Studlea and the Art of Debt Consolidation

There has been far more activity in the financial world over the last couple of weeks than many will have seen in the news, mainly because it is difficult for the journalists to make bad news out of it. It's a shame really, because there is a fair bit of bad news if only they realised it, but more of this next time.

Before getting into all that, a few quick snippets.

Interest Rate Sweepstake

Please let me have your selection as to which month you think interest rates will rise. As widely anticipated there was no change in July, so our sweepstake is now pick 1 from 11. When do you think interest rates will first increase? You can choose any month from August through to June next year. (Consensus so far is around November to January). A prize to all who pick the right one.
Studlea Update

He walks! Wobbly, and not very far, but very definitely walking although a polished floor still produces a four legged feline version of the splits, and obviously, he still blames me when he falls over, even if I'm the other side of the room. This improvement is some weeks later than the surgeon anticipated, but with suitable irony, the surgeon himself explained he was having a minor surgery and would be off work for a week. That was nearly three weeks ago...
Debt Consolidation

Over the last few weeks, I have had conversations with several different families who are under the weight of an array of borrowing arrangements, including mortgage, loans, credit cards and so on. The theme is the same; a desire to reduce outgoings but there is a right way and a wrong way. I would venture however, to be burdened with debt in modern society is not a failing of the family in most cases, but a failure of government and regulators who forced house prices up and allowed lenders to over extend their customers.

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