+++ Whoops! Here comes the cheese! +++

rtandon27

How lovely to have made photo albums for your stepsons!  I'm sure they will treasure them!

redofromstart

I've not emptied the car yet but fingers crossed I find some interesting things. I also need to clear out the motorhome which is due to go to SS1 next week because he wants to finish his dad's project. 

I haven't ordered the oven yet either. Dithering! But yes will try for cashback, although the WM didn't track.

rtandom, I hope they will be pleased with them. I bought some linen coated self adhesive albums to put them in, with a window on the front cover to put the most appropriate picture for that son in. I bought a third one for us so that I can do something with our collection too. I thought about a photo book but this means they can add (or remove!) as they see fit and as I inevitably find more as I tidy.

good news yesterday was confirmation of pension 2 as a half spouses pension. This one is the PPF compensation, following the collapse of a big former employer. It's compensation not a pension, and it is basically an entitlement that dies with you unless you have a dependent spouse or child. It did make me think as I have a very small pension myself with PPF (we met at said company), and I will probably take that one at 55 if I still can because otherwise no one else will benefit if I don't make it to 67. Currently the rules change to 57 a few months after my 55th birthday. 

I do need to do a proper budget now that I know what the pension income is. I suspect it will cover the core household direct debits which is a nice position to be in. I am very grateful for that. 

KajiKita

Get on and order that oven! 😉

I’m glad to hear that the pensions cover the ‘functioning roof over your head’ costs. 

KK

rtandon27

Lovely that the pensions cover the basics! - Gives you one less thing to worry about!

debtfreewannabe321

I'm also glad the pensions cover the bills. That's a relief. And hopefully that new oven!

redofromstart

I have once again done nothing about the oven, we are coping without but I do need to commit.

I did clear his car out.  £23.55 found, and some more of his lovely leatherwork and some very random outdoors stuff.   Need to make sure all four boys have a fair share of his crafted things if they want them.  

Scaffolder arrived to check the wisteria issue and take measurements.  It does sound like the builders will actually be quoting for the roof, chimney, lintels stuff.  The others I have contacted so far have no availability etc, but I prefer that honesty to those who turn up and do not quote because it is too hard.  Need a comparator quote though. My previous judgement was that the funeral director (subsequently arrested for fraud) was ok and I agreed to pay up front like a gullible idiot, so clearly I am not firing on all cylinders. 

WinterWarrior

Redo I am so very, very late catching up, but I was so very sorry to read the sad news. You have been so strong. I am filled with admiration at how brilliantly you have been coping with such a difficult situation ❤️

KajiKita

redofromstart said:

Need a comparator quote though. My previous judgement was that the funeral director (subsequently arrested for fraud) was ok and I agreed to pay up front like a gullible idiot, so clearly I am not firing on all cylinders. 

Ahem … let’s go easy with the self flagellation here, yes …? 

If your experience is anything like that of Mr KK’s family when arranging FiL’s funeral, you have to pay it all upfront, non-negotiable. 

You were not the only one who was gullied by that particular funeral director, I think he actually did a good job for you (didn’t he?) and let’s be honest who isn’t vulnerable at times like that …? 

Yes, get a comparative quote, in part to compare methods / approaches. Sometimes the more expensive quote is worth going for because they have understood the job / anticipated risks more effectively. 😊

KK

redofromstart

Thank you both.

Not a huge amount achieved yet today, very tired thanks to the furry alarm clocks. I did call into a small independent garden centre and was really pleased to find two Daphne varieties so I used so I bought one of each using some of the 'treat' money I was very generously gifted last week.  Takes me up to four now.  I must have another go at getting cuttings to take. 

KajiKita

Glad you found daphnes 😊 I know how partial you are to them ❤️

KK