I cant take this anymore!

BWZN93

No news yet unfortunately, and im still waiting to hear back from the insurance company.

Im feeling ok really, im off work for a couple of days now which is probably a good thing as I think I need a bit of a breather to get myself together and organised again. Ive got a variety of visitors over the weekend too so it should take my mind off things and I hope ill be able to vent a little about everything

Ive still got my head firmly stuck in the sand however, im giving myself a bit of mental space before I deal with it all! Payday is tomorrow and I have bills to pay, a budget to work out, and a flat to tidy. Ill deal with everything else early next week and then go back to work feeling better and having an action plan in place.

Anyone ever taken the direct access motorbike test/lessons? Im thinking of bringing forward the plan to do it next year and wondered how hard it is?!

Jo x

ZTD

jw1096 wrote: »

Anyone ever taken the direct access motorbike test/lessons? Im thinking of bringing forward the plan to do it next year and wondered how hard it is?!

I know the motorcycle test is going to be changed to make it a lot harder/more expensive. So if you're going to do it - do it soon.

Helonearth

I have to admit I have a huge mistrust of the direct access system. The idea that someone with no motorbike experience could be riding a superbike within a week scares the hell out of me.

Take your test, thats a great idea, but do the normal one. You will get the full allowance in 2 years, which gives you time to become an experienced rider before you are tempted by a powerful bike.

Good luck, and I hope you get everything sorted when you have gathered your head together to challenge the insurance company!

H x

MissKJ

When car/ bike theives kill or maime themselves, as they often do, the police call it summary justice.

Unfortunately though, they are sons/brothers/ best friends of someone else, and it causes their family more grief than you would probably wish on your worst enemy. Most young criminals, aged 16 to 25 do grow out of the propensity to commit crime, and some actually do go on to contribute to society. You wouldn't believe the number young people out in the night, whose parents think they are at their respective friends house for a sleep over. If I ever catch my children doing that their feet won't touch the floor!!

GreyPilgrim wrote: »

They probably do know, they either don't care, or see it as a legitimate income and take a cut to pay their bills.

Having been a victim a few years ago, I find solace in the chance (however unlikely) that they may hit a stationary object while they're out joyriding, puncture the fuel tank, get covered in petrol and spend a few agonising months recovering from third degree burns. Or maybe just a few compound fractures.

Anyway, good luck with sorting this out, is there a car share scheme near you?
It's not many things that bring out the vitriol in me. Thieving scumbags are one of them. Don't let the b4stards grind you down. Ever.

BWZN93

I think I might turn this thread into my diary if no-one minds?

Morning all!

Its payday, I got paid about £80 more than I was planning for so thats good. The Co-op OD is now dead (yay!) and am awaiting a delivery of £200 of Next vouchers that will be promptly re-enveloped and sent by special to Next. That account doesnt get updated till the 22nd so I havent sent any actual money yet either as I want that to count towards the next months payment. When voucher set 1 hits, so should my monthly payment (will send £40), and then I should have voucher set 2 arriving shortly (£30). That should leave me with a balance of approx £100 to clear. YAY!

Im feeling quite good this morning, ive got a couple of days away from work and think I will go and have my hair done. There is a place just down the road that I would like to try as im going back to blonde via the highlights route and its not the cheapest of thing to do, and the little local salon should be cheaper than any of the big names. Im also visiting my tattoo artist today to go and approve some drawings for a little project im starting in the new year.

I know I probably sound like a crazy individual (tattoo's, motorbikes, chasing criminals in the middle of the night etc!) but I can assure you that I am a most sensible and normal person! I look quite tame actually.

Ive been thinking more about the direct access thing too and agree that it is a little crazy that someone with no experience can be out a week later on a bike thats way too powerful. I think I may go the standard route but take up lessons really soon as the changes come into force in October 2008 so I still have time. This is the bike I want though Its pretty!

Ill have something small for a couple of years though first as I really dont have a deathwish!

So - checklist of things to do today:

Call insurance co as they didnt call me like they were supposed to!

Make an appointment at hairdressers

Go to Brum and enjoy some quiet time to myself

Post back docs for opening account at RBS

Maybe call some rider schools and see what the charges are like for learning to ride

Finally - wash dishes and stick a load of laundry in the washer. Oh - cat litter trays need a clean too The joys of cat parenthood :rolleyes:

Just for fun - this was my moped His name is Little Wing!

Jo x

BWZN93

Ok, so - this is a diary and it seems appropriate to do a SOA, so here goes.... Please bear in mind however that as its not long to go before OH is not going to be around, the figures only include my income and expenditure but council tax is still being paid at the full rates until I actually do the deed. These additional costs on top of what my budget will be are to be paid for out of his wages, the rest I am leaving untouched so he actually has cash to move out. I do all the finances so he wont actually realise that the cash is still in his account

My Income:

£1298.22 (this month, its normally around £1100 but the overtime has made it up this month, and should be getting a payrise so hopefully will remain around this figure) I could also cancel my AVC payment bumping up the income by approx £50, but im terrified that ill be a poor pensioner as I cant afford to buy a house so I have an employers pension which I put 5% in, and another 5% in AVC's. Id rather not cancel it though as its contributed pre tax so makes financial sense in a way.

Outgoings:

Rent £525
Council Tax £71 (£95 for both of us)
Water £30 (will hopefully go down soon)
Electricity £25 (just switched so £58 this month as final bill came through from Npower too)
Gas £25 (this WILL go down!)
Pet Insurance £5.68
TV, Broadband, Phone and Mobile £41

All the above take into consideration that the OH works most evenings and I work in the day so the bills are high because there is generally always someone in the house at any given time. I also need to factor in home insurance as being on my own will mean increased likelihood of being robbed. Im a bit paranoid on this front now actually!

Food & Smokes £100 (just for me - approx figure cos I dont actually know yet and I smoke rollies anyway) This will include most work lunches etc and I could probably get it lower as I dont eat fancy when im alone
Petrol £9 (was - no moped)

Debts:

Next a/c Balance £366.29, Min payment is 10%, APR 26.49% Limit £1500 (by Nov 5th balance remaining will be £100 approx)
Visa CC Balance £694.65, Min payment approx £30, APR 38.89%:o Limit £1500
RBS OD Balance £1923.50, APR unsure, Interest is approx £7.50 a month as only paying interest on £500; Limit £2000
Co-Op OD is now dead :T
As is House of Fraser card :T
New RBS a/c Balance 0.00, APR 19.9%, Limit OD £500

I have tried getting a 0% card but was unfortunately rejected.... Had a look at Experian and nothing bad - Just 1 x late payment to the CC accidentally.

Misc Spends:

Hair £80 - this is once every three months or so
Gym £29 - I have sent a letter to cancel this and hopefully they will accept it. Ive told them I will pay one more month then I will cancel the DD.
Easy Living magazine £6 - one off payment for 6 months of magazines

Ive also got another £100 in misc category as this will be now used for bus fares etc.

The budget on my spreadsheet shows that my budget comes in on target of earnings so I wont be spending more than I earn, but there is no leeway for emergencies. I am tempted to transfer the new £500 OD on my new current account to the credit card which will half the interest paid on that amount. This may mean that I can clear the card completely before the end of the year leaving only 2 x RBS overdrafts to pay off.

I also need to factor in the insurance payout (probably only around £600 if im lucky) for the moped and may well buy another with it to prevent further bus costs.

Any thoughts so far?

Jo x

Tete_en_l'Air

HI Jo,

Just stumbled across this thread after having a stressed out morning because my car wouldn't start and I'll need a new battery - really put things into perspective for me! Sounds like you're having a lot of upheaval at the mo with yr OH and a stolen moped is the last thing you need!

I don't have anything to say financially as I'm no expert, but I will share a hairdresser tip - I always hated the way they blow dry my hair all straight and perfect because I never do it like that and it's not really 'me' (more of a dragged through a hedge type myself!), so one day I said "Just rough dry it please - take the wetness out and that'll do me" and my bill was about £10 lower than normal! So now I always say that, and I'm richer and happier with the result!

Anyway, hugs and best wishes; I'll be reading your diary with interest. Lucy x

ZTD

Helonearth wrote: »

I have to admit I have a huge mistrust of the direct access system. The idea that someone with no motorbike experience could be riding a superbike within a week scares the hell out of me.

To me, it's less dangerous than the car route, where someone could pass their test and be driving around in a 1.5 ton 150mph rep-mobile.

At least on a bike, you're only stupid once.

ZTD

jw1096 wrote: »

I think I might turn this thread into my diary if no-one minds?

No one would mind - but you not want a fresh thread without me ranting on it..? :whistle:

jw1096 wrote: »

This is the bike I want though Its pretty!

Ill have something small for a couple of years though first as I really dont have a deathwish!

Funnily enough, the bike I want is cheap to run and nothing else. I already have a 160mph car (apparently) - so no real need for speed.

jw1096 wrote: »

Just for fun - this was my moped
His name is Little Wing!

Cute...

In_Search_Of_Me

Good that you've given yourself some time to sort things as it gives you some head space. Re haircut there is a superrug offer on here somewhere - something like 50p haircut when you get a voucher from superdrug mag (which costs 50p) & harcut is free but there are limited salons - it was in Martins tip I think! With Oh gone would it be worth thnking about an evening bar job for extra dosh & socialising free? Just a thought...Also would it be worth holding off on tatoo until the majr CC's are done? Those interest rates are dire - which Iknow you know but possibly reframe and have the tatoo as a celebratory marker to paying them off and then you can design over time? I have one wee one (which suprises people!!) and did think of getting another later on...Anyway, up to you but the feeling of having stuff paid off will be huge I'm sure & you'd get there a bit quicker? What about flogging stuff, surveys, AQA etc to earn extra dosh plus some comps! Dont know about motorbikes though I'm affraid! Big hugs & great that you are planning & positive!