Enjoying Retirement
Discussion
I'm still around. 
Had a brief health issue, so I suffered indignity of what I call an 'alien abduction' 
earlier this week, but results back already and all good. Just a repeat in 3 years time. Just a little reminder that we're all getting older and health is important and unpredictable.
Off to Spain for a few days soon, visiting a friend who has a villa out there. All the usual band stuff, including now drumming for another band as well as our main band which we have a series of gigs lined up this summer starting once we get back from Spain.
As this is the financial section I should mention a slight c*** up I made with HMRC: I didn't change my marriage allowance back until after the start of the tax year, which I'd given to my wife last tax year as I was under my allowances. However, the website now stubbornly says that it will change next April 2025, rather than this new tax year, which means I'll be over my allowance this year.
I think I should have done the change before the end of the tax year, but stupidly thought it would change straight away and my wife would lose the benefit immediately. 
Worse is that I believe I will lose the same amount from my starter savings rate (£1 off for every £1 over the personal allowance), so annoyingly I'll end up paying tax on savings interest after carefully working everything out to keep just under. I'll have to try calling them and put up with the usual 38 minute wait...On the plus side I did finally get them to refund me what I'd paid 2 years ago from my last 2 months at work, plus an overpayment for the year before which I wasn't expecting.
Just had my car insurance renewal through, which means it's coming up to 2 years since I retired.
Had a brief health issue, so I suffered indignity of what I call an 'alien abduction' earlier this week, but results back already and all good. Just a repeat in 3 years time. Just a little reminder that we're all getting older and health is important and unpredictable.Off to Spain for a few days soon, visiting a friend who has a villa out there. All the usual band stuff, including now drumming for another band as well as our main band which we have a series of gigs lined up this summer starting once we get back from Spain.
As this is the financial section I should mention a slight c*** up I made with HMRC: I didn't change my marriage allowance back until after the start of the tax year, which I'd given to my wife last tax year as I was under my allowances. However, the website now stubbornly says that it will change next April 2025, rather than this new tax year, which means I'll be over my allowance this year.
I think I should have done the change before the end of the tax year, but stupidly thought it would change straight away and my wife would lose the benefit immediately. Worse is that I believe I will lose the same amount from my starter savings rate (£1 off for every £1 over the personal allowance), so annoyingly I'll end up paying tax on savings interest after carefully working everything out to keep just under. I'll have to try calling them and put up with the usual 38 minute wait...On the plus side I did finally get them to refund me what I'd paid 2 years ago from my last 2 months at work, plus an overpayment for the year before which I wasn't expecting.
Just had my car insurance renewal through, which means it's coming up to 2 years since I retired.
Sorry to hear of the health scare: that is so important to later years. Trust everything goes well moving forwards.
Good to hear some sunshine ahead!
Visiting pals in Reeth this weekend: a solid day yesterday dismantling an old 4m x 2m shed. Though not in the epic way suggested here!
Weather was kind to us. Aching a lot now, but today will be re-building (re-mantleing ?) it in another part of their place as a 2.5m x 2m version. Not helped by the small doors and passageways we had to take the parts through (from front yard to back garden), meaning we had to cut everything down to size and reattach - challenging!
Ended with a fine meal and beers though, so all good
eta: our car insurance also came to renewal time. Up 20 and 72%
Managed to get my 72% rise down to 20% by moving….& then realised the one that was up 20% allowed us 12k miles pa…..checked MOT from last year to find we are now down to around 6k now (retired!)….requote (from same company - LV=) saw the cost drop below last years, so all good there after the initial scare!
Good to hear some sunshine ahead!
Visiting pals in Reeth this weekend: a solid day yesterday dismantling an old 4m x 2m shed. Though not in the epic way suggested here!
Weather was kind to us. Aching a lot now, but today will be re-building (re-mantleing ?) it in another part of their place as a 2.5m x 2m version. Not helped by the small doors and passageways we had to take the parts through (from front yard to back garden), meaning we had to cut everything down to size and reattach - challenging!
Ended with a fine meal and beers though, so all good
eta: our car insurance also came to renewal time. Up 20 and 72%
Managed to get my 72% rise down to 20% by moving….& then realised the one that was up 20% allowed us 12k miles pa…..checked MOT from last year to find we are now down to around 6k now (retired!)….requote (from same company - LV=) saw the cost drop below last years, so all good there after the initial scare!
Edited by mikeiow on Sunday 21st April 08:15
mikeiow said:
<clip>eta: our car insurance also came to renewal time. Up 20 and 72%
Managed to get my 72% rise down to 20% by moving….& then realised the one that was up 20% allowed us 12k miles pa…..checked MOT from last year to find we are now down to around 6k now (retired!)….requote (from same company - LV=) saw the cost drop below last years, so all good there after the initial scare!
Car insurance is weird at the moment. Last October I got a renewal from Footman James for my three classics with a 53% increase! Managed to get my 72% rise down to 20% by moving….& then realised the one that was up 20% allowed us 12k miles pa…..checked MOT from last year to find we are now down to around 6k now (retired!)….requote (from same company - LV=) saw the cost drop below last years, so all good there after the initial scare!
I queried it but I was advised it was the best they could do. I call Hagerty and their quote was less that I'd paid FJ the year before! Couldn't believe it so I went through line by line with them on the phone; agreed valuations the same, limited mileage the same, excess no different, European cover at no cost, and... it included RAC cover which meant I could cancel my AA membership and save another £150 Well pleased... I was expecting a big jump in the renewal for my Alfa Mito and wasn't disappointed: Privilege came in at 40% more, but I ran a fresh quote on Confused and got it for only 6% more than last year in the end. Still have 6000 miles a year though it's only done just over 3000 miles this year it's not really worth the small saving as I expect to be doing more gigs in it this year.
Our Mercedes is insured under my wife's name and not due until September, so will see what happens then. Annual mileage is also really low on that car as we tend to only use it for longer trips and one day a week we have our Grandson. I certainly do a lot less miles than when I was working...
Our Mercedes is insured under my wife's name and not due until September, so will see what happens then. Annual mileage is also really low on that car as we tend to only use it for longer trips and one day a week we have our Grandson. I certainly do a lot less miles than when I was working...
Hedgedhog said:
Handed in my notice 2 weeks ago. Wahey! Theoretically 6 months notice but hoping to find myself on gardening leave before too long. Probably not full retirement at this stage but certainly a good break in order and a change of life. What a weight lifted.
Congrats, & welcome (soon!) to the Illustrious Group of the Unemployables 
Hedgedhog said:
Handed in my notice 2 weeks ago. Wahey! Theoretically 6 months notice but hoping to find myself on gardening leave before too long. Probably not full retirement at this stage but certainly a good break in order and a change of life. What a weight lifted.
Congratulations Hedgehog - I am sure you will find new enjoyable ways to spend your time like the others on this thread.Looking forward to a Monday recovering from a weekend marshaling at Brands, before a busy couple of days helping to get the London-Lisbon rally away a Brooklands, then off to the pit lane for the British GT cars at Silverstone next weekend. - will even manage a few hours work in the week for a change of pace.
Take care everyone.
Ed Moses said:
Hedgedhog said:
Handed in my notice 2 weeks ago. Wahey! Theoretically 6 months notice but hoping to find myself on gardening leave before too long. Probably not full retirement at this stage but certainly a good break in order and a change of life. What a weight lifted.
Congratulations Hedgehog - I am sure you will find new enjoyable ways to spend your time like the others on this thread.Looking forward to a Monday recovering from a weekend marshaling at Brands, before a busy couple of days helping to get the London-Lisbon rally away a Brooklands, then off to the pit lane for the British GT cars at Silverstone next weekend. - will even manage a few hours work in the week for a change of pace.
Take care everyone.
Or do you mean your work is a slower pace to the play?
(whatever you do, enjoy it!)
mikeiow said:
Ed Moses said:
Hedgedhog said:
Handed in my notice 2 weeks ago. Wahey! Theoretically 6 months notice but hoping to find myself on gardening leave before too long. Probably not full retirement at this stage but certainly a good break in order and a change of life. What a weight lifted.
Congratulations Hedgehog - I am sure you will find new enjoyable ways to spend your time like the others on this thread.Looking forward to a Monday recovering from a weekend marshaling at Brands, before a busy couple of days helping to get the London-Lisbon rally away a Brooklands, then off to the pit lane for the British GT cars at Silverstone next weekend. - will even manage a few hours work in the week for a change of pace.
Take care everyone.
Or do you mean your work is a slower pace to the play?
(whatever you do, enjoy it!)
Finalised our Car Insurance - increase negotiated down to 10% ,agreed values as requested ,mileage up slightly on the Classic Defender as seem to be using that more than the toys due to the state of the roads.
Manged to spend most of Sunday morning operating petrol strimmer's and hedge cutters and then watched the Chinese F1 which for once was actually reasonably entertaining.
Manged to spend most of Sunday morning operating petrol strimmer's and hedge cutters and then watched the Chinese F1 which for once was actually reasonably entertaining.
I'm in the middle of my first but hopefully not the last mini euro tour on my motorbike. Travelling alone and not booked anything in advance just following my nose and seeing where it takes me.
I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
Longy00000 said:
I'm in the middle of my first but hopefully not the last mini euro tour on my motorbike. Travelling alone and not booked anything in advance just following my nose and seeing where it takes me.
I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
Excellent!I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
Not been on a bike in about 30 years….my otherwise-understanding wife would likely kill me if I bought one now
Have you popped to Reims-Gueux for a photo opportunity? Interesting history!
Enjoy!
Longy00000 said:
I'm in the middle of my first but hopefully not the last mini euro tour on my motorbike. Travelling alone and not booked anything in advance just following my nose and seeing where it takes me.
I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
Enjoy the trip. Right now the weather in Lux is crap so you might want to refine the plan B a little!I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
Longy00000 said:
I'm in the middle of my first but hopefully not the last mini euro tour on my motorbike. Travelling alone and not booked anything in advance just following my nose and seeing where it takes me.
I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
If my geography isn’t too far out, see if you can find time to visit the Schlumpf Collection in Mulhouse. It’s awesome. I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
supersport said:
Longy00000 said:
I'm in the middle of my first but hopefully not the last mini euro tour on my motorbike. Travelling alone and not booked anything in advance just following my nose and seeing where it takes me.
I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
If my geography isn’t too far out, see if you can find time to visit the Schlumpf Collection in Mulhouse. It’s awesome. I have the time now, lucky enough to have the opportunity so why not.
Currently not far from Reims in Northern France before hitting Metz, Luxembourg, Germany and of course the Nurburgring after the Loh collection BUT ONLY if the weather is okay in that direction. If not I shall do a U turn and head in rhe opposite direction and come up with plan B...all because I can.
It's not like I need to be back for work next Monday or anyghing
( an understanding wife helps too !)
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