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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 1, 2024 14:29:25 GMT
I really don't think I'll miss it apart from a handful of staff whose camaraderie and humour helped make the days bearable. I'm listening to music now and the lack of stress makes it more enjoyable than ever. Keep in touch with the good ones I wish I had kept in touch with a few from my Rank Xerox days, mostly Special Products. Some great people there |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 1, 2024 14:36:24 GMT
Yes, I will. My direct No. 2 has me on WhatsApp but I've not given my number to anyone else. Some of them might be tempted to call if something goes wrong.
As my mug says, "not my problem any more".
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 1, 2024 14:45:25 GMT
Different in the mid 70s Home phone number and address would have been it Wondering if I can reach back that far somehow, likewise to some of my school friends, slightly further back in time  |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 1, 2024 15:03:19 GMT
Friends Reunited was good for that.
Now it's LinkedIn (pretty awful) or Facebook (slightly less awful).
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 1, 2024 15:19:07 GMT
Friends Reunited was good
I should note down names I can remember and go looking
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Post by Slinger on Sept 1, 2024 21:01:06 GMT
Don't forget to remember not to set your alarm tonight, Martin.  |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 1, 2024 21:19:04 GMT
Don't forget to remember not to set your alarm tonight, Martin. I did remember to turn the weekday repeat alarm off, but only this evening! |
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 2, 2024 7:33:11 GMT
I didn't need the alarm today, often the case
Seems I'd had enough sleep, at 4.30
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Post by petea on Sept 2, 2024 16:36:29 GMT
Are you bored yet, Martin?!  |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 2, 2024 18:06:11 GMT
Bloody hell, no! Been busy. Just had a long video call with Skipton to renew the mortgage agreement (at a higher rate, natch) and, because everything is done with electronic signature these days, we've both signed and returned the agreement already.
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Post by Slinger on Sept 2, 2024 18:39:49 GMT
It's incredible, isn't it, the amount one can get done these days without actually getting out of bed? |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 6, 2024 11:59:19 GMT
I could get used to this lark of being able to do anything anytime. Went into town today to buy a birthday present. So much more civilised than going in the weekend.
On the pension front: my state pension starts paying in November, but my monthly expenses don't depend on it.
My Legal & General stakeholder pension, the last one active, is being frozen so that it can be transferred into AJ Bell and invested with the other pots of money.
What I've saved on commuting fuel costs is going into paying the mortgage, which has gone up by £400/mo. Best rate we could get for 2 years with no redemption costs.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 6, 2024 14:43:11 GMT
Forgot about the petrol
Not so important for me as I cycled the 9 odd miles 5 days a week unless wet or freezing
Car one day a week to lug stuff in and out
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Post by MartinT on Sept 6, 2024 16:09:43 GMT
Car still required for me for everything as we don't even have a bus service.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 6, 2024 19:13:46 GMT
I borrow the boss's for the rare times I need a car
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Post by MartinT on Sept 13, 2024 11:28:38 GMT
China said it will raise the retirement age for the first time since 1978. For all men it will go from 60 to 63. For female white-collar workers the age will increase from 55 to 58; for blue-collar women from 50 to 55. The average age of retirement in China is among the lowest in the world, and the pension costs are squeezing government budgets.
- Source: The Economist
It seems that pension costs are squeezing government budgets everywhere. How long will our triple-lock last?
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 13, 2024 12:27:27 GMT
Also from The Economist, June/July last year
China's birth rate is plummeting so way less people to support pensioners in a few years
Apart from Africa (sweeping generalisation) the birth rate is dropping everywhere
South Korea replacement is .8 and needs to be around 2.1/2.3
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Post by MartinT on Sept 13, 2024 13:14:05 GMT
Apart from Africa (sweeping generalisation) the birth rate is dropping everywhere Not here, and it needs to. |
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Post by Slinger on Sept 13, 2024 13:22:41 GMT
... It seems that pension costs are squeezing government budgets everywhere. How long will our triple-lock last?A long, long time, I hope. |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 13, 2024 13:35:09 GMT
A long, long time, I hope. I'm glad to see your faith in the Labour party. I have no such faith based on their handling of finances now and in the past. |
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