Pictures!

 
I'm trying to set up a Picassa software to manage my pictures for this blog. It's interesting not as straight-forward as I thought it would be. So I just picked this picture just to see how it works. Looks impressive - if only I could use it effectively. Basically I took this software because it's FREE!

Would appreciate to learn if someone has any recommended software for such tasks.

I've seen some nice picture layouts on other blogs I hope to learn.

This weekend I'm working - it makes me moody just thinking I will be at work on Saturday and Sunday morning. 

I'm not ready for another deal!

Told you I was going to the bank yesterday to see how they can help me. I have been using my overdraft facility to the maximum of late. Last month was the worst with some issues I was sorting out at home.
I have been reading most of blogs I come across that talk about personal finance - unfortunately they are very different from what would directly apply to what someone from say Africa would be going through. Something I appreciate about western values is the insistence on independence.
So I simply went overdrive on my account which I'm trying to avoid in future coz it brings unnecessary charges on me. My plan was to go to the bank and reduce my overdraft facility - so long as it is there it is very tempting!

I was disappointed with the bank person (I doubt if he is a manager! Sorry) Well maybe I've been through this for sometime now - he was simply interested in giving me another loan!
In that case I'm glad I stood my ground and declined the offer - the assertive training I went to is starting to pay off. Well I'll arrange another meeting next month - I'm sure I'll find another more interesting manager.

How do you handle a patronising manager?

EC Declares War!

One time I was changing flights at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam while my phone was on a someone called me assuming I was in England - thinking it was very important I answered and quickly hang up - when it became clear it was not important. Imagine my utter agony when I received my bill at the end of the month - Just don't answer the phone if you abroad!

Thank God the EC is feeling the pain that we are feeling about the roaming charges all these phone companies are charging us. They are ordering mobile phone companies to halve the charges by next year.
This will affect most of these companies major source of earnings - don't expect me to shed a tear!

My favorite company's share tumbled with the announcement to 119.5p (5p down)
In the meantime I'm not answering any phones while abroad (of course unless Alicia Keys is calling me!)

Off to the bank

I got a call last Friday from my bank they want to see me! With internet banking I rarely go to my bank branch nowadays - all the bills are either done online, direct debits or standing orders.

I'm sure someone must be concerned about me 'surviving' on my overdraft for the last few months. See I've managed to transfer most of the overdraft facilities into my Cash ISA Account. This has forced me to save some money but also in the process used up my overdraft facility.

But I wonder how many people go to the bank nowadays, I mean what's the point? Though internet banking brings a high element of risk nowadays. Also I've noticed it's so easy to lose track of what exactly how my hard earned money is spent. Is this not a universal feeling to those using modern technology to avoid queuing at the bank?
How many times do we visit our bank branches? It would be interesting if I came across such data. Any ideas?

I suspect I know what the conversation will go like. Any way bank branch manager here I come - I'm ready!

A tot of JD for anyone?

My weekend turned out to be more than eventful. I'm not a big fan of alcohol... Actually I can't remember the last time I drank! So Saturday after missing out on the tickets to go for the Anthony Hamilton Concert I reluctantly followed some friends to go out for a drink.

I ordered for WKD, a light alcoholic drink, what the nice polite lady (waitress) brought was actually a shot of Jack Daniels (!) and coke on rocks. Now I'm weak when someone is polite and good to me plus I'm thinking to myself this drink is not going to kill me; besides if I refuse to pay for it will she like get in trouble with her bosses?

So for the first in my life I drank real alcohol - I'm still alive for those who are concerned about me.

The shot cost me something like £4!. After the drink I went straight home. I think I handled the situation well... I wonder what others would have done?

Next weekend I'm staying put - there must others ways (cheaper that is) to get a drink in town

It's mother's day!

I had to adjust my clock last night, an hour ahead, that meant I slept for an hour less than what I had planned for! And it was obvious I woke late for the morning service. But the positive thing is that it was not in vain that I was in church I was reminded it was Mother's Day!


I know it sounds strange but when I was growing up we never used to have all this days to 'celebrate'. But they are so prominent here in the UK - you can see sons and daughters carrying flowers for moms - how nice! Though I hope nobody sits around waiting for the calendar or people walking around to remind us to appreciate our moms.
Growing up I can't remember ever taking time out to buy my mum something for 'Mother's Day' Why? On average most Africans are so close to their families you don't really move far from home. There are so many care homes in the UK, meaning most people leave home early - most certainly detached from their parents. This is a day to appease oneself's conscience to some extent, in my opinion. I mean people are so busy throughout the year that they have set aside a day in the year when you dare not forget mom. (When mamma's mad, ain't nobody happy!). And it makes economic sense I mean seeing your mom once a year with a bouquet of flowers (ranging from £10s - depending on where you bought them from!)


Hey that's not an excuse not to get something for mum! - What are you guys getting for mom?
I hope it costs more than just £££s/$$$s

Happy Mother's Day all you moms out there!

Quotes!

After sometime you learn that in business if you want a friend, get a dog!
- Carl Icahn


I think I wrote something about this lecturer I have, he never tires to remind us that Accountancy as a career is produces boring individuals. Maybe it's because we are supposed to follow many rules to the extent we seem to be like machines. Listen what he said today:
"Unfortunately you all have your future well laid out before you - you will all end up most of your lives as Accountants! The ladies may be lucky and quit marry an a rich, short-sighted, bald headed old man and therefore rescue you!"
All this happened when he was discussing Business Growth ie Porter (growth within industry Vs. Across industry)

Atleast there's no need for aspiring accountants need not diversify into something else there demand is always there!

Why not be a billionaire?

Forbes magazine keeps us abreast with alist of the richest people/families in the world - and the list keeps growing.People are becoming billionaires every night and I'm thinking what am doing? I mean to get on the list....
The world is enjoying a boom in billionaires; 20 years ago there were 140 billionaires, 3 years ago the figure rose to 476 and this year 793!


It is tough getting there judging from the age bracket of the people there; so if you are over 50 and not on that path it maybe late in the game unless you're halfway there.

Atleast age is on my side, I'm so excited.

Honestly on a personal and more serious note, I was looking at my small change that I seem to throw around. It's so easy to use £2 for no something that is not a necessity. The expensive cups of hot chocolate, chewing gum that I seem to throw around. Tentatively speaking I use approximately £2 a day unnecessarily at the end the year i would have spent like £720!

That could come handy to put in my Cash ISA account! If I target to save money i got to save the pennies and the £££s will look after themselves as the saying goes.

I want to be more vigilant about my wasteful spending,otherwise this Bill Gates dreams could easily be lost. What a waste to the society

Rumour of the Day

Vodafone has been linked with bid for Cable & Wireless - maybe because both are struggling. Vodafone is a troubled mobile company under intense scrutiny so such a move will surely raise eyebrows.
But the strategic fit makes somes sense - C&W has strong fixed-line and broadband assets.

Let's waitr and see - Waiting to see what the CEO will pull out of his hat
abra-ca-dabra!

Mutual Money Market/Unit Trusts

I have been looking for opportunities to invest in Kenya.... it's obvious by now I hope to you all that eventually I would love to settle at home.

So after some waiting and patience a friend sent me some info on the options available - basically building up a portfolio. I have this information the i need to digest and hopefully make a choice...

Though not complicated being in the UK it can be complicated - I mean the logistics involved. I'm not sure there office here in the UK would be willing to handle a smalll customer like me (no harm in trying)

I'm attracted to stable (safe?) investment options - Money Market Fund
I'm positive something will come out of this....
Any ideas.... Basically I'm thinking of starting off with like £4000 - that's alot of money in Kenya - and steadily build up my investments.

My sis is also sending me info on Zimele asset management - I knew the firm back then

Accountants Boring?... Please!

Over the weekend I learnt that Anthony Hamilton is coming to town this weekend .... Now for those who know the brother, he can sing! ("If I had a voice like that everybody would kiss my ass!" - Dave Letterman) He's promoting his latest album 'Ain't Nobody Worrying'
So like any fan I rushed to get the tickets today - sold out! I had unsuccessfully tried to get the tickets online. It would have cost me £25 (£50+ if my blind date turned up!) - that's fine considering I don't drink or smoke (it goes to my entertainment allowance)

I have a lecturer on Strategic Business Planning and Development who keeps reminding us that Accountants are the most boring people. The best they can talk about is how the morning the train was delayed by 10 minutes!.

So in my efforts to disapprove the theory I have of late set out to "enjoy" myself, of course the cost factor still lingers around. Am I tight or what? So concerts are my thing but the last was last year (Gerald Levert @ the Jazz Cafe - London), saw Bebo Norman in Farnham.
I guess though I'm trying to be frugal I have a life! Hey I'm single!

On the plus side the £25+ will go to my cash Isa - but wait it's not even Friday - something might turn up
I wonder how much is enough to put aside for entertainment? Accountants boring? that's scandalous!

Vodafone's Got Hung Up in Japan

Vodafone's exit strategy is a lesson on the limits of global branding - market factors and local quirks can trip up the hardest adventurers. I'm sure some professor somewhere is building a nice case study for his/her MBA Strategy class.
Closing at £129.00 a slight fall - diasappointing especially with the expected offloading of it's struggling Japanese venture.
The CEO is also on a high after getting the support of his chairman, albeit reluctantly. He should leave too!

Every man has his own quirks and twists

Unfair Bank Charges?

What a way to wake up in the morning and the first article that comes to my attention is the one where someone won a case against a bank here in the UK on unfair charges.
Yes! quite true. A customer exasperated by excessive bank charges plans to send bailiffs into a high street bank branch to recover his money after winning a landmark court ruling. His argument: the bank charges are there to make money for the bank rather than recover its costs.
Where does that leave me? Of late I have noticed my bank charges have risen to almost £30!. This compared to £6 when I came to the UK 5 years ago. Now what went wrong?
First, I had an overdraft facility of £500 which has risen to £2200... more money more trouble. This has made me highly dependent on the O/D facility hence the high charges.
Second, I opened a Cash ISA account to transfer most of my cash to this account. This account has helped me to put aside some good amounts of money - which hopefully should help me either go back to school or settle back in Africa.

And by the way the young who did the noble deed is an Accountant (a noble profession indeed!) And his debts arose while still a student. - Before he adopted prudence concept!
You do not spend what is not yours! - Golden rule
Easier said than done - I'm in the spin

Quiet Time

It's all right -
questions, pain, and
stabbing anger
can be poured out to
the Infinite One and
He will not be damaged.

Our wounded ragings will be
lost in Him and
we
will
be
found.

For we beat on His chest
from within
the circle of His arms.

(From When Life Takes What Matters by Susan Lenzkes

Retirement

Yesterday I was waiting for a train going to work after a morning of study and right across the platform there was the billboard "When is your retirement coming? 1. On Time 2. Late 3. Delayed"
I have been thinking about my retirement plan and though important nothing has been set up so far! What? I'm the one who has all this information about financial planning yet I have no plan? Scandalous I think.

It's time I set up a clear plan - which I intend to start now.
For start I plan either 1. Go back home by mid next year especially if I do not get a good job in the UK. Good job - something challenging and related to my career
2. If I am to stay around - then it has to be enhancing my career.

otherwise I'm tired of just staying here for the sake of it - it's time to make some clear definite goals - i mean taking charge of my life.

I think that's a sure deal in ensuring my retirement is right on time!
Need to make step by step moves to implement the plan... I am going to do that from now on - Exit Strategy

By the way when is your retirement coming?

Do the math: Savvy Stock - Picking

Every time my friends see me reading the business section in the newspapers/magazines or when we have business news I become keen they assume that I must be one of those dealers in the stock market! I wish I was because it interests me that there is someone who does that for a living. I mean how do they do it?
The reason I say that is that someone told me he was interested in buying shares and being the careful sceptic I am I kind of discouraged him - he needed someone to support him. Sorry I find it very hard to part with money just like that
Well if you are buying 100 shares how long are you supposed to hold on to them till you can get something good? He read somewhere people are making money in the stock market (the brokers?)
I came across this research into the cognitive psychology of investors:
"Many economists and academics concede that stock market returns are over 95% explainable by factors such as a Portfolio's average, market capitalization and are price multiple, NOT one's ability to pick stocks better than the next guy. In fact by trying to outsmart the other guy it is mathematically certain you will underperform the market over the long term."

I need help here - making a quick kill in the stock market

It explains my saving habits - I have a Cash ISA account with a modest £4500+. Yes I am ultra conservative (risk averse) yet I would love to save atleast £9000 by year end. This is a major task for someone like me.... I hope it doesn't interfere with my plans to go to more dates - hello, that's the way to get hitched!

Raising a further £4500 for me is a tall order - well looking at my salary and other commitments. I'm thinking of taking what's left of my overdraft deposit it into the cash ISA and for the rest of the next 4months redeem my overdraft.
My bank - Natwest - is charging me close to £19 for the 2000 o/draft facility; I'm trying the inevitable NOT touching the CREDIT CARD! Credit cards scare me spending money that doesn't belong to me!

Sir Christopher Ghent - Life President?

Amazing news today Vodafone's honorary life president (do such titles exist?)- word on the street is that the 'Newbury boys' were colluding to oust the current CEO. Poor man he came into the position to replace a man who transformed Vodafone to be a world leader in mobile communication technology. Now they are struggling in Japan; Verizon wireless has offered to buy out Vodafone's stake.

So the honarary life president was not happy with the situation - i guess he has taken this company to be personal, how else can you explain the fact that he is the Chairman of GSK.

But I'm more interested in the market performance, Sarin Arun is getting his way but the operational inefficiency and strategy has to be addressed. At the end of the day the share price had risen by 5.00% in the LSE (£129.75)

Someone told me recently that this company is a nice investment - still i'm sceptic; is it really?I hope to be proven wrong. Long term maybe but for gold diggers hit and run mentality it might disappoint.

I missed going to church today - was just not in the mood!.. .following our moods can be destructive. i believe you do something because it has to be done, if i was to do things because of my moods - nothing would be accomplished!

Big deal I did not go to church. I was brought up going to church so that's what my life is all about. I know it is wrong to do that as a show off - ceremoniously; maybe that's why it's good i didn't go. (Mum is not reading this!)

Anyway i will be putting some stringent plans to get out my debt.
I have a kind of student loan i've been paying seems like forever, every month the bank takes my £250 and i have like three years to go!

Unlike most people my age in the west - my plans are so tied to my family. Whereas they may talk about paying mortgage I have been helping my mum build a house. So no mortgages for me- instead i contribute to my family's wellbeing.

I aim to put a check on my contributions - i noticed something very early handing out cash is never helpful. Teach people how to fish instead.

Hey finally managed to start this blog going... just getting a name was a hustle. but that's done i'm so excited i hope to be open with myself (it is therapeutic, right?)
I'm interested in many things social, career, finances - anything that's happening and i feel it's affeting me i will try and talk about it.
And what made start this... well curiosity, i've been reading some good blogs of late and couldn't believe it that you can create a small following and attract ADVERTISERS! That's what made me start like immeadiately!