helping seniors live well in later life

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Category: Post

  • Income in retirement

    Income in retirement

    Pensions – oh no, boring!!  But very important.   The Triple Lock is all very well and good but that might not be enough to live on.   We aren’t regulated so we can’t give you financial advice BUT we can point you to some places to help you:

    You can find a Society of Later Life Adviser near you on the SOLLA website.  It’s really important to make sure that the person you are talking to understands getting older and what that means to your finances.  All the people on this website do that.

    We also know other financial advisers who are fully later life qualified but not SOLLA advisers and we can send you in their direction.

    There is always the possibility of a residual income (like a royalty that those who write and perform songs receive).  Some businesses that remunerate those working with them with residual income rely on sales of product which can be hard to maintain without building a team.  However, some companies offer a residual income based on household services.   If you want more information on something like this which could help plug a gap, let us know and we can help.

    HM Government’s Money & Pensions service also has a website called Money Helper and this can help you with pension and retirement planning as well as all sorts of other money queries.  Do have a read and do share with people you know.

  • We were featured in Which? Money Magazine

    We were featured in Which? Money Magazine

    We are thrilled to share that we were the main organisation featured in the December 2024 issue of Which? Money Magazine in their article “Life admin made easy”

    An extract from the printed copy is below, thank you to our lovely client, Pamela.

    Which? Money Magazine, December 2024

    Ashley Jordan, our founder and head of One Stop Organisers, which operates in London and the home counties, additionally explained: ‘We look after the whole moving process, from decluttering and making sure furniture fits, to organising removals, managing the pack day, move day and unpacking, utilities switches and changes of address plus finding solicitors and estate agents and helping with form filling.

    ‘We also source tradespeople and new items. If it needs to be done we will do it or organise someone to do it.’

    You can also read a different version of the article on their website:

    “Could a professional ‘life admin’ service make your life easier?“

  • Losing your landline?

    Losing your landline?

    Did you know that landlines are being phased out?  It’s not happening yet, and has in fact been delayed from 2025 to 2027.  The delay is because not all providers are ready and able to make the switch yet, and don’t all have plans in place to help vulnerable customers. 

    The landline as you know it, will be phased out and you will need to be using VOIP (voice over internet protocol) technology, instead.  These rely on electricity and broadband and so there is much discussion about back-up battery especially for vulnerable customers.   Of course many people have mobiles and can use these in an emergency (if they are charged up) but not all customers do.

    We are pleased to note, however, that the personal care alarm companies have adapted their technologies and now use the mobile networks to route their emergency calls, so they aren’t reliant on the landline network anymore.  Existing clients using the old technology will be migrated over in due course.

    Our concern is that we see a lot of people with poor speed broadband (even in cities like London), who can’t possibly expect to be able to make calls over the internet.  We hope there is time for all of this to be upgraded.

    If you haven’t been contacted about your landline being switched, then don’t worry, you are probably best to wait until you have to do it. 

    Eventually, after all the upgrades, the digital network will be cheaper to run, so hopefully it will be worth it in the end.

    If you are concerned about the new technology, please get in touch and we will help you if you need to change your technology.

  • Stories

    Stories

    One of the things that we love the most about our job is that we are able to hear our client’s stories.  It’s a great privilege.  We hear about their families, their jobs and their hopes and fears.  We find out about family rifts and reconciliations and sometimes we know things their children don’t know (ssshh don’t tell them!).  It’s great fun, and is a great bonding experience.

    Someone else we know who gets to hear people’s stores on a daily basis, is Alice, from the Story Keepers.  I’m regularly suggesting to my clients to get their stories recorded so they aren’t lost, and Alice does this perfectly.   You can get your story recorded just on audio, or on video, or have a book, or a combination.  If you have lots of photos and visuals then a book or video works well.  If you have music and visuals, then a film is a must.   You can also get your own ‘desert island discs’ compilation put together.  

    Even better, something like this works really well as a Christmas (or birthday) present for a loved one.   Check out Alice’s website to find out more and preserve your loved one’s legacy for years to come https://www.thestorykeepers.co.uk/services

  • Energy – confusing?

    Energy – confusing?

    Do you find your energy bills confusing?  You are not alone.    There is far too much jargon involved so we thought we would explain a few things that might help simplify things.

    Fixed price v variable tariffs

    Deciding whether to go for a  fixed or variable is like betting on the horses and taking out insurance at the same time.  It’s a gamble, but it gives you peace of mind.   The variable may go up or down in the time you are in the contract but with a fixed tariff you know the standing charge and unit rates you are paying.  Don’t forget it doesn’t fix the exact amount you pay, it fixes those unit prices and the standing charge.  No one can predict exactly how much energy you will use in the year, even you!

     Paying for your energy in equal monthly payments v paying for what you use

    Most people choose to pay their estimated annual usage in 12 equal monthly instalments.  This means you pay the same every month.  If you use more energy in those 12 months, your monthly price will go up the following year to reflect the extra usage and to pay off the previous year’s deficit.  If you use less then your energy company will give it back to you.  UW automatically put any credit balance in their customers’ accounts in the 13th month, but most other companies want you to ask them for it and we’ve heard stories of people having to ask multiple times.   However, if you would prefer your energy company not to have your money up front, then opt to pay for what you use each month.  You may need to commit to a smart meter depending on the energy company, but you will definitely need to read your meter at the end of every month for it to be accurate.

    Price cap

    This is set by Ofgem, the energy regulator, and it only affects customers on the variable tariffs and is to protect them from paying astronomical prices if they don’t switch.  The price cap is not a limit on your total bill. It restricts the price per unit (or kWh) and standing charge that energy companies can charge you.  When you hear in the media about an annual cost for the price cap (£X per year) this is based on an average usage.  And none of us are average, so your actual cost may be lower or higher. 

    Comparing energy costs

    If you decide to look at switching, remember to look at the annual cost rather than the pence per kilowatt hour.  This is because the annual cost includes the standing charge which is another variable.

    There isn’t a lot of difference between energy companies’ prices these days, but there is a big difference in the extra perks you can get such as other money-saving or environmental initiatives and of course their customer service.  So ask your friends who they use.

    If you want help looking at your energy bills, we can help.

  • Christmas made easy – part 2

    Christmas made easy – part 2

    Here is part two of our Christmas made easy tips!

    1. If you are hosting people over Christmas, start making a menu and a shopping list now. You can just jot down menu ideas and google recipes here and there, saving them by bookmarking them on your phone or desktop.
    2. Know and diarise when you are going to put in an online shopping order or go to the shops.   Lots of online supermarkets have a day when they release their Christmas slots, so do check online if you want one of those.
    3. If you are buying specific Christmas food, some shops have catalogues and order cut-off dates.   Most of these ask you when you would like to collect the items.  Make sure you get your orders in before the cut-off.
    4. We always make sure to pick things up / get them delivered with a shopping day or two to spare so we can pop out and get anything that was missing.
    5. If catering makes you stressed, ask people now to make and bring something so it’s less stressful for you.  Make sure you know what it is so you don’t double up.
    6. Prep as much as you can the day before – you can peel veg and store them in containers or bags in the fridge the day before.  You can even pre-roast potatoes and other root veg, so you can then pop them back in the oven to crisp up when the meat (if you have meat), is resting.   We love a Delia Smith Parsnip Roulade, but we still cook a bird for the rest of the family!
    7. Get other people to help with the clean-up so you can rest and enjoy the remainder of the festive season!

    If you need help making a Christmas plan, let us know, we’d be happy to help.

  • Christmas made easy – part 1

    Christmas made easy – part 1

    This is a repost of our blog in November 2022, because we think it’s worth repeating.  Part 2 will be next week.

    It’s all about making lists.  So get a pen and paper ready, or a note section on your mobile phone and make some lists.

    1. Make a list of all of those presents you want to buy, and who for.  If you haven’t started ordering yet, we recommend doing so right away!  Leaving anything to the last minute is always stressful.  Mark off when you have bought something, and if you need to go to a shop, put a diary note to go to the exact shop, or to go on a browsing trip,  so it doesn’t get forgotten.
    2. Once you’ve ordered a present online, make a note of where you ordered it from, how they are sending it, and when you expect it to arrive.  Also keep a folder in your emails for all of the email order confirmations.   Then you can follow up if it doesn’t arrive when you’re expecting it to.
    3. Check last posting dates https://www.royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates to make sure you won’t miss it if you are sending internationally.
    4. Make a time to wrap presents and write cards.  Again, put this in your diary.  Put Post-its on the front of envelopes of any cards of people you are going to see in person, with the date you’ll see them and put them in order by the front door, so you can take them with you when you are seeing them.
    5. Do the same with presents, so you can save on postage.
    6. If you need to post presents, try to go to the post office first thing in the morning and not on a Saturday, to avoid lengthy queues.

    We help our clients buy, wrap and post presents and cards.  Don’t leave it to the last minute, get in touch if you would like help.

  • What is a superconnector, and why do you need one?

    What is a superconnector, and why do you need one?

    A super-connector is someone who knows the right people to help you, when you need help.  These are people who have access to a wide network of people to call on to assist where necessary.  Super-connectors are people that when you say ‘X happened to me today and I think I need to do Y’, they know just the right person to put you in touch with. As you get older there are many different people and professions out there who can help you, but the great news is you only need one as they can usually refer you to others.  Examples of super-connectors are:

    • Healthcare professionals
    • Financial adviser
    • Private client lawyer / will writer
    • Estate agent
    • Care agency
    • Social care consultant
    • Someone like us!

    But just because someone is one of those professions, it doesn’t make them a super-connector.   Super-connectors are generally helpful people who go out of their way to help others.  If you’re reading this you already know a super-connector – us!   So reach out if you need anything and we’ll connect you to the correct person!

  • Retirement Villages

    Retirement Villages

    Choosing to live in a retirement village / assisted living can be a fantastic solution for many older people who are looking to downsize, but it’s not right for everyone.  Here are some of the benefits:

    1. Community and Social Interaction:  If you live far from friends and family, there are built in social networks and plenty of other people ‘in the same boat’.  Regular social activities and clubs help build the sense of community.

    2. Safety and Security: Enhanced security measures such as gated entrances, 24-hour security personnel, and surveillance systems, making it a safe living option. Many villages also offer emergency response systems and medical staff on call, providing peace of mind for both residents and their families.

    3. Maintenance-Free Living: Maintaining a home can become physically demanding and stressful.  If you buy within a retirement complex they will usually have a handyman on site, and if you choose to rent, you have even fewer worries about any repairs that are needed.

    4. Financial Predictability: Although there is a wide range in the cost of retirement village options, there should not be any unforeseen costs as residents often pay a monthly fee that covers maintenance, amenities, and sometimes even utilities.

    5. Freedom and Independence:  Contrary to the misconception that retirement villages limit freedom, they are designed to promote independence. Residents can maintain their own schedules, come and go as they please, and continue engaging in activities outside of the village. At the same time, they benefit from having support and care available when needed. This balance between independence and assistance makes retirement village life appealing to those who want to maintain control over their day-to-day activities while having access to help.

    So if you are looking to simplify your life and live in a community-focused, maintenance-free environment, choosing a retirement village can offer an improved quality of life as you get older.

    If you need help with downsizing, we can help.

  • It’s not too late to start using Zoom!

    It’s not too late to start using Zoom!

    Remember those heady days before the pandemic?  The days when hardly anyone was using Zoom.  I admit, I had the app, and had done some meetings, but I didn’t really know what it was capable of.  Now that the pandemic has passed, I spend a lot less time on Zoom and it’s transformed the way a lot of businesses run.

    Does it still have a place in the lives of those who aren’t working?   It can be very useful to have meetings with a travel agent, a will writer, a financial adviser, etc.  It can also be helpful to have family catch-ups (as in the picture!) and see friends on the other side of the world.  One of my clients still has a weekly Zoom with her sisters; connections have been revolutionised by what happened in the pandemic.

    There are also many groups for those in later life that meet online, from social groups, to classes, and bridge groups.  It is all out there.  So if you don’t fancy going out into the world, but crave connection, Zoom is very much still a worthwhile thing (and of course other platforms like Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet).

    If you want to get started on Zoom or another video platform, talk to us about how we can help you get set up.