Christmas Holiday in Wanganui - daytime

In these final pictures of my quick break in Wanganui, a few daytime photos. As you can see, Wanganui had the same great summer days as everyone else had. Great timing :-)

The first is on an "art" installation on the river front, right next to where the regular Saturday market operates from. Lots of sunshine. The second and third pictures are from the beach walk. Lots more sunshine! The last photo is a rough and ready panoramic stitched image from some pictures taken from the tower on top of the Durie Hill elevator tower [click on the image for the larger version!].

Christmas Holiday in Wanganui - Virginia Lake at night # 2

Here's the second set from my nocturnal visit to Virginia Lake in Wanganui - this time a few of the fountain.

Christmas Holiday in Wanganui - Virginia Lake at night

Most of the Christmas break this year consisted of a trip to Wanganui to visit family. While there, we went out to Virginia Lake to see what the Council has done with lighting some of the trees and the fountain in the middle of the lake. This first post consists of some of the photos of the tree lighting, the next post will have photos of the fountain.

Enjoy!

What is it with this Christmas and money?

No, I'm not going into debt for Christmas... that would be unnecessary and [most probably] cause more trouble than what it's worth. Nor is it about the unwanted brochures sent to my letter box, only to be dumped in the rubbish the next day.

It's just that this Christmas for some reason, I've received a couple of unsolicited offers to help me spend my money faster, and, sadly, for no further worthwhile benefit.

Example 1: Air NZ is making a big deal about its new OneSmart card, which seems to be a debit card with fees that would generally sit between the cost of a debit card [ATM/ EFTPOS] and a credit card. It looks like a reasonable proposition, except that I don't travel internationally that often and it won't be a suitable replacement for either my debit or credit card. In other words, mainly extra cost. Maybe if I were travelling overseas regularly...? Oh yeah - they'll send it to me and all I have to do is activate it! Am I willing to spend more so that I can reduce ATM fees when [I am infrequently] overseas? Probably not.

Example 2: BNZ have just sent me a nice letter saying that they have approved me for a flash new credit card. Nice, except that it costs almost twice as much a year in fees, and offers only a little amount extra in benefits, which do not appear to make up for the extra in cost. Oh yeah - last time they did this, I turned them down.

Come on folks! It's rapidly approaching Christmas! Most people don't actually need extra expense in their lives, especially at this time of the year.

It's OK to go out and make a dollar or two out of people, but I'm starting to think that this is a bit much! At least target your audience a bit more. Both Air NZ and BNZ must be able to see that these "offers" will be extra expense and little extra benefit for me! The only way that they "save" me money is if I spent a lot more!

Not good.

If I have missed anything, Air NZ and BNZ are welcome to contact me [not that they will]! I'm always happy to have a chat, and if I'm wrong, I'll say so. Just please, stop trying it on!

Anyway, that's my moan for Christmas!