DATE: 10 Feb 2008, 9:06 am / MOOD: Other

I thought it would be a nice idea to start
a circle of friends here on Lazzeo.
Would you be prepared to leave a comment on a regular
basis to other circle of friends participants? and they, in return,
would leave a comment for you
Woud you like to join in? If so please leave a comment below
If you are not already on my buddy list don't worry
I can soon add you

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DATE: 10 Jan 2008, 6:59 am / MOOD: Full of life

9th January 2008


I feel very lucky to have been born when I was, growing up in the 50's and being a teenager in the 60's.
I was 16 when the Beatles hit the scene with their first hit record and I remember being at the Palaise when it was first played.
I did actually get to see them live at the Odeon in Nottingham. At the time you usually had to stand in a queue to buy tickets but the Nottingham Council did not like this idea so you had to apply in writing for tickets. My boyfriend, later to become my husband, wrote in for a couple of tickets and we were lucky enough to get two.
So on the day I finished work and quickly went to the bus stop to get the bus over from Leicester, where I lived, to Nottingham. It was very exciting and the Odeon was packed out with all teenage girls. As soon as the fab four arrived on stage the noise was deafening and everyone screamed the whole way through the concert, we never actually heared them sing at all.
Anyway as the last bus left at 10 o'clock we did leave before the end and made our way to the bus station and so off back to Leicester.
The expericence has lived with me ever since, how extremely lucky we were.

Did anyone out there every seen them live at all? Please
leave a comment and let me know

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DATE: 09 Dec 2007, 7:51 am / MOOD: Other



Christmas Myspace Comments





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DATE: 07 Dec 2007, 8:51 am / MOOD: Other

When it rains it pours - just as the credit crunch is taking hold by making consumer credit dearer, energy prices are set to make things even worse in the new year.

In an easily overlooked announcement, British Gas this week announced it was raising the price of its "Market Tracker" gas and electricity tariff for the first time since the tariff was introduced last July.

Now, as the name suggests, the Market Tracker tariff bases itself on the underlying price of gas and electricity - the wholesale price at which utility companies buy gas and electricity in bulk. This makes it a bellweather for consimer energy prices as a whole.

In the same way that tracker mortgages are linked to Bank of England rates, the British Gas Market Tracker will follow changes in the wholesale gas and electricity markets more closely than the traditional energy bill, where price adjustments are smoothed over a period of time to protect customers from volatile commodity movements, the comapny said in a statement.

In other words - if wholesales energy prices change significantly, then the Market Tracker price is the first to reflect these changes.

So consumers need to sit up and take notice: The gas price has gone up by 13%, while the electricity price has increased by an even higher 17%. Given the logic of this tariff, this increase mens that soon all suppliers will raise their own prices by a similar margin.

Brace yourself for the end of reasonably priced gas and electricity in the next two months.

 

 

 

 

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DATE: 06 Dec 2007, 9:50 am / MOOD: Other

Cash-strapped homeowners can look forward to two further cuts in interest rates next year, according to City economists who have examined the Bank of England's quarterly inflation report.

In the report, the Bank forecasts that the economy will slow in 2008 as the impact of five rate rises in 15 month, the current strength of the pound and the recent uncertainty in financial markets all take their toll. The Bank cut its 2008 economic growth forecasts to around 2.2%, following a similar downgrade by the Treasury.

The Bank of England Govenor, Mervyn King, also said the economy would overcome the blow to confidence from the woes of Northern Rock with inflation expected to return to target.

What will happen with interest rates?

A big downturn would enable the base rate to be cut to 5%, bringing much needed relief to millions of borrowers who have seen rates soar from 4.5% to 5.75% since summer last year.

Many homeowners have faced crippling jumps in their monthly mortgage bills after cheap fixed-rate deals come to an end and they were forced to remortgage to a more expensive deal.

Although an interest rate cut would provide borrowers with a much needed boost before Christmas - and most industry pundits agree that the only way from interest rates now is down - the first of the cuts is not expected until the new year, possible February.

 

 

 

 

 

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DATE: 04 Dec 2007, 11:40 am / MOOD: Other

I know Christmas is meant to be the season of goodwill, but just remind me where exactly in the Christmas story does Joseph jump on a donkey, ride to the nearest BHS (Bethlehem Home Stores) and max out his Galilee Bank credit card with novelty ties (for the shepherds) and tooth mugs (for the wise men).

Whether or not your are religious, you will probably agree the commercialisation of the festive season rings hollow.  I've been checking out the statistics on Christmas spending and am horrified.  Most of us loathe Christmas shopping with a vengeance, and yet, according to the British Retail Consortium households spend an average of  £975 on Christmas.  Other stats claim individuals spend an average of £706.  How ridiculous is it to fritter away effectively one month's mortgage payment on two days of the year?

I'm so appalled that I am taking a frugal stand.  This year I am with Scrooge!!

My plan is to spend as little on Christmas as possible, but, unlike our grumpy Ebenezer, without compromising our enjoyment of it.

 

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DATE: 03 Dec 2007, 9:50 am / MOOD: Other

Meal planning isn't just for war time rationing, it could reduce your waste and save you time and money.  Don't worry, you don't have to start baking your bread at 4.30 am and digging out receipes for sponge pudding.

Try starting small by noting what you eat every evening for a fortnight.

Pick five of your favourite mieas and buy all the ingredients you need in one trip to the supermarket.  Stick a list to the front of the fridge so everyone knows what's for dinner.

Relax! Budgeting is not easy, and it doesn't have to be right first time.  Be prepared to adjust the budget and don't panic if you don't stick to it every single day.  It's a target, not a law, just try taking one small step at a time, and before you know it, you'll be completely in control of your family finances.

 

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DATE: 30 Nov 2007, 11:19 am / MOOD: Happy

The first step to reducing your outgoings is probably the hardest!  Make yourself a big pot of tea, break out the chocolate buscuits and gather together all the paperwork and receipts you can find.  This could take some time, so you might as well settle down for the eveing.  Go through the receipts and statements and write down all your outgoings.  A spending diary can help you keep track of those little costs such as magazines and the ocassional cup of coffee which can quickly add up.

 

REGULAR OUTGOINGS

These can include your mortgage or rent, council tax, internet connection, mobile phone bill, tv licence and an average of your heating and electricity costs.

IRREGULAR OUTGOINGS

These are the difficult ones to pin down and include birthday presents, haircuts, clothes, dentist fees, school trips and holidays among many others.

Being organised is the secret to remaining in control of your finances.  Unexpected bills, spontaneous purchases and popping to the shops for milk and coming back with "some extras" can tip you into the red.  Paying regular bills by direct debit creates less work for you, and will save you money.

Another weapon in your arsenal is having instant access to your account details.  You can use telephone or internet banking, but get into the habit of checking your account at least once a week.

This enables you to keep an eye on your outgoings and you can look out for any odd transactions which could indicate you have been a victim of fraud. 

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