Referrals from professional introducers are always interesting and latest one is basically “Can you raise some money for my client?” We meet at Institute of Directors in Pall Mall which is busy as usual and the client tells me his story. A modern languages degree from Oxford and continued study, now allow him to work in 26 languages in his translation and international business consulting work. Know people with translating agencies who handle this number of tongues, but never met one person who can handle so many. Story unfolds and alas, credit history scuppers the chance of raising additional funds but there is plenty to be positive about. He knows how to write feasibility studies etc for the next stage of his business growth, but needs other professional advice too which my contacts can provide. Not least is the requirement for his own website to get him a profile in cyberspace. Just to remind me of my own limitations, he already receives his State Pension and runs marathons.
Study time needed to be able to use a new language is 100 – 200 hours so anyone intending to do that evening class to acquire a language for their Summer holiday needs to get started.
Trawling through a library catalogue leads me to a classic guys’ read – the memoirs of test pilot Eric “Winkle” Brown - Wings on my Sleeve http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wings-My-Sleeve-Worlds-Greatest/dp/0297845659 Part of my continuing fascination with some military/war matters is the sheer insanity that occurs. End of WW2 and he test flies various captured German aircraft including the exotic Messerschmidt 163 and weird Dornier Do-335 http://www.squadron13.com/do335/DO335.htm Former is deadly (to the pilot) with its volatile fuel mixture while the latter has an engine at the front and the back.
Bail-out instructions for the Dornier are the most complicated ever: i) press this button – BANG goes the rear propellor (don’t want to end up as mincemeat, do we?) ii) press next button – BANG gets rid of the tailfin (don’t want to get sliced in half either) iii) PULL hard on these two red handles to jettison the canopy, but the exit of the canopy is so swift that a crashed example found the (dead) pilot in the cockpit with both his arms missing! Another theme that comes out from reading any books about the history of the UK aircraft industry is that Government interference and mismanagement, is not new. If you want to read a real rant on this subject, see Plane Speaking by Bill Gunston ISBN 10: 1852601663 who makes me look quite tame really.
Record gold prices prompt a rash of TV adverts but it still pays to shop around http://www.bitterwallet.com/have-you-said-bye-bye-lovely-gold-hello-tiny-little-cheque/19640?utmsource=feedburner&utmmedium=feed&utmcampaign=Feed%3A+bitterwallet+(BitterWallet) If you still have some and want to talk to the buyer face to face, contact Lewis Malka of Hatton Garden http://www.joseph-sterling.com/aboutus.html
Recent long-term care enquiries include one where the client is in good health but over the age of 75 so unable to purchase a pre-funded plan. As they are not receiving any care currently, they are not able to purchase an Immediate Needs Annuity either, which would cap the cost of future care. So if care in their home is needed or if they need to move into a care home, they will have to self-fund.
One of the exceptions where the NHS will pay for care is if continuing care is needed. Care in hospital is paid for by the NHS. Care outside is subject to a means test. But if treatment still needs to be provided by the hospital, then the NHS can pay for this although they are not an in-patient. This avoids the means test etc and surprise, surprise, expenditure on continuing care has shown a sharp increase which the Government is now looking at closely.
Final meeting of the week is with www.carehomeselection.co.uk Started 10 years ago by a GP, it helps families find a care home by telling them what questions to ask, for example. Coordination between the care home and the hospital can mean more efficient use of hospital beds, while knowing what to ask and look for when a relative or client is going into a home, can make the process less stressful.
Seem to have had a record number of appearances on BBC Radio London 94.9 FM this month where an Estate Agent and I spoke on Jonathan Lampon’s programme last Saturday evening. Subject was “Are mortgages or is the house market getting any easier?” to which the answer is a definite No!
Main point that I was picked up on, was that your credit file can pick up how quickly you pay your bills. This is used in Credit Scoring and decides IF you get a mortgage and how much. Thinking of applying for credit in the next 12 months? Pay your bills on time. Doesn’t matter so much if you pay the minimum on your credit card, but pay it in good time.