How much to live on

BooJewels

WYSPECIAL said:

I'm only about a mile from a decent selection of shops, so I can actually walk and get a taxi home with my shopping - but I've been a bit off colour lately and the walk is proving unsuitable just now.  But in future, if I can get driving it will be transformative.  It's taken me over a year to even get on the waiting list for an instructor though - they don't think old ladies can pass driving tests.   When I explained to one chap (who'd been recommended) my circumstances, he let out a big long-suffering audible sigh and went "oh, one of those" and added that he'd be prepared to take my money off me to give it a go, but I needed to set my expectations accordingly, as it was very unlikely that I'd actually ever pass.  I've kept his number, so that I can ring him and gloat when I do.

Luckily the bloke I've found, who it turns out I've already known for 30 years, saw absolutely no problem in giving it a go and sees it as a professional challenge to get me though first time.  He said "you can't possibly be worse than some of the 17 year old girls, they just cry when they can't do something and some have no common sense whatsoever".  I too was reluctant at first, but now I've reached the stage that I am ready to do it, I'm dying to get going.  I'm a smidge scared too.  My sister, son and I are having fun though pointing at cars going "I think I'd look good in that" etc.  My idea of what I think I'd suit and the budget combined with the reality of my 4'11" chunky frame are however wildly different.

You’d think older people who were going to take longer to learn or unlikely to pass and wanted to pay for driving lessons every week would be the ideal client for driving instructors and they’d fit you in straight away. One of the problems for them must be having to find a constant stream of new clients. A few years ago some were desperate for any work they could get. How soon they forget!

You'd think, wouldn't you - especially as I've said I can do lessons at any time - I'm not after coveted evening or weekend slots.  I was a bit flabbergasted at the attitude I encountered.  It seems that after Covid and issues with examiners striking, there's a massive backlog of 17 year olds wanting to get going - everyone has waiting lists.  He's said that he usually ends up with a lull at around now, when many have pushed to get through their tests with extra lessons etc. before they pop off to university.

Savvy_Sue

Of course some instructors may like to boast about "90% of my pupils pass within 6 months" and they fear an older pupil may damage that 'reputation'. 

MovingForwards

@BooJewels what an amazing woman and it's so apt you're having lessons from her legacy. You do have an advantage due to previous lessons and most of it is confidence. Please keep us updated. 

BooJewels

@Savvy_Sue - my new chap was quite the opposite, the oldest he'd got through before was about 9 years younger than me, so he thought it would be a nice stat to add, getting me through - his attitude was the polar opposite of everyone else I spoke to.

@MovingForwards - thanks - I'm hoping that over 40 years as a passenger and navigating for my husband has given me a decent road sense and ability to recognise signs etc. - kids just don't have those years under their belts.  Confidence is the bit that frightens me a bit, but I'm hoping that I'll soon develop it.

Humdinger1

BooJewels said:

MarthaKL said:

BooJewels said:

@Skint_yet_Again - I've opted for monthly interest on my assorted fixes, bonds and EA savings and whilst at the moment I'm keeping them where they are (or moving them to decently paying accounts) to compound, knowing that I can get at it as needed is psychologically important for me.  I also like seeing it getting added each month - better than waiting a full year to see it.

I would also add a personal observation about driving and owning a car.  Since my husband died and I find myself on my own and not able to drive - it's become really isolating.  I have no family locally and no friends to call upon.  We don't have a very useful bus service (an intercity that makes a modest loop off the motorway once an hour), so I can only get anywhere on foot or in a taxi.  I manage perfectly well, but would dearly love the freedom of doing my own shopping - it becomes a treat to just choose my own tomatoes etc.  I'm now deeply regretting some of the choices I made 30 years ago - like where I live.

I used to live in a tiny hamlet with no bus service and a two mile walk to buy a pint of milk. It turned out to be a huge mistake as I was a reluctant driver - plus I shared the car with my husband who needed it to commute. We were bowled over by the cute period cottage and extensive garden, but we definitely let the heart rule the head and soon regretted our choice. Our next move was to a house ten minutes walk from the town centre, with a well stocked local shop just round the corner.  We live on a peaceful road near a pretty town. This suits our lifestyle so much better, but we are now on the lookout for a new place with even more facilities on the doorstep. Would you consider moving to somewhere more convenient, as it sounds as though you have few ties where you are? 

I have been battling with the idea of moving for a while and there are still fractionally more ticks in the plus column to stay, than not.  I actually live in a bigger house than I need on my own really, but don't really want to live anywhere smaller, as the house is full of stuff already and I've sort of got used to the space.  I'd have to downsize to be able to afford it and possibly move to a less nice area.

My sister has recently moved to a nice house, in a quiet cul-de-sac, with allotments behind her, separated by trees and a couple of decent shops quarter of a mile away.  But I don't think I'd swap.

I'm only about a mile from a decent selection of shops, so I can actually walk and get a taxi home with my shopping - but I've been a bit off colour lately and the walk is proving unsuitable just now.  But in future, if I can get driving it will be transformative.  It's taken me over a year to even get on the waiting list for an instructor though - they don't think old ladies can pass driving tests.   When I explained to one chap (who'd been recommended) my circumstances, he let out a big long-suffering audible sigh and went "oh, one of those" and added that he'd be prepared to take my money off me to give it a go, but I needed to set my expectations accordingly, as it was very unlikely that I'd actually ever pass.  I've kept his number, so that I can ring him and gloat when I do.

Luckily the bloke I've found, who it turns out I've already known for 30 years, saw absolutely no problem in giving it a go and sees it as a professional challenge to get me though first time.  He said "you can't possibly be worse than some of the 17 year old girls, they just cry when they can't do something and some have no common sense whatsoever".  I too was reluctant at first, but now I've reached the stage that I am ready to do it, I'm dying to get going.  I'm a smidge scared too.  My sister, son and I are having fun though pointing at cars going "I think I'd look good in that" etc.  My idea of what I think I'd suit and the budget combined with the reality of my 4'11" chunky frame are however wildly different.

You've probably heard the one about the snail who was buying a red Ferrari? He insisted that it MUST have an S painted on each side. Why? So that as he drove past, he could hear people say 'Just look at that S-car go'. I'll get my coat....

barnstar2077

Humdinger1 said:

BooJewels said:

MarthaKL said:

BooJewels said:

@Skint_yet_Again - I've opted for monthly interest on my assorted fixes, bonds and EA savings and whilst at the moment I'm keeping them where they are (or moving them to decently paying accounts) to compound, knowing that I can get at it as needed is psychologically important for me.  I also like seeing it getting added each month - better than waiting a full year to see it.

I would also add a personal observation about driving and owning a car.  Since my husband died and I find myself on my own and not able to drive - it's become really isolating.  I have no family locally and no friends to call upon.  We don't have a very useful bus service (an intercity that makes a modest loop off the motorway once an hour), so I can only get anywhere on foot or in a taxi.  I manage perfectly well, but would dearly love the freedom of doing my own shopping - it becomes a treat to just choose my own tomatoes etc.  I'm now deeply regretting some of the choices I made 30 years ago - like where I live.

I used to live in a tiny hamlet with no bus service and a two mile walk to buy a pint of milk. It turned out to be a huge mistake as I was a reluctant driver - plus I shared the car with my husband who needed it to commute. We were bowled over by the cute period cottage and extensive garden, but we definitely let the heart rule the head and soon regretted our choice. Our next move was to a house ten minutes walk from the town centre, with a well stocked local shop just round the corner.  We live on a peaceful road near a pretty town. This suits our lifestyle so much better, but we are now on the lookout for a new place with even more facilities on the doorstep. Would you consider moving to somewhere more convenient, as it sounds as though you have few ties where you are? 

I have been battling with the idea of moving for a while and there are still fractionally more ticks in the plus column to stay, than not.  I actually live in a bigger house than I need on my own really, but don't really want to live anywhere smaller, as the house is full of stuff already and I've sort of got used to the space.  I'd have to downsize to be able to afford it and possibly move to a less nice area.

My sister has recently moved to a nice house, in a quiet cul-de-sac, with allotments behind her, separated by trees and a couple of decent shops quarter of a mile away.  But I don't think I'd swap.

I'm only about a mile from a decent selection of shops, so I can actually walk and get a taxi home with my shopping - but I've been a bit off colour lately and the walk is proving unsuitable just now.  But in future, if I can get driving it will be transformative.  It's taken me over a year to even get on the waiting list for an instructor though - they don't think old ladies can pass driving tests.   When I explained to one chap (who'd been recommended) my circumstances, he let out a big long-suffering audible sigh and went "oh, one of those" and added that he'd be prepared to take my money off me to give it a go, but I needed to set my expectations accordingly, as it was very unlikely that I'd actually ever pass.  I've kept his number, so that I can ring him and gloat when I do.

Luckily the bloke I've found, who it turns out I've already known for 30 years, saw absolutely no problem in giving it a go and sees it as a professional challenge to get me though first time.  He said "you can't possibly be worse than some of the 17 year old girls, they just cry when they can't do something and some have no common sense whatsoever".  I too was reluctant at first, but now I've reached the stage that I am ready to do it, I'm dying to get going.  I'm a smidge scared too.  My sister, son and I are having fun though pointing at cars going "I think I'd look good in that" etc.  My idea of what I think I'd suit and the budget combined with the reality of my 4'11" chunky frame are however wildly different.

You've probably heard the one about the snail who was buying a red Ferrari? He insisted that it MUST have an S painted on each side. Why? So that as he drove past, he could hear people say 'Just look at that S-car go'. I'll get my coat....

The other day I pointed out an incredibly wealthy rabbit doing 100mph in a Ferrari to my friend.  My friend, said "That's not a rich rabbit, that's a millionhare!"

<Sorry>

BooJewels

Very good both.  I don't think a Ferrari is in my future, sadly.  I did see a vintage American muscle car and said I thought that might work and my son kindly pointed out that many of them have a single seat right across the width, so it wouldn't matter how fat my bum was!

LunaLater

£5,000. I like cars, motorbikes and travel, all of which I’ll have more time for.

Savvy_Sue

BooJewels said:

Very good both.  I don't think a Ferrari is in my future, sadly.  I did see a vintage American muscle car and said I thought that might work and my son kindly pointed out that many of them have a single seat right across the width, so it wouldn't matter how fat my bum was!

I did once have to move a Ferrari a few feet up a friend's drive. Horrible to get in and out, even when I was young and less creaky. Terrifying to move, probably worse because it was only a minor adjustment needed. Not recommended. 

Superdude0499

Saw the title of this thread and thought I'd nudge it back on track...  

52 now, looking at 60. Plenty of wriggle room I hope (Health insurance, telly etc). Desired column keeps us going as is.

My figures, for what they're worth...