This week on the message boards

By SIDDIKA KHALIQUE
Updated:

 

THIS IS MONEY hosts one of the liveliest online communities in cyberspace. Our message boards are a meeting place where you can trade gossip and tips about the companies you invest in and talk about personal finance issues and ask for advice.

And away from the money side of things members can also trade jokes and discuss whatever they like in the News and Members' Exchange sections.

Joining This Is Money's community is a rewarding experience. Here's a selection of the hot topics on the boards this week...

Posters are tearing their hair out over various financial pickles. There's anger over spiralling car insurance premiums. Confusion about social security benefits in general as well as tax rules for ex-pats. There's also frustration over mortgage debt that is out of control. And there's a call for personalised financial advice about pensions.

But you're still lightening the mood with more hilarious tips on how do banish cold callers - keep them coming!

One of these financial problems is posted on general insurance by paulnewman. He's fuming about extra car insurance he has to pay just because he's moved home. He would welcome any tips on where he stands.

In personal pension fund value down reggies is also not happy. He's perplexed about whether it makes financial sense to restart an old personal pension scheme. And wants your views.

There's serious irritation on mortgages and homes. In Start over from re-possession cjayh has a rather worrying gripe. He's out-of-his-depth with mortgage arrears of £30k. He ought to get financial advice pronto. But in the meantime would like helpful words from fellow surfers.

Urgent advice is also needed in Ask a Member. In these troubled times, mikebraddon is unfortunate enough to find himself jobless. He wants to know how much Job Seekers Allowance he can claim if he works part-time.

In personal taxes, sherkahn's predicament is less stressful. This poster wants to know tax rules if you are returning to UK from abroad. Although there has been a good response to this, anyone one in a similiar situation should visit Inland Revenue International Series Notes

Finally, in Talking Point, francisjones keeps us giggling about cold callers by describing how he came to demand free gas from a Powergen rep who knocked at his door and immediately insisted:'Don't worry I'm not trying to sell you anything.'

If you haven't used the message boards yet - here's how they work:

1. Complete the simple registration process. Select a username and password and we'll ask for your name, email address and a few other optional extras. When you click on Submit this will generate a registration email. Either open the link or copy and paste it into your browser and you're away.

2. The message boards have been designed to reflect the sections of This Is Money, so try to select the most appropriate section for your message.

3. You can write more or less anything you like but try to remember to give your message a Subject and turn off the Caps Lock. Be aware that the boards are bound by British libel laws which mean if you criticise a person, company or service you should be able to back up your words with facts.

4. The best message threads are those that develop into a discussion between several contributors, so don't feel that if someone has already replied that there's no room to add your own opinion.

5. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

6. Remember: It's not a live chatroom. You post your message in your own time and by checking the 'email me' box you will receive an email every time someone replies.

7. Remember: You're not limited to money issues. The section entitled The Exchange is dedicated to more off-beat conversations, such as your favourite comedy moment in a movie.

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