What's your cautionary tale?

[BrightInMyNorthernSky]

Having just got through the most stressful week ever due to a nightmare situation of my own making, I thought I would share a previous and current cautionary tale.

1. Always remember to change the address on your V5 and not just your license. I didn't. DH got caught speeding twice on the same day on the same stretch of road (33 in a 30) in my car. Both fines went to old address. Didn't answer them, obvs. The whole sorry mess played out without me being aware and by the time it all caught up with me it was had been banned from driving for six months and fined £2k - five months earlier! So had been driving while banned for five months!!!

Don’t assume you can’t get sunburnt because it is cloudy or you are in the shade

If there is a toxic culture at your workplace you are either part of it, or it will get you eventually. As soon as you identify it, make plans to get out. 99% of the time if you think they want rid of you you are usually correct.

Always keep a bottle of drinking water, some energy bars, tissues, an umbrella, a rainproof, a sweater, sunscreen, a hat and a book in the back of the car in case of breakdowns. Plus something to pee into.

I used to always do this when I was driving old cars. Stupidly I assumed a six-month-old, under warranty car wouldn't break down without warning and leave me stranded by the side of a motorway for three hours. Fortunately the weather was good and I didn't get soaked or frozen, but I was desperately thirsty and and bored.

Carry a spare outfit, swimsuit, a couple of pairs of knickers and mini toiletries in your hand luggage.

Bring a printed copy of your passport on holiday and keep it separately from your passport.

If you are divorcing and you have children, photocopy his payslips. Do not assume that he will pay the appropriate amount. Do not assume that he will not lie to the CSA, about his what he earns.

If you have a lengthy delay with an airline, do not believe them when they say that you are not due to any compensation. Take them to small claims court, if necessary.

Don't ever buy you child a cabin bed if there is any chance that they will vomit without warning over the side.

When using public toilets:

1. ensure you have the loo paper in hand before using, so you don’t get caught short in the wrong cubicle

2. ensure you are fully dressed before flushing, should you need to make an escape due to the toilet overflowing 🙈

Always remember your parents are adopted. That gives you four biological grandparents as well.

Don’t ever let a person with a cold sore go down on you (sorry to lower the tone).

My cautionary tale would be get a good lawyer because the one/s you describe aren't that.

[It's also difficult to understand when disadvantaging a client would make a lawyer look best ]

Do step grandparents count? I have several. My grandmother has been married four times!

You should also have blankets in the boot, and a first aid kit. I keep a box of those self-heating camping dinners as well.

Why would you?? You don’t kiss when they have a cold sore so why would you think that was OK?

Don’t buy somewhere just because it’s all you can afford and you ‘need to get on the property ladder’.

Follow your gut with your children and health. You know them best

Deleted because repetition.

Yes! The more the merrier!

Abeona

Always keep a bottle of drinking water, some energy bars, tissues, an umbrella, a rainproof, a sweater, sunscreen, a hat and a book in the back of the car in case of breakdowns. Plus something to pee into.
I agree with this but the only thing is they’ve warned people not to keep anything for drinking in your car, a lot of people are hospitalised with stomach issues from drinking water that has been continuously heated and cooled. (But am definitely going to pack my car according to your advice!)

Re solicitors/ barristers: unless you have agreed a flat fee for a conultation or advice, plan what you are going to say/ ask and do your background research so you don't waste time asking unnecessary questions. Don't make smalltalk. At £300+ per hour, every minute adds up — and they charge in 5-minute increments.

Don't pack antiseptic cream in the same travel bag as toothpaste. It does not taste very nice.

Maybe some of us aren't tuned in to thinking up ways to get unwarranted days off work?

When we voluntarily stood down from a flight to the US, in return for an insane amount of travel credit, we wished we'd done this as they put us into a hotel with pool for the night!

I get the grandparents and new job thing now, that’s actually quite clever 😆 what about great grandparents 🤔

It was a joke. It wasn't massively obvious; there's no need to moralise about it if you didn't get it.

Good news, you never have to go to work again!

That is a niche tip, but helpful!