Simplifying Life - Mark II

ceridwen

Charis wrote: »

Ceridwen, do you know whether savings in a building society are covered in the same way as savings in banks? I've been wondering because my tiny hoard is in my current account atm, which seems daft but I don't want to invest in a sinking ship.

Errr...nope...I'm no financial expert (mind you - look at where the "experts" landed us!!). I have the general idea that its £50,000 of savings thats covered per institution (whatever wording it is that they have used for this) - ie I think its not just the banks that are meant here. Its a point I need to check up on myself - I'm pretty sure I'm right on this. These days - there's so much confusion between building societies and banks anyways - with a lot of building societies now acting like banks. I guess that even conventional building societies havent been up to the shenanigans that banks have - but I'm not up enough on this to know. I just feel safer about the fact that my "bank account" is with a building society - rather than a bank as such (thinking I might just swop that back to the Coop Bank at some point though - though, in my case, it also gives me another chance to catch up on my social life if I use the same bank as a lot of other people I know. I used to see all sorts of familiar faces in the Co-op Queue and have never seen anyone I know yet to this day at building societies where I've had my money since;) ).

Ah.....I see 2cats1kid says building societies are covered - like wot I fought they wud be!:D

ceridwen

I believe it was on this thread that I was mentioning the other day that there are super-rich people who use vast chunks of their money for good - and I give a link for an interesting article I read today:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/12/doug-tompkins-patagonia-conservation-environment-fashion-dan-mcdougall

now...if anyone's got a "hotline" to the winning lottery numbers...;) My dreams DO include a personal element (though set at a pretty modest level) - but a lot centre round the chance to do something like this...

Penelope_Penguin

ceridwen wrote: »

These days - there's so much confusion between building societies and banks anyways - with a lot of building societies now acting like banks.

Building Societies and banks are completely different things :rolleyes: They work completely differently - banks for their share holders, and Building Societies for their members

Some Building Societies have CONVERTED to banks (such as the Halifax), but those remaining as BS's are bound by their rules and constitiutions.

Why not take a look at some of the savings board threads for more info

Penny. x

Charis

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

Why not take a look at some of the savings board threads for more info

Penny. x

I've had a look at some of the savings threads but there are masses of posts and if the information is on them there is no easy way to find out. Of course I could post the question but I would then risk being flamed for asking something that has been answered before. I'll have a look on the website of the two building societies in question as suggested by 2cats, and hope that the info is posted on there.

ceridwen

....and 'twould be useful Charis if you manage to pick out a coupla suitable ethical places where we can place any "dosh" we have to keep it safe if you let us know what you think.:D .

I reckon keeping it simple includes dealing with our finances in the simplest way (which obviously includes ethically). As simple livers/would-be simple livers - we will obviously be concerned with "other values" - and not just the "me/me/me" way of thinking likely to be prevalent elsewhere on other Boards.:D - that personal responsibility value that a lot of us share on this thread.

ceridwen

Apologies for the delay - but I've got my act together now and just wrapped up those pillowslips and book as per promise
- so they're getting dropped-off at the post office tomorrow. Should be at their new "homes" later this week.

love
ceridwen
x

(edit Monday - duly sent. ETA - Wednesday.)

pagangirl

Hi folks - more postive vibes & hugs coming your way Mary :lovethoug (and for your printer too)!!! Good luck for Wednesday.

Regarding savings - is it worth putting money away at all or just stashing it somewhere at home - the interest rates are that low, (and plans are afoot to lower them even more) - we'll be lucky if we get any interest at all soon !:mad:

Ceridwen - found this - thought it might be of interest to you - (can't do links yet, sorry) checkout the @ldi website for this Thurs 19th February - Mini Cold Frames £29.95. Looks quite sturdy, not sure if you need one to start your plants off? Size cm 96w x 100d x 48h.

Isn't it lovely to have the light nights coming back - oooh twenty to six and I've only just lit up (and put the heat on) Spring has sprung folks - snowdrops are out (and the first two ducks have arrived back on the pond in the garden at work)

mary43

pagangirl - thanks for the positive vibes..........printer now working :T but computer playing up today:eek: Apart from that I feel ok and very positive about things.
Sadly, Mum isn't looking so good and the care home are calling the doctor. Big Bruv will let me know if he's coming back before his due date in March, Not much I can do at the minute.........no point in rushing down there -no car anyway so I'd have to take the bus and stay overnight......mums asleep most of the time and to be honest I feel I've got enough for my head and emotions to deal with at the minute.

Nothing done in the way of clearing out anything but I've been occupying myself making a garden quotes scrapbook for Foster daughter for her birthday. Very theraputic and I can lose myself in things like that. Phoned a friend who was having problems herself but still concerned enough to light as many candles as she has for me.........told me I'm costing her a fortune in them but I said she could turn the lights out and save a bomb on electricity.............lol For a little while we both forgot our own worries. Now to phone one of my sons and let him know about Mum so he's prepared -just in case.

Can''t comment on the finance issues ceridwen - bit over my head at the minute................lol:rotfl:

Charis

ceridwen wrote: »

....and 'twould be useful Charis if you manage to pick out a coupla suitable ethical places where we can place any "dosh" we have to keep it safe if you let us know what you think.:D .

I just did a search on 'ethical building societies' and the Centre for Alternative Technology has some suggestions.

There's even an Ecology Building Society but it's a bit of a stroll for me if I want to place deposits.

I tend to use the one building society in town (now sadly owned by the Black Horse) where I can put any small cheques or cash I receive for birthdays or the odd refund or when the kids repay money I've lent them, or something. My main bank account is operated online and although I can withdraw money from a cash point, if I want to pay any in I have to join the long queue at the Post Office. So last century

The Ethical Company Organisation claims to have the definitive list of ethical banks and building societies. Happy choosing :beer:

ceridwen

Thanks charis

Have sent both those links to my private blog - to go and have a good look at later. Am thinking that money won't be such a preoccupation now I've nearly finished getting my old dump of a house pretty together - so a bit more of my mind free-d up for more important things - yay! more simplification.

It will be good to just deal with the bills/set aside money for the month and then not have to think "now - what comes first?" any more - I'll actually have some spare money at last and just be able to transfer it over to wherever-I-have-decided and forget about it.

Right - must practice a bit more - now a bit more "headspace" has been freed up and see where intuition "leads". I'm starting with supermarket queues - having a quick "check" to see which feels like it'll be the quickest one to join - thought I might as well stop and "think" t'other day "Now - which one has that "light glow" round it?" and see if I can move on from there and get a bit of "help" with choosing where to put my money from the ones on that list;)

Well - its as good a "method" as using "logic" - a scientific study has just confirmed it:D IYSWIM

'twill be a blessing no longer having to focus on all that "robbing Peter to pay Paul" malarkey.....whew!!!!!