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The HfP chat thread – Friday 30th April

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Comments (259)

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

  • Bs says:
    30 Apr30 April 08:38

    Following on from Genghis’ discussion on money and risk yesterday, there are a few people interviewed for thisismoney talking about their views on risk.
    I do feel sorry for the guy who says he is very risk averse and only keeps money as cash, and appears to have used up his pension.
    But whoever said it yesterday, there does seem to be a fundamental misunderstanding of the idea of risk, and the risks involved. Should be taught at school!

    https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/investing/article-9521203/Nearly-three-quarters-people-dont-feel-confident-investing.html

    • Phil W says:
      30 Apr30 April 09:31

      Completely agree. Home economics should be extended to teach the basics about pensions, investments, risk management (i.e. likelihood, impact, mitigation, inherent versus mitigated, etc.) and Art and Design should be expanded to cover the basics of car mechanics, plumbing, electrician, etc.

      Those skills would help set up youngsters to be more self sufficient and less open to manipulation.

      • Number9 says:
        30 Apr30 April 09:40

        You mean like they used to do in the 1970s … I remember being taught money management. How to budget money, difference in interest rates all sorts of practical stuff.

      • Andrew says:
        30 Apr30 April 09:49

        My 15yo nephew was really worried when he saw his dad cut, strip down and rewire an extension socket so it had a shorter cable. He couldn’t believe that wiring a plug used to be an essential skill and was taught in primary school in the 80s.

        I’m not convinced that any Home Economics teacher would be capable to teaching about finance. Engineering Science (80s Scotland) was my “safe space” away from drama and art classes.

        • Number9 says:
          30 Apr30 April 09:56

          Yep I can change plug, wire basic stuff unlock toilet sort basic leaks etc and I’m a 60 year old woman. My daughter in law does all the making of furniture and putting shelves up kind of stuff … she learnt from her builder dad. My son on the other hand 39 and not a DIY bone in his body.

          • Jill (Kinkell) says:
            30 Apr30 April 10:36

            Wiring a plug and matching up the wiring was an O level question in my 4 th year physics paper in the early 70s. I think the new (!!) colour coding was a recent. event

          • Rob says:
            30 Apr30 April 11:29

            As all plugs now come hardwired into the relevant appliance, does it matter?

            I’ve never wired a plug. Probably a good job or someone would probably have died ….

          • Sandra says:
            30 Apr30 April 10:40

            Same here, I’m in my 50s. At school in the late 70s as well as electrical basics we also learnt how to budget in home economics (although it did have a fairly female bias to it) and spent a week with a set budget planning, shopping for and cooking 3 meals a day for a family of 4 which was part of the 16+ exam assessment.

          • Steve says:
            30 Apr30 April 12:00

            Everyone should know some basics about electronics and wiring. Maybe the investment banker types are fine paying for an electrician for the even most basic DIY, but when talking about the curriculum for the whole nation then yes @Rob, it certainly does matter.

          • Rob says:
            30 Apr30 April 12:53

            But what plugs are you actually changing? Any device you have bought in the last 20 years has a plug hard-wired into it.

          • Andrew says:
            30 Apr30 April 13:27

            @Rob

            It’s handy to have shorter cables sometimes. Or longer cables.

            Rather than bin a Euro lead for a printer, I cut off the kettle end, bought one of these.
            https://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-Socket-Trailing-without-Cable/dp/B004TRSSSQ/

            Then wired up a Euro to UK extension socket. I’ve also made up a US to UK version too for travel. So much better than messing around with adaptors that hang flacidly out of awkwardly located US sockets.

          • QFFlyer says:
            30 Apr30 April 13:55

            I’ve changed heaps of plugs, even the hard wired ones have to be replaced at times (damage to cord, move to a different country, etc.).

            It’s literally one of the easiest things you can do, if you know what you’re doing, but given so many people don’t know, it’s probably best they don’t try.

          • QFFlyer says:
            30 Apr30 April 13:57

            @Andrew, I’ve done similar – I have a few 4-way UK power boards on which I’ve swapped the plug with an Aussie plug. Use them to run things like my UK purchased tumble dryer and various other appliances!

          • Steve says:
            30 Apr30 April 14:20

            Being able to change a plug teaches you the basics. I have no electrical training, but am more than happy to change a lighting fixture, change a light switch or change a doorbell. I would hazard that those who haven’t ever changed a plug wouldn’t even know where to start with such items that I’d consider the most basic of DIY.

        • andy says:
          30 Apr30 April 10:19

          I definitely never learnt how to do that and I started primary in 1980!

        • Anna says:
          30 Apr30 April 11:07

          It’s called Food Technology these days! And I think needlework was ditched a long time ago.
          I recall one of my school friends in the 80s (now a very successful IT consultant) asking why our school didn’t offer O or A level computing and the teacher telling her it was a trade, not a profession, so wouldn’t be of any use to us!

        • Anuj says:
          30 Apr30 April 11:24

          They do teach wiring a plug in physics

      • Sam says:
        30 Apr30 April 10:38

        Agree that it should be taught at school (or parents take some responsibility for their offspring) but when you’re out of school, does that mean you should stop learning because no one is there to spoon feed it to you?

        There is an Open U course
        https://www.open.edu/openlearn/money-business/mses-academy-money/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab
        should people be able to find 12 hours from their “busy” schedules

    • Aston100 says:
      30 Apr30 April 10:06

      We’re disincentivised from budgeting, planning and being careful with our money.

      Person A and Person B work for the same company earning the same amounts.
      Person A, saves and invests as they are concerned about the future; tries to avoid debt.
      Person B cares only about here & now so spends all their money frivolously and relies heavily on credit cards in order to ‘live their best life’.

      They both lose their jobs and apply for benefits.
      Person A will get told to get lost and use all their savings and investments to support themselves until it all runs out, and only then are they allowed to re-apply for benefits.
      Person B has barely any funds and so has their application processed and can receive benefits far earlier than Person A.

      Person A loses out for being cautious.
      Person B gets the best of everything.

      Until this changes, why would we expect any younger people to be more careful with their money and what they do with it?

      • Aston100 says:
        30 Apr30 April 10:08

        Sorry last line cut off and was meant to be:
        Until this changes, why would we expect any younger people to be more careful with their money and what they do with it? They know the state will support them in some way even if they p!ss it all up the wall. They have nothing to lose.

        • Pete says:
          30 Apr30 April 10:19

          This is, frankly, a truly bizarre (at least for me) facet of the UK benefits system. Most European countries (and even most US states) will take into account your previous earnings to calculate your unemployment benefits and your worth doesn’t come into it for some time. The idea being they tie you over at roughly your previous income for some time until you find a new job – with benefits tapering off over time (and you don’t have to spend your savings). Even when you do eventually get unemployment benefit here, the c£90pw is beyond derisory!

        • Blindman says:
          30 Apr30 April 10:33

          +1

      • BuildBackBetter says:
        30 Apr30 April 11:50

        This is why people should save in pensions than readily-available-for-spending ISAs. Pensions arent considered for means testing, so your hard earned and saved money is still safe from government.

        • Pete M says:
          30 Apr30 April 12:28

          Or move the the money abroad, although I am sure that will irk BuildBackBetter 😂 And it’s probably not what your average person is thinking at this point…

      • AJA says:
        30 Apr30 April 13:39

        What I don’t understand with your example is what person B is spending their money on that person A isn’t? It is false that if you have savings and investments that you are not entitled to help. You are entitled to Job Seekers Allowance although you do have to have paid Class 1 NICs, if you are self employed and only paid Class 2 NIC you won’t be entitled to JSA. You will not be eligible for Universal Credit if you or your partner have over £16k in savings. What you are not entitled to is further assistance such as council tax benefit but unless person B is literally throwing their money down the drain it is unlikely that they would get their rent paid by the state.

      • ChrisC says:
        30 Apr30 April 13:58

        Person B definitly does not ‘get the best of everything’. Whatever that actually means.

        When I was last unemployed (2014) the DWP only covered the interest element of my mortgate and at their approved rate not the rate I was actually paying on my fixed rate.

        I was lucky and got all my council tax covered and that dosen’t happen now because you are still expected to contribute.

        I did get help with travel costs – 50% off bus & tube (but not train) fares and even then that’s only after 3 months of signing on.

        And Person A certainly dosen’t have to use all their savings. There is a taper where the first £6k is ignored and then reducing benefits upto £16k

        • Pete says:
          30 Apr30 April 14:07

          Right… so we agree that you may get £90pw if you’re lucky…?

    • Spaghetti Town says:
      30 Apr30 April 10:47

      In my 20’s big fan of investing. Put a bit away every month in stocks (mainly ETF’s)

  • Roger W says:
    30 Apr30 April 08:48

    Reply to Eugene about the discounts for current and retired military:
    google Defence Discount Card. Need to show evidence of service although can get this from MOD if lost. Actually the same perks as the Blue Light Card which just needs a relevant email such as @ nhs.net
    The Laithwaites wine discount is particularly good. Even more if combined with an Amex offer.

    • gillydee says:
      30 Apr30 April 08:58

      Laithwaites refused to honour the DDC code for online purchases; said it was only available for use in stores which had recently re-opened after Covid-19.

    • Craig says:
      30 Apr30 April 09:30

      I must admit I’ve found the BLC better than the DDC, £5 for two years is very reasonable and easily covered with a trip to Morrisons. The Veterans railcard is a great deal too, we used to buy a Two Together card which didn’t have a 3 year option. The Veterans card allows to me travel alone or with the Boss and works out significantly cheaper over 3 years. Just wish I could use my Tesco points for it.

    • Eugene says:
      30 Apr30 April 20:40

      Thanks Roger
      I remember my six digit service number and how to put a Scorpion thru it’s paces in a muddy German wald That’s about all but I’m sure the MOD will verify me.

  • Pete says:
    30 Apr30 April 09:03

    Re the “new” BAPP “collect 2 bonus Avios for every £1 spent” offer I mentioned yesterday. Spoke to Amex last night and they’d said they would re-add it manually. They did. Except they added the “collect 1 bonus Avios for every £2 spent” that’s meant to be for the basic blue card. Another call this morning – “we can escalate this, but you need to upload proof that you are entitled to the former offer”. Honestly?! I raised a formal complaint as well, because they really are having a laugh now…

    • Aston100 says:
      30 Apr30 April 09:56

      Only the Brighton team have any credibility anymore.

    • Super Secret Stuff says:
      30 Apr30 April 12:39

      Speak to brighton, overseas is as useful as a lighter whilst diving in the Atlantic

    • Connor says:
      30 Apr30 April 16:01

      Spoke to them just now and told me it’s been manually applied. Not showing yet but I imagine it isn’t instant.

  • Grimz says:
    30 Apr30 April 10:07

    BA had downgraded us from 1st to business on a flight to Phoenix in September on a 241 avios booking. I have never accepted the downgrade or even contacted BA as I was going to make a claim after we had flown. The reason for the downgrade was a plane change on that route and it never had 1st class. I am now seeing that the plane has changed back to a 777 with 1st class but my booking has not reverted back to 1st. I take it I can phone up BA and get this booking back to 1st class without any charges?

    • Pete says:
      30 Apr30 April 10:22

      I can’t see why not, but when’s the flight? Because the plane could change a few more times before you go!

    • Lady London says:
      30 Apr30 April 16:53

      I am sure they would rather upgrade you back to First than pay you the 75% of your First Class cost which you would have got back if you’d claimed after you’d flown it.

  • Kai says:
    30 Apr30 April 10:11

    My IHG Spire Elite has just been extended to the end of 2022 today. Very weird as I’m nowhere near the threshold and haven’t renewed my Ambassador membership recently. Although I just did check out from Kimpton Glasgow yesterday if that’s relevant?

    Anyone else got their status extended too?

    • JonD says:
      30 Apr30 April 13:31

      Yes, not near spire on points, not Ambassador and no stay at IHG in the last few months. No sign of bonus 25,000 points though.

      • Kai says:
        30 Apr30 April 14:29

        Try the website, it wasn’t showing in the app for me either.

        • JonD says:
          30 Apr30 April 16:09

          Thanks, so it was on the website. Claimed the 25k points and they appeared in my account. Very strange as I was only on about 27,000 points for the year so far. As a datapoint I qualified for the first time for Spire last year by points, with over 75k so whether its a double crediting of last years qualification?

  • Andy says:
    30 Apr30 April 10:14

    So just transferred all my MR points from my Amex Plat out to BA and want to cancel the card. The redemption says “in progress”. Should I wait until it’s completed before I cancel the card?
    Oh and can I cancel the card on Amex chat or do I have to phone up? The annual fee hasn’t posted yet so there will be a bit of that to pay

    • Genghis says:
      30 Apr30 April 10:26

      I always wait until points safely in account.
      You can cancel on chat.
      If the annual fee hasn’t yet hit, you don’t pay anything.

      • Andy says:
        30 Apr30 April 10:31

        Ok great, I think the statement date is the 4th May so I’ll give it a couple of days

    • mark2 says:
      30 Apr30 April 14:33

      I would ring personally.
      Not certain but they may offer you some points to stay; I got 35,000!

  • Char Char says:
    30 Apr30 April 10:27

    Dragonpass – anyone logged in recently and seen their membership as expired, losing all passes?

    Despite them saying that the membership would be extended a year

    • Aston100 says:
      30 Apr30 April 10:33

      My account is fine when viewed on the app – extended into next year and all the lounge entries are valid.
      My wife’s account has expired and her lounge entries have disappeared.

      We were both told (twice) last year that our accounts and passes would be refreshed into 2022.

      I have asked Dragonpass to look into my wife’s account, as it seems odd that one of us was extended and the other not.

      • Char Char says:
        30 Apr30 April 10:37

        I’ve been waiting a month for replies, something not right with them now as they used to reply same day. Mine was initially extended for 12 months then just expired

  • Tracey says:
    30 Apr30 April 10:33

    On the off chance anyone knows the answer. I have the spend £500 at Bicester get £50 Amex credit.
    Am nearing the £500, but I can see in the list of stores that polo Ralph Lauren isn’t a participating store. Could this be an omission from the list? Anyway to tell my Amex total spend for this offer.
    If all the stores I shopped at are included, it would be worth me buying something online to get over the line, otherwise it isn’t worth bothering.

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