Wols Riverbank Tales 5: Recapitulation

beanielou

Oh Numpty you are funny.
How's you?

Wol2

Hi All

Well we're plodding along! Back to invigilating Mocks this week so some more money coming in. Also registered via Groupon for a 1yr package bundle of courses (Prince 2/Six Sigma etc) that never existed in my day but seems you need to have these qualifications now to be regarded as "capable" of working in today's business world. It was £99 reduced from almost £3k [IMG]file:///C:\Users\Cheryl\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif[/IMG]and I have 12 months to avail myself of as much distance learning as i can.

Next post is the MMD!
Chow for now
xxxx

Wol2

Owing to recent unusual circumstances I currently now own TWO Cars!!

1) The blue BMW estate diesel car (2004, 148k mileage with new automatic gearbox, glow plugs, suspension, alloys and tyres over the last 12 months) is now fully repaired at their cost (courtesy of the warranty insurance company). It is now back on the drive/being driven having been MOT'd, taxed, insured (was due so had to do it) and I am still paying the insured warranty/emergency recovery of £62pcm which over the years has more than paid for itself!

2) The recently acquired silver BMW saloon (2002 18k mileage with previous MOT advisory on suspension = bill for £800 approaching) was gifted to me from my parents last month when we thought the blue car was being scrapped. It is being checked/MOT'd this coming week with a view to tax/insurance due next month (July). I have just put it on insurance warranty/emergency recovery cover for £49 per month which will increase next year.

I am emotionally attached to the Pigmobile (blue car) as it was the only solid dependable thing whilst house was flooded/being repaired. We've gone through a lot together. Having now driven both, I also still prefer the Blue Open-boot Estate ref ease of driving and flexibility of space (it enables me to do my piggie rescue runs/get bales of sawdust/hay) which will no longer be possible in the silver saloon owing to the enclosed and smaller boot. I reckon the Pigmobile is now good for another 60k miles (4years at my current mileage)But I'm a bit wary about the reliability given what has happened (especially on ;long distance journeys). Trade in £1500 if lucky - private sale £2k tops

My parents are adamant I can;t sell the silver car as it was a gift from them. They want it kept within the family. Despite being 2 years older, it is in much better aesthetic condition than the blue one and if I get a sales job requiring me to use my own car then this would be my car of preference to use. Trade in and private sale price are similar to Blue car - possibly a slight advantage given the low mileage/better nick.

I have room on my drive for both cars - but they both would have to go up onto the road when I am under flood warning (and one of my grumpy old neighbours has made a habit over the last 15 years of inspecting/reporting any and all cars parked on the road ref out of date tax discs. )

Car Money Moral Dilemma: What do I do?

a) pay to keep both on the road

b) keep one on the road and SORN the other one (if so which - I think I would SORN silver one until a job came along requiring its use?)

c) sell on - if so which? (Blue one as otherwise parents would never forgive me?)

d) other - loan/transfer silver one to another family member until blue one snuffs it

Still no permanent job - money is getting tight. I will be pursuing some costs already incurred (car hire/insurance transfer premiums etc) with insurance warranty company (amounting to some £500) because of the length of time they have taken to finally decide on a course of action = 5weeks - but that's a tale for another day!

All opinions welcome!
xxxx

chevalier

I think a gift with conditions is pretty lame really. But then I know that relationship with your parents is important too. I take it you can't give it back?

Wol2

Hi Chev

Well spotted! Sadly it appears that everything I have ever been "given" by my parents (including my education etc) has been "with conditions". It's just the way my mum is....but at least now I recognise it for what it is.

Silver car not back from garage yet following MOT/service... now driving around the blue car and to be honest I much prefer it but it IS old!

I think I am going to SORN the silver car when the tax is up for renewal later this month - or "loan it" to another family member....until
a) I get a job requiring a smart car for sales or
b) my beloved Pigmobile finally bites the dust

How's things with you Chev?

xxxx

chevalier

I have a small job doing night fill in a supermarket. The work is very hard for a unfit 40 something, so am finding it hard going. On the other hand the money is a pleasant addition to the bank. So will stick it out for a bit. At least it will give me a NZ referee other than the Op Shop I work at
chev

chevalier

HOpe you have managed to sort out your car dilemma, and I have answered your post on my thread too.
chev

chevalier

Hey Wol hope you are ok.

chevalier

Hey Wol how are you doing?

chevalier

Hi Wol hope you were ok behind your flood doors this time. You OK?
We have been in the UK for my mums 80th

hope to hear from you soon
chev