Pension Pot!!

Well my fellow seniors....this week we come of age ....we are deemed responsible enough to look after our money!!

I for one welcome this wholeheartedly and am so tired and really annoyed at these holier than thou people who surface on TV saying these geriatrics are all going to go mad and spend, spend, spend!

Who do they think they are?  Don't they realise that if people have saved they are the least likely to behave in this way! Also we are quite astute...we realise the tax implications if we take more out and that it may bring you into another tax band....we are not stupid!

We also have the teenagers who are encouraged by TV stations to vent their spleen and attack seniors for having it all whilst they are "suffering".  They don't realise we have been there but with far less than they have now.  There is so much of a sense of entitlement now amongst the young - not prepared to wait for anything or save.  Any money that comes their way is spent on holidays and enjoyment.  Okay this doesn't apply to all but there's a fair proportion who do think this way.

I can remember in my twenties when we had no choice but to contribute to pensions and at the time we all moaned because we could have done with the money...but you know what? we managed.

Along the journey of life we accrue pensions from a variety of employers.  One of the most lucrative I now receive is my teachers pension. I worked for 7 years as a lecturer and this pension provides far more than the private pension I began when I started my business.

So we arrive an at eclectic mix but it isn't such a bad thing as I am a true believer in not putting all your eggs in one basket. Given what happened to Equitable Life seems sensible!

The one bit of advice I would give to young people is we all feel that retirement is so far away why should we bother? Well believe you me it suddenly happens and you wonder how did we get here? One glass of beer a week or large glass of wine in a pension fund can make all the difference in later years to your enjoyment in retirement.

In no particular order........

Got out of the swing of posting so busy with election...it seems to dominate everything.  So here are a few random items to start me going again......

I bought this Poinsettia beginning of December and here we are 5th April!!  Seems happy - long may it last!

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So much talk about cost of living and price of food - even more so with election coming up!  I know i have posted on this before but it is possible to eat well and cheaply!  Here is an example ...our visit to the market last week....

9 long red peppers

2 lbs sprouts

2.5 lbs carrots

2 large cucumbers

3 bunches spring onions

1.5 lbs tomatoes

2 x 2.5lb cauliflowers

All for £8.50

Could have bought large bag of onions for £1 and also large bag of potatoes for a £1.

Lidl and Aldi also stock modestly priced fruit and veg....so why do people still talk as if these items are still out of reach?  If you cook and spend wisely you can live well.

I am tired of hearing about people who seemingly have no option but to live on takeaways - surely it is more expensive to live like this than to prepare food for yourself?  Is it that some can't cook or won't cook, or lazy? 

We have an obesity crisis which the NHS is finding very difficult to manage.  I read this article the other day and realised how hopeless it can be. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3022157/Takeaway-boom-fuelling-obesity-Number-45-places-poorest-areas-eateries-20-years-ago.html

Conclusion ..... people need to eat properly and take care of themselves but take personal responsibility.  We can't force alternative way of living but we do need to educate and provide basic nutritional advice at school and teach how to cook the basics.

Last night I watched a programme on Channel 4 called Embarrassing Fat Bodies where a team of doctors helped the seriously obese tackle their problems.  It was quite enlightening.  The 3 individuals featured had similar feelings ...mainly "being out of control". It was very sad to watch and questions kept being raised as to why do people do this to themselves.  The advice given was excellent and you would hope that these three would now be on a path to a better quality of life but it won't be easy.  This is a mega mega problem and no easy answers.

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We are now delivering loads and loads of leaflets for the Conservative Party.  I have been out this morning for a couple of hours and apart from being genuinely interesting in promoting the Party have also been able to put in my daily exercise.  You do get into a rhythm and because you have a sense of purpose.....completing task and getting home for lunch makes for a brisk walk!!

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Sad day today 4 years ago my mother passed away having endured motor neurone disease. It amazing how the years fly by doesn't seem like 4 years but she is not forgotten.  I am sure you like me have experienced loss but somehow they feel they are still with you and are often mentioned.

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                    Enjoy your chocolate!!  Happy Easter to my readers!!!

Welcome Home Car!!

Car just been delivered - looks good .....now fight for compensation!!!  Who would have thought something which is a routine accident would have taken over 5 months??

Has anyone else had this problem?  I am told this is all about Insurance companies outsourcing the claims with no one being responsible for managing the process.  I know this is getting very boring but it has become a major part of our lives.  The toll it has taken on use is hard to describe...doesn't anyone do a competent job these days...where is customer care?

Sure  will feel more rational in the morning....

Coffee to go!!

well the car latest....I was sent a £50 cheque from Quindells which is supposed to be compensation for the car saga......I have returned it together with an appropriate note!!
Just had a phone call to say that the car will probably be ready on Wednesday.  As you can imagine I am taking this with a pinch of salt!

Hate cars!! Trouble is we need them.  Certainly when I drive over to my daughter in Chiswick I don't have an alternative. It is only 22 miles but I nearly always have a tortuous journey.  Last week I left even earlier than usual to make sure I arrived in time to walk with the grandchildren to school....I set off at 6.30am and arrived at 8.45am!! My daughter had to leave without me and I ran the whole way to the school (thank god for the gym) and made it in time for the school bell and did see them before they went to classes.

During this long period of travel time I listened to LBC and there was a talk on obesity and the obsession youngsters have with energy drinks. They were recommending not to let children under 16 take take them as a can could contain up to 20 teaspoons of sugar!! They mentioned how powerful this description is rather than just talking in grams which doesn't have the same impact.  Don't you think the requirement to have a drink in your hand at all times is getting out of hand?

Bottles of water have become accessories. At the gyms people who have been on the treadmill for as little as 5 mins and not exerting themselves feel the need to take a swig.  Woman at the checkout till at our supermarket this week  took several sips from her bottle after each customer.

As I was driving along I saw many carrying the obligatory "coffee to go".  Do they really need it?  Or is it just a kind of fashion statement? A habit?

I can remember in the early 90s I had to go to the US on a regular basis.  On one visit I had breakfast in the hotel with my colleagues  which was substantial with copious amounts of tea and coffee.On leaving the restaurant we were asked if we would like a "coffee to go". We were a little bemused by this when we received the explanation.  My first thought was why would we possibly need any more liquid when we had plenty.  A few of my colleagues took up the offer and struggling with coats, papers, folders and the carton of coffee they made their way to the taxi. I thought to myself maybe it is a long way to the site.....the journey took 10 minutes. On entering the site - the coffees remained untouched and I am sure they appreciated the ride!

This ritual was adopted by the UK as the American influence made its mark. So people are consuming extra calories for no good reason.

A few weeks ago James Corden the actor/comedian talked about this weight loss. He commented that no-one told him it wasn't ok to keep eating/snacking all day long.  It had become a habit.

Maybe we should all wise up ...is it a need or a habit.........we need to consider all those extra calories and.....the cost!!

Still no car!!

as predicted quie farcical to think my car would turn up yesterday....

Contacted the Financial Ombudsman last night and raised a case........

Gardening Solution

Trying to take my mind off the car (previous blog) so looked out at our garden and this delightful sight.....feeling calmer now :)

This arrangement covers a really ugly manhole cover which the builders must have decided was a feature in the middle of the lawn....

Car Crisis

Sadly have been neglecting my blog.....lots of things got in the way...mainly my car.  After even more exchanges I have been assured that I will get me car today.

It is now the afternoon ....no call no arrival yet the feeling of doom is descending again.

Ever the optimist we got up early to make sure the hire car was topped up with fuel ready to go.....

It will be 5 months on Friday since the accident.....

Has anyone else experienced this ridiculous situation and more importantly was it resolved to your satisfaction ?