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KajiKita

That’s a VERY satisfying update to make to signature …! And before your retirement date as well, proper pleased for you 🤩😊

KK

Greying_Pilgrim

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81992955#Comment_81992955

I watched most of the film……. Jerry & Marge Go Large, the other day. It is based on a true story of a Minnesotan couple who used 'math' to work out a flaw in a state lottery game, and used their money - and then the money of their neighbours to win and then used those winnings to invest in their town. It was all perfectly legal - and (I had to look this up), a gaggle of maths undergraduates had found the same flaw in the system, and they were playing the lottery in the same volume as well - which, with the Evart syndicate, meant the lottery closed down (this did happen, I wasn't sure if it was in the film for 'tension building'). It was a very funny movie, and the town-based syndicate (apparently) did a lot of good with their winnings for the community.

Greying X

rtandon27

Oh the power of Math! - I've seen that movie too and it is lovely.

I'm sure that learning about how to shelter money from taxes is a far cry from finding an exploitable lottery flaw but it was actually fun to try out different scenarios and realize that cash savings are not what they are cracked up to be if you are building up a future security blanket. The depreciation alone is enough to make you cry!

rtandon27

So today's financial exercise was to move a cash ISA to a fixed ISA, netting us 300 pounds over the next year - also shifted it from one banking institution to another to ensure amounts remain protected - we are well below the 120K at each banking group but they say make room in your life for what you dream of and I'm dreaming of a lottery win! 😉 😄

My non-adulting trip down the rabbit hole yesterday tells me that if I won the millionaire maker I'd need 9 institutions to protect the money. We are 1/3 of the way there 😁 - also was reminded that as OH does not pay tax, protecting more in his name is a smart 'today' move especially the ISA route, but also the savings route! First married couple advantage I've discovered to be useful!

rtandon27

Second plant staging has arrived and is set up - all potato bags lifted up off the ground and there is also room to do some potting up of plants that had outgrown their pots.

Mexican Daisies have been given room to expand and pots that were 'missing' plants have been added to. I really do like my potted plants to overflow with greenery and flowers. Herbs have been pruned - I have four assorted parsley patches - curly & flat - 2 patches of chives and 2 pots of corriander which need potting up.

Baby trees still need to be transplanted into the their large pots and the lilac topped up with soil - that's next week's problem. Spring onions started from root ends are doing amazingly well - another week or two and we'll be harvesting fresh!

Meal Plan
✅🥧🍟Friday May 08 - Fakeaway Day -- Hot Dogs & wedges
✅🍜 Saturday May 09 - Easy Peasy Day - Lunch = Dim Sum & Gyoza Dinner = Pizza
✅🍖🥕🍠🍅🥔 Sunday May 10 - Roast Day - Leftover Day - clear out the fridge
✅🥬 Monday May 11 - Veggie Day - plant based tortellini - 20 year anniversary - Chippy Fish & Chips
✅🐟🍟 Tuesday May 12 - Fish Day - leftover Chippy Fish & Chips
✅🍗🍄🥕🥦🥔 Wednesday May 13 - Chicken Day - Freezer Dive Chicken & veg - Spanokapita pies & wedges
✅🍔🌽🥔 Thursday May 07 - Meat Day 14 - Lamb steaks and Veg - Eggs Benny quiche & chips
🥧🍟Friday May 08 - Fakeaway Day 15 - Burgers & Wedges (Pizza got sent back - substitute was not a flavour we enjoy) - or we may order pizza as I've got coupons!
🍜 Saturday May 09 - Easy Peasy Day 16 - Lunch = Dim Sum & Gyoza & Bao & Noodles
🍖🥕🍠🍅🥔 Sunday May 17 - Roast Day - Roast Chicken &Veg

EssexHebridean

RT I don't know how I'd missed it but I've just realised that our current mortgage was originally due to end very shortly after my official retirement age! Feels good to have already knocked it back by several years against that, and of course we'll be continuing to OP as well, so it should keep going in the right direction, all being well!

rtandon27

@EssexHebridean - It's a fabulous feeling isn't it EH - to know that no mortgage is due to be paid in retirement!

I"ve been into my main pension account off the back of my 3-yr reduction & adjusted the effective retirement date down knowing that I no longer have to work past retirement to afford mortgage payments! The closer to 60 I can get to that date, the better ! Even though I'm fairly certain that I'll need to have a decent plan for at least one all-consuming hobby and fun trip a year because atm working for an employer is what consumes my daily weekday hours!

On a bit of a sobering note, I've just discovered that I am eligible for Brereavement Support once OH passes - 2500 lump sum and 100 a month for 18 months tax free. A bit of an unexpected boost for when needed.

Cherryfudge

Good news on the pension, though as you say, you will need something to occupy your days - perhaps even a plan to ease yourself across from one state to the other.

Yes, the bereavement support is a sobering thought, but there may be financial adjustments that you don't expect, however well thought through your expectations are. It's just one to park while you don't qualify, but park it in a place where it will be found when required.

badmemory

Re- retirement. Just don't believe what a reduced amount they say you can live on in retirement. Admittedly I walked to work mostly so even though I had a car I didn't have those daily car expenses. For example, bad back so haven't been able to mow the lawn for years. Unless you are prepared to just sit & watch TV for hours every day you need something to fill those hours as you have realised. Then what happens when you can no longer drive. Hopefully you have local transport (buses & trains). I don't & am looking at a half mile walk to a bus stop, so taxis. Next thing I am looking at is a cleaner!! But then I am 80 & was doing fine until I went into hospital for an investigative procedure that went very wrong. First time in my life I have felt my age & quite so angry for so long a time.

rtandon27

@Cherryfudge - I'll definately need something to occupy my time & brain! I've been on a trip down the rabbit hole to have a look at MSc programs that would suit my needs & interests! I think that might qualify as a hobby?!? I currently garden, but to me that is housework rather than hobby!

@badmemory - you are spot on with the money cautions, my mom back across the pond is the same vintage as you and moans on a weekly basis about getting in the cleaners, gardeners, snow shovellers & handy man to help her with the things she no longer does for herself! It has opened my eyes to just what it takes to look after a home as you age. (She had the option 20 years ago of planning a move to a senior's living condo, but chose to stay in her home!)
I don't watch much TV now so it's certainly not a habit I intend to pick up! The house we are currently living in was chosen by me for it's proximity to all the amenities - public transport, food shops, leisure centre, doctor, church etc. 5-7 mins to most things on foot or 5-10 mins by taxi! The two things I was saddened about were that the M&S closed and the local hospital is very limited in what it delivers, so we have to go 1/2 hour away to the bigger two towns.
Hang in there with your health hunny - it's amazing what fortitude of will can do for recovery! Do everything that is within your power to heal from the procedure and trust that you'll regain much of what has drained away!