Posted in October 2008

Credit Card Rejections

Source: hazel eyes
Wednesday 29th October 2008, 5:03pm

With recession looming, credit card deals are getting shorter and more difficult to obtain as lending companies become fussier about their clients

A recent survey revealed that 18,000 credit card applications are rejected every day because of fears over soaring debt. Around 7% of adults have been turned down for credit within the last six months. Its nothing to be ashamed of, if you don't fit into the segment the credit card is aimes at, the automated system will reject your application.

What To Do After A Credit Card Application Rejection

The first thing to do is not to panic. Be patient and don't fill out a bunch of applications as they will appear on your credit report and make you appear desperate.

Apply to one credit card provider at a time and ask for the reason for the rejection. If it something that can be fixed, do so, the reapply. If not, then move on the the nexe provider.

Apply For The Right Card

Ensure you are applying for suitable products. It is no good applying for a balance transfer card if it requires an excellent credit score and an income of 20k if you are out of work for example.

There are many deals available for those with a low credit score, but beware of high APRs. Some companies charge up to 70% APR! Not bad for a days work.

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Deep Water Channels

Source: hazel eyes
Monday 27th October 2008, 4:56pm

Princesshay in Exeter looks great now they've finally stopped taking up random bits of paving every 3 days, but beware when its been raining.

Princesshay isn't exactly flat in some places, it sort of slopes off in the middle for draining purposes. The problem with this is that little cobble type bricks have been used to make the channels and after its been raining there are some bits which are deeper than others.

So, therefore, you can be merrily walking along between Debenhams and The Shed, and if you're not careful suddenly your whole foot is underwater as you've inadvertently stepped in a deep bit.

On days where its been absolutely tipping down, waterproof footwear and a wetsuit is essential to make it past the row of shops by St Petrocs and up the slope by the Milkmaid as water runs down there in torrents. Usually there are about 3 delivery vans to negotiate, adding to the fun as they take up most of the narrow street, leaving the deepest outer edges as a walkway.

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Are We There Yet?

Source: hazel eyes
Wednesday 22nd October 2008, 4:43pm

The Bank of England has announced that the economy could be entering its first recession in 16 years.

That announcement is not really going to come as much of a surprise for most of us I imagine. The subtle signs have been present - the collapse of the American sub-prime mortgage market, the Icelandic financial crisis, not to mention Northern Rock.

Doom and Gloom for Jobs

The downturn in recent months has led to a rise in unemployment, plus a reduction of vacancies being advertised on job sites. Government 'return to work' schemes for the long-term unemployed are also a casualty of the situation as employers simply have no vacancies available, especially for people lacking up to date skills.

Doom and Gloom for Industry

Around the country, factories are cutting back production to avoid a surplus of materials, some cutting back to a 4 day week, yet others offering employees sabbaticals for weeks at a time.

How long will the recession last? Noone seems ready to predict that yet, but the boom and bust days we thought were long gone are upon us once more.

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Keeping Fit

Source: hazel eyes
Wednesday 15th October 2008, 4:52pm

Funny thing about fitness, it gets harder to maintain the same level as we get older and things don't stand up to as much punishment as they used to.

I'm actually fitter at 35 than I was ten years ago. Thats because I am now in a job where I can walk to work every day (35mins each way), I do Aikido twice a week and I get out and about on the motorbike now and then.

On the down side I'm a bit lazy when it comes to cooking. Convenience takes precedence over healthiness mostly - then I wonder why belly is catching up with me, ah well.

There's been a lot of worry about obesity lately, it almost seems that the Wii was brought out specifically to encourage exercise at home, indeed the first wii games included with the new Wii was Wii sports. Now the latest craze is Wii Fit, where you do yoga, jogging and stuff.

I'd be more inclined to do something like that as I have never been able to go to a gym and run on a treadmill/stepping machine etc. That's why I do martial arts as you learn useful stuff as well as interacting with humans and having a laugh.

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Land Rover Defender - A Very Spunky 60 Year Old

Source: hazel eyes
Tuesday 7th October 2008, 12:31pm

So says the Spanish newspaper El Economista after road testing the Land Rover Defender 90 SW SE.

Land Rover - Moving With The Times

Despite being in its 60th Anniversary Year, LandRover's awards seem to be flooding through the doors. El Economista rated the Defender in six categories: mechanical features (8/10), interior space (6.5/10), performance (8/10), fuel efficiency (8.5/10), equipment (7/10) and price (7/10).

Land Rover - Uncompromising Off Road Vehicle

The review also describes the Land Rover Defender as a "real all-terrain model..... the field is its natural habitat , as opposed to uncomfortable asphalt." It has also been dragged into the 21st century with an improved engine and a new-look dashboard taken from the Discovery 3.

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