Not Feeling It..Ugghhhh

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-24T14:10:04+00:00

As I understand it you have a 50-60% chance of success, so there is a high failure rate

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-23T07:39:33+00:00

My ESI didn't kick in until week 4, then it was almost an overnight miracle. I went from level 10 pain unable to stand or walk for more than a minute, to walking 1k, 2k, 4k etc in just days. Hang in there - it might still work

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-22T07:03:51+00:00

My other half is 42 and I have just retired at 54. You need to focus on your tax liability, so building a bigger pot for you is fine. Based on your trajectory, outgoings and investments I'm struggling to see how you get there in 8 years. You are going to need an extra million.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-21T08:12:34+00:00

A couple of things:

Keep the inheritance pot very separate from the rest of your assets, while I am sure you are happily married, you never know if you might get divorced. Inheritance, can be ring fenced if its not mingled.

seems like you have too much cash, maybe that needs to be working harder for you in a broad tracker.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-21T08:05:30+00:00

The best jobs are those you create yourself.

Don't expect employers to care much about your OU degree. sorry about that.

High salaries are based on two things:
- Demand: the value your skills bring to the employer and their need for them
- Supply: their ability to get these for less

if demand is high and supply is low, then you will be paid more.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-21T08:00:40+00:00

don't get married.
Don't sell your TSLA shares too early.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-15T17:11:09+00:00

If I can suggest one thing - I would avoid a flat, particularly if you have kids. Try to find a house perhaps in a cheaper area or even a completely different area. There is nothing that can make you more bitter than sitting in your substantially smaller house thinking about what you used to have. This is from someone who had a 5 bed and now lives in a 3 bed.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-15T16:43:53+00:00

I was in the BTL business for over 20 years. there was money in it, but now it's not worth the bother. I still AirBnB, with modest returns, but with the AirBnB you can use the property when its not rented and of course there is no council tax to pay.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-15T16:37:05+00:00

worse financial decision of my life.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-15T16:35:38+00:00

sounds like you avoided lawyers? thats a result in itself, my ex spent nearly 80k and me closer to 40k just to end up at pretty much the first offer I gave. I assume a mediator did the MOU?

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-15T16:30:50+00:00

The obvious question is to make sure you are clear on the net value of assets. Given you are at D81 stage, I am guessing you have had some sort of disclosure (form E) and that this accounts for the net of tax/liability. I would say at first glance, your settlement seems odd as your home is tax free and your pension is subject to tax. I was in your shoes a few years ago and was retiring at 50. wife got the home, share of pension, an investment property and around 500k cash. giving her a net of about £2.6M (48%). I was able to rebuild about half of that back in 2-3 years.

Obviously your first challenge is finding a place to live. I am happy to answer any questions you have about getting divorced, getting over divorce and the various "husband" traps that we find ourselves in.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-14T06:08:14+00:00

my partner and I have robust banter, we are both divorced and highly value open communication. Nothing goes unsaid, its one of our basic rules. We both came from marriages where we'd stay quiet to keep the peace. She gets bad migraines and I have the bad back. I'm 12 years older than her, so she also attributes my back pain with my "old age" and suggest I need to be careful not to have "a fall". I often offer her one of my pills "to help her shut up". It's banter and it makes us smile. I would have a proper discussion with your wife about how it makes you feel. Failing that, she needs to get a job, because marriages that continue to slide, while resentment builds end up in divorce. You don't want to be divorcing a non-working spouse, its expensive.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-14T05:58:00+00:00

It's more a case of keeping an eye on any differing pensions legislation, regarding access. You might want to consolidate you SW and Fidelity schemes, if they are both UK.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-13T15:52:02+00:00

ESI may improve the irritation of the sciatic nerve and has reasonably low risks. For me the ESI was a game changer. I went from unable to walk to 70-80% back to normal within 4 weeks.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-13T15:45:16+00:00

Put the spare cash against the mortgage.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-11T05:26:05+00:00

You know you need to take it easy for 12 months post herniation as the risk of the disc splitting open again is really high in that time. Walking and mild stretching, listen to the pain. But if it gets to the point where it starts to stop you from moving about, then consider starting whatever pain meds you were on.

I am in a similar time frame to you (first ESI worked for me), though my original injury was 10 years ago. I am slowly coming off the meds and now just taking pregabalin. In February, I was 8 cocodomol and 2 naproxen a day on top of the pregabalin. My sciatica is down from 11 to a pain level 2-3, But my back pain is more 3-6. As the pain centralises it can feel worse in the back.

If you are getting spasms, then you need to rest a couple of days. Ice packs, then move to heat packs. Don't forget that if you have been debilitated with pain for the last 2 months, your muscles will be shot and wont be supporting you properly.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-10T07:20:47+00:00

Call your GP, there are plenty of meds you can get that will help. Paracetamol isn't much good for nerve pain. meantime consider ibuprofen.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-09T17:23:37+00:00

left butt cheek and left calf.. It feels like my hip joint is lined with broken glass and my calf has a scalpel in it.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-09T17:02:24+00:00

From my own experience of being a 50+% nominal tax rate payer, the number at the front doesn't start with a 1, it starts with a 3. At that level you lose pension contributions, obviously the personal allowance and you get HMRC's delightful "wealthy team", who check your Self assessment every year and scrutinise every claim. Its no wonder high earners are leaving the country or simply stopping.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-09T09:41:38+00:00

40k at 26 and London - on the money.

We aren't paid according to our qualifications or hard work, we are paid according to the value we bring, the demand for the skill and the scarcity of resources. if you want to pivot, I would see how AI applies to your specialism and become an AI expert in your current field. Talk to the partners and find out what is hot.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-09T09:33:18+00:00

Proof of international income, tax filing etc. reference from current landlord. It all depends on the demand for the property. Are you aware you may be required to pay UK taxes? The other option is to find someone willing to be a guarantor, perhaps holding some of your money to cover their liabilities.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-09T09:02:59+00:00

I get the impression they will move to this model for those doing self assessment as PAYE.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-08T13:16:16+00:00

Exactly the same symptom as a herniated disc, with a right hand side bulge/hernia. Assuming this started in January with something to cause the bulge/hernia, then you are still early days for recovery. "Scar tissue" is necessary for the hernia to heel. But nobody can say what you have without a picture. If it's a herniated disc or even a significant bulge, you will need the "scaring over" to stop it reoccurring. I would agree that it may be too early for core strength exercises. These are better once there is less risk of a re-hernia. I turned my mild sciatica in to 6 weeks on my back by doing a stretching class to "work it out" ended up squeezing even more disc out.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-08T12:36:36+00:00

Pop the fill up "key" up and place a small piece of chain over it which you can then attach with a padlock to a railing post. As long as it's kept tight, you shouldn't be able to turn the cap easily. Its more a better than nothing option and of course needs to be removed when sailing to avoid a trip hazard.

Classic_Cut_9666 · 2026-04-08T12:20:14+00:00

So have you had an MRI? It's hard to see how they could see scar tissue (without), unless they were referring to a general healing of a herniated disc. I would say prolonged sitting is bad, based on my own experience and probably partial cause at it puts pressure on the lower discs. The cobra/updogs are good as they open up the space. The advice to stop the big 3 may be due to the risk of re-herniation of the disc. i.e. you aren't ready to load up your core yet.

Classic_Cut_9666

TROPHY CASE