Steve mentioned this on the On Your Bike thread and I thought it might produce an interesting thread. I only bought two things on the never never as well. The first was a reel to reel tape recorder from the shop where Mum worked and I had a Saturday job. It was an HMV machine which cost me 7s 6d a week for 40 weeks. At the time I had the Saturday job paying 12s 6d a week and my pocket money of 10s a week. Thus for 40 weeks I went without sweets'n'treats as my trips to the local toyshop were known!
The second thing was my first newish car which was a Reliant Supervan III which I bought privately taking over the outstanding finance. That was 9 payments of £17.55 outstanding after I paid the chap £250 deposit. Other than them I have always saved first and then spent when I needed things beyond my monthly disposable income.
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
My second one was my Shanling CD player.
I had the full cash in my hot little hand but was persuaded to take £400 of the price on a no interest loan.
I had sleepless nights until I could pay it off. Had I been a day late it would have been the full interest on the £1600.
Kicked myself for agreeing to that, never again.
Apart from a mortgage... Paid off 18 years ago now, I've never had any never-never and work on the basis that if I can't pay cash up front then I can't afford it. End of. Not had a loan in around 40 years of any sort, mortgages excepted...
I pay all my insurances, car taxes, subscriptions and council tax yearly as I detest monthly payments. I have a few where there is no other option but hate them.
I'm not wealthy or well-off or 'tight', just good at budgeting and managing money. I've had years of practice...
I do have two credit cards, both paid off fully each month.
My first & only purchase on the never never was as a 14 year old kid desperate for a new bike to replace the very old bitsa built up by my dad.
My parents didn't have the proverbial pot to pee in so Mum signed up for a new drop handlebar 'racer' in the local bike shop.
It cost the princely sum of £26 which I paid it off in a year by caddying at the local golf club for 10 bob a round.
My motorcycle is on the never-never, simply to ensure that I don't chop and change every 5 mins! I got a good deal on the finance, and if the last bike I did this with is anything to go by, then I'll be quids in when I sell it or trade it in.
2011 C3 Picasso in black - The love wagon.
2016 BMW F800R - the throbber between my legs.
