hanging my head in shame

miggy

I'm so sorry to hear your news Jim. Thank you for letting us know. I'm very glad you were able to visit your family recently.

joop

Have been lurking on your thread. Sorry about you Grandad. So pleased you were able to see him. x

welshgirl78

Wow - just read it all and have been reading bits out, plus cried at least 3 times!!

Such a fabulous motivation to the most down people, Jim you were so sad when you first posted, and little over a month later things have improved imeasureabley (sp!). I am very sorry to hear about your grandfather, but so glad to hear how much your new focus has made your last times with him better. This is truely an inspirational story - made so much truer by the genuine remarks made by you as your thoughts progress...

Good luck Jim, please keep posting and I will try to keep my irregular keeping up! xxx

worried_jim

Thank you all. I have spoken to my Mum and we laughed about the whoopee cushion, it was the first time she has heard the storey and thought it was so typical of her Dad to do that, apparently there were many family occasions when one would slipped under a cushion. Work were very good yesterday and let me go home in the morning, strange thing is I have been smiling more than crying at all the great memories I have- this must be a good thing.
I checked my bank account today to make sure that my first payment to payplan has left- it did, but i've noticed my mortgage payment with abbey hasn't changed yet the interest rates have come down, will need to give them a call on Tuesday.

worried_jim

Have the funeral next week and will be attending. spoke to mum who is doing really well and tells me everybody is in good spirits which I am glad to hear. My dad got kidney stones yesterday and has been in a lot of pain but the dr has been called out and given an injection which seems to have helped.
I hope this is not the start of a dreadful year- still feeling pretty positive despite the family setbacks.

MrsPorridge

Hello Jim, so sorry to hear of your sad news about your Grandad. Also about your Dad. I think things like this go in cycles don't they? Glad to hear you are still feeling positive.

Sending you a little positive hug :grouphug:

worried_jim

I am feeling the hug mrs porridge ! I like your challenges for 2009 esp Lose 28lbs by Easter 0/28.
Dr's are unsure to weather its a kidney infection or stones, just spoke to dad and he said he'd never felt pain like it and has had blood test etc and is feeling a lot better today. Told my mum that bad luck comes in threes so she'd better be careful crossing the roads !

worried_jim

Have just spoken to abbey re mortgage. currently paying £714 @ 6.94% fixed until November 2009. I have been offered 2 choices tracker or fixed deal. There are 2 fixed deals, 2 years and 3 years @ 4.89% which would be £647.21. I would pay slightly more for an arrangement fee for the 3 year and would have a 3% early penalty clause. 2% on 2 year.
The tracker is 2.79 % above boe base rate and would currently work out @ £635 4.79%
Now with the tracker I would have to pay £1983 in fees which I would have to add to the balance, with the fixed deals the fees would be £799 2 year and £899 3 year.
Right now the tracker is the cheapest monthly payment and I suspect that rates would be cut again, but how long until they start to go up.
My mortgage is £95000 and all figures are for repayment which I am happy with. Do I gamble with tracker for 2 years (then no exit fees) or play safe and fix for 2 years ?
I must point out that it is unlikely that I would be able to move to another provider due to adverse credit history and a I am not in a position to pay any fees up front.

Trillionaire

Hi Jim

There are quite a few threads on 'should I move from my fixed rate to a tracker etc' on the mortgage board and I think you should ask there for some advice before going ahead and doing anything.

By the way, I've been reading your thread from the beginning and I'm so pleased for you that things are looking up.

Please don't make any rash decisions. Get some advice and work out those figures.

worried_jim

Thanks Trillionaire, I have had a look on the mortgage thread and this is the best reply I've had -
Hi worried jim
As you dont have the money to pay the ERC charge and will also have to add any new fees to get another deal IE £ 899 for the 3 year fixed and £1084.64 ERC you would be borrowing another £2000 at 4.89% on top of your mortgage!
As you will only save £80 a month its going to take you 25 months before you are better off and thats not taking into account the interest you would pay on the £2K !
Can you sit tight for another 10 months and wait till your current deal ends
and then see what abbey could offer you then.
If you have a spare £2k then pay it off the mortgage GOOD LUCK