Are you doing all you can...

A couple of people have suggested that pensions may not continue as a result of this. How could that happen? If we have accepted retirement on the understanding that we will get £X, how could pension companies stop paying? Am I being naive to think that legally they will have to keep paying us what was promised?

We are (so far) in much the same position as before, which is living on small occupational pensions topped up by savings, waiting for the State Pensions to kick in (another 6 years to go for mine . We are lucky to be able to do that, I realise, but I'm expecting inflation to eat into our savings soon, and we have had virtually no interest for ages. We would really suffer if our pensions were cut.

I agree that we are creating an even more divided society. I don't know a lot about who is getting what, as I've been indoors since what seems like the beginning of time, but it seems as though some people are getting a lot more than they would have done if they had lost their jobs in normal circumstances, whilst others are struggling to get even that.

I have seen posts on local social media saying that phone lines to make claims of UC are ringing off the hook, whilst others are getting up to £2500 a month. That seems very unfair to me, as absolutely nobody is at fault here.

I also understand that there are those who are neither properly self-employed nor 'on the books', such as those on zero hours, and they will (as ever) suffer more than most, which is very wrong.

It should be the same payment for everyone, IMO, particularly as it will all have to be paid for out of taxes.

To not Yo.. ?

Gillybob
Yo be clear, I wrote the 'other' message before reading yours at 23.09 or any of the subsequent posts.

There are some people here who are describing very real financial hardship and I wish I could think of a practical way to help. Tinkering with deposit accounts and investments seems so trivial when we are talking about cards being stopped and putting food on the table. Gillybob, Quizqueen - personal question so don’t feel obliged to answer. Is there nobody in your family with some savings who could help you out?
The other thing would be a face to face with someone at your bank but I imagine that is out of the question. Certainly try for a “holiday” from card/rent/mortgage repayments until any help you might be entitled to, kicks in. That should not accrue extra interest, but being upfront might help. Best of luck.

Oops sorry I think I’m confusing 2 different threads

I knew that was what you meant Gabriella and my above post wasn’t having a go at you .

I know that I m just getting into more debt every day as these bills won’t go away will they ? By cancelling DD’s all I am doing is postponing the inevitable.

Greymar
I meant that some people are having to cut back their direct debits and paring their food and energy consumption practically to the bone, in order not to accrue much (if any) debt.
Some will have to postpone payments but will still incur interest on those payment 'holidays'.
The Gov help won't (we are told) kick in until June.
That is what I meant when I wrote that people cannot wait for government help.

I’m at that age where, at 58 I am neither old or young . I’m a typical member of the sandwich generation. Worried about my children (both private sector workers therefore no income right now) and grandchildren (14,12,10 and not yet2) whilst also looking after my father who is in his 80’s .

Today I put a tank of petrol in my car and my sons and managed a bit of shopping (all on my CC) but I have been unable to pay the CC bill this month so I expect it will be stopped in the next few days.

For those with little money - I went to Morrisons after 7pm last night and got 3 reduced ready meals for 13p each and a loaf for 6p which went into the freezer for toast. I've lost my p/t casual job which topped up my state pension by about £250 per month, I'm saving about £50 on petrol now but my utility bills will be higher. I'm going to give my daughter a couple of hundred a month to top up her income.

gillybob I hope there may be a package to help you. You must be very worried

I think most of us have wider families whose circumstances vary greatly. Those of us who are older may have pensions (but for how long?) and be mortgage free but we may have DC who need help because their businesses have had to shut, their job are no longer required, wider family on the front line who are not getting the tests they urgently need and are sick. So I don't think many of us are anxiety-free.

I am the poster who made and posted the picture of the tablet.

I can assure you it is not too difficult to eat more than two squares at a time.
It's a rare treat and not a regular part of the Scottish diet.
However, I made it for my kind neighbours, who love it, as a thank you for doing my shopping and to make up for the fact it was supposed to be served with the coffee at my daughter's cancelled wedding.
After all, it was a shame to let all that hoarded sugar and condensed milk go to waste.

BTW, my tablet is certainly not grainy, it is very smooth!

Sadly We are at risk of creating an even more divided society .

Is there only one family struggling? How lucky you are.

I don't see this as a time to trim spending - rather to treat myself. I regularly change utility providers anyway and I haven't noticed any increase in bills.

I'm paying more for shopping as the cheaper options have no delivery slots. I'm spending less (well, nothing) on outings so it probably balances out.

That’s kind re the kitty for a family, GabriellaG54. It will be a relief for them, I’m sure. It’s very hard times for some.

JenniferEccles tablet usually comes in a 100g slab with score lines on, probably about 2cm x 2cm. I’ve not bought tablet for myself for years, but it’s something that often gets served with coffee in hotels and restaurants as an alternative to shortbread or chocolate. Whether it’s a food is open to debate!

I sent some to a friend who had difficulty eating due to cancer treatment on her throat and it was a godsend in getting calories into her quickly.

Some people can't wait for government money to kick in

Do you have any examples please?

JenniferEccles
?
No, it was my fault for not checking all the posts. No matter...yes, I much prefer savoury too but the occasional piece of Devon fudge can tempt me. ?

Went shopping today as stocks were getting a bit low. Only for my DH and me and we’re both retired. We didn’t buy any fresh meat (there wasn’t any) , no alcohol, just the basics really and it came to £86. Checked the bill and it’s correct. We aren’t going to shop now for two weeks.

I found a small company called Utility Point who have low overheads. My gas is 11.55ppd and 2.95ppu.
Elec is on a low business rate fixed for 5 years. Water? Thames Water are a disgrace but you can't change supplier, more's the pity. Their computers spew out ridiculous bills.
I do change every year including insurance and banks. Still getting 5% with Halifax but it ends at end of Sept.
3% with Virgin until Oct.
How things change.
Even private banks are giving fewer perks.
Locally, we all put £1 (limit) into a 'kitty' to help out a family in dire need and quietly raised £824 in 2 days from people in the immediate area, not businesses or GoFundMe or anything like that.
Some people can't wait for government money to kick in, as evinced elsewhere in GN. A very sad state of affairs.

Sorry Gabriella it was me who deviated.
There was talk of food and cooking and it reminded me of the Scottish tablet which had been discussed elsewhere. I was mystified until someone posted a picture of a kind of fudge -like concoction.

Yes tooth rotting does spring to mind, but then I am more of a savoury food person so it wouldn’t appeal to me at all.

Nope...wrong again. I wonder how tablet got into it?

Sorry...wrong thread ??

One could not seriously call tablet a 'food, more a tooth-rotting variation of grainy fudge.

Our income has gone to zilch. We’re living off savings and then anything the government will be able to give us. We’re not spending on going out/treats for gc s, petrol, impulse buys though. Just pray we get through this health wise.

Yes GabriellaG54, I am married to Martin Lewis Mark II. So utility bills always at best rate. We tend to be home bods anyway so usage of said utilities pretty much as usual. Bit of a hike in the rates this month but well offset by lack of petrol consumption. Also saving on meals out, day trips, entertaining friends and family, impulse buying, and much more so we are better off financially and well placed to help our adult children if required. We certainly are among the lucky ones.