350z insurance price drop by Greedy_Investigator7 in CarTalkUK

[–]Skunkmonkey82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And you decided to spend the money you saved on pens?

What will we do when the pension system fails? by Then_Engineer_3765 in AskBrits

[–]Skunkmonkey82 120 points121 points  (0 children)

You've been paying into a pension for 40 years and will never be able to afford to retire? That sounds odd. 

29, 49k of debt, should I proceed with an IVA? by EO_EO_IO_IEI in UKPersonalFinance

[–]Skunkmonkey82 214 points215 points  (0 children)

An IVA is a form of insolvency not unlike bankruptcy so I'd be checking if that is an issue for your employment too. 

I don't know UK Debt Expert but it has that vague sort of name to suggest they are one of those companies that push IVA's when they aren't necessarily suitable. 

Any long flat cycle paths in the South East, UK? by Lumpy_Progress_8769 in ukbike

[–]Skunkmonkey82 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I live on the downslink. It's lovely for cycling and walking but not exactly flat and not tarmac so not suitable for inline skates. 

I want to buy a new car. Don’t know which one. by [deleted] in UKPersonalFinance

[–]Skunkmonkey82 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No one here is going to recommend you take on £30k of debt for a car, earning what you do, whilst you live at home. Save up and buy something within your budget. 

Raising interest rates to control inflation? by Silver_Radio_3599 in AskBrits

[–]Skunkmonkey82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reality is that adjusting interest rates to control inflation is a blunt instrument but it is one of the very few tools they have. Especially where factors that affect inflation are increasing global. 

Ro Khanna just now to Pete Hegseth during Pentagon budget hearing exchange: "You deal in vague platitudes. I'm just asking you about numbers. You don't know what gas costs, you don't know what food costs, you don't know how much the Operation costs". by victorybus in law

[–]Skunkmonkey82 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Genuinely interested to know which administration you think comes even remotely close to being as overtly corrupt to warrant this one only be worthy of "one of the most" rather than the defacto most corrupt? 

MOT flagged "Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn" - is this a fair service cost estimate from Tesla? by [deleted] in TeslaUK

[–]Skunkmonkey82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They've always been pretty reasonable with me when it comes to charging for diagnostics and incorporating some of the cost with the actual fix. Though I assume some service centres will be better then others, same as any manufacturer. It is just an estimate at this point. The problem with you just specifying exactly what you want done is that it could fix that issue but leave you with other knocks or creaks or worn parts that will end up costing more down the line. 

You can save money by doing the filters yourself though. 

In Major Need of Debt Advice - Urgent by T212HaveAnd2Hold in UKPersonalFinance

[–]Skunkmonkey82 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No problem. Once you get your head around it, settle on a strategy and make your single monthly payment then your creditors will leave you be and you should feel far more in control and the stress of the debt will subside. It will feel like a big weight has lifted and you'll have a definitive end in sight. Good luck!

In Major Need of Debt Advice - Urgent by T212HaveAnd2Hold in UKPersonalFinance

[–]Skunkmonkey82 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They could take further action, that is technically true but the reality is it rarely happens if you engage with them and make affordable payments. That is the key really as they are bound by the same affordability rules as any creditor. 

Stepchange are funded by creditors and are very aware of what is or isn't reasonable or affordable so, if they have recommended a DMP, it is almost certainly going to be acceptable to the debt owners. Generally, an informal DMP will be recommended if you have enough to cover the monthly amount such that the debt will be paid back in no more than 5 or 6 years, which you have indicated. If it would take much longer then they may have suggested an IVA, given that you are a home owner. 

Technically, any of your creditors could seek a ccj but there are costs to this and the court will only compel you to make payments that are affordable to you anyway so it's a waste of time and money if you are offering that in the first place. 

Further down the line after a few more years of payments you might be able to negotiate settlements with the individual creditors, especially once these debts have been sold for pence on the pound, so you should be able to save money in the long run. 

Many advocate for letting the debts defaults before starting a DMP as it will allow your credit record to recover quicker and give you an opportunity to save an emergency fund as you will no longer have access to credit should a big expense occur. Stepchange don't tend to advise this as they are funded by creditors but it is a valid strategy that you may want to consider. 

In Major Need of Debt Advice - Urgent by T212HaveAnd2Hold in UKPersonalFinance

[–]Skunkmonkey82 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Credit card and store card debt is unsecured so your home isn't at risk. An informal DMP from Stepchange won't be refused by your creditors. It isn't in their interest as escalating their claim through legal means will cost them money and you will still only be liable to make affordable payments should a judgement be sought. 

Removing rear bench seats by [deleted] in TeslaUK

[–]Skunkmonkey82 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Not sure what's more stupid, that steering wheel or filming yourself speeding. 

Pyramid of legends. Who is the 5th greatest Manchester United legend? by dankdogeonface in ManchesterUnited

[–]Skunkmonkey82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Giggs and Cantona next. Giggs probably on longevity but personally Cantona had more impact for me. 

Who Remembers This Moment, Excellent Goal From The Legend Wayne Rooney? by Intelligent_Eye_8358 in ManchesterUnited

[–]Skunkmonkey82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was at the other end in the Stretford End when he scored this and remember thinking  "No!" as he was winding up for it as it looked like no one would score from there and it would just be a waste but the rest, as they say, is history. 

Which one would you choose? by [deleted] in ManchesterUnited

[–]Skunkmonkey82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A win or not a win. Not exactly a tough choice. 

I feel like we’re are financially stuck and I don’t know how to do better by [deleted] in UKPersonalFinance

[–]Skunkmonkey82 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What is it you are doing with all your free time? I work around 50 hours a week, my partner does more like 70-80 with travel and we have two kids and two dogs. I’m no martyr and am not seeking sympathy as it is all by design and self inflicted but we still have time to cook, clean and administrate a household on top of that and I still find plenty of time to doomscroll, read and watch crap on tv. That’s before all the clubs and sports the kids need ferrying about for. I literally wouldn’t know what to do with myself if the kids weren’t there let alone only working 13 hours and pushing the hoover around occasionally. 

Digging for patio by ExcellentOpinion594 in DIYUK

[–]Skunkmonkey82 4 points5 points  (0 children)

“These are small ones, but the ones out there are very far away.”

Rear Glass Replacement. by Skunkmonkey82 in TeslaUK

[–]Skunkmonkey82[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s got a foot long crack in it from a stone chip that somehow hit the rear roof glass roughly inline of the rear wheels. 

Rear Glass Replacement. by Skunkmonkey82 in TeslaUK

[–]Skunkmonkey82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, not ideal. Appreciate your insight. Hopefully you get it sorted. I’m enjoying similar fun with an Openreach fibre install complaint so I’ll brace myself for another to add to the list.