Matt’s Journal

This morning I drove up to Colchester to where I bought my Hyundai Coupe from. It was due in for a service after owning it for a year, coinciding with the fact that Katie’s father was picking up his new car.

The visit was to also enquire as to a new car. After renewing my car tax which weighed in at a hefty £400 for the year, I was after a motor that would be a third of that cost and a lot more economical than my current vehicle.

The service took an hour and the car came out driving like a dream. I didn’t leave with the idea of getting a new one after my car was only worth half it’s initial value after just one year. I have the wedding and most probably a house purchase looming, so it’s time to knuckle down.

I have had my Hyundai Coupe for a year now and this month my car tax has come up for renewal. Last week our Home Secretary announced his budget, punishing the more “polluting” vehicles. Guess what I was labelled…….a pollutant!

My car tax was quoted as being £300 on the renewal form for a year, very high but doable. The budget last week changed all that though, it went up to £400 for the year! A smack in the face for me, I will be doing my utmost to get a good deal for my car, trade it for a very economical smaller car……just what the government wants.

After declaring war on smoking, the amount of money they get from the tax concessions has considerably lowered. If we can’t tax smokers, lets tax the road users and pretend we are doing our bit for the environment!

It’s been an expensive weekend. I also bought our wedding rings ready for July and bought currency for our holiday. I need to win the lottery……..fast.