Saving tips and Finances

They would however take the car.

Which as you no longer need it would not  be a big problem.

For us it would not have been an issue. The money was available earning interest. If we had paid for the car outright it would have cost us £500 more (manufacturers contribution) plus interest on the reducing balance and final £5,900. The cost for setting up the agreement was I think £25.

You just have to be persistent when you come to the end of the agreement, as they really don't want you to pay it off. 

I'm a fan of premium bonds, no tax and the chance of a win. We have put my Mum's remaining funds in PBs and she has made small gains which go towards the £750 weekly care home fees. I am a great believer in savings as you head towards retirement and a possible lengthy old age. 

And this is exactly what successive governments told us to do and 10 years ago we got stabbed in the back. The current rates even for long term investment are still mostly below inflation so any move upward is well overdue.

TESCO BANK cancels some customers credit cards due to fraud.  Daily Mail yesterday. Hope no one here affected.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-5478319/Tesco-Bank-cancels-customers-credit-cards-following-fraud-concerns.html

You got in on time, NS&I have now reduced the rates.

BBC Business News

 It was nice timing then Brue. Thanks for that

The only problem I have with car finance is that the APR on the borrowing is not covered by whatever I can earn by way of investment interest of that sum.

Yes, they might give you a £500 sweetener but the financiers still end up laughing all the way to the bank. That is why they do not want you to repay the loan early.

Separately, I see an advert on the TV today where a credit company is quoting an APR of 49.5%. Wow that used to be called Usury in the old days and, I believe, illegal!

I believe one of the credit card companies quoting nearly 50% are offering the card to people with poor credit history.  

We won twice last month, and just received another win today!