The Most Economical Way to Use Central Heating "So what's the truth, then?" Our friendly boiler serviceman was a bit shocked. But if anyone should know, he should. So I continued... "Haha. Don't worry. I'm just curious about whether to leave our boiler on continually... or only put it on when we need it." "Ah..." he said, quite relieved that it was a question he could address. "Let me tell you my own experience." Hmm.. nothing like personal experience. So I listened … [Read more...]
Why I Hate Loan Companies – But Secretly Love Them
I've got a bee in my bonnet! A bit of indignation... that sort of thing. "Why? What's up David?" It's the TV Ads. "What?" I hear you asking with an incredulous gasp! Let me explain... Is It Me? Is it me, or are the TV adverts full of promotions for this car, and that car, and the other car... or the WeSellAnyCarAtAnyPrice car-sales-type companies. ...each one encouraging you to take out a loan! A LOAN for goodness … [Read more...]
How to Double Your Money
How can I double my money? It's an age old question. So I've listed a few ideas below: some sensible ones mixed with some crazy (yet often believable) ideas. Have a read, and let me know what you think. I've saved the best and most effective idea until last. Be Financially Savvy You could invest into a company pension and take advantage of your employer's contribution your tax paid back from the Government the 25% tax-free cash when you eventually draw from your … [Read more...]
What Went Wrong, Virgin Media?
How to Get a Customer to Like You Marketing experts tell us to provide excellent customer service. Why? Because you want your customers to like you, of course. Virgin used to do that. They provided exceptional customer service. And I liked them. Great Customer Service I remember the phone call many years ago - to Richard Branson's new Virgin Energy company who were supplying gas and electricity. Our previous energy company had really messed things up: incorrect billing, … [Read more...]
Cash Back Credit Cards versus Zero Interest
Zero percent interest on your credit card? Or cashback on everything you spend with a credit card? Which is better? I know which I'd prefer. I'd prefer to receive 1% cashback on everything I spend - rather than accumulate debt on a credit card which I'll have to pay off eventually or get charged a huge interest rate. Now I can hear those financially savvy people shouting at me... Yes, but we can get some interest on our savings at the bank while we're enjoying the 0% on the credit … [Read more...]
Is Decaf Tea Safe?
"Don't you know decaf tea causes cancer?" He had my attention. I dropped the box of decaffeinated tea bags. I needed to know more. "What do you mean?" I asked my colleague at the next desk. "I thought decaffeinated tea and coffee was supposed to be good for you" "It is..." he replied. "But it depends on the decaffeinating process". Now I really was confused. It was time to consult Google. What I found out was astonishing. There are three main ways to … [Read more...]
