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It's time to start digging up those Squirrelled Nuts!!!!
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saver_ali said:bigfer said:saver_ali said:One thing that I realised yesterday is that OH and I need to use our Halifax Clarity Credit cards again so they don’t close the accounts. As retired people I think we might have difficulty getting new cards. We normally only use the cards for foreign travel, to get good exchange rates and low charges, but we haven’t been abroad for over a year now.
I've had a couple of those in the last 12 months. I've simply used the card for a small online purchase if I want to keep it active. In fact, I try to use all of them at least once a year.1 -
Good Morning Everyone
We got back yesterday from another little trip away, just 4 nights self catering, which was lovely. Some nice walks, and as they had an indoor pool i even managed to get a couple of swims in. I've not swam since March, and it was lovely. There were only 2 other people in it the first time, and the next I had it to myself and was the only person who'd been in all day!!!
I need to investigate other local pay-as-you-swim options, as 2 of my local pools are no longer accepting Hussle passes and they are booking slots for members only (don't want to commit to a membership at the moment)
On the cash side, we'll probably just keep about £50 physically on us, but also keep our joint TSB account open, with say £100 in it, but we'll close down the 2 sole accounts, and i'm in two minds about my sole Club Lloyds (once my RS matures)
Our ISA's appear to have don't quite well while we were away. Will it last??How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)0 -
Sea_Shell said:Good Morning Everyone
We got back yesterday from another little trip away, just 4 nights self catering, which was lovely. Some nice walks, and as they had an indoor pool i even managed to get a couple of swims in. I've not swam since March, and it was lovely. There were only 2 other people in it the first time, and the next I had it to myself and was the only person who'd been in all day!!!
I need to investigate other local pay-as-you-swim options, as 2 of my local pools are no longer accepting Hussle passes and they are booking slots for members only (don't want to commit to a membership at the moment)
On the cash side, we'll probably just keep about £50 physically on us, but also keep our joint TSB account open, with say £100 in it, but we'll close down the 2 sole accounts, and i'm in two minds about my sole Club Lloyds (once my RS matures)
Our ISA's appear to have don't quite well while we were away. Will it last??
Will it last? My money is on "no". But then, the world is a curious place this year, so who knows!
You have got me googling "hustle passes" now - sound interesting!Plan for tomorrow, enjoy today!1 -
Hussle worked great for me, as I just wanted to swim once a week. I used to buy the 5 tickets valid for 30 days. That way if you bought it the day you first go, you get 5 weeks swims in!! You then don't buy the next one until week 6 IYSWIM.
They used to be called Pay as you Gym.
I'm not sure their business model is working very well at the moment, due to the current number restrictions and "booking for members only" policies in place.How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)0 -
..anticipating another "drop" in the near future, so now that our "pot" has almost returned to where it was pre covid we have decided to take out one larger lump sum to cover next years outgoings rather than take out smaller amounts each month. It looks like next year will be another one "below budget" as I guess we will still not be traveling anywhere.We did intend to change the car but seems little point at the mo as we haven't done that much mileage....."It's everybody's fault but mine...."3
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saver_ali said:It can be very hard to open new credit card accounts once you’ve retired, regardless of your credit rating.0
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sxgirl said:saver_ali said:It can be very hard to open new credit card accounts once you’ve retired, regardless of your credit rating.
I'm not sure there is any specific information (list) about "income qualification" for any new accounts, other than the usual provisos of must pay in £X per month etc. However, I'm not sure how banks would react to £0 income, they might assume you can't then make the monthly payments (which is daft of course!)
Personally, we've decided not to chase accounts any more, unless any really good deals come up, as we're looking to simplify our finances. Luckily this shouldn't mean having to apply for any new accounts whereby our "income" is a question.How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)1 -
Good Morning everyone
Well, we're getting towards the sharp end of the year, and it's nearly time to do the final "scores on the doors". We're estimating to have spent approx. £11,300 this year, which is actually slightly up on last year. This is despite only getting 2 short breaks away, but we have spent some money on household stuff. Will do a full tot-up/comparison for year end.
The investments are holding up, quite well considering, still up on last year, with the total pot up 4.2% for the 12 months to date (end Nov).How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)3 -
Sea_Shell said:Good Morning everyone
Well, we're getting towards the sharp end of the year, and it's nearly time to do the final "scores on the doors". We're estimating to have spent approx. £11,300 this year, which is actually slightly up on last year. This is despite only getting 2 short breaks away, but we have spent some money on household stuff. Will do a full tot-up/comparison for year end.
The investments are holding up, quite well considering, still up on last year, with the total pot up 4.2% for the 12 months to date (end Nov).
We've had a lot of expense (and more to come) having moved house this year. Our investments are doing pretty well considering; in fact if someone could guarantee last year's rise every year I'd bite their hand off. I'd prefer a slightly smoother ride though1 -
Nice results, well done!Every year you live AND The Pot grows has to be a good year....even if it is 2020
To be fair, the lower spending is perhaps countered by a lower pot growth potential.....in a “normal” year, you may holiday more, but the pot may (hopefully!) grow more. Of course, 4% is good too, but maybe you could expect more....
Out of interest, do you count your finances by calendar year, as your post suggests, or to financial year end?Plan for tomorrow, enjoy today!1
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