of austerity cuts. The 'buy back' cost of national insurance years was higher than we could afford. But I think I need to look into which years qualify for state pension because like you, when I looked online at the forecast, the figures came out at more qualifying years than I thought I'd got. I must sit down with all my pension info & get a bit more familiar with it. Thanks for mentioning it, as this has served as a reminder.
Re the energy company.... I don't know how they can have worked out you have overpaid unless your readings are collected remotely by smart meter. Or unless they have made some kind of error, such as when they failed to give customers their dual fuel discount for two years running. I hope it's true & they owe you money.
F x

Willowtree222

My DD's headteacher sent a heart felt letter basically saying she can't Keep reception and year 1 safe as they can't socially distance and she won't fine anyone who doesn't return their children. It was a nice letter and one from the heart x
 

milann

I hope the energy prediction is right and that the payments go down for you. 

I’m pleased that you managed to get some help at lunch time. I’m still amazed how the different authorities work. Are you in all week?

HairyHandofDartmoor

foxgloves said:

Interesting about the pension info, HHoD. I won't get a full state pension because I didn't go back to work following my decision to take VR during all the endless rounds of austerity cuts. The 'buy back' cost of national insurance years was higher than we could afford. But I think I need to look into which years qualify for state pension because like you, when I looked online at the forecast, the figures came out at more qualifying years than I thought I'd got. I must sit down with all my pension info & get a bit more familiar with it. Thanks for mentioning it, as this has served as a reminder.
Re the energy company.... I don't know how they can have worked out you have overpaid unless your readings are collected remotely by smart meter. Or unless they have made some kind of error, such as when they failed to give customers their dual fuel discount for two years running. I hope it's true & they owe you money.
F x

It's certainly worth looki g into the NI stuff Foxgloves. I had a pleasant surprise.

We don't have smart meters so they're just estimating and are probably wrong! I've submitted readings so they'll probably change their minds 🙄.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Nicnak said:

My DD's headteacher sent a heart felt letter basically saying she can't Keep reception and year 1 safe as they can't socially distance and she won't fine anyone who doesn't return their children. It was a nice letter and one from the heart x
 

That's interesting Nicnak.

Willowtree222

I thought so too. Normally they are really professional, but she just wrote what she felt in this letter and how she just couldn't meet the guidance because of staff still shielding, the nature of children, how staff run to comfort a crying child, a child fallen over, and how could they support children if they can't do things like this. It made me shed a tear that she is trying her best, but obviously can't get it right all the time. x

HairyHandofDartmoor

Nicnak said:

I thought so too. Normally they are really professional, but she just wrote what she felt in this letter and how she just couldn't meet the guidance because of staff still shielding, the nature of children, how staff run to comfort a crying child, a child fallen over, and how could they support children if they can't do things like this. It made me shed a tear that she is trying her best, but obviously can't get it right all the time. x

Well it's true that despite our best efforts infants do get too close to each other because we don't have eyes in the back of our head. I have to decide do I get close to them to tie their shoelaces or risk them tripping over? Do I cut their meat for them or leave them to struggle? How do I treat a wound if they fall over? It's very difficult.