The Advice Thread

[Nando]

It is indeed. The wife was looking at them when she had to pick her works car but at the time the new style was only available in auto which she isn't keen on

My parents are in the same boat and my mum had the same reservations about the auto but after driving it was completely sold and trust me, that really is saying something!

It's a beautiful car, although for me that is particularly down to the tech enhancements over the current competition. There's a new Golf, Leon, Mazda 3, 1 Series and Giullietta due in the next year and it'll be interesting to see how it matches up.

I've just picked up a new Ibiza and it's superb value for the package. The Arona could be an option, Parkin. Same chassis, same tech and a good looking car.

 

[Kenny]

My parents are in the same boat and my mum had the same reservations about the auto.

I think it was more about having 1 auto and 1 manual car. She drives mine a fair bit and swapping between the 2 would annoy her. Picky sod.

When I change mine in 3 years time I will be going over to an auto and then she will do the same a few months later.

 

[Penk Wolf]

I would never buy anything other than auto.

 

[Jinky]

Cheers, gonna need something with a decent sized boot. Hubby was looking at the Evoque, but I'm not keen. Mind you I only have to sit in it, not drive it, so at the end of the day it's his choice.

I’ve got an Evoque. Had it about a month and bloody love it. Drove it up to Scotland and back over the weekend and it didn’t miss a beat.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I would never buy anything other than auto.

Same here. My knees have thanked me ever since I made the change to auto.

 

[Pablowolf]

I’ve got an Evoque. Had it about a month and bloody love it. Drove it up to Scotland and back over the weekend and it didn’t miss a beat.

Do JLR supply the ladder and cushions or did you have to buy your own?

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Only downside I guess is you have to drive around in a Vauxhall Meriva...

:run:

:icon_Red-Card:

 

[Tredman]

Anyone been to India?

Need to get a visa sharpish, but can't work out whether I actually will need to go for an interview or not.

 

[Doctor Doog]

Anyone been to India?

Need to get a visa sharpish, but can't work out whether I actually will need to go for an interview or not.

Not been for a while, but I've never had to go for an interview. Come to think of it, one of my team went in January, and I'm pretty sure he didn't either. Be careful with photos, they didn't accept standard passport size ones, though that may have changed.

 

[Tredman]

Not been for a while, but I've never had to go for an interview. Come to think of it, one of my team went in January, and I'm pretty sure he didn't either. Be careful with photos, they didn't accept standard passport size ones, though that may have changed.

Thanks for that - did some more googling and it seems like you need to take it in person, or use an approved agency. Think I'll go for the latter, can leave them to it while I'm away in Holland next week.

 

[Johnny75]

Thanks for that - did some more googling and it seems like you need to take it in person, or use an approved agency. Think I'll go for the latter, can leave them to it while I'm away in Holland next week.

Use an approved agent or you waste a day in Brum waiting for your Visa.

Where are you going?

 

[Tredman]

Use an approved agent or you waste a day in Brum waiting for your Visa.

Where are you going?

Mainly Gadag to look at a water supply project, but also Mumbai and possibly Goa. Only got a few days so it's going to be a mad rush.

 

[UKYankieWWFC]

Has anyone had any experience with internships?
My son who's 16 nearly 17 and in high school in the US is interested in the field of engineering. The company I work for has 3 summer openings and he's interested in applying.
As a member of staff do you think it would be awkward if he took a role in the summer along side me or another member of the staff where I work?

 

[Alan]

Has anyone had any experience with internships?
My son who's 16 nearly 17 and in high school in the US is interested in the field of engineering. The company I work for has 3 summer openings and he's interested in applying.
As a member of staff do you think it would be awkward if he took a role in the summer along side me or another member of the staff where I work?

As long as you still send him through the proper channels, nobody worth a shit should give you flak for it.

Internships are absolutely invaluable these days.

 

[playtheace]

Mortgages anyone!

Is the life of a mortgage based on the term or on the amount left on it?

 

[Parkins left foot]

Mortgages anyone!

Is the life of a mortgage based on the term or on the amount left on it?

You would have had it agreed for a specific term originally & assuming it is on a repayment basis then the amount left has been reducing in line with that. Unless payments are missed or there has been an agreement to vary the repayment rate then the term is the date you should be out of it.

Can always ask the lender to provide the relevant dates etc assuming that all is paid on time till completion (in reality most will send an annual statement which will show the outstanding amount & final payment date on that basis)

 

[MARKakaJIM]

I'd guess the question has come about from early or extra payments rather than missing payments? So whilst the outstanding balance is obviously reducing with the extra repayment that doesn't necessarily reduce the period automatically, would just mean the fixed payments are reduced to a lower amount to run through to the pre-agreed term.

Not sure how that plays out when you get to close to the end, we've overpaid what we could afford so far with the view to reducing our period overall but we're not going to see that bare any fruit until our fixed period ends and we can re-negotiate the balance on a shorter period rather than reduced repayments. Perhaps some clause in there where you have to notify the bank in advance of bringing the outstanding balance down to zero?

 

[Parkins left foot]

If you are not on a fixed deal then usully have an option to reduce the payments or the term if you make overpayment.

If you are on a deal then may have to wait till that ends till you can do that (depends on the terms of whatever deal you have) - gives you the choice at that point though

 

[playtheace]

I'd guess the question has come about from early or extra payments rather than missing payments? So whilst the outstanding balance is obviously reducing with the extra repayment that doesn't necessarily reduce the period automatically, would just mean the fixed payments are reduced to a lower amount to run through to the pre-agreed term.

Not sure how that plays out when you get to close to the end, we've overpaid what we could afford so far with the view to reducing our period overall but we're not going to see that bare any fruit until our fixed period ends and we can re-negotiate the balance on a shorter period rather than reduced repayments. Perhaps some clause in there where you have to notify the bank in advance of bringing the outstanding balance down to zero?

Didnt really explain myself very well to be honest.
Havent overpaid but have been a beneficiary of low interest rates, the mortgage has about £160 quid left on it but the mortgage term still has nearly 5 years left to run.

Now my question was due to having one of these (now obsolete) offset mortgages with a mortgage current account reserve against it.
Although the rules have changed, the current account reserve used to take your mortgage payments and put so much into the reserve pot and allow you to borrow that
cash at the same rate as the mortgage. (some folks built up pots of 60k and used it to invest in ISA's etc)

Anyway, they have now reduced the pot to 7k max which i wouldnt mind borrowing at 1.25% rate,however it says, it must be paid back when the mortgage ends which is where
my question came from.

 

[Keef]

Just had a phone call out of the blue,from an interview I had last August asking if I'm still interested in the job.
At the minute I'm driving a minibus taking special needs kids to school,30 hours a week,minimum wage,school holidays off,with extra work if I want it.
Job I've had the phone call about is 48 hours a week on a 4 on 4 off rota,involves working shifts,it's driving a vehicle recovery truck,accidents,breakdowns etc,it's more money,more hours,more interesting(maybe)
I've not long started the minibus job,I enjoy it,but it's a bit samey and dull,the time off is nice,and I'd got plans for the 6 weeks involving a cross country bike ride,and a course to better myself and open up a new job market.
Bloke who rang wants a decision asap,so do I do a job I enjoy,or follow the money and a maybe more interesting harder job?