Hi guys. Well, hubby has had job offer and we're waiting for LMO.....but, there's been a spanner thrown in the works. A family member has become ill (but I'm told curable) and he's starting to get cold feet. Unfortunately, he's a "what if...." kind of guy. So, I was wondering, those who are just about to move or have just moved or have been there a while (that's everyone then ) that don't have family over there, what are/were your contingency plans for something going wrong whilst over there? I think because this has happened quite quickly, now he's saying "what if you become ill?, what if I become ill? what if, god forbid, one or the other or both of us die in some horrible accident and leave the kids?..." (you get the idea). I know to have good insurance and some money in the bank, but that's still no substitute for family.

I have to say, I'm not particularly concerned about things like this (not that I don't care, just I'm not obsessing over it like his nibs) and would like some ideas from people that have actually "been there and done it" as it were (and no funny business from you Butch ).

Thanks.

Av

Av,
One of the few times when 'funny business' didnt at least cross my mind.
What we have done is left enough cash in the uk for A family member to fly out to us SHOULD we need them. Should anything happen to BOTH of us theres only ( I say only) the dog to worry about so in someways us both dying is better than if just one of us goes.
I have to admit I'm not a big believer in life cover, I dont 'subscribe'to critical illness that much either. I guess I just believe if its gonna happen big its gonna happen.
The what if you REALLY need to hit him with is 'What if we dont go and NOTHING happens to us, we just die of old age (and boredom)'

Go with hope and bravery and optimism and mutual support for each other and a plan and a willingess to work at anything to help get to your objective of making it work for you.

You can always come "home".

Rich.

Thanks Butch (and I don't believe it for a minute ). Have to say, never though about leaving money in the UK for someone to get to us - more for us to have money to get to them. I think he wouldn't have bothered so much, if it wasn't for the sproglets (think we'll have to be like the royal family - travelling at separate times, separate modes of transport). I'm not a great believer in insurance either, but if it puts his mind at rest it's money well spent. And as far as I'm concerned, I'm a "what's for you won't go by you" and "que sera, sera" BUT that's easy knowing your family are just down the road and if the worst did come to the worst, they would come through for you.

And Rich - I'm the positive one and I'm trying to get across that he would absolutely KICK himself if he passed this one up and yep, we can always go home - just because we leave the country, doesn't mean we can't go back! Would he pass up an all expenses paid trip around the world in case "something happened while we were away"? Sh*t happens and you deal with it.....(I could go on with the cliches but you get my drift). I just really wanted to be able to say to him "well, if this happens, we can do this - and other people do it, so why not us?"

Will stop blethering now - wine does that to a woman......

Cheers guys.

Av

Hi Av
I think that no matter what you do in life, there will always be 'what ifs'. Like most of us here, you have to weigh up the pros and cons, and go for what you think is right. 'Home' is only an 8 hour flight away, sometimes in the UK you could be further than that anyway. We too have made sure that there are funds at both ends that can be used if required. We have left our 'adult sproglets' back in the UK and so have the worry of something happening to us or them without the other being around. If your youngsters are with you then they may marry and have families here and so your Canadian family ties will extend.

I wish you luck, look forward.
IceMaiden

We have a UK credit card lying empty for some emergency if required. Hopefully I'll never use it again, but it seemed wise to let it remain open.

Just thought though, Do they close the account if you don't use it for a certain time??

I have a feeling they do!!!

You guys........

Thanks. I shouldn't really post when I've been imbibing a bit too much (hic) but I love just lurking and reading.....

I know it's something hubby has to get his own head around, but it's good to know everyone doesn't think I'm nuts to say "stuff it, just go for it - you never know what's around the corner....." - doesn't help I've been Canada-daft since I was 12 years old either.....

Av

Well I'm actually 20 GBP in credit! They kept fining me for late payments, but each time I sent the payment and the fine I was late again, cos of the time it took for them to send to me in Canada!

Eventually I though it'd be easier to just send the next fine BEFORE they asked for it, but it seems it got there on the day it was due or s'thing. So now they owe ME!

Result! About time credit card companies owed the customer.....

Av

Yes they do. We stopped using one of ours when we'd cleared it, and just before it was due to run out they sent us a letter saying that they would close the account as we hadn't used it in x months unless we contacted them to request a new card. So I guess you have until the card runs out....unless you get them to send you a new one when it does.

Av,

We arrived here last december, we have no family here. My 2 year old son caught pneumonia in february, it was the worst time of my life. I have never felt so alone being in the hospital with him, my husband had to stay at home looking after our daughter, I so could have done with my mum or sister at that time! before we came here we never said we'll stay 'X' amount of years we'll just see how we feel when we get here. Well we're in July now and a few weeks ago we made the decision to stay until xmas and return home giving ourselves a years working holiday instead. I feel so happy now!!!!!!

Sounds like a case of last minute nerves to me, We've all been through it. It's such a huge step to make.
Just go with it, what's the worst that can happen???
Seriously though, it's always good to have a plan B, ours was our house back in the UK, but we're comfortable here now, so we've sold it (well nearly!). I think you need to set yourself a time limit though to give it a go, ours was 2 years, but I'd rather gounge my eyes out with rusty spoons and replace them with rats eyes than go back to the UK

You selling tickets? Or is it a webcast?

I think what you need is balance! Whilst we don't like to dwell on the bad things - they can and do, happen! To be completely blase about it is franlkly irresponsible, especially when you have children. Having been there more than once since leaving the YUK, is what taught us to do something about it.

We made a fresh will here in Canada, which named a Guardian for the kids, and made provision for them financially from our 'estate' (assuming we'll have one....lol). We also gave someone we trust "power of attorney" should the need arise; and took out insurance to cover the 'big stuff' (difficult as you get older and unhealthier though - so if you're young(ish) without health probs; my advice would be to get lots while it's cheap enough - I wish we had).

I like Butch's idea of leaving enough money back home for someone to get out here in a hurry - never thought of that one!

It's true, though. There isn't a more isolating feeling when it does happen!