KT Dodge

Archive for October 20th, 2007

With so many different types of mortgages it can be really confusing to get the right one for you. I initially chose one of the cheap mortgages at a discounted rate for two years so that I would know exactly what my monthly outgoings would be. However, I made the mistake of not researching a new mortgage early enough when my ‘fixed rate’ mortgate was coming to an end and when it reverted to the ‘full’ rate it was a wee bit of a struggle as it effectively went up almost £200 per month. As you can imagine purse strings were pulled very tight during the 2 month period I had to wait to receive my ‘re-mortgage’ rate and reduce my monthly outgoings. You need to be careful when finding adverse credit remortgages.

Another thing to remember is that there is actually a great deal of cost involved when you re-mortgage (survey fee, solicitor fee, mortgage broker fee) and therefore, you should always weigh up this factor before changing lenders as you never know your lender may offer you a better rate if you contact them.

Well if you’ve read my husbands blog, Andrew Ian Dodge, you will know that yesterday he underwent a colonoscopy. It was actually amazing how easily he took it all in his stride, he even seemed to enjoy drinking the saline potion to cleanse his body (puke) which everybody who’s ever had a colonoscopy says is the worst part. He even asked for pictures which they readily handed to him…gross.

Now the hospital staff were great, nothing was too much trouble and the surgeon afterwards came out and explained everything. No badgering for information, everything was clearly outlined which is so refreshing.

I suppose in a way it is unfair to compare the NHS with a private hospital procedure in the US, but one cannot help oneself. When I was a child, the NHS was something for Britons to be proud of and really it made private health care irrelevant because it was so efficient and good. Now with constant re-structuring and financial cuts it has lost its fine reputation. Instead we keep hearing horror stories where people have died because of NHS staff negligence or suffered because of poor sanitary conditions. Now in 2007, it seems it is essential to have a private medical health plan (if you can afford it) so that you get good medical care when you need it.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just feel like getting away at the last minute and sometimes this is the most difficult time to find hotel availability at discount rates. So it is important to know just how to find these deals. Also it can be very hard to know exactly where to stay when you have never been to a country before. Therefore it is really good to find a reliable place to book hotel, travel and leisure packages that deliver quality at competitive prices.

Now If you fancy a trip across the big pond to visit the UK a good place to start planning your vacation and get anything up to 70% off the normal price of a hotel is Hotel Shop. They have a great site where you can make UK Hotel Reservations and Bookings at short notice at bargain prices.

Not only that, but there is so much to see in the UK, London alone has many historical sites; The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace as well as our more recent additions. The London Eye is one such and it gives you a birds eye view of not only London, but far off along the River Thames. Talking of the River Thames imagine a leisurely cruise up and down the River Thames, floating under all the beautiful bridges, taking in all the sights .

I like it when I can plan my whole holiday, creating an itinerary which includes lots of activity at ‘bargain’ prices, which if booked separately would cost twice as much. If I’m going away I like to stay in a nice hotel, with lots of amenities, room service and a spa and swimming pool. I want good service and a nice big comfortable bed to rest my tired feet after all that sightseeing.

To get a fun filled vacation to the UK check Hotel Shop out.