Statement of intent

Courgette

clarew wrote: »

Stuart, saw this in a magazine yesterday and i nearly laughed out loud.....not sure who should get this in their stocking for christmas between you, financial bliss,gallygirl or tesco points addict...?! Acutally, have just noticed its out of stock, so maybe you've all got one already...?!

http://www.gadgetshop.com/ViewAll/I-Love-Spreadsheets-Mug/EPN378026

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Although speaking of which, any chance I could have a copy of your famous spreadsheet? Now I have lots of time on hands (no more wedding planning) I intend to get a bit more organised :T

StuartGMC

Courgette wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Although speaking of which, any chance I could have a copy of your famous spreadsheet? Now I have lots of time on hands (no more wedding planning) I intend to get a bit more organised :T

No problem at all, I just sent you a PM

Courgette

Excellent (if rather daunting ) spreadsheet, Stuart - thanks very much :T

RosieTiger

Courgette wrote: »

Excellent (if rather daunting ) spreadsheet, Stuart - thanks very much :T

Now that would be the right quote for Stuart to have on a mug !

StuartGMC

Courgette wrote: »

Excellent (if rather daunting ) spreadsheet, Stuart - thanks very much :T

Hopefully you've now had a little time to digest it - I promise you it "ain't so bad" once you start to populate the data.

RosieTiger wrote: »

Now that would be the right quote for Stuart to have on a mug !

RT, thanks!

Not much financial to report presently, Funds had dipped in the last week but recovered back to profit now (only 4.97% total profit, or 7.85% on actual holdings). Hoping that we see continued growth in these now.

New credit card arrived and I used it on the business trip to Aberdeen Monday and Tuesday (bit chilly on arrival at -3°C though!) which should give me 10,000 Marriott points and it gives automatic Silver Elite status with them. I've got a virtual guarantee of 12nights with them in March when in US on business and will get 2points per £ spent. These should build nicely to get some free hotel accommodation. Also have the miles on Continental Airlines for trans-Atlantic flights plus points on Natwest scheme (yourpoints) so will try to see if I can get all these to work together for a cheap break or two in 2011.

Gas and electricity switchover should be proceeding soon, and direct debit will start at £76 per month which is £24 less than now. Hoping that converts to real saving too! Have tweaked CH temp up to 18°C as we had a lot of condensation on the double glazing when it was set at 16-17°C. Hope this will stop it whilst not using too much energy.

OWL meter been running for a week and it is interesting watching it respond even to lights etc being turned on or off. Does give a little incentive to think about what is consuming power.

golfiematt

i have problems with condensation in the mornings, if you open a couple of windows slightly it help circulate the air and reduce condensation.I usually do this for an hour.I know its letting some heat out but hopefully everyone goes to work and you dont need to put the heating on in the day!
Whats an OWL meter do by the way?

abouttimetoo

SmlSave wrote: »

PUMPKINS!

I don't understand, what did I miss?

Stuart, sorry to make the picture appear again - think of it as a favour to make this page longer and bring you closer to a new one

abouttimetoo

StuartGMC wrote: »

New credit card arrived and I used it on the business trip to Aberdeen Monday and Tuesday (bit chilly on arrival at -3°C though!) which should give me 10,000 Marriott points and it gives automatic Silver Elite status with them. I've got a virtual guarantee of 12nights with them in March when in US on business and will get 2points per £ spent. These should build nicely to get some free hotel accommodation. Also have the miles on Continental Airlines for trans-Atlantic flights plus points on Natwest scheme (yourpoints) so will try to see if I can get all these to work together for a cheap break or two in 2011.

I really like Marriott hotels and with work have managed to accumulate lots of points. I used some of them for a European City break last year; when I rang to use the points I asked about upgrades and was told I could ask at check-in when I arrived - so I cheekily asked the check-in lady and got upgraded to a lovely suite, I stayed 3 nights that would have cost £1500 according to their rack rate and all on my points.

I think they have enhanced the point system this year so there are no black out nights. When I used my some of my points last year I actually 'paid' double the points for the third night than the first two nights cost in total as it was a black out night but I didn't mind as I had so many points anyway. I have thought about taking their credit card but I have an embarrassment of riches on that front at the moment but I may take one in the future or, when my jobs means I'm going to be in a Marriott for a considerable amount of time.

Gas and electricity switchover should be proceeding soon, and direct debit will start at £76 per month which is £24 less than now. Hoping that converts to real saving too! Have tweaked CH temp up to 18°C as we had a lot of condensation on the double glazing when it was set at 16-17°C. Hope this will stop it whilst not using too much energy.

Thanks for the reminder I need to ring and reduce my electricity DD as I'm always in credit - I did get as far as ringing them a couple of weeks ago and then the doorbell went and I haven't got round to calling the back yet.

OWL meter been running for a week and it is interesting watching it respond even to lights etc being turned on or off. Does give a little incentive to think about what is consuming power.

What's an OWL meter?

StuartGMC

golfiematt wrote: »

i have problems with condensation in the mornings, if you open a couple of windows slightly it help circulate the air and reduce condensation.I usually do this for an hour.I know its letting some heat out but hopefully everyone goes to work and you dont need to put the heating on in the day!
Whats an OWL meter do by the way?

We usually have the bedroom window open all NIGHT (although OH wants it shut if it is less than 0°C outside ), but certainly we hadn't had such issues last year. Having raised temperature a degree or so it seems better.

OWL is the product name; unit has sender clipped over mains wire at meter/fusebox and receiver unit sowing live consumption figures, CO2 etc

StuartGMC

abouttimetoo wrote: »

I really like Marriott hotels and with work have managed to accumulate lots of points. I used some of them for a European City break last year; when I rang to use the points I asked about upgrades and was told I could ask at check-in when I arrived - so I cheekily asked the check-in lady and got upgraded to a lovely suite, I stayed 3 nights that would have cost £1500 according to their rack rate and all on my points.

Did it cost extra points?

What's an OWL meter?

see above..