The Retirement Thread

[BoldonLad]

Tis witchcraft I say

We have an Alexa speaker. Its only purpose (as far as I am concerned) is to link to the Camera Doorbell, and, say "movement detected at the front door".

This morning, it suddenly burst into life and began telling us all about France!

No idea why that happened, there was only myself and Mrs B in the room, and, neither of use were talking (we were reading, book Mrs B, Private Eye me).

 

[BoldonLad]

Anybody with a TV set must pay licence unless you are 70+ . There was a guy called Ryan Tubridy who was big on Irish TV . It transpired he was getting a secret extra income from TV company and he was fired. TV licence money was used to pay him . Consequently a lot of people stopping paying TV licence in disgust

Sounds like "rules" are different to UK. The Government scrapped the "free" TV licence for over 75s a few years ago.

 

[BoldonLad]

It’s even worse when you’re like me and don’t really cook from scratch. I wander round to the supermarket at least twice per week and it’s rarely much below forty quid.

You are too expensive for me, sorry, I will have to cross you off my list. 🙂

 

[BoldonLad]

Yes and something I disagree with. It's very difficult to get figures on this. Most reports indicate 95%+ of households "have access to" the Internet.

I often wonder what that phrase means? It's politicians' words.

I suppose, anyone with a Mobile Phone, theoretically at least, has 'internet access".

But, that begs the question of how many households do not have a mobile phone?

One of the things I observe is, there is an assumption that even the lowest paid (and benefit recipients) have access to internet/mobile phone. For example, Daugher4 (a minimum wage earner) her work rota for each week is sent to her phone, her payslip is sent to her phone... etc

 

[Tenkaykev]

Just back from watching " Paddington in Peru " at the wonderful Art Deco Tivoli theatre in Wimborne. Our friend got the tickets, we were seated upstairs in the Balcony and she could only get a three seated together and a two seated in the row behind.
It was only when our friend handed the tickets out that I realised we were going to be in one of the double seats...

 

[welsh dragon]

One of the miracles of the wondrous mobile phones is the ability to pay for things simply by holding my phone up to the contactless thing in the shops and supermarkets. Def witchy stuff that is

 

[numbnuts]

One of the miracles of the wondrous mobile phones is the ability to pay for things simply by holding my phone up to the contactless thing in the shops and supermarkets. Def witchy stuff that is

I've never done that, not too sure how it works, but I have heard of google pay, but never signed up to it

 

[Dave7]

One of the miracles of the wondrous mobile phones is the ability to pay for things simply by holding my phone up to the contactless thing in the shops and supermarkets. Def witchy stuff that is

I am an old fart and still pay by card.

 

[Exlaser2]

Evening all . I went to the sailing club this morning expecting it to be frozen … it wasn’t .
But there was no wind so I didn’t expect anyone to sail…. but they did 😀
I gave it a miss anyway, normally when I do this I regret it later as the wind picks up Not today .
Definitely made the right choice.
It was still nice visit the club have a chat and a bit of good natured banter. Plus a coffee or two and glass of wine is always good too.
Have a good evening everyone.

 

[Exlaser2]

I am an old fart and still pay by card.

Me too and I aim to keep it that way . But the day I have to set up internet banking is getting closer and closer by the minute as there are so few banks around these days.

 

[Gunk]

One of the miracles of the wondrous mobile phones is the ability to pay for things simply by holding my phone up to the contactless thing in the shops and supermarkets. Def witchy stuff that is

Its brilliant, I always use Apple Pay, even paid for a used BMW a couple of years ago just by tapping my phone!

 

[PeteXXX]

I like to use that old fashioned 'cash' stuff.. 👍

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I've never done that, not too sure how it works, but I have heard of google pay, but never signed up to it

It is superb.

Most UK banks offer it and tbh they fall over themselves to provide it.

The reason being is that the security level is much higher than a card chip/pin.

The reason being is that no card information is given to the retailer. Basically each transaction generates two 'tokens' one for the retailer and one for your bank. The retailer token carries none of your petsonal information. The retailer sends their token to your bank your bank matches the two tokens and then pays the retailer. Carried out instantly and brilliantly simple.

You can have all your various cards on it. Plus store cards too. Once the DVLC get their act together driving licences can be catered for as well.

'Sign up process is simple and fast and is handled by your bank ie they are in charge of the approval process.

Worth investigating.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Just back from watching " Paddington in Peru " at the wonderful Art Deco Tivoli theatre in Wimborne. Our friend got the tickets, we were seated upstairs in the Balcony and she could only get a three seated together and a two seated in the row behind.
It was only when our friend handed the tickets out that I realised we were going to be in one of the double seats...

View attachment 758762

Loving the 'courting couple' seating arrangement!

Not sure I could trust Mrs SD to keep her hands to herself though...

 

[classic33]

Landlines will soon all be digital and require to be plugged into your router rather than the socket anyway if they get their way. Also means if you lose power, you lose your phone which doesn’t seem ideal. That big storm we had a few years ago our power went off plus the mobile mast went down so absolutely no way of making an emergency call I don’t think.

There's a backup battery that can be supplied, free of charge, if you require a fixed phone line. Medical reasons being the top of the list, but no mobile signal being included.
Also available for sale from the same people who supply your phone. Cost at present close on £100 for a battery backup that can last upto an hour