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

HairyHandofDartmoor

doingitanyway said:

HH may I ask how you are topping up your mobile? I think we have the same contract. Maybe you are phoning in and using a debit card? Thanks.

I'm on the data big bundle with 02 for £10 per month. I usually do it online with a debit card, you don't have to register, just type your phone number and card details in and how much you want to top up. I do have a card linked to my phone though that I used to use to top up in shops prior to the virus.

I hope that's helpful .

doingitanyway

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

doingitanyway said:

HH may I ask how you are topping up your mobile? I think we have the same contract. Maybe you are phoning in and using a debit card? Thanks.

I'm on the data big bundle with 02 for £10 per month. I usually do it online with a debit card, you don't have to register, just type your phone number and card details in and how much you want to top up. I do have a card linked to my phone though that I used to use to top up in shops prior to the virus.

I hope that's helpful .

Very helpful HH. I have the card linked to my phone and I recalled I was on the same bundle as you. I used to go into the shop to popup but of course they are closed now. I will do as you advised. Done. Thank you.

Willowtree222

I'm not sure what my mum.would do. Both me and my sister live within 2 miles!

Willowtree222

I'm not sure what my mum.would do. Both me and my sister live within 2 miles!

HairyHandofDartmoor

Nicnak said:

I'm not sure what my mum.would do. Both me and my sister live within 2 miles!

You'd have to take it in turns.

badmemory

Just another interesting NI tweak which may be of use to someone, particularly an early retiree.  If you look after grandchildren & both parents are already getting NI credits from employment, then you can have their child benefit credits.

HairyHandofDartmoor

badmemory said:

Just another interesting NI tweak which may be of use to someone, particularly an early retiree.  If you look after grandchildren & both parents are already getting NI credits from employment, then you can have their child benefit credits.

That's very interesting. Thank you Badmemory .

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't start worrying about the return to school just yet if I were you ,HH.  It's perfectly natural that you should but to be honest I don't think it will happen, not as soon as June 1st at any rate.  There seems to be so much disagreement among teachers, trade unions, MPs, parents and just about everyone else about it's feasibility at the moment.  Scotland, NI and Wales aren't willing to reopen as soon as June 1st either which should give some message about it's absolute unsuitability to the powers that be at Westminster.

beanielou

Westminster certainly don’t take any notice of what we do.  

HairyHandofDartmoor

Well I've been emailed four documents from school today and all staff are required in school every day from 1 June. The school is offering parents one day a week for their child, as the head teacher is only willing to have six reception children and eight year one children per class in order to maintain the social distancing. I think she's quite right because we couldn't possibly do social distancing with fifteen children in a class and the government live in a fantasy world if they think otherwise 🙄. I'm not sure how many parents will want to send their children for just one day a week. It's not exactly going to help them get back to work is it? Key workers children will be cared for as normal so they can come to school every day. 

It's pretty much what the head teacher hinted would happen. There may be an opportunity for me to do cover TA work if any staff are off sick or shielding. But if not many children take up the offer then they will have enough staff and I'll only be needed for lunch times.       

I looked after nine key workers' and vulnerable children today and it was all I could do to keep them apart 😱. I was constantly yelling "Move away from so and so!" and "You're too close to each other, move apart!". It's really hard for infants as they love being together and it's really difficult to keep telling them they have to be apart from each other 😢.

Anyway I have two weeks off now 😁 and I need to make the most of it. So I want to do my last two assignments, sand and paint the garden bench and carry on with the general spring cleaning in the house. My tutor has marked my latest work and I'm up to 69% completed now, so I'm getting there 😀. I think my observation will have to be based upon last years though because schools are unlikely to want volunteers or tutors in school as they want to keep contact to a minimum.                 

I hope everyone is having a good Friday  🙂.