Old times

[Silver Fox]

I watched the B&W show & ordered the ‘pearl’ necklace.It took me back years ago when the B&W shows were unmissable for something to wear at Christmas.Simon is getting on & I am too, but although 90% of what they show is not for me these days that feeling of getting something has not gone.I was away last Christmas digging out things to wear from long ago & was completed on an B&W necklace I bring out every year & really could go on ( without me ) for years!

 

[TheFamousGrouse]

I watched the B&W show & ordered the ‘pearl’ necklace.It took me back years ago when the B&W shows were unmissable for something to wear at Christmas.Simon is getting on & I am too, but although 90% of what they show is not for me these days that feeling of getting something has not gone.I was away last Christmas digging out things to wear from long ago & was completed on an B&W necklace I bring out every year & really could go on ( without me ) for years!

B&W used to do the most beautiful beaded evening bags. I was fortunate enough to receive one as a present. I frequently take it out of the wardrobe just to admire it as I don't have the opportunity to actually use it.

 

[candycane]

I had a load of the old B&W things including lovely beaded bags and a beaded poncho type thing. I fell on hard times a while back and had to sell lots of things to pay the bills and was amazed at the money I got for all the B&W jewellery and bags. I really wished I had kept some of them as they were nothing like the cheap looking offerings we get these days.

CC

 

[Brissles]

Sorry to hear that CC - it can (and is) happening to the best of us, but glad you were able to benefit from your older treasures.
Not having pierced ears I used to pounce when Simon brought gorgeous dangly clip-ons to air. Not any more. His tsvs were eagerly anticipated. Long time since that happened. Ive bought his fashion oriental type tops, his bags and numerous jewellery from his heydays of 15+ years ago. (as an aside, i create and design party and formal headbands, and his current glittery headband for around £40, I make similar for ....£12 its my hobby not a business)

 

[mina]

I'm about to post off a couple of newish but heavy B&W pendants for sale so I'll see what they make. I'm not expecting a fortune. I'm left with one B&W wardrobe staple, a blackish heart-and-bow necklace which is pretty and goes with so much. Downsizing is great and my jewellery weighs much less as a result.

Talking of which I still love and use my Prezerve jewellery case from QVC many years back. I don't know whether Prezerve are still in business or not but their cases are or were brilliant. (Link in "their cases" if it's not obvious).

 

[donna255]

I loved and bought the little fairy pins, they did a clear, blue and a pink. I was once asked at a checkout about my roller skating angel brooch? Had to say no, it's a fairy standing on a star. Still have the two I own on coats.

 

[Battiola73]

I’ve got a small brooch based on the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. It’s so pretty and I always get compliments when I wear it.

 

[alter ego]

I'm about to post off a couple of newish but heavy B&W pendants for sale so I'll see what they make. I'm not expecting a fortune. I'm left with one B&W wardrobe staple, a blackish heart-and-bow necklace which is pretty and goes with so much. Downsizing is great and my jewellery weighs much less as a result.

Talking of which I still love and use my Prezerve jewellery case from QVC many years back. I don't know whether Prezerve are still in business or not but their cases are or were brilliant. (Link in "their cases" if it's not obvious).

I love my Prezerve case. I wish I'd bought another as mine is groaning with all the silver I've bought over the years (and keep meaning to sell for scrap as I no longer wear it). I have some sentimental bits and pieces that I won't get rid of that are like new thanks to it.

Does anyone know why they're no longer sold?

Ah, CC. I'm sorry to hear you've been hit by hard times. I suspect a lot of us 'older' members here are familiar with harder times even if they haven't been through a period of 'enforced' hard times. I went through a period like this and discovered that what (to quote AY) literally doesn't kill you will definitely make you stronger.

I hope no one here ever has to go through hard times but if they do, they get through it.

 

[TheFamousGrouse]

I love my Prezerve case. I wish I'd bought another as mine is groaning with all the silver I've bought over the years (and keep meaning to sell for scrap as I no longer wear it). I have some sentimental bits and pieces that I won't get rid of that are like new thanks to it.

Does anyone know why they're no longer sold?

Ah, CC. I'm sorry to hear you've been hit by hard times. I suspect a lot of us 'older' members here are familiar with harder times even if they haven't been through a period of 'enforced' hard times. I went through a period like this and discovered that what (to quote AY) literally doesn't kill you will definitely make you stronger.

I hope no one here ever has to go through hard times but if they do, they get through it.

Hard times for us were when interest rates reached 15%. Many were in the same boat, and I always believe in remembering that This Too Will Pass.

 

[alter ego]

Hard times for us were when interest rates reached 15%. Many were in the same boat, and I always believe in remembering that This Too Will Pass.

I remember those days. I had a business loan/mortgage at the time and was royally ripped off by the bank. I ended up having to pay 19% on a £150k load which was a lot of money at the time. A Lot.

I will never trust a bank or financial institution. When I bought my first house I was offered a mortgage where you paid less interest but paid into a 'fund' that was supposed to give you enough money to pay off the mortgage AND give you a nice little pot. I can't remember what they called this type of mortgage but I'm sure a few of you will know what I mean.

My bank manager at the time was a family friend and told me not to touch this type with a bargepole as it could leave me in hot water when the mortgage was due so I went for a normal repayment type. No fuss, no problems, besides interest rate rises I knew where I was and managed to pay it off early.

My sister decided to go for one of those types I was advised against. She was unlucky and caught the markets at a bad time so ended up with nothing from the 'insurance' type and had to re-mortgage another twice. She finally paid her house off at the age of 74 so her 'new, improved' 25 year mortgage ended up being paid off nearly 20 years after the original term. At one point she had 3 mortgages which caused her enormous stress.

When a bank or financial institution starts pushing something new and different I always think that they're out to only make money for themselves. I have a banker friend (retired at 40!) who would take us out whenever we visited London. The nights out were always on the bank credit card expense account, ultimately paid for by the bank's customers. Looking back, I'm glad I had a fabulous time on those occasions as I was one of the people paying for it in the long run.

As I type this, I'm watching the money advice on This Morning. A viewer has contacted them to say they're panicking about their interest-only mortgage being due and they can't pay it. I think this is the type my sister had. I wonder if the viewer failed to take out the insurance-type thing that was meant to cover it or if it under-performed like my sister's.

 

[historymystery]

B&W used to do the most beautiful beaded evening bags. I was fortunate enough to receive one as a present. I frequently take it out of the wardrobe just to admire it as I don't have the opportunity to actually use it.

They were absolutely stunning. I have one that was a gift, and it's beautifully made and has been used on many past occasions. Like you, these days I don't go to events where I could use it, but I'd never part with it. They did some lovely things back in the day.

 

[TheFamousGrouse]

I remember those days. I had a business loan/mortgage at the time and was royally ripped off by the bank. I ended up having to pay 19% on a £150k load which was a lot of money at the time. A Lot.

I will never trust a bank or financial institution. When I bought my first house I was offered a mortgage where you paid less interest but paid into a 'fund' that was supposed to give you enough money to pay off the mortgage AND give you a nice little pot. I can't remember what they called this type of mortgage but I'm sure a few of you will know what I mean.

My bank manager at the time was a family friend and told me not to touch this type with a bargepole as it could leave me in hot water when the mortgage was due so I went for a normal repayment type. No fuss, no problems, besides interest rate rises I knew where I was and managed to pay it off early.

My sister decided to go for one of those types I was advised against. She was unlucky and caught the markets at a bad time so ended up with nothing from the 'insurance' type and had to re-mortgage another twice. She finally paid her house off at the age of 74 so her 'new, improved' 25 year mortgage ended up being paid off nearly 20 years after the original term. At one point she had 3 mortgages which caused her enormous stress.

When a bank or financial institution starts pushing something new and different I always think that they're out to only make money for themselves. I have a banker friend (retired at 40!) who would take us out whenever we visited London. The nights out were always on the bank credit card expense account, ultimately paid for by the bank's customers. Looking back, I'm glad I had a fabulous time on those occasions as I was one of the people paying for it in the long run.

As I type this, I'm watching the money advice on This Morning. A viewer has contacted them to say they're panicking about their interest-only mortgage being due and they can't pay it. I think this is the type my sister had. I wonder if the viewer failed to take out the insurance-type thing that was meant to cover it or if it under-performed like my sister's.

These were Endowment Mortgages. The only guarantees were that whoever sold them, be it bank, broker, financial adviser, received a very substantial commission on each policy.

 

[Battiola73]

When my parents bought their first house in the late 1950s, mortgages were difficult to get. In those days you could get them from the local council but they were fixed rate ones, that were 1% higher than ones from banks and building societies. A lot of their friends said they were daft paying “over the odds” for a mortgage. As the rate was fixed for the lifetime of the mortgage, Mum and Dad had the last laugh though, when interest rates went up to around 15% and they were paying 7%.

 

[lynnonthelake]

Although it doesn’t apply to me I’m fuming that the government has stopped the Winter Fuel allowance, seems very unfair to pick on Pensioners.

 

[alter ego]

These were Endowment Mortgages. The only guarantees were that whoever sold them, be it bank, broker, financial adviser, received a very substantial commission on each policy.

Endowment! Commissions! Correct on both points.

 

[Patsy]

I remember those days. I had a business loan/mortgage at the time and was royally ripped off by the bank. I ended up having to pay 19% on a £150k load which was a lot of money at the time. A Lot.

I will never trust a bank or financial institution. When I bought my first house I was offered a mortgage where you paid less interest but paid into a 'fund' that was supposed to give you enough money to pay off the mortgage AND give you a nice little pot. I can't remember what they called this type of mortgage but I'm sure a few of you will know what I mean.

My bank manager at the time was a family friend and told me not to touch this type with a bargepole as it could leave me in hot water when the mortgage was due so I went for a normal repayment type. No fuss, no problems, besides interest rate rises I knew where I was and managed to pay it off early.

My sister decided to go for one of those types I was advised against. She was unlucky and caught the markets at a bad time so ended up with nothing from the 'insurance' type and had to re-mortgage another twice. She finally paid her house off at the age of 74 so her 'new, improved' 25 year mortgage ended up being paid off nearly 20 years after the original term. At one point she had 3 mortgages which caused her enormous stress.

When a bank or financial institution starts pushing something new and different I always think that they're out to only make money for themselves. I have a banker friend (retired at 40!) who would take us out whenever we visited London. The nights out were always on the bank credit card expense account, ultimately paid for by the bank's customers. Looking back, I'm glad I had a fabulous time on those occasions as I was one of the people paying for it in the long run.

As I type this, I'm watching the money advice on This Morning. A viewer has contacted them to say they're panicking about their interest-only mortgage being due and they can't pay it. I think this is the type my sister had. I wonder if the viewer failed to take out the insurance-type thing that was meant to cover it or if it under-performed like my sister's.

Endowment mortgages,we had one as we were told that, at the time, it was the only way we would get a mortgage. We were told that we may not get a large amount at the end of the term but it would cover our mortgage.
Well everything went **** up and we and thousands ended up with nothing to cover the mortgage. We ended up with barely anything and have no idea how the companies got away with it.

 

[alter ego]

Although it doesn’t apply to me I’m fuming that the government has stopped the Winter Fuel allowance, seems very unfair to pick on Pensioners.

Me too. And the way it's just been done. No warning, no reduction over an amount of time. Just withdrawn.

That's left a lot of older people worried as they rely on this payment and have budgeted for it.

It would have been a lot fairer if they'd staggered it over years, as they should have with women's pensions.

Was this mentioned in the manifesto? I tried to avoid all the election talk as I found it very depressing. No matter who ends up in power they never LISTEN to normal people.

My great niece was asked to join a group run by parliament that was asking the views of young people with the intention of including some of the popular views in future policy. She's 13, doesn't know her ar$e from her elbow when it comes to important issues because she doesn't have experience. Let alone education. (Don't get me started on her education as they've been dumbing it down in our area for years. She can name many of the 73 genders on the list they came home from school with so that's something, I suppose.) She can't budget her pocket money or boil an egg either, has no idea where her food comes from and seems hellbent on never getting a job as she's going to make a fortune on Insta.

At least at her age we knew how far our pocket money would stretch - if we weren't earning doing a Saturday job, that unicorns aren't actually real and that a real job would be needed in order to pay the bills.

 

[User 27140]

Me too. And the way it's just been done. No warning, no reduction over an amount of time. Just withdrawn.

That's left a lot of older people worried as they rely on this payment and have budgeted for it.

It would have been a lot fairer if they'd staggered it over years, as they should have with women's pensions.

Was this mentioned in the manifesto? I tried to avoid all the election talk as I found it very depressing. No matter who ends up in power they never LISTEN to normal people.

My great niece was asked to join a group run by parliament that was asking the views of young people with the intention of including some of the popular views in future policy. She's 13, doesn't know her ar$e from her elbow when it comes to important issues because she doesn't have experience. Let alone education. (Don't get me started on her education as they've been dumbing it down in our area for years. She can name many of the 73 genders on the list they came home from school with so that's something, I suppose.) She can't budget her pocket money or boil an egg either, has no idea where her food comes from and seems hellbent on never getting a job as she's going to make a fortune on Insta.

At least at her age we knew how far our pocket money would stretch - if we weren't earning doing a Saturday job, that unicorns aren't actually real and that a real job would be needed in order to pay the bills.

Those on pension credit will still receive the winter fuel allowance. Not mentioned in manifesto but brought in as a response to the overspending of the previous government, who left the coffers more empty than planned for.
Respectfully, some of those skills you query about your great niece are taught in the home. I was taught to boil an egg at home. I don’t think schools can be expected to teach everything.
Previous governments have turned schools into exam factories, rather than a preparation for life.

 

[donna255]

I will say about the Winter Fuel Payment. A friend and her partner have always received it. He has a very large work pension she did say once £1000 per month he worked in the Republic for years then moved to N.I. worked here so gets the full state pension. She gets her state pension as well. They have never used the money towards heating etc. She openly admits she just buys clothes or whatever, he likes the slot machines. They go on two holidays a year, like to eat out a number of times a week. That is their choice.

Yes, there should be a cut-off for it, but not just over by a few pounds or even pennies. There are retired CEOs who will get it. In a few tabloids, articles saying some pensioners who do not need it give theirs to charity. So not every single pensioner really needs it.

 

[mina]

The problem is for older pensioners who are receiving the lower state pension . The cut-off date was for men born before 6th April 1951 and women born before 6th April 1953. There is about a £40 a week difference between full state pensions paid to people now aged 71 to 74. £40 a week less each week means those on the borderline, even if they are lucky enough to be receiving a paltry private pension, really need that extra money to make life bearable. They have worked for it. They deserve it.

Poor, often frail and vulnerable, older people are being used to divert money to the less deserving.

The me, me, me generation would do well to ponder this because it is age and gender discrimination at its basest. And our own caring government has seen fit to introduce it.