Tulip1

It all seems very hit and miss regarding the 651. My adult son needs one for our trip in November. After reading the various issues some are having when applying for one, I told him weeks ago to apply early as it’s valid for a year. He did the application in the evening and by the time he woke up the next day his visa grant was sitting in his inbox. Doesn’t make sense that some are taking months. I hope those waiting get them through very soon.

Worth paying for something as precious as Eastenders

My son sent me a screenshot of Melbourne being 4 degrees when he was out walking the dog yesterday morning. That’s cold even for where I live.

I get the impression you are on a visitor visa and are trying to find a way to remain and bring more family with you. I can’t imagine for a second it’s as easy as just enrol on a cheap online course but I’m no expert. Your best option is to have a consultation with a migration agent who will be able to advise you of your options, if you have any at all.

No they’re not investments. I expect for most, they are somewhere to park your money in the hope of a responsible return in winnings and the chance of something bigger. With interest rates rising they will be less appealing as savings rates begin to rise. They are still low though so many will still gamble on the hope of a good PB win I think. I wouldn’t get them either but they are popular. I do actually have a small amount of them which my dad gave me for Christmas over 20 years ago. I keep them for the sentimental value. I’ve never won a penny on them. The OP seemed keen to put their money somewhere that will keep up with inflation. They’ve no chance of that but based on their hopes I’d think the possibility of getting no return on their money wouldn’t be what they’re looking for.

Just remember with premium bonds, you are putting the money somewhere that earns no interest at all. You are hoping for some wins that will be the equivalent of lost interest or much more if lucky. It’s harder now than ever to win on them. That said, some get lucky. My friends sister recently won £10k on her £50k holdings. Many win smaller amounts, very often £25 a time. If you’re happy to put your money somewhere with no guaranteed return but with the hope of getting something equal to or much better than interest then it’s an option. I know people that have never won a thing. The more you have in there the higher your chances of course. You can put a maximum of £50k in and yes, you can have them living in Australia. If you go onto money saving expert you’ll see a calculator of your likely average winnings. It’s usually a bit more than interest you will earn in regular savings accounts but the risk is it may be less, even nothing.

Yes it does have some nice pubs etc. I certainly don’t think it’s a horrible place, just somewhere I’m not too keen on, I don’t really know why. I had a friend many years ago that moved to Cheshunt and it is a very nice place. Enjoy your next visit.

Cheshunt is a very nice place. I’ve never been keen on Hertford so I think they’ve made a good move.

Interest rates here are so low I can’t think of any account you could open that will keep up with inflation. Nothing will hit anywhere near inflation rates. I assume you’ve looked at what your current UK bank provides. You could probably open a fixed bond online with them but expect the interest rate to be about half a percent, if you’re lucky.

Not even with covid. You just need to have tested positive of covid within 28 days of dying. You could have been testing negative for the 27 days before dying but still be part of the stats.

That’s what I was meaning. It’s not a true figure of people dying of covid. If will be far less that died because of covid than the figure quoted.

When you have approx 1 in 25 people with covid (as was the case in the UK for several weeks recently) someone dying of anything at all has a reasonably good chance of having had covid within the last 28 days. They may well have had it very mild and recovered from it weeks before but that won’t stop them being part of the stats.

It is a shame for the entire family but we have to respect the rules of the country we are going to. In the end it boils down to do I want to see my family more than I don’t want to have a vaccine. We all have a choice. I know a few people who are anti vax but now holidays are the normal they have suddenly decided to get vaccinated to suit their desire to travel. Nothing wrong with that, it’s all about choice. The parents in question here will perhaps have to make that same decision or accept they can’t go.

Maybe not but my relatives didn’t get involved with my booking. It was as clear as day what was required and I also got regular emails from the airline confirming as such. The reports said they thought they’d be met at the airport by their family and were there to help with the new baby due Sunday and booked in for an induction on the 4th so very much any day. They later said they expected to be in hotel quarantine because of their non vaccination status but didn’t think they’d be denied. Why would you expect to be met by family and be there for the new baby if you thought you’d be in quarantine first. They looked into it enough to think they would have to quarantine yet missed the bit that said they couldn’t get in without an exemption

I see an Irish couple (parents of Perth residents) have been deported from Perth after arriving unvaccinated and with no medical exemption. The airline should have never let them on the flight, big error made there. The couple are saying they thought they had everything in order but the rules are very clear. It’s a shame but it was their responsibility to ensure they met the criteria.