Statement of intent

setmefree2

StuartGMC wrote: »

One to do when I feel well....

poor you

StuartGMC

SMF2
Thanks for that, I'll go to work tomorrow, just hope it doesn't take an hour for the initial hacking cough to ease up first thing!

StuartGMC

Whilst I've been off ill, I've watched (too much) Bloomberg on the economic situation rounded off by Jim Rogers telling everyone to sell Sterling, and the UK is no place to invest! We can wait to see how this will ripple through confidence in us, but he's predicting parity for £ to US$..... Just makes things difficult to plan for investments, and anything outside UK will be more costly.

So much for finding positive news, although Obama's Inauguration was enjoyable to watch.

Some good news however, interest on the mortgage this month was only £17.61 :j:j

Meanwhile, car alarm problem recurred.... contacted Jaguar dealer and they've taken the car back in. The part they had changed out was still on their shelf so as that hadn't caused the fault, they've switched it back in and will refund all the costs (all without me even asking!).

Battery has been double-checked and is sound. Currently (excuse the pun) they have a large portion of the wiring loom removed at the front of the car.... so I hope they can trace fault and return car Weds eve (had a long chat on the phone and was put through to the technician himself to discuss details on the problem). It will be a labour cost but it has to be resolved so watch this space.

Off to work in wife's Focus estate tomorrow rather than courtesy car as it is more convenient for me.

setmefree2

StuartGMC wrote: »

Some good news however, interest on the mortgage this month was only £17.61 :j:j

Briiliant! bet that feels good:D.

PS I'm a Bloomberg addict too. I know you wake early - I do too - I really like the "very" early news as it's more economic and less markets. Mr SMF2 prefers CNBC but luckily he finds it hard to get out of bed so I usually beat him to the telly LOL...

The pound is currently at $1.37 & E0.94.:o Who knows in the long run our weaker currency might help us?

SmileyG_2

hello Stuart

I read your diary with fascination and its the first time I've posted on your diary. I like the approach to trying to create the funds to pay off the mortgage; it's one I am trying to replicate and hopefully it will work as I am sure yours will.

Ref the overseas investments: Would the falling pound not increase the value of the funds in sterling terms?

SmileyG

StuartGMC

setmefree2 wrote: »

Briiliant! bet that feels good:D.

PS I'm a Bloomberg addict too. I know you wake early - I do too - I really like the "very" early news as it's more economic and less markets. Mr SMF2 prefers CNBC but luckily he finds it hard to get out of bed so I usually beat him to the telly LOL...

The pound is currently at $1.37 & E0.94.:o Who knows in the long run our weaker currency might help us?

SMF2, yes the interest charged was nice to see; it's the lowest ever so we must be going in the right direction :rotfl:

At work the weaker pound will for me and colleagues be beneficial as we get a lot of contracts in the USA and from within the EU etc, plus regions which use US$ as the basis for contracts. So hopefully we'll be more attractive and can win more contracts. However, at home this is all eventually going to be bad news when you consider holidays but more so the amount of things we import; it reminds of 1992 when, having been made redundant then getting a job we decided to celebrate with a hi-fi separates system from Denon (having checked reviews etc). At the time the £600 was a lot of money, but stocks were low and the price on new stock was quoted to be about 10-15% more as £ was so weak against the Yen. This resulted in a mad dash to one store which still had one in stock :rotfl:

Finally (and hopefully the last time I need to mention the car for some time!) my "cat" is back on the drive without her alarm sounding. The problem was found to be corrosion of some wires in the loom at the front of the car. The Jaguar dealer then only charged for the labour on this having agreed to refund all costs from the previous attempt. So, I think that represents excellent customer care and service; let's hope I can continue to afford to run the car and then buy an XF in a couple of years.

StuartGMC

SmileyG wrote: »

hello Stuart

I read your diary with fascination and its the first time I've posted on your diary. I like the approach to trying to create the funds to pay off the mortgage; it's one I am trying to replicate and hopefully it will work as I am sure yours will.

Ref the overseas investments: Would the falling pound not increase the value of the funds in sterling terms?

SmileyG

SmileyG
Many thanks for your post and comment, you've not much longer to go to your target; best wishes in that.

Regarding the funds, the OEICs I use are UK based and I think that the value in place would increase, but, for new purchases of units by me and investments by the OEICs themselves the weaker pound will by less overall?

I think during time off in February half-term I need to start collating information in detail on the options ahead for investing (got a few comments on the Savings & Investment board but they're less friendly than here ) so we can have an informed discussion with an IFA etc.

setmefree2

Good news about the car


As far as investing goes a crystal ball would be nice LOL

Welshlassie

Good to hear the car now appears to be sorted, I wonder sometimes whether they are more trouble than they are worth. I'm sure if I didn't have to drive so far to work, I'd seriously consider getting shot of mine completely. Fingers crossed this will be the last thing tha goes on yours and will take you cheaply through until you are ready for your XF.

Regarding your stocks (that came out as socks first time:rotfl: ) I don't really understand these at all. Although we have an equity ISA our IFA deals with the make up of the portfolio. The only thing I'm aware of is its not worth as much as has been put into it, the same with DS CTF (but then I'm not bothered about that as I do't really agree with it:rolleyes: ).

Keep up the good work, you'll be MF before you know itm, and all the hard work will have been worth it. Although I'm not really sure what you'll do to keep yourself occupied if your not planning how to be MF (BTL anyone?)

setmefree2

Welshlassie wrote: »

I wonder sometimes whether they are more trouble than they are worth. I'm sure if I didn't have to drive so far to work, I'd seriously consider getting shot of mine completely. Fingers crossed this will be the last thing tha goes on yours and will take you cheaply through until you are ready for your XF.

Me too - I'd love to be carless. We only have one to drive the kids around these days. I could happily live without. However, I think "our" Stuart is probably a genuine car lover