The ultimate incentive worked! Now onto phase two

Dinah93

Agree, very wise words there. And I feel comforted to know I can just smile and nod while thinking she has a bit of a screw loose! I do understand how horrible it must be if your child moves to another country, but if she had been supportive rather than making me feel unwelcome I might have moved there instead. As it was I had a support structure which welcomed NIM, his didn't welcome me, so he came here.

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

I do actually, but there are a few things holding me back - do you have to pay all at once? When does it have to be paid? And does one need a sewing machine?

The course doesn't start until September, so you wouldn't have to pay the balance until then I would guess. As its a term time course it might well be you pay £63 a term, it doesn't say atm. It says everything is included, I would assume this means material and sewing equipment.

I found a few courses in the end, this one in Bishop Auckland (if you do decide to go Tete, we could split the journey, you could come up to mine, then I could take us both to the course, both legs are about 5-7 miles so not too far), then another in South Bank (no, I don't think the car would be there when I get out!) and then there was one in Billingham but it was during the morning when I work so that was ruled out, and another in Boro for the same reasons.

Now why would you take out a loan when you have savings missy?! Personally yes I'd stick with the banger unless it needs major work.

Poolie

Hi Tete

I just checked on the fiat forum board for the servicing costs for the 500. People on the board are quoting costs for 1st between £99 -> £125+ depends where you go.

Flower08

I am so tired!! I just decided to hoover the stairs, and im ashamed to admit im knackered now. In my defence there are 3 sets of stairs and the hoover is really heavy. Gonna have a break i think before i tackle tidying the bedroom!!

Tete_en_l'Air

Dinah93 wrote: »

Now why would you take out a loan when you have savings missy?! Personally yes I'd stick with the banger unless it needs major work.

I know I know! It's just that that money is sort of locked away for a house deposit somewhere down the line. Augh, I am so so torn with this issue and it doesn't help that I feel sentimental about Ol' Bluey I'm going to get a mechanic to do me a non-official MOT in a few weeks I think to see how much the real MOT's going to cost. There's always the chance that it's GOING TO need major work in the near future too.

Poolie you're being a total angel though thanks for all the info - I guess that's about normal isn't it for a service? Or even quite good?

Dressmaking - Hmm, I could save for it if it's in September ... Hmm ... I guess let me know when you know any more details. I wouldn't fancy South Bank either TBH, even though my uncle is like some kind of Don round those parts (he's nice honest, but he's respected too by the baddies!)

Flower I feel your pain with the hoovering, I decided to do the stairs in one of my three-storey student houses all in one go once and I couldn't move for about a week after - be prepared for tomorrow!!

Flower08

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

Flower I feel your pain with the hoovering, I decided to do the stairs in one of my three-storey student houses all in one go once and I couldn't move for about a week after - be prepared for tomorrow!!

Luckily i put myself a nice big bottle of water in the freezer before i started. My arms already hurt!!
But have decided that this place needs a big spring clean and i suppose i have nothing better to do :rotfl:
The cat is looking at me like i have lost the plot - shes not used to seeing me clean :rotfl:

Tete_en_l'Air

She'll be spooked by the hoover I bet! Right I'm off now, early finish for a spot of tea then Drag me to Hell! Yay!

Dinah93

But your money is loosing money by paying a lot of interest on your loan which you could be putting into the savings instead! Work out how much interest you'd pay a month and pay that much extra into your savings each month over and above repaying the missing money. Basically use your savings account like your own private loan and pay the interest to yourself instead of the banks!

I tried to get on the website but it doesn't seem to load, all flashy and no content, very useful. I'll give them a bell about the course if it doesn't start working in the next few days.

Snow_White_5

Dinah93 wrote: »

But your money is loosing money by paying a lot of interest on your loan which you could be putting into the savings instead! Work out how much interest you'd pay a month and pay that much extra into your savings each month over and above repaying the missing money. Basically use your savings account like your own private loan and pay the interest to yourself instead of the banks!

That is SUCH a good idea. Never would've though of that!:T

Poolie

Tete - Not a problem at all been a pleasure helping you out.

Servicing costs sound not bad. Dealers have told us to expect the following for service for 3 yrs:

1st year - £80 approx
2nd year - £150 approx
3rd year - £90 approx

One point on the servicing and MOTs. With a new car you have NO MOT costs for 3 years. With your current car you will have the MOT each year and servicing costs plus any additional repairs with a car of its age.

I agree with Dinah on her points but you have to ask your mechanic to also have a look at your engine. For example is it going to need a new cam belt shortly (approx £250+) and if it is not done then that is a new engine. Have you had any other major expenses yet? Do you get it serviced each year - as the engine oil is highly important to your car as the cleaner and new the oil is the longer your engine will last.

We did look at Fiat (I don't really like them since we have the 1999 Bravo at the moment) but were put off my having to pay the loan off over 4 years compared to the standard 3 so your warranty runs out before you finish paying for the car. Yes the interest rate is 6.5%. Although you will be paying less each month compared to people on 3 year loans you will pay more over the 4 years. One final point, if you look at the optional final payment they are charging £250(if i remember correctly) for completing the loan. This annoyed me and I didn't see why I should pay them to complete a loan since they have had 3 years worth of interest. So you can think of the £250 as £250 additional interest.

Also beware, I have just heard that Toyota have put up there cars on the 9th May by £200 on top on the last price increase on 1st may so we were lucky when we purchased ours as we got hit by 1 increase but avoided the second one.

I have a look at the road fund tax for the Fiat 500. 1st year is £35 which is included in the on the road price with your following year being £30. We are lucky because ours will be £20 saying that is compared to our current £120 per annum so we have saved a £100 by getting rid of the older car.

It is a huge decision and you need to work the numbers through for yourself. It may be worth a call to a dealership to get some idea of costs so you know exactly what you would be committing too.

Birdie85

That is a good idea, if you've got the money it kind of makes sense to lend it to yourself!