No Cal. That’s the result of having goofy kids.....
Btw, my ”Swedish” daughter gave birth to her first baby this morning. When I skyped her, I understood, she had won a superprize. A long and sometimes hard struggle gave her a son - Adrian.
I should by me a virtual cigarr ....
Bought a few things on the Aliexpress 11.11 sale. A new remote for the 15 year old DVD player I recently bought: fingers crossed that it works with it. An exterior car cover for the Corvette; chose the largest size to be sure it would cover the extra width of the car. A mirror dash cam for my wife's car.
Thanks for your acknowledgments anatech, phase
The rep at the bank said congratulations and then asked "what are your plans now?". I thought it a slightly odd question though I guess she was meaning now that there will be a sizeable chunk of money left in the budget each month.
I was going to continue here with a rant about how many people (not exclusively young) do not understand the principles and practice of making and keeping to a household budget and who also then waste money paying interest on unsecured loans that were used to satisfy a need for immediate gratification while buying non-essentials ... but I just ended up sounding like grumpy old man.
The rep at the bank said congratulations and then asked "what are your plans now?". I thought it a slightly odd question though I guess she was meaning now that there will be a sizeable chunk of money left in the budget each month.
I was going to continue here with a rant about how many people (not exclusively young) do not understand the principles and practice of making and keeping to a household budget and who also then waste money paying interest on unsecured loans that were used to satisfy a need for immediate gratification while buying non-essentials ... but I just ended up sounding like grumpy old man.
Sadly, I don't think you/we can blame the (not exclusively young (youngsters) for it all.
Credit is thrust upon us all as a means to acquire spangled jewels of possession, HP for a new car, 8k TV, bluray, all manner of things.
Consumerism is pounded into the psyche of each and every one of us - and it takes significant force of will to resist the shiny goodness, that we are all told we need to be happy and content.
I am neither old nor young, and by no means frugal in my existence - I have squandered money on excesses in my lifetime, but also recognise the almost subliminal brainwashing metered out by media - literally everywhere.
But...
I dont own a car, I still have a regular DVD player, and 1080p 32" TV.
I have, over the last decade, paid off in excess of 25% negative equity, to arrive at a place where I am no better off than when I started, working in a warehouse for minimum wage, living in a property worth less than my first (except I am now an engineer, and have precious little financial benefit, relatively speaking, since everything has vastly increased in cost over than decade.
I also have no credit, other than a mortgage, and have an excellent credit score.
I blame credit culture and the sub prime collapse, its shockwaves permanently affecting my life. (And others lives)
I dont think the relative wealth (of 2005-2010), I felt, despite earning half what I do now, will ever return.
My private, compulsory pension, will certainly never afford me the retired lifestyle, that a great many of my peers are, and will enjoy (the 50s baby boomer generation), despite paying as much as I can afford into it; when weighing up the pros and cons of saving and paying down the mortgage.
I fear for my children's impending poverty, when they are old enough to earn a crust, and make their own way in life.
Ironically the south coast (where I was born and bred), is so vastly inflated in cost, I could never hope to afford to live in anything but a bus shelter.
Credit is thrust upon us all as a means to acquire spangled jewels of possession, HP for a new car, 8k TV, bluray, all manner of things.
Consumerism is pounded into the psyche of each and every one of us - and it takes significant force of will to resist the shiny goodness, that we are all told we need to be happy and content.
I am neither old nor young, and by no means frugal in my existence - I have squandered money on excesses in my lifetime, but also recognise the almost subliminal brainwashing metered out by media - literally everywhere.
But...
I dont own a car, I still have a regular DVD player, and 1080p 32" TV.
I have, over the last decade, paid off in excess of 25% negative equity, to arrive at a place where I am no better off than when I started, working in a warehouse for minimum wage, living in a property worth less than my first (except I am now an engineer, and have precious little financial benefit, relatively speaking, since everything has vastly increased in cost over than decade.
I also have no credit, other than a mortgage, and have an excellent credit score.
I blame credit culture and the sub prime collapse, its shockwaves permanently affecting my life. (And others lives)
I dont think the relative wealth (of 2005-2010), I felt, despite earning half what I do now, will ever return.
My private, compulsory pension, will certainly never afford me the retired lifestyle, that a great many of my peers are, and will enjoy (the 50s baby boomer generation), despite paying as much as I can afford into it; when weighing up the pros and cons of saving and paying down the mortgage.
I fear for my children's impending poverty, when they are old enough to earn a crust, and make their own way in life.
Ironically the south coast (where I was born and bred), is so vastly inflated in cost, I could never hope to afford to live in anything but a bus shelter.
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I think you might have done the paperwork wrong. I don't think there's duty on an item not remaining in the country.
Congrats. I know the feeling as on the 1st of Nov I paid off my house.
Now to pay off the new motorcycle and car I bought for retirement which should take place in one year.
Three year loan on each, and I hope to pay off the KTM 790 Adventure before I retire, and the Subaru Outback 36R the year I retire (36 month loan, but I have to wait to pay it off due to taxes).