Category: Uncategorized

I was just wondering as, so far, this year has already had too many changes and that is only the start of it. The remainder of the year is going to see me reeling from the up and downs, swings and roundabouts, tops and turvy’s! I am going to see the biggest reductions in my income for years. I am already seeing the biggest increase in my outgoings for years! I think, and I really don’t know yet, that I am going to maybe have to get used to a totally different way of living.

The chance of setting up my own internet and IT business is looking all the more attractive. I got told this week that, had the government not have totally screwed up the finances, that the charity I volunteer for could really do with having me ‘in house’. Oh well, maybe things will recover before I retire and there could be a job for me there. I have other groups approaching me asking if I would sort out their website needs as well, all whilst I get ever increasing obligations at home. I may well take the opportunity to go spend a week on my own in the countryside, read a book or do something more useful than just the same old routine at home.

In the meantime, I have an important and busy week coming up. Legal matters to deal with and hopefully with an outcome everyone is satisfied with. I need to make sure, as much as I am in a position to do so, that Javis’s move goes well this week or, as well as it can given the near zero budget for it now. It’s a huge step for him, the first time he has started on the adult path to responsibility … next step, hopefully a job very soon before things get too difficult.

Do you ever order something from somewhere, moan they are taking too long, cancel and then end up regretting the choice made for the ‘better seller’? I do! I cancelled an order with a company I can trust to try another which looked OK but turned out to be a bunch of crooks in Hong Kong and now I am struggling to get my money back. I not only need the money but, the delays have put a project I was planning on hold! Damn me for being so impatient.

Spent some money on some new tops last week, truth is, I am just too fat for the ones I normally wear and have been showing off my huge belly, can’t be a pleasant site.

I need to have a lottery win … do you think it would help much if I bought a ticket?

On that note, time to tag some new pics on Facebook

My last blog should have uploaded a picture of Josh but I didn’t see anything … here is the picture ..

My last blog should have uploaded a picture of Josh but I didn’t see anything … here is the picture ..

Since the last lot of updates … mainly as I have a new keyboard which is taking some time to get used to and I’ve not thought blogging much fun whilst my fingers were getting lost on the board!

OK, not so much an up to date summary more a mention of the upcoming changes this year.

The government have set up this benefits system to measure what people should get by what it considers to be the minimum someone needs to live on. The trouble is, it is not a figure all benefits agree on and doesn’t much take consideration of actual costs or circumstances.

Because Zoey stops being of school age this June she stops being entitled to the benefit she is currently getting. Instead she has to go on the replacement of Incapacity Benefit designed for those who medically cannot work. The issue here is, she is currently recognised by one set of benefits as not being able to work but this newer benefit ignores all that and makes her sit an assessment, not just one, but a 13 week assessment before a decision is made as to whether or not she can work. During this 13 weeks she is on a reduced amount which is over £500 less than the full benefit she would be on after they decide she is fit for work. Even once she gets the increase, she is still £1000+ worse off over the year so, the government considers that, out of college she costs £1,000+ less a year than she does in college. The irony is, she will probably still be in college so, her actual costs have not decreased at all, indeed, may well increase!

To make matters worse, Daisy decided not to continue in education not only stops the financial support for her but also for Sean so I lose another £128 a week on top of the (at least) £20+ a week I lose from Zoey. True, they can either work (Daisy) which is preferable or, claim something in their own right. If they do that, they’d get £120 a week meaning a net family loss of £7 a week. No matter how I look at this I am going to lose at least £27 a week or £1404 a year! So, that’s how the scheme of giving people what they need to live on. That figure is recognised as keeping people at the poverty line so, reducing it by £1400, what does that do?

To make matters ‘even’ worse, the price of everything in the UK is rising so fast I can barely keep up with it. I am having to look at different ways to cut costs and it isn’t good. I still have some luxuries which could go but, I am hoping every day cuts can recoup the shortfall. What this means is, no giving people lifts if they have their own transport and, that includes legs. No eating out, no take away meals. Birthdays and other gifts have to be cut right back, I just am not going to do this any more.

It may seem terribly selfish but, Deej and I have a holiday planned this year and, I really want to do it. I get virtually nothing back if I don’t. Can I actually afford it? Probably not. Maybe, if budgets are cropped, if we are prudent then it is possible without getting into debt. I don’t want to do this holiday if it means I have to go into Christmas in debt and, if I do, then forget expensive gifts, it’ll be boxes of chocolates all round.

So, this is me for this year, facing a little of a financial mess but optimistic my budgeting skills can keep up provided I get full family cooperation.

The past month or so I have not been well, just one virus after another. I am still not 100%, still have an annoying cough. I do feel more ‘normal’ if that is possible for me. Someone said earlier … “at least the flu season is over” oh dear.

Main issue with it, if I have to have one (and I do), is that it is too unprofessional. It doesn’t have the polish of a commercial site at all. Yes, it is functional but, that’s about it. I am aware that there is more I don’t know than there is which I know which means, I don’t know enough to get the sort of results I’d like to get.

There, I am so glad that makes sense!

You may find that there is an annoying pop up when you look at this page! Yes, with every new achievement there is a downside! Should it pop up and you feel compelled to say something, please be nice.

What do you think of the colouring? Yes, bores the shit out of me too!

Got some freebie tickets from Disneyland Paris. Decided to use 6 of them and just sold the remaining 8 on eBay for £270, now, that’s what I call a result for something which cost nothing.

March is going to be a challenging month for some teens that I know, not sure how it is going to turn out, I hope all good as I am fed up of the same old, same old.