Sweetpea

Hi I have recently become an 'Avon Lady' and thought some of you out there might like to consider doing the same in your area. I am finding a captive audience among French and English people alike. There is no initial outlay (one of the main reasons I started doing it) I can give you more info if you are interested. It's good fun too!

85190 - near Aizenay. Have lived here since 2000 - love it!

So Sorry, Ernie I didnt mean anything sinister! As Sue said, my nightly half pill was what I was after!! Thank you so much for caring xx

Maybe But at 61 and on his 2nd heart attack in 5 years, working 7 days a week for up to 12 hours a day, I think he perhaps deserves it. Anyway, it's not so much wanting to receive benefits, more to stop having to pay out so much each month.  I am so grateful for all the support (especially from Cerise) but, as usual, there is always guaranteed to be one who has to be negative.  I will follow up all your ideas/suggestions and let you know how things go  at the moment, the main thing is this second (third, actually) stent which they need to put in asap, and it's in the main artery. Where are those sleeping pills? xx 

I think he earned about 42000 € last year, but URSSAF take 646 € per month; CIPAV take 450-ish and the RSI 280 €. Plus all the various taxes - just had a demand for 1300 which is a 3rd of the annual Impot sur la Revenu; plus 'top -up', habitation, fonciere, phone, elec, etc, etc. Incroyable! What IS the purpose of URSSAF? Do we get nothing out of it? Is it just to help the VERY poor????

A huge thank you to all, for your various advice. I have, as suggested, contacted the Mairie and (surprise, surprise!) am still awaiting a response! I will let you know what (if anything) happens. Incidentally, we have been here since 2000, and both have paid in 1000's in various taxes and cotisations over the years, but getting some back (or even being able to srop paying temporarily) seems to be the problem for self-employed. We looked into changing to autoentrepreneur status, but cant do that this year, cos hubby earned more than the maximum last year (happy days, even tho more than half went to the various organisations!)   Again, many thanks for your advice & good wishes - hubby is quite jolly, but has to have another stent put in next week. Hey Ho.   xx

I dont know where to turn next! Hubby is self employed, but due to the 'Credit Crunch', has had no work since December. I have informed/asked help and advice from URSSAF, CIPAV and RSI, even the Prefecture, regarding an exoneration from cotisations, but they are still taking our approx 1500 € each month, and, as you can imagine, our bank account is almost empty. Nobody seems to be able to, or prepared to advise, help, or point me in the right direction. I think a 'Radiation' is the only answer, but hubby thinks if he does this, he will not then be able to register as an autoentrepreneur (pay as you earn). He is 61, and , to put the icing on the cake, is now in Soins Intensif, having had an MI yesterday (no doubt brought on by the stress of it all) If there IS anybody out there who could give me sound advice, it would be so appreciated.   Thank you in advance

Hi all Hubby went for the above Orange Pro account (mainly for the speedy repairs offered in the event of a breakdown of internet) The acutal account is costing him 116.01 per month Today's bill is 126.61 in total (including his calls) Considering he has had no work since December, this is crippling! I am looking into cancelling it, but want to know what you all recommend as the most economical, but good, internet access, livebox, etc. I know there are lots of phone people offering good deals on actual calls (uktelecom, phonexpat, etc) but for the internet bit as well, what do you recommend? Sorry about the lack of 'technology-speak,' I dont even understand what an i-pod is!!! Any ideas to bring down our monthly bills would be most gratefully received. THANK YOU xx  

I wonder if anyone can advise, please. Hubby is 61, has been self employed for 15 years (the last 8 in France.) He now has a heart complaint. What would be the situation if he took Doc's advice and 'retired'? He has paid into CIPAV etc since 2000. Also, would he be entitled to anything from UK? Thanks  

Does anyone know of  a reliable insurer who will do this for me please?   Merci d'avance

Hi all We are in Vendee, and hubby has discovered that there seems to be a 'glitch' in the electricity supply EVERY night at 11.55pm. Not enough to put the lights out, but his computers reboot every night! Has anybody else had this, or can anyone shed any light on it before I try to approach EDF!!

Thank you all. I'll pop it into my garage and have it checked - as you say, better safe than sorry. Many thanks again  

Thank you for replying. The lights stay on! It was Controle Techniqued and serviced in October!

Bonjour Are there any mechanics out there? Yesterday, when going to Hyper-U, the Airbag light came on on the dashboard, along with the 'SERV' light (as opposed to the "STOP" light) They are both still on today when I start the engine. Any advice please?? Many thanks

OH   M----E! I hope not! But thanks for the warning x

Hi Yes, I did indeed! FIA followed it through, but having got no response at all from Pixmania, they said that the case was now closed as far as they were concerned, and they could do no more! Great help! And yes, I printed off the letter, and this was included in my last courrier to them (sent recommandée AR) SO I am still stuck! 

I wonder if anyone can advise??????????? Back in January I ordered and paid for by bank virement - (the proof of which I have) £300+ worth of computer stuff, off the (supposedly well-known and loved Pixmania site) To cut a very long story as short as poss, they deny ever having received the money, and refuse to reply to my many emails, ETC. The money went straight into their bank in Paris, who have acknowledged this in writing to my lovely Bank Manager (they arent allowed to discuss with ordianry people!) I have TWICE sent all the proof to Pixmania's Head in Paris (Recommended with A.R) , demanding a reimbursement / compensation, and STILL nothing has happened. Is there a TV programme over here where one can alert the public to this debacle (like Watchdog, or whatever) OR has anyone any help, advice, suggestions, bottle of vodka, etc, to help me get to the bottom of this????????????????

Thank you all so far   What is FHI please?

Hi Clair   Yes - it is this one, but with my rather limited French, I can only see that it offers 'complementaire' which I already have with AGF. I need a new Carte Vitale! I'm not sure how we ended up with Mut Est in the first place; probably responded to one of their 'publicités' 8 years ago.  

HI Since 2001 I had a registered business here and my Carte Vitale was provided by Mutuelle de l'Est, who specialise in folk with small businesses. Since my business is now no more,  Mutuelle de l'Est have said their cover will stop after 30 Sept. What do I do now? Hubby still has his CVitale with the same people; can I 'ride on his back'? Or must I go to CPAM?? HELP!!!

Bonjour My friend's daughter (English, but speaks excellent French)  would like to go to college/classes, or find work. She tried to register with a college course, but was turned down (not sure why, spomething to do with not having been in 'school' here. She did do 1 year at collège, but left at 16 as she was being bullied.   Any advice as to how she can find work or something to do, please??

I will cut a (very) long story short. In January, I ordered and paid for (by bank virement) some computer-related things from Pixmania (on the internet) Since then, I have been waiting for my money back, because they 'say' they have no record of my having paid. As you cant send attachments to them , just fill in a basic message online, I have sent them, by Lettre Recommandée (avec A.R) 1. a copy of my bank statement, showing the virement 2. a copy of a fax received by my bank manager (when he kindly intervened on my behalf) from Pixmania's bank in Paris, confirmation that the money is in their account. I am not prepared to phone Pixmania again, as it costs about 34 cts per minute, so I just keep sending the 'email' All I get is ' sorry for the problem; we have alerted our experts' and words to that effect. One of their responses, back in June, said ' sorry the items you ordered are no longer available (yeah, right!) and I would be reimbursed shortly' WHO CAN I APPROACH to help with this? Is it a French Lawyer, the police, or what. Any advice would calm an old lady's nerves!!!!  ;-)

Thank you very much, but it doesnt sound very French!!??

Can anyone recommend a self catering place which has trout fishing on the doorstep? And allows small dogs??

Their website is now up and running   www.thingsyoumiss.info