You Are Absolutely Bonkers
This was the wonderful accolade that was given to Peter Duncan and his partner on Tumble.
He is putting us all to shame, doing what he does on the show, only a few years younger than I am!
A Poor Article On Saving
The Money section in The Times has an article entitled, Safe Havens Are Offering A Poor Return
It contains this paragraph.
Why choose a two-year fixed-rate Isa offering a paltry two per cent return when you could be looking at far more for a stocks and shares Isa?
It then says that cash is less volatile.
But the article doesn’t mention the guaranteed investment I use to get over five percent before tax; peer-to-peer lending with Zopa.
Remember too, with peer-to-peer lending, you are the middle-man, so you only pay commission to yourself!
But then if Francesca Steele, who wrote the article, had the experience of peer-to-peer lending that I have, she’d probably have written a totally different piece entirely.
What Effect Would A Yes Vote In The Scottish Referendum Have On Peer-to-Peer Lending?
I’m prompted to ask this question, as there is a feature in the Times Money section today about the implications of the Scottish Referendum on personal finance.
Searching the Internet for “Zopa Scottish Referendum” there is this discussion in Zopa’s forum.
I’m using Zopa as an example, as it’s the peer-to-peer lender, that I know best.
There is nothing really of importance said and most participants don’t seem bothered.
I see a few small problems, but nothing that major for myself, as I suspect only a couple of percent of my money is loaned to those North of the border.
Scotland Bans Peer-to-Peer Lending
An independent Scottish government could decide to ban peer-to-peer lending (P2P) to protect Scottish banks. After all P2P lending is taking a sizeable and increasing part of the lending market.
This might mean that Scottish loans came into default. But I suspect that under International financial law, the loans would have to be repaid.
The main effect would be in the ability to make new loans to Scottish borrowers and accept money from Scottish savers. But that would only effect Scottish voters and businesses.
Scotland Makes Debt Recovery Difficult
Scottish law is already different to English and I’ve not heard of any P2P lenders having any problems collecting debts.
On the other hand, there are some advantages to having your money in a P2P lender like Zopa.
- Zopa has a balanced portfolio of loans all over the four countries of the UK.
- Zopa doesn’t invest money in investments that would be effected by the break-up of the UK.
- Your money is guaranteed, but this guarantee is not dependent on government favour.
- For Scottish savers, with all the uncertainty of the referendum, it might a reliable P2P Lender like Zopa, might be a safe port in a storm.
A break-up of the UK might not be plain sailing for P2P investors, but I would be very surprised if there were serious problems.
The Tall Ships Race 2014
I went with a friend to see the tall ships moored in London for the Tall Ships Race 2014.
We started at Canary Wharf, then moved on to Woolwich, before going to Greenwich.
To avoid the crush, we escaped under the river, using the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, before finally taking a look at the ships from the North Bank.
A Quick Shop Using A Route 114 Hackney Tram
As I was going out, I made a quick dash up to the Angel to get some food shopping.
I boarded a crowded third segment of a 114 (i.e. 3 x 38) tram and we all went in convoy up to Islington.
But the great thing, is that standing is so easy on these vehicles that run pancake flat!
After my shopping, I got another vehicle home and fifty minutes after leaving originally home, everything had been put away and I was ready to go out.
When I lived in Newmarket and could still drive, I couldn’t get anywhere near that time.
Where Are All The Yes Voters?
I’ve got quite a few friends and acquaintances, who will be entitled to vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum.
I have yet to talk to anybody who can vote, who have said they will be voting Yes! Several have very forcefully said they will vote No!
I don’t care either way how the vote goes, although if Scotland decides on independence, that will finish the argument once and for all and my legal friends, will be able to put their noses in the big full trough, that the hassles over breaking up will create. As we all know, the only winners in divorce are lawyers and paper manufacturers.
So despite what the polls and bookies say, where are the Yes voters?
How Do You Get Rid Of The Dreaded O2More?
Every so often, I get a spam text message on my mobile phone from O2More.
I do what they say to stop them and send a text message saying STOP to 20502, but still they keep coming.
I’ve now decided the only way to stop them is to cancel my account with O2.
Steel Flying Arches At Shadwell Station
These pictures show the steel flying arches at Shadwell station on the East London Line. They appear to be similar in form to the brick arches at Chorley.
The purpose of these structures is to stop the walls of the cutting collapsing inwards.
They’re not pretty or elegant, but they seem to work!
A Design Crime – What Moron Designed This?
To get back from Woolwich today, I decided to take a train from Woolwich Arsenal station.
What Moron Designed This?
The picture shows the fountain I walked into, as there were no visual clues and it looked like a wide free area leading to the station.
Luckily, I was wearing sensible walking shoes, which didn’t leak.
But you can see my wet footprints.
Obviously Woolwich loves crap design and has created a real Design Crime.
And The Winner Is!
This dreadful building called Woolwich Central won the Carbuncle Cup 2014.
Woolwich Central
You do wonder about Tesco, in that two buildings on the shortlist were their supermarkets.
Perhaps, the previous CEO was architecturally-challenged.
The Anonymous Widower 