Statement of intent

StuartGMC

SMF2
Thanks - don't get me wrong I know many are great individuals and baring in mind I've already had the "talk" with DD some time ago and she does talk openly to me about her feelings then I hope this will continue for (many) years to come.

DD got a certificate for her swimming - only 3000m as they don't have a 4000m one!

She has declined to do competitive swimming but wants to continue her swimming lessons and also do life saving; that'll be good when older to earn money with summer camps etc rather than on a packing line. She had her last performance at junior school today in choir and the quartet, can't really believe she is "grown up" enough to move to secondary education!

SmlSave

can't really believe she is "grown up" enough to move to secondary education

I'm sure she's really looking forward to it too

setmefree2

StuartGMC wrote: »

can't really believe she is "grown up" enough to move to secondary education!

The Yr 7s look titchy, I think, when they arrive at High School. Mine didn't go to the same school as their primary school friends, so they were very much alone in their new school:eek:. First term was a little bit tough but by the Feb half term they had made loads of new friends and never looked back. They both love High School; they loved their primary too...High School goes really quickly....this Autumn we will be looking at Sixth Forms for our eldest as he wants to do A Levels and his school only offer the IB (International Baccalaureate - a good qualification but eldest son doesn't want to carry on with languages past yr11) I can't believe that he has less than a year left!

StuartGMC

I see that IBM have announced intention to close their final salary scheme to existing members and will now consult for 60days. I think it won't be long before all have closed now we have the blue chips like Barclays etc closing them down.

I am keen to get feedback at work on our defined benefit scheme as originally it was a 5% contribution, then 8% and now 10% on our part (company is at 25%). I want to know what will trigger them to withdraw the scheme as to be honest, it has been one of the things keeping a number of people there in consideration of the defined contribution schemes offered if they moved jobs.

This will very much need careful consideration as I have 16yrs completed service in it and I'll potentially have 20yrs more (although I'd love to leave at 60 if I could afford to). My understanding is that you are forced to take an annuity in a defined contribution scheme at the time of retirement and if, like now, these are poor returns you have little choice. Of course existing service I think should be protected as a deferred pension but again need to know what rate this will grow and how it will be considered.

Guess it's best to keep ploughing on with the OP and present plans until we hear something and then start to plan; hoping we can still continue with the "nice" extras we plan once MF.

StuartGMC

It's interesting that inflation hasn't been mentioned much in the press recently; check the statistics at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?ID=19

Here you'll see CPI at 2.2% but RPI at -1.1%

These annualised figures are still falling but I'm no sure it remains the case. Certainly in our shopping we've seen the increases only because we record the bills; for many I guess it is hidden as their overall costs are lower for mortgage etc. I'll be watching these data closely but of course employers aren't in a position to raise salaries to address the rise.

What do you think on this topic; are you seeing inflation in your costs?

setmefree2

Mostly our cost of living has reduced because of the dip in mortgages and petrol. I do agree with you about food - we seem to be sruggling to keep our food bills down. However, we throw very little food away so I know we are not over buying. Chicken seems particularly expensive at the moment....

RosieTiger

Stuart great to catch up with your thoughts and good news about your daughter. Hopefully October will happen for you. Thanks for all the encouragement !

StuartGMC

Markets have not been good last few weeks and our funds have dropped back from their position of closing on the amount invested. Generally all exchanges are down against the past month, but still up from 3 or even 6 months ago. I will update our spreadsheet graphs for this.

DD has been advised the House and class she will be allocated to within the 10 form entry; her two best friends are in the same class so she is very happy

Being domesticated today as OH and DD are away at Brownie camp for the weekend (OH is a Brown Owl and DD now helps with the "youngsters" as she is a Guide). Have put one wash load through, walked to town to buy some walking shoes/trainers for summer wear and trip to Mexico (£80 but I hope these will last a few years; just like the lightweight walking boots have). We live in a small community of 5500 people but can walk over the river 30mins to the nearby town which has all the facilities we need. I try to walk unless really pressed for time or need to collect bulky/heavy items.

Got back (was naughty, bought iced Belgian bun ) and hung out washing, another load in now. Will need to unload and refill dishwasher, do a fair amount of ironing and tidying of house too, as it takes a lot of OH's time to prepare for the camp - she is responsible for feeding everyone too!

Other things to do include: calls to family, work on updating my web site, catch the Grand Prix Qualifying, watch Bloomberg to catch up on events this week, plus check when I can access the online version of Money Observer (available one week before hardcopy subscription is sent out).

...mmmm, looks like the rest of the weekend is sorted then :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

StuartGMC

Just checked my Google Adsense account for my web site, 40cents away from $100 so that will then convert to a payment in September I think, which may be about £60 :j

I've noticed the click values seem to have dropped and also the rates, I think I need to get more information up and the site actively running to get more clicks. However, I do it for the community I live in, the ads simply pay for the hosting and domain name costs with any extra available to OP etc.

Tesco_points_addict

Aw man that does domestic.....I'm impressed!:D


TPAx