scc
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Post by scc on Jan 8, 2018 21:37:56 GMT
New biomass refinancing loan up. I don't think I'll be going for this due to other commitments. Maybe if it's still around (doubtful) at end of the month.
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scc
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Post by scc on Oct 17, 2017 20:47:12 GMT
I don't consider myself that old (born in the 1970s), but bakelite was certainly still widespread in electrical fittings in local houses. Family never had a phone when I was growing up as my Dad was mostly deaf and couldn't see the point. I doubt I used the phone more than half a dozen times before I was 14 or so - and it would always be under stressful conditions i.e. crammed in a phone box, with Dad hurrying us up/pulling the phone out of your hands. No wonder, I still find it slightly difficult to initiate a phone call.
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scc
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Post by scc on Oct 9, 2017 16:25:19 GMT
Well, that went quick. Only just managed to pull some money out of ratesetter in time.
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scc
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Post by scc on Oct 7, 2017 17:08:05 GMT
19 years seems quite a while to invest for... In the past, most of Abundance's offers were over a similar time period as they tapped into the feed-in tariff as a way of paying off the loan. The good news is the effective interest rate increases over time as capital and interest is paid back every six months. So for this one, you'll effectively have the equivalent of all of your capital returned roughly 10 years into it. Personally, I find the regular income, long time frame and compounding effects once you have multiple long term loans appealing. But they certainly aren't for everyone - and there is a big inflation risk IMO.
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scc
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Post by scc on Oct 7, 2017 5:14:53 GMT
There's a new offer up.
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scc
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Post by scc on Sept 30, 2017 0:45:06 GMT
One way around it might be to set the reinvestment rate to a ridiculously high number to avoid being matched so quickly.
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scc
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Post by scc on Sept 19, 2017 3:18:01 GMT
I find TV, especially documentaries, too slow. Most documentaries have about the same content as a good blog post.
I used to watch a lot of TV, but the only regular thing is Game of Thrones now. Sometimes if the missus is binge watching something, I'll see the first and last episode of a series and fill in the blanks with wikipedia.
I do like to watch a movie 2-3 times a week though. From the sounds of it, Interstellar would be a good companion film to the OP's suggestion.
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scc
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Chat
iPhone X
Sept 12, 2017 19:23:21 GMT
Post by scc on Sept 12, 2017 19:23:21 GMT
I have the iPhone SE - perfect size for me ("downgraded" from a 6 plus). Glad they bought that form factor back. I have used Android phones - but found the quality very variable (especially the cameras). Now I tend to buy secondhand iPhones rather than new mid-range Android ones.
I have the 12 inch MacBook - and rate it bar two things. The keyboard is OK to use, but doesn't last that well (I've had one replaced under warranty already) and speed.
Apple seem to be inching towards a VR announcement as they slowly put the pieces together, but at this rate we likely have another five years to wait.
I think one day we will look back on the world's obsession with Apple and mobile phones in general as a collective hysteria.
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scc
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Post by scc on Aug 11, 2017 4:32:34 GMT
AO Energy was available to trade 30 days after I bought them IIRC (but I think the offer might have closed early for that one).
I think it may also be related to when you bought them as a second tranche of AO Energy wasn't available to trade until later so I'd guess you have to hold for at least 30 days.
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scc
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Post by scc on Jul 25, 2017 16:00:08 GMT
For me in mid 40s, it roughly worked out at:
£400K in pension pot £100K to get there. House already bought cost £95K.
Missus and I live comfortably on £10Kish a year, and could manage on as little as £6K without too many compromises. It helps that we like countryside type activities, socialising with friends, writing/reading/watching films/surfing the net - all activities that cost little or nothing (especially as we live in said countryside). Income from solar panels covers most of the utilities, and if we had to we could probably rent a room via AirBnB. We don't run a car. Heating comes from free wood.
All that said, I have not actually retired yet. Missus has effectively been retired for the last decade. She does the odd bit of work now and then, but only for fun money. I know others in London who manage on similarly low sums, but they did manage to pay off mortgage with inheritances etc.
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scc
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Post by scc on Jul 23, 2017 6:37:04 GMT
I had the same, but did manage it eventually. I think it was a function of a lot of interest in their new loan as it is working fine now.
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scc
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Post by scc on Jul 22, 2017 18:06:24 GMT
From their worked out example you are not earning interest until October. Whats the incentive to invest in this loan now and tie up capital? Availability of loan chiefly. Some loans at Abundance fill up extremely fast, others can take months.
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scc
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Post by scc on Jul 22, 2017 10:45:30 GMT
I have a couple of initial thoughts/potential concerns with this project: Firstly; the initial information on the project page states " Over the first 12 months drilling and testing will confirm previous assessments of the viability of the project..." ...what happens to the loan in the event that this drilling/testing results in the project ending up not being viable? ...will lenders be repaid in full, or would the loan likely "default"? Secondly; given the level of objection there has been in recent times within the UK from certain groups protesting against "fracking", is a geothermal project - which would also involve drilling deep into the ground & pumping water in, etc - likely to draw a similar level of objection/protest? There are some key differences. Fracking is essentially mining for a fossil fuel which seems somewhat counter intuitive given the publicly stated position of the government regarding climate change. Geothermal is regarded as a renewable technology. Other objections to fracking related to the possibility of earth tremors, contamination of water sources, increased traffic. I'm not clear whether any of those are relevant to geothermal. By my reading of the documentation, if the project doesn't go ahead - all money will be returned with 2% interest on top.
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scc
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Post by scc on Jun 27, 2017 7:21:34 GMT
The tidal power offer is now open.
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scc
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Post by scc on Jun 16, 2017 19:52:59 GMT
Thanks for your analysis, both. I too liked the look of the tidal power and am keen to support its development. Was also wary of the debenture currently on offer as worried about previous complexity of scheme and brand legacy. Let's see what the final tidal offer looks like as I do have some money ready to reinvest at Abundance if the project is right.
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