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!!!

or clean your teeth from a tube of Immac

Always hold onto the rail when going down stairs/steps.

As I discovered in February, it only takes a moment of inattention and suddenly you're falling over your own feet and down you go. Fractured shoulder, weeks of agony, months of pain, and 12-18 months of rehabillitation.

It's not worth it. Just hold on.

It was a broken collar bone in my experience - not my own child though.

Join a union. I'm a teacher and my union has been invaluable to me in terms of getting me out of an unhappy school. They've really supported me in a very difficult situation.

Sometimes the people you have discussed finances with, if you have more money than them, will then start to hold it against you. It can be very subtle but along the lines of splitting restaurant bills, you will somehow come out worse off. They justify it to themselves that you can afford it.

About 15 years ago I discussed mortgages with a friend, not thinking for one moment she would remember to the month and year when my mortgage would finish. Then a few months ago, "Well it's ok for you because your mortgage is paid off..." obviously quite bitter about it

The grandparents thing - I didn't get it either because it would never occur to me to lie about a day off.

Don’t confuse a tube of Savlon with Macleans toothpaste. Either way round. Savlon tastes bad. And toothpaste makes your sore bum really really sore!

-Never trust anyone at work. I know it is a sad thing to have to say but I have come to realise that too many people are fake/two face and will take any opportunity to stab you in the back even if you have nothing but supportive and kind to them and even helped them along the way.

-Make your own money and make sure you don't depend on someone else financially, partner or parent, so you can have your freedom.

-trust your instincts

-if a man shows even a hint of being dodgy whether it is being controlling, vernally abusive or even making one sexist/misogynist comment stop seeing them immediately. 'When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time'

-the majority of employers don't care about you and will get rid of you without a second thought if they need to. You are just a name on a spreadsheet to them. So don't put up with unpaid hours, poor treatment and lack of promotion/pay rise or sacrifice your personal life and health to 'go the extra mile'....

No-one reminds you your MOT is due. If you forget, do not drive your police officer friend into London because they then become complicit in a crime!

When you sell a car and inform the DVLA by sending off the tear off section of V5, make sure you get acknowledgement from DVLA. This is mentioned ON THE BACK OF THE SLIP YOU HAVE SENT TO THEM!
I got fined - despite completing the correct paperwork - because either the Royal Mail (or more likely) the DVLA cocked up. So old car was still registered to me.

I’m really sorry to hear this, just when you need things to be easier it can be so difficult.

Any tips or questions to ask would be greatly appreciated. I have critical illness and life insurance and am so concerned about this as I have dependents and we rely on my salary to pay the mortgage.

Wear sunscreen on your hands and decolletage, as well as on your face and neck.

Ask me why I have a peachy face and wizened hands...

Been there, done that! In the Australian desert too, 6 hours from home and 3 hours from the nearest camping store. It gets bloody cold in the desert at night!

not in a 'fake rock' or garden ornament with a hidden compartment which are often sold for this purpose and which every burglar will be aware of! Ditto not under pot plants. Look around your garden for somewhere no-one else would think of. One place I lived in, I buried mine in a plastic bag in the well-tended border, not deep, not at the front. Never needed them fortunately!

In a key safe, obvs.
Which ties nicely in with mine : drum it in to your teenage son that if he has forgotten his key (again) and uses the one from the keysafe to get in to the house, then he must immediately, before taking his shoes and coat off, replace the spare key in the key safe. ('Cos there's no guarantee it won't be you that needs the key next time, although more often than not karma bites the lad himself.)

Do make sure you are sufficiently insured though. Think about what risks you're actually trying to insure against eg spouse dying and can't cover mortgage/need to start paying for childcare for pre-school children (don't underestimate the contribution of a SAH parent) then make sure you choose the right products and read the terms properly so that you understand what you're buying and are sure it meets your needs.

Be truthful in your application. Don't lie about smoking or pre-existing conditions. If you need to claim, they'll check - then your cover will be adjusted to reflect the truth anyway. In the extreme, it might mean they wouldn't have covered you and then they give you the premiums back, but you've missed the chance to insure with someone else who would.

But don't make the excuse to yourself 'they'll get out of paying if they can' to avoid taking out the insurance you need. Having the cover can make a huge difference.

When you buy a new car, carefully check to make sure the registration is correct on the V5 form.

We glanced at it quickly - it looked about right- but there was 1 digit incorrect. We spent 2 years driving clueless to the error and then got pulled over by the police for driving an unregistered vehicle much to our shock (with kids in the car). Turns out our number plates were incorrect and the V5 had the correct registration number.

We had used a very reputable, expensive garage and complained . They changed our number plates very quickly but it was very much our error for failing to spot the discrepancy. Buyer beware!

33 in a 30 is hardly idiotic and reckless disregard for life 😂

And this post highlights the need for punctuation 🤣

Don't store your eye drops next to your super glue.

My secondary school teacher regrets doing so.

insurance is a racket. Only pay for it if the amount covered is huge or it’s a statutory requirement. Eg buildings insurance, medical insurance for trips abroad, life insurance if you have DC. Obviously car insurance. You’re better off just saving the premiums in an emergency fund. I’m looking at you, pet insurers and income protection insurers 😡

What sally says of Susan says more about sally than it does of Susan.

If you must tell someone you trust something secret, be aware that they will also tell someone they trust, who will also tell someone they trust.

@DungballInADress further to yours, when a brain tumour is involved, do not allow them time on their own to make decisions. About anything.

If they go out, take their wallet from them. Allow $20 cash only. If they stay home, check/open everything they send out of the house.

These are old examples. These days, I would install parental controls asap, whether you think it’s needed or not, on all devices owned by someone with a brain tumour.

The day you find out you needed to do the above is too late.

Agree. This is obviously posted from the point of view of someone who has been stung by being in a better financial position.