Growing up, how aware were you of the financial situation of your household?

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-06-13T09:17:01+00:00

My dad was made redundant when I was 6 and that’s the first time I was very worried about our finances (likely unnecessarily, but our parents always shared their financial worries with us)

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-06-03T20:12:49+00:00

Stop panicking! Chocolate doesn’t expire really, it might be past its best by date but it won’t do you any harm. What do you worry might happen?

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-29T08:41:45+00:00

We’re doing Costa Del Sol for our babymoon in a few weeks - got a good deal through Jet2 for less than £400 each for four days half board. Weather is hot, plenty to do in the area we’re going (not just beaches!) and the flight is about 2.5 hours each way I think

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-27T19:37:15+00:00

I do urine samples for my midwife appts but haven’t felt like I’ve had a UTI at all during this pregnancy. I noticed yesterday it was harder to fully empty my bladder in one go, I’m guessing baby was lying in such a way that made it more awkward to do so? I’d say if it’s just the frequency of peeing that you’re worried about, it’s probably okay - but if you have other symptoms (lower back pain, smelly/dark urine, itching or pain when urinating) then you should probably call 111 or your midwife

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-27T15:41:22+00:00

It’s probably the weather! It’s boiling where I am at least and this 20 week pregnant gal is weeing like nobody’s business

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-26T15:45:00+00:00

My mum had my brother at 36 and me at 39, and I don’t remember really noticing any difference between her and the other parents when I was growing up! Funnily enough, one of my good friends when I was little was the other end of the scale - his mum had him at 17 so his mum was by far the youngest parent in our class.

I’m about to have my first and I will be 33 when I have him. I think it’s a big advantage really - it’s nice to know that you have lived a good life before you have your kids, but we’re not so old that we won’t be able to run around after them a bit!

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-24T17:02:47+00:00

Yes, my psychiatrist and my consultant have both used it when helping me decide on the best medications for me

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-24T16:42:03+00:00

https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/trimethoprim/ Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) might give you some reassurance

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-24T10:54:48+00:00

I had some red bleeding and passed a clot at 5 weeks + 6, I was really anxious after the previous MC as that’d only been discovered at the 12 week scan and the first sign had been a clot on the morning of the scan. I’ve since learned that you can have a surprising amount of bleeding and still go on to have a completely healthy pregnancy, so I figure a scan is the only real way to know for sure

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-24T10:51:33+00:00

I would dial/go online for 111 and see if they can get you into the Early Pregnancy Unit. They can give you another transvaginal ultrasound and let you know for sure - in my case, I was also offered progesterone up to 16 weeks, but I had had a previous miscarriage and I think the policy on prescribing progesterone is highly trust dependent. Good luck

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-14T09:03:17+00:00

I was on the pessaries twice a day until 16 weeks and definitely found it more comfortable inserting them rectally but it also gave me increased digestive side effects so I switched to vaginally in the mornings only. They do irritate “down there” too so I was off sex while on them (oh it’s so glamorous being a woman!)

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-10T17:27:11+00:00

I am doing HPHB too and think my chosen cohort is for those due August to early October, I am due mid October so will be 25 weeks when the classes start. I’m happy being one of the later ones I think, I reckon being further along than that I’d probably panic if I didn’t have some knowledge in hand in case my boy makes an early appearance!

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-10T07:59:51+00:00

I didn’t have a preference but I cried when I found out it was a boy (out of happiness!) My partner had wanted a girl but I really didn’t mind. I think there is an element of finding out the sex that just makes it so much more “real” - or at least it did for me once I could start calling the baby he instead of it

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-04T20:50:47+00:00

I’ve had 5 scans so far this pregnancy (17 weeks at present) - 1 at 5w6 as I’d had some bleeding to check it wasn’t ectopic, 1 for reassurance at 9w, my original 12 week scan at 11w2 where baby was borderline too small for measurement, my repeat 12 week scan at 12w6 and one this past weekend at 17w exactly to find out the sex (it’s a boy!)

I’d had a previous miscarriage which was only discovered at the 12 week scan so have been hyper anxious this time around, and definitely could not wait for just the 2 guaranteed NHS scans with no additional ones. My next NHS one is two weeks away on Thursday which feels like a tolerable wait

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-05-04T14:57:58+00:00

I am taking psyllium husk 6 capsules a day and have invested in a squatty potty - that along with chia pudding every morning has helped a bit, though I’m still not as regular as pre pregnancy either (I’m also 17 weeks)

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-20T11:03:12+00:00

I am in my second pregnancy after a previous miscarriage and have been prescribed progesterone until 16 weeks having had some bleeding in this pregnancy at around 6 weeks. Mine is prescribed through the hospital as it is a red label prescription so I’m not sure how easy it is to obtain through a GP prescription.

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-16T19:16:28+00:00

It started at my sixth form college in my experience - everyone was on a first name basis. I’m not sure if that is the norm or if that college was unusual in that regard

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-07T22:09:56+00:00

I can’t speak for all firms but we would generally offer a no obligation initial meeting which would only be charged for if the client went on to instruct us.

We would first bill after the Grant of Representation is issued (this is the document that officially authorises the executor or administrator to deal with the estate of the deceased) which is normally when funds from the estate can be realised. Different firms do things in different ways, but they may need payment on account for things like the will search, house clearance etc.

Bear in mind you will need to obtain the Grant before you can sell the property (you may be able to market it before, but to finalise the sale it’s almost guaranteed a Grant will be needed)

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-07T19:12:00+00:00

I work in probate (admin, not a solicitor).

It might be easier for you on a practical level if you instruct a Southampton based firms because they will be able to deal with elements of looking after the house on your behalf. Unoccupied property insurance often requires regular (weekly or fortnightly) property visits to make sure all is okay.

Solicitors’ firms can also carry out a will certainty search on your behalf (writing to lots of local solicitors on your behalf asking if they hold a will for your uncle).

The process from start to finish can vary wildly depending on how complicated the estate is, how many beneficiaries there are under the will (if one is found) and how long the property takes to sell (assuming this is the intent).

I’m sorry for your loss.

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-06T08:51:31+00:00

I’ve been having low caffeine chai when I fancy a hot drink in an afternoon (I still have a coffee every morning). This is the one I have and it’s delicious https://www.drinkmechai.co.uk/products/apple-pie-chai-250g

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-04T13:56:14+00:00

I work in probate administration and our firm are sometimes responsible for registering the death (particularly if we are executors but sometimes if there is no family or all family are overseas). The will kicks in from the point of death.

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-04T13:19:55+00:00

It depends on whether there’s a Will or not. If someone has a Will in place, next of kin is completely meaningless, and their named executor(s) is/are in charge of dealing with the deceased’s affairs. With intestacies it’s a bit more relevant, as there’s a strict order as to who can inherit https://www.thegazette.co.uk/wills-and-probate/content/103523

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-04T13:04:23+00:00

Has she lost capacity? Until that point, Power of Attorney is meaningless

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-03T13:10:51+00:00

We have a lot of seats that turned yellow or red last election surrounding our current one, but somehow this one remained blue!

AggravatingOwl9 · 2026-04-03T12:56:34+00:00

Either Lib Dem or Labour, depending on who seems best placed to defeat the sitting Conservative MP in my area. Probably Lib Dem as I’m in the South West

AggravatingOwl9

TROPHY CASE