I wrote before Christmas about my weird case of the water meter that wasn't there. After much convincing they had given me a month from which they worked out the average water usage and then backdated the payments. Today I received a revised statement, I am very happy with the result!
They calculated that over the last five years I have overpaid to the tune of £1,437. They are going to refund this to my water account. So no only has getting a water meter meant I save around £20 month on my payment but I am also getting a huge cheque back too. It's well needed after the Christmas excesses.
In other news I have been evaluating getting solar panels for the last couple of months. It might seem an odd idea living in the North West of England, however with the government subsidy the figures stack up well as a long term investment. If you are planning to stay put for at least 10 years and have a southerly aspect its really a no brainer (at least in financial terms, at lot of people argue the eco benefits but I was less concerned on that score). The cost is easily repaid by the governments feed in tariff over the lifetime 20 years. Unfortunately for me on balance the chance of staying put for 10 years seems unlikely at best. Therefore with a heavy heart my idea of self generated power goes on hold for now.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Hollow talk
Yesterday Jono came round for dinner, I made chilli. I got a text from Bruce who was in the Kings Hall with Nina, Philip and Caroline.
Bruce and Nina are jetting off to Mexico next week, by the sounds of it they are going to have an amazing time. Phil was telling me about the diving he did there, it sounded incredible.
We sat and chatted, bitcoin came up a lot, I think I have missed the boat but it we live in interesting times. I have decided to try and do a bit of mining. The window of opportunity is nearly closed but hopefully I can get in and mine something before it snaps shut.
I felt a little tired and was missing Kath a lot, but it was really nice to see everyone.
Bruce and Nina are jetting off to Mexico next week, by the sounds of it they are going to have an amazing time. Phil was telling me about the diving he did there, it sounded incredible.
We sat and chatted, bitcoin came up a lot, I think I have missed the boat but it we live in interesting times. I have decided to try and do a bit of mining. The window of opportunity is nearly closed but hopefully I can get in and mine something before it snaps shut.
I felt a little tired and was missing Kath a lot, but it was really nice to see everyone.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Honesty
There has been a lot in the media about the impending opening up of migration rules which would allow Bulgarian and Romanian citizens to freely move around the EU. Clearly as I am married to a Pole I have a certain bias. Indeed I think the migration Policy has been correct in terms of Europe. The UK economy has benefited from the influx of hardworking and cheap labour.
In Geography class they used to teach about push and pull factors in migration. When Poland joined the expanded EU in 2004, the UK had been very positive supporting Polish entry and not putting up barriers as some European countries had done. For Bulgaria and Romania the UK did put in restrictions, even going so far as to use negative adverts.
A lot of people think take issue with the sheer number of Polish people who came to the UK after the 2004 expansion of the EU. There was also a long history of Poles migrating to the UK. Not least after the settlement act following the second world war. Given The UK twice let down Poland, in World War 2, firstly by failing to do anything practically to stop the Soviet Union and Germany carving up Poland, then at the end of the war the Yalta treaty allowed the Soviet union to keep Poland under communist rule. Rather than delivering the free democratic state the exiled Polish government had hoped for.
One thing I haven't seen much of is the raw numbers. In terms of population Romania at 21 million and Bulgaria 7 million people. In 2004 Poland's population was approximately 38 million people. So even if the same proportion of Romanian and Bulgarians moved to the UK as did Poles, in terms of numbers there would be far less actual people. Thanks to the lower combined population.
Therefore in terms of simple push and pull there are less cultural ties between the UK Bulgaria and Romania less pull factors in terms of our failing economy, so right now I don't expect to see as many Romanian shops as Polski Skleps.
In Geography class they used to teach about push and pull factors in migration. When Poland joined the expanded EU in 2004, the UK had been very positive supporting Polish entry and not putting up barriers as some European countries had done. For Bulgaria and Romania the UK did put in restrictions, even going so far as to use negative adverts.
A lot of people think take issue with the sheer number of Polish people who came to the UK after the 2004 expansion of the EU. There was also a long history of Poles migrating to the UK. Not least after the settlement act following the second world war. Given The UK twice let down Poland, in World War 2, firstly by failing to do anything practically to stop the Soviet Union and Germany carving up Poland, then at the end of the war the Yalta treaty allowed the Soviet union to keep Poland under communist rule. Rather than delivering the free democratic state the exiled Polish government had hoped for.
One thing I haven't seen much of is the raw numbers. In terms of population Romania at 21 million and Bulgaria 7 million people. In 2004 Poland's population was approximately 38 million people. So even if the same proportion of Romanian and Bulgarians moved to the UK as did Poles, in terms of numbers there would be far less actual people. Thanks to the lower combined population.
Therefore in terms of simple push and pull there are less cultural ties between the UK Bulgaria and Romania less pull factors in terms of our failing economy, so right now I don't expect to see as many Romanian shops as Polski Skleps.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Reflector
I received a letter in the week to inform me that the price of my Virgin Media services was going to increase by £4.50 per month. This is pretty annoying as I had renewed only last month after negotiating a discount.
Money Saving Expert had done a 50% discount on SKY for an entire year, this would have been significantly cheaper than Virgin so I was all geared up to cancel the service. However Virgin offered a new deal including a price match. That was great until this price rise (which starts in February).
Fortunately Ofcom have recently decreed that price rises inside contracts represent "materially detrimental" to customers.
This Guidance sets out that:
Money Saving Expert had done a 50% discount on SKY for an entire year, this would have been significantly cheaper than Virgin so I was all geared up to cancel the service. However Virgin offered a new deal including a price match. That was great until this price rise (which starts in February).
Fortunately Ofcom have recently decreed that price rises inside contracts represent "materially detrimental" to customers.
This Guidance sets out that:
- Ofcom is likely to regard any increase to the recurring monthly subscription charge in a fixed-term contract as ‘materially detrimental’ to consumers;
- providers should therefore give consumers at least 30 days’ notice of any such price rise and allow them to exit their contract without penalty; and
- any changes to contract terms, pricing or otherwise, must be communicated clearly and transparently to consumers.
Saturday, November 09, 2013
Disappear here
I was awoken early this morning by an engineer from United Utilities. I had done a survey on their website after advice that I am spending too much on the water charge from the Coop bank. It appeared that having a meter could save me £150 per year, and given installation of the meter is free seemed like a good idea.
I called United Utilities last week and asked for an installation. They sent me a message saying that they would come and do a survey. The guy arrived at 9, and after checking outside comes back to inform me that I already have a water meter, and not just that the reading on the meter is pretty low. He installed a different meter apparently the new ones have some sort of circuity to allow easier reading.
The meter is sat out on the road next to the water stop tap I never lifted the cover as its not on my property. When I moved in they could have told me that I had a meter! Surely they should know what buildings have meters? I am going to write to United Utilities and see if I can get the meting backdated as the engineer helpfully gave me the reading and serial number. The reading was pretty low so it helps justify getting a meter.
I called United Utilities last week and asked for an installation. They sent me a message saying that they would come and do a survey. The guy arrived at 9, and after checking outside comes back to inform me that I already have a water meter, and not just that the reading on the meter is pretty low. He installed a different meter apparently the new ones have some sort of circuity to allow easier reading.
The meter is sat out on the road next to the water stop tap I never lifted the cover as its not on my property. When I moved in they could have told me that I had a meter! Surely they should know what buildings have meters? I am going to write to United Utilities and see if I can get the meting backdated as the engineer helpfully gave me the reading and serial number. The reading was pretty low so it helps justify getting a meter.
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Abduction
I have just finished reading a book Jono gave me called Abduction, by Mark Gimenez. It follows the abduction of a young girl. It was quite entertaining, especially the first section which focuses more on the effect of the abduction on the family and the response of the FBI. I must admit the larger plot and eventual ending was a bit much for me to stomach however the characters were very well drawn especially the mother Elizabeth and Vietnam veteran grandfather Ben.
Interesting to compare the drunk character in this to Jo Nesbo's Detective Harry Hole. Nesbos character seems more realistic, whereas Ben is an all American hero who cant stop drinking to save his marriage but suddenly stops to save his granddaugher. In the plot itself is somewhat better done than I lay out. The action plays out in an exciting and interesting way coupled with several story arcs to keep you entertained.
Indigenous Britons face a bleak future
According to this telegraph article British citizens have generally worse literacy and numeracy skills than immigrants. It appears that schools must be failing to instill the most basic skills. Odd given that A-Level and GCSE pass rates have risen for over a decade.
What is really happening here, is the general population suffering from a lack of skills, or are people with the skills not applying for the jobs forcing employers to look abroad?
Mind Your Manners
Kath was over this weekend, she arrived Thursday evening, I picked her up from the airport after work.
After a quick stop off at home to drop off Kath's bag, we headed out ont he train to Wilmslow. The aim was to catch the early evening buffet at the Samsi. We walked in on a Thursday night at 6.30pm. The restaurant was nearly empty when we entered but the waitress insisted on going through the rigmarole of checking how many reservations there were (I can tell you there weren't full up at 8.30pm when we left). Service was pretty good once we sat down though it was difficult to attract their attention.
The banquet started with Miso soup, followed by a choice of 4 pieces chef's choice sushi, Gyoza, Karage Ginger and Garlic Fried Chicken or Vegetables tempura. I took the sushi and Kath took the Vegetable tempura, it was really good, the batter was light and crisp and the teryaki sauce was lovely.
The main course was a choice of Chicken or vegetable yakisoba noodles, Yakitori grilled chicken skewers with rice, Pork Katsu curry with rice or Crispy chicken curry with rice. I had the chicken katsu curry and Kath ate the chicken skewers. Both were very nice, the skewers had a really nice flavour, while my chicken was succulent, the curry sauce was lovely not too spicy but flavoursome.
Finally there was ice cream.
The banquet was excellent value at £12.95 per person, the drinks were a little more expensive £5.50 for a can of Sapporo beer.
After the meal we headed to the Bollin fee for a drink before catching the train home. It was ages since I was last in Wilmslow drinking, it used to be a regular thing but things change.
On Friday Kath and I went to visit my aunt Jean*, unfortunately we managed to miss her. The chairs had been broken so we decided to take a trip to Ikea to look at tables. We wondered the huge expanse of furniture, trying to decide on things like all the other people on the Conveyor belt drifting from soft furnishings to kitchenware.
In the end we bought a new table four chairs and after finding its impossible to get replacement parts from Ikea we bought a replacement shoe cupboard. Spending the rest of the afternoon putting everything together. Then I made a stir fry dinner to christen the table.
Saturday we relaxed built the shoe rack (which oddly took longer than both the tables and chairs). I made dinner of tuna steak, using our new blender to whip up a fish sauce. The weather was cold and wet so we decided to mostly hide from the world and enjoy each others company.
A lot of people ask what Kath and I are going to do when she is over, and often we do try and do special things together. Sometimes thought its just good to be with each other, I think a lot of people don't realise the value of spending time together, not just the special event time but the normal everyday time together. For Kath and I we spend most of our time apart so we miss those moments. Making dinner together, lounging on the couch watching TV these are precious times.
*she isn't my actual aunt rather a close relative.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Lighting up my life
Just replaced the last of my compact florescent GU10 bulbs for Osram GU10 7 Watt LED GU10 Bulbs, so much better instant light and only 7 watts.
LED bulbs are so much better than halogen and compact florescent. They light up immediately, rather than slowly light up from a dull glow. They also last up to 15,000 hours whereas a standard halogen bulb has a lifespan of around 1,500 - 2,000 hours.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
The Girl Who Fell From The Sky
I spent most of the day reading The Girl Who Fell From The Sky
by Simon Mawer. I got the book free from WHSmiths as an O2 priority offer, and its sat on my side table for quite a while. I quite regret that now as it was an interesting read, following a women recruited into the Special Operations Executive her training and posting to France. Some of the scenes were a little clumsy bit it chipped along at a good pace and was pretty entertaining.
Other than that I finally completed all the main missions on Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox 360)
. Overall it took around 40 hours of playing, tohugh I did complete a lot of the side missions in the tat two. Not sure I have the patients to find all the letter pieces though.
I tried playing online but it wasn't much fun, out of passive mode your lifespan is short. No-one seems to want to play the missions, I tried to begin one and waited for 15 minutes without anyone joining. It was a great game though, I really cant believe how large and detailed that map is, its truly amazing.
by Simon Mawer. I got the book free from WHSmiths as an O2 priority offer, and its sat on my side table for quite a while. I quite regret that now as it was an interesting read, following a women recruited into the Special Operations Executive her training and posting to France. Some of the scenes were a little clumsy bit it chipped along at a good pace and was pretty entertaining.Other than that I finally completed all the main missions on Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox 360)
. Overall it took around 40 hours of playing, tohugh I did complete a lot of the side missions in the tat two. Not sure I have the patients to find all the letter pieces though.I tried playing online but it wasn't much fun, out of passive mode your lifespan is short. No-one seems to want to play the missions, I tried to begin one and waited for 15 minutes without anyone joining. It was a great game though, I really cant believe how large and detailed that map is, its truly amazing.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Facebook is a weird world
Readership of this blog has dramatically fallen off in recent times. Mostly that is down to my failure to publish, but also notably attributes to Facebook removing the ability to publish from bloggers RSS feed.
Increasingly I have been wondering what facebook is for. Everytime I go on my feed is full of narcissistic postings. I am as guilty as anyone for posting things that portray me in a good light, tha the point though itsnt it?
This weeks nes that Facebook allowed posting of videos showing someone being beheaded made me think what a strange digital world this has become. If a pervasive and agenda setting website like Facebook which blocks pictures of Women breast feeding but allows pictures of beheading. What is going on with our society if the perfectly normal is veiled but distressing and violent scenes are allowed?
You only need to see how many Facebook share buttons adorn the average news website to realize Facebook how incredibly important Facebook is in terms of promoting news stories.
Increasingly I have been wondering what facebook is for. Everytime I go on my feed is full of narcissistic postings. I am as guilty as anyone for posting things that portray me in a good light, tha the point though itsnt it?
This weeks nes that Facebook allowed posting of videos showing someone being beheaded made me think what a strange digital world this has become. If a pervasive and agenda setting website like Facebook which blocks pictures of Women breast feeding but allows pictures of beheading. What is going on with our society if the perfectly normal is veiled but distressing and violent scenes are allowed?
You only need to see how many Facebook share buttons adorn the average news website to realize Facebook how incredibly important Facebook is in terms of promoting news stories.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
All abord the failboat
I saw this on Slashdot, its a report on the failure at Knight capital whom lost over $400 million after a glitch in their trading software.
I can't imagine how I would feel if I had worked on that! Its a typical developer error, a logic flaw introduced accidental, then not tested and put into the wild without peer review. Generally these are caused by oversight and sometime arrogance on the part of the developer, unfortunately god syndrome is quite prevalent amongst some developers especially in the high octane world of finance.
I can't imagine how I would feel if I had worked on that! Its a typical developer error, a logic flaw introduced accidental, then not tested and put into the wild without peer review. Generally these are caused by oversight and sometime arrogance on the part of the developer, unfortunately god syndrome is quite prevalent amongst some developers especially in the high octane world of finance.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Police
I have just finished reading the latest book from Jo Nesbø, Police
. Its the eigths in the Harry Hole detective series. I think he is back to his best form. It reminded me of the Redbreast the third in the series, and probably the best of the lot. The book follows on from the events of the last book the Phantom which left on a cliff hanger with us not knowing whether Harry would make it. It takes about a third of the book before we find out what happened.
Like the other Nesbo books I have read the action clips along at a pace with plenty of Red Herrings and twists to the plot. I could bearly put it down once I got into the story, overall a very good read.
. Its the eigths in the Harry Hole detective series. I think he is back to his best form. It reminded me of the Redbreast the third in the series, and probably the best of the lot. The book follows on from the events of the last book the Phantom which left on a cliff hanger with us not knowing whether Harry would make it. It takes about a third of the book before we find out what happened.
Like the other Nesbo books I have read the action clips along at a pace with plenty of Red Herrings and twists to the plot. I could bearly put it down once I got into the story, overall a very good read.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Wedding photos have arrived
We finally got the professional wedding photos back this week. The look really nice, Kath and I look really nice. Now we need to chose our favourite and make an album. I already have hundred of photos taken myself and given to me by others. Such amazing memories of our wedding, happy times.
 |
| Photo in Bialystok |
Monday, October 14, 2013
Summertime sadness
Kath has been over this weekend. It's the first time since we returned from honeymoon in September. She arrived on Saturday and we spent the day relaxing and enjoying each others company. I made dinner of Higgidy Pie salad and wedges.
Sunday I booked us in to the Hilton Hotel for afternoon tea. The Hilton has a bar on the 23rd floor called Cloud 23 (see what they did there?). The view is pretty spectacular, we dined and enjoyed a cocktail overlooking the city, even saw a rainbow over the horizon.
Today we had a busy day. We are trying to integrate Kath into the UK signing her up for a bank account and to the local GP surgery. Getting a bank account involved a producing lots of different type of ID and answering what seemed like never ending questions including a full account of our major regular income and outgoings. We were also advised to go and get a will!
The GP was slightly less difficult just a couple of forms and proving our address and photo ID.
After all the boring form signing it was a treat to go and see my relative Jeanie. Due to her health she hadn't been able come to the wedding, so she seemed really pleased to see the photos and see Kath and I. She was in good spirits talking about my cousins.
There seemed to be something slightly surreal about this weekend, the first of our normal married life. We had a really nice time just being together but always somewhere in the back of my mind that she is heading back to Poland on Tuesday. Hopefully in time it will become easier, and eventually there wont be so many times apart.
Sunday I booked us in to the Hilton Hotel for afternoon tea. The Hilton has a bar on the 23rd floor called Cloud 23 (see what they did there?). The view is pretty spectacular, we dined and enjoyed a cocktail overlooking the city, even saw a rainbow over the horizon.
Today we had a busy day. We are trying to integrate Kath into the UK signing her up for a bank account and to the local GP surgery. Getting a bank account involved a producing lots of different type of ID and answering what seemed like never ending questions including a full account of our major regular income and outgoings. We were also advised to go and get a will!
The GP was slightly less difficult just a couple of forms and proving our address and photo ID.
After all the boring form signing it was a treat to go and see my relative Jeanie. Due to her health she hadn't been able come to the wedding, so she seemed really pleased to see the photos and see Kath and I. She was in good spirits talking about my cousins.
There seemed to be something slightly surreal about this weekend, the first of our normal married life. We had a really nice time just being together but always somewhere in the back of my mind that she is heading back to Poland on Tuesday. Hopefully in time it will become easier, and eventually there wont be so many times apart.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
The Vampyre of Time and Memory
Kath arrived for a weekend a week last Thursday, I picked her up from Manchester airport and as my Polish lession was cancelled we decided to go and get dinner. The Bulls head in Handforth do two steaks and a bottle of wine for £22.99 on a Thrusday night. I can heartily recommend it! The wine wasnt anything special but the steak was very tasty, in face the food has been consistently good there.
Coco has been having a hard time recently. It all started last week, she was off colour for a couple of days, not eating her food and general spending her time moping not moving. Last Friday Kath while was over we got so worried as Coco felt hot that we took her to the vet. A shot of painkiller, and antibiotic we took her home.
Friday evening Kath and I went to the Stockport beer festival. We met up with Phil Caroline, Nick Charlotte, Bruce and Nina and Phil's sister Tina. It was a fun evening of sampling beers chatting and handing out our wedding invitations. After the festival we went for a curry at Kantipur, they have had a refit since I was last there, and the food seemed to be of a higher standard.
By Sunday Coco seemed to be a little more lively even eating a little food, however when I got home from work on Monday evening (saying goodbye to Kath in the morning) it appeared coco had thrown up. I decided to take her back to the Vet, she seemed very worried about Coco, her neck was covered in what we thought was vomit. She offered to shave it off and I am glad that she did. Underneath was a massive abscess, which had burst. Her neck was a mass of necrotic tissue, and rather than vomit it was puss, yuk! She suggested the best course of action was to take Coco to the veterinary hospital. For a moment the cost put me off but then I thought she is worth it so off to veterinary hospital.
The next day I got a phone call from a surgeon, they had operated to clean up and remove dead tissue, and when they knocked Coco out they had to put a tube down her mouth they found that she had a sewing needle lodged there! It had puncture from her mouth to neck and cased the abscess. No wonder she was off her food it must have been terribly painful.
Fortunately over the last week she has recovered well, her appetite is back and she is I can even put with her waking me in the night as I know its a sigh of recovery.
Coco has been having a hard time recently. It all started last week, she was off colour for a couple of days, not eating her food and general spending her time moping not moving. Last Friday Kath while was over we got so worried as Coco felt hot that we took her to the vet. A shot of painkiller, and antibiotic we took her home.
Friday evening Kath and I went to the Stockport beer festival. We met up with Phil Caroline, Nick Charlotte, Bruce and Nina and Phil's sister Tina. It was a fun evening of sampling beers chatting and handing out our wedding invitations. After the festival we went for a curry at Kantipur, they have had a refit since I was last there, and the food seemed to be of a higher standard.
By Sunday Coco seemed to be a little more lively even eating a little food, however when I got home from work on Monday evening (saying goodbye to Kath in the morning) it appeared coco had thrown up. I decided to take her back to the Vet, she seemed very worried about Coco, her neck was covered in what we thought was vomit. She offered to shave it off and I am glad that she did. Underneath was a massive abscess, which had burst. Her neck was a mass of necrotic tissue, and rather than vomit it was puss, yuk! She suggested the best course of action was to take Coco to the veterinary hospital. For a moment the cost put me off but then I thought she is worth it so off to veterinary hospital.
The next day I got a phone call from a surgeon, they had operated to clean up and remove dead tissue, and when they knocked Coco out they had to put a tube down her mouth they found that she had a sewing needle lodged there! It had puncture from her mouth to neck and cased the abscess. No wonder she was off her food it must have been terribly painful.
Fortunately over the last week she has recovered well, her appetite is back and she is I can even put with her waking me in the night as I know its a sigh of recovery.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Should be higher
Yesterday I sat and watched the Eurovision "song" contest for the first time. The reason for this was a post BBQ TV session, nestled into Bruce and Nina's comfortable new reclining sofas. Nina was celebrating her 30th birthday, they were throwing a BBQ day.
I arrived about 5, in time to help out cooking the meat. Bruce hand managed to get the coals so intensely hot the hairs on my forearms got singed while flipping a burger! Holly Jo, Phil and Caroline were already there. The food was fantastic and plentiful after gorging on burgers, and kebabs there was homemade cake. I sank into the recliner, and sat back in to take in the delight of Euro vision. Phil used his industry knowledge running a commentary on the stage and set design. He was impressed by the Swedes I think, especially the projects onto the presenters dress. I found the music pretty dreary, however with a room full of good company and banter it was bearable enough.
I caught acab to the Cheadle Hulme with Phil and Caroline just managing to fit in a Gin and Tonic night cap before catching the train home.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Like Spinning Plates
Apparently more than 250,000 people will be unable to repay there interest only mortgage at the end of its term. Interest only mortgage were very popular as they reduced monthly payments. In an standard repayment mortgage each payment pays the interest and a small part of the capital. Over time the proportion of your repayment covering the original borrowing increases as the size of the borrowing reduces.
In the interest only scenario you only ever pay the interest on the original borrowing, and at the end of the term usually 25 years you still owe the original amount borrowed.
For example on a £100,000 borrowing at £3% over 25 years with a £995 fee added the monthly repayment would be £474 / month totalling £143,258 over the mortgage, an interest only mortgage you would pay £250 / month and £75,995 in total (plus the additional £100,000). So overall although the monthly payment is lower the overall cost of the mortgage is considerable higher £32737(around 22%).
Proponents of interest only included, saving the money into a separate investment might be more beneficial over the long run (you can check this using Money Savings Exerts payment calculator). Also the rising value of the property would enable you do sell up downsize and pocket the difference. Interest only also makes a lot more sense on investment property as it frees capital for investments or improvements. If you have an interest only mortgage you need to decide on the best plan of action for you, but bear in mind though it might cost more a month in the long term it could save you a lot of money to switch to repayment.
For example on a £100,000 borrowing at £3% over 25 years with a £995 fee added the monthly repayment would be £474 / month totalling £143,258 over the mortgage, an interest only mortgage you would pay £250 / month and £75,995 in total (plus the additional £100,000). So overall although the monthly payment is lower the overall cost of the mortgage is considerable higher £32737(around 22%).
Proponents of interest only included, saving the money into a separate investment might be more beneficial over the long run (you can check this using Money Savings Exerts payment calculator). Also the rising value of the property would enable you do sell up downsize and pocket the difference. Interest only also makes a lot more sense on investment property as it frees capital for investments or improvements. If you have an interest only mortgage you need to decide on the best plan of action for you, but bear in mind though it might cost more a month in the long term it could save you a lot of money to switch to repayment.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Inhaler
Saw Phil last night, he told me all about his trip to Mexico. The Cave diving sounded amazing, I was pretty jealous. Phil looked better than I had seen him for some time, tanned and relaxed after the trip. We sat in the Kings Hall drinking and chatting, it was like the old days. In the last few years going out has gone from regular to a rarity which is a shame I miss it. I woke up with a dry mouth and headache though, don't miss that!
The rest of my weekend has been spent cleaning up the house in time for Kath and her sister Karoline visiting next week. She has never been to the UK before and we have a few things planned it should be a great week. Unfortunately because my holidays are limited I have to work some of the time but have Friday off and Monday is a bank holiday, so we should be able to do something exciting. I just hope that the weather holds out.
I just finished the On the Road film, somehow it was deeply unsatisfying, it had all the major scenes from the book but somehow lacked all the energy. The characters weren't quick as larger than life as I expected. Sal wasn't nearly as naive or wild eyed to Deans crazy antics. The books is a wild trip with full of characters and events. In the film we don't really get to know any of the characters well. The scenes are well set but something is missing, there isn't enough energy its not frenetic enough.
The rest of my weekend has been spent cleaning up the house in time for Kath and her sister Karoline visiting next week. She has never been to the UK before and we have a few things planned it should be a great week. Unfortunately because my holidays are limited I have to work some of the time but have Friday off and Monday is a bank holiday, so we should be able to do something exciting. I just hope that the weather holds out.
I just finished the On the Road film, somehow it was deeply unsatisfying, it had all the major scenes from the book but somehow lacked all the energy. The characters weren't quick as larger than life as I expected. Sal wasn't nearly as naive or wild eyed to Deans crazy antics. The books is a wild trip with full of characters and events. In the film we don't really get to know any of the characters well. The scenes are well set but something is missing, there isn't enough energy its not frenetic enough.
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