Escape to the country & living off savings

Skint_yet_Again

SQS - I confess to knowing nothing about national insurance so I was just looking for info for myself when the article popped up 😊 I really hope it is correct and you get to keep those years credits 🤞

Since my last post I also saw a document on the official gov.uk website from the Dept of work and pensions which seems to suggest the same (ignore the title of the document in the link below and read the summary of “starting credits” on page 2) Hope this all helps - obv get it officially confirmed. 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c58e740f0b62dffde1832/eia-ni-credits-changes.pdf

SuzeQStan

I’ll report back cheers SYA 😊👍🏻

Skint_yet_Again

Grey morning here but lighter skies in the distance so hopefully it will brighten up. No wind out there though so will not be hanging out a wash. Hopefully later in the week. 

No plans for today. Yesterday I made a fish stew in the slow cooker. 1 portion for dinner and 2 portions for the freezer. Today I have had some gammon with 2 eggs, tinned toms & low carb toast. Lunch will be butternut squash soup from the freezer & dinner is leftover roast chicken in fridge from Friday warmed in gravy, with veg & swede and carrot mash from the freezer. 

Tomorrow I am going into town on the bus with DF. I need to visit branch to transfer my matured bond. Also visit to V Money about potential new 1 year fixed bond 5.11%. I will check online again to make sure I didn’t miss any others. 

We will be having fish and chips for lunch 😋

SuzeQStan

Sounds good plans SYA - Just to mention VM has a 1 yr fixed cash isa 5.25% - can apply online for it.

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks SQS but I think I saw that you have to have a current account with them for that rate 

SuzeQStan

Sorry you are absolutely correct on that - I opened a current account just so I could get the rate.  You don’t have to fund it regularly or have any direct debits etc. so I’ve stuck £1 in it and have my isa now 😊👍🏻

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks SQS I will pop into the branch in town tomorrow if I can open both with no wage / income coming into it or direct debits coming out. 

MovingForwards

I don't have income in or DD's on mine. The only activity is moving the monthly interest to the linked savings account. It's easy to apply for on-line.

FD's RS is still 7% max £300pm in, if you've spare money. Open the CA, drop the £300 in, open the RS and keep topping up the CA each month. 

Looks like savings APR is dropping as our normal bank used to be over 5% for fixed rate.

SuzeQStan

Reporting back about phone call to Future pensions re the 3 additional years of NI contributions.  the 1st person I spoke to agreed with you SYA 😊😊👍🏻 but me and my multiple chins must have cut the phone off 😓 - anyway I rang back and the person who answered said something completely different to the 1st person. 😥 

spoke to OH about it who has recommended to wait until after all the NI gap pluggers are sorted this April and ring after that.  

So will update when I know for sure 😊 thanks for all your help SYA - I would have just given up xx

Skint_yet_Again

If it was me SQS I would write to them with a copy of page 1 & 2 of the document and ask them to confirm in writing your position if you have had conflicting advice on the phone. Obv up to you if you prefer to wait and phone again.