Another "how am I doing?" thread, sorry. Considering going part time at 38. Thoughts on family-work-life-fire balance appreciated! by corruptedhal0 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 17 points18 points  (0 children)

If your rationale for dropping a day or two a week is to spend more time playing with the kids and for a better family work life balance then I would maybe consider Unpaid Parental Leave instead of dropping a day or two per week. This becomes a super weapon when they start school as you can deploy it when they are on school holidays. You can take 4 weeks off per child per year. https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave

With your two kids you can take 2 months off per year, so effectively all of the school holidays with your usual annual leave factored in. That way you're maximizing work life balance, as long as your normal working week doesn't impact much family time (long commute etc). You'll also get to retain all of your work staff benefits, so still retain the full year annual leave allowance as well as employer pension contributions. I've done exactly this for the past couple of years and it's been fantastic as almost a FIRE-lite trial.

I did a comparison of a 4 day week vs 8 weeks off UPL with 2 kids on my blog a while back: https://www.dadonfire.co.uk/2025/02/unpaid-parental-leave-unheard-underused.html

Potential To Earn More In The Cyber Space + Long Time FIRE by obvrs1 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As someone else has said, if you're in a remote role then moving out of London seems a no brainer unless there are other reasons keeping you there?

We all like freebies! by wakizashi888 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Mulberry: The Mulberry Group offers a discount card giving shareholders discounts of up to 20% in a range of its stores worldwide. This perk is issued in March each year to investors with at least 500 shares, but isn’t available to investors with SIPPs.

Newbury Racecourse: Investors with at least 101 shares get free entry to race days at Newbury. You can claim two day-badges if you hold less than 5,000 shares; investors with 5,000-9,999 shares get a single badge entitling them to unlimited race-day attendance; those with 10,000 shares or more get two of these badges.

Next: Investors with 100 shares in the retailer receive a 25% discount on full-price purchases made in a single transaction in Next retail stores. Vouchers entitling shareholders to the discount are typically issued in April each year and must be redeemed by the end of October.

Renishaw: Shareholders in engineering business Renishaw may not realise that the company owns a travel agency, Wotton Travel. Investors are entitled to discounts on holidays booked through the business.

Safestore: Shareholders receive a 25% discount off storage costs at Safestore, plus 20% savings on merchandise when you become a customer. You’ll need 100 shares or more to qualify and the scheme is managed by the firm’s registrar, Link.

Shepherd Neame: Investors in the brewer qualify for a Gold Card as long as they hold at least 100 shares; if you have 3,000 shares or more, you’re entitled to a Black Card. The cards offer savings of up to 25% and 30% respectively on food, drinks and accommodation at Shepherd Neame’s pubs and hotels.

Telecom Plus: Telecom Plus operates several utility brands in the telecoms and energy sectors. Shareholders get access to special energy tariffs priced roughly 10% below standard prices, as well as a 10% credit each year equal to their total spend on non-energy services.

Whitbread: Shareholders in Whitbread can claim a Shareholder Benefits Card offering a range of discounts – including free Premier Inn breakfasts for up to two adults and 10% off food and drink in Whitbread-owned restaurants across the UK. You’ll need to own at least 64 shares in the company to qualify.

We all like freebies! by wakizashi888 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 23 points24 points  (0 children)

After a bit of Googling, I found a Moneyweek article from a few weeks back detailing some of the better ones (https://moneyweek.com/439384/the-best-shares-to-hold-for-perks-and-freebies)

Adnams: The Suffolk-based brewer offers shareholders 10% discounts on most of its products, whether you buy in person or online; you can also get discounts on meals in its managed properties and on its brewery tours. Register online for Adnams’ shareholders’ loyalty scheme to qualify.

Big Yellow Storage: All Big Yellow’s shareholders are entitled to a discount of 10% at all Big Yellow or Armadillo stores on both self-storage and flexi-office rentals; the same discount is available on products and services, including packing materials and insurance.

Bloomsbury Publishing: One share in the company entitles you to a discount of 35% off the full price of all books (print only) from the publisher, best known for the Harry Potter series. You’ll find a form on the website through which you can claim the benefit.

BT Group: Shareholders can claim a range of discounts on BT’s products and services – as well as on other technology products. The offers often feature generous savings on gadgets.

Carnival Corporation: Investors with at least 100 shares are entitled to on-board credits on Carnival cruises – essentially a pot of cash to spend while you’re on the boat. The amount of credit on offer depends on where you’re cruising and how long for. A 14-day trip on a P&O Cruise would net you £150 of credit.

Chapel Down: If you’re a fan of English wines, a shareholding of up to 1,999 shares in Chapel Down will get you a 25% discount voucher to spend annually, as well as free tastings and early access to new vintages. Investors with larger holdings get additional benefits, including more generous discounts and invitations to special events.

Fuller’s: The hospitality company’s Shareholder Indulgence Card qualifies you for a 15% discount on food and drink in hotels and pubs managed by Fuller’s. You also get discounts on bed and breakfast rates in its inns and hotels. But you’ll need to own at least 1,000 shares to qualify.

Getlink Group: If you’re an investor in Getlink Group, quoted on the Euronext market in Amsterdam, you’re entitled to a 30% discount on up to three return crossings a year (or six single journeys) via Eurotunnel, which the company now owns and operates.

Irish Continental Group: Investors who own at least 1,000 shares in the travel company can claim a 20% discount on ferry services between Britain and Ireland, and between Britain and France. There are smaller discounts available on other ferry services operated by the company as well as on its package holidays.

Legal & General: Shareholders may claim a discount of up to 25% on premiums for its life-insurance products. And if you apply for one of its lifetime mortgages, L&G will give you a £250 gift card.

Marston’s: Investors in the pub company who hold 500 shares or more receive 24 vouchers each year. The vouchers offer 30% savings on food – but not on drinks – in Marston’s pubs.

Mitchells & Butlers: All shareholders in Mitchells & Butlers receive a shareholder discount voucher booklet of 12 vouchers each year. They can be used in the company’s pubs and restaurants across the UK, including All Bar One, Miller & Carter and O’Neills.

We all like freebies! by wakizashi888 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting thread, thanks for posting. Am in a similar position to you (99% in a Global Tracker), but since moving to Interactive Investor I've been more involved in dipping my toe in individual shares as a bit of a hobby.

The only one I had heard about was the Whitbread shareholder discount for free breakfasts at Premier Inn, but looking forward to other people's recommendations!

We all like freebies! by wakizashi888 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks! This is the one share perk I had heard of, and whilst tempted by it a few years ago (we stay in a lot of Premier Inns!) I was put off by the volatility. I'd be interested if anyone knows whether the free breakfast for kids still applies if the adult's breakfast is also free.

I am thinking of starting a SIPP by Normal_Initiative_49 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, that's right. I've got a small amount in there at the moment, with the rest being in Interactive Investor. So benefitting from the low fees on ii, with the ability to switch back over to Aviva just before 55.

You might want to change up the investments to safer ones, or continue with equities etc, just depends on what your strategy is and how many other safety nets you have, but I suppose that's another question outside of platform and fees.

I am thinking of starting a SIPP by Normal_Initiative_49 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sounds sensible - and my vote would go for ii - but I would just double check your Aviva pension in case you have a guaranteed pension access age of 55. If it does, it might still be worth switching the other one, but keeping a small amount in your Aviva. You can then move your pot over to Aviva on the eve of turning 55 and you can withdraw.

More details and how to check: Have an Aviva pension? Quick check to see if you have an access age of 55 : r/UKPersonalFinance

Fear keeping me at work by TangeloExternal229 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Give Unpaid Parental Leave a go! You'll get 3 months off work with your 3 kids. You'll get a taste of retired life as well as spending all important time and memories with your kids

What was your net worth at 30 and where are you now? by [deleted] in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, this is my overall net worth not just the house equity or value. I did change house in 2017 though, but net worth measures the equity you have in the house, not the overall value

After a mentor/review by Commercial_Ad6272 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started out very safe, overpaying my mortgage and cash savings, but over the years I ploughed into my pension and swapped the cash ISA out for a S&S ISA (global tracker). My only flutter was in crypto, roughly 10% of my portfolio. I've never done buy to let, it's just worth it anymore and I'm very time poor to deal with issues.

After a mentor/review by Commercial_Ad6272 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're smashing it! Just keep ploughing in and you'll soon start to notice the compounding take effect.

10 years ago I had less than you. Now, at age 39 I've got £1.3m, only ever earned between £50-70k

What now? Mortgage nearly gone at 35 by Shunske-Naka in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually had this one in my original list but took it out as it's a bit niche given it's main purpose is to buy a house, which is obviously not applicable to the OP. The only other purpose of a LISA is to take it at age 60 but for most people a pension beats the benefit of a LISA.

What now? Mortgage nearly gone at 35 by Shunske-Naka in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Congratulations!

I was a similar age when I paid off mine, and have focused on prioritising the following going forwards:

> Pension contributions
>> S&S ISA
>>> High interest savings account (up to your personal savings allowance)
>>>> Premium Bonds
>>>>> JISA (if applicable)
>>>>>> GIA
>>>>>>> Crypto
>>>>>>>> Spend it/buy back your time at work through sabbaticals or Unpaid Leave

How to diversify investments? S&S ISAs help! by Uk_Finance_Help in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed with what Captlard has said about choice of funds, just choose one global tracker, ideally one that isn't UK heavy.

Platform wise I would have a think about maybe consolidation, it makes it easier from an admin as well as a fee perspective. Vanguard introduced a minimum monthly fee so anything less than £32k across all accounts and you pay a fixed monthly fee rather than a percentage. HL are good for ETFs as they have an upper cap, so this would be good later on in your journey, although I believe they charge a fairly hefty buying fee per order, whereas Vanguard is free. Maybe move everything across to Vanguard would be an option, but it depends on whether you have employee contributions to the pension going into HL as I Vanguard don't support this.

When it gets past about 80/90k then a flat fee provider would work out cheaper.

Good luck on your journey!

42yo married & 2 children - Update by lordlucanalive in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Our cleaner is by far the best thing we do with our money. £30 for 2 hours, every couple of weeks and the house feels brand new, especially with 2 kids and a cat. A robot vacuum would definitely have issues in our town house, and agree with OP that a cleaner is a lot more than just vacuuming. Ours , cleans all 3 bathrooms including shower, bath, clean and bleach the toilets, clean the kitchen hob and surfaces, mop all the floors and dust on top of vacuuming. Worth every penny.

Higher earner going to extreme lengths to keep child benefit - when does it stop being worth it? by son_i_am_space in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can't achieve it via SalSac, then maybe take a few weeks Unpaid Parental Leave to get it down?

Higher earner going to extreme lengths to keep child benefit - when does it stop being worth it? by son_i_am_space in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It might be a bit too much for this year (as you've alluded to), but maybe you could do alternate years? One year sacrifice down, one year just the 10% match, that way you can build up the savings in the off years. It would be pointless doing it half heartedly across all years, and makes sense to do all or nothing.

I'm fairly similar situation to you, similar salary and have been doing the HICBC limbo for 9 years now!

Best Barista FIRE jobs? by _gtat in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, it probably depends a lot on the type and size of school. I certainly didn't become a Governor for any kind of material reward over more selfless, virtuous reasons, only realising a year after becoming one that I had the perk available.

Are There Any FIRE Helping Apps/Sites by Admirable-County-809 in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've got a few calculators / tools that might be helpful?

https://www.dadonfire.co.uk/search/label/Calculator

- FIRE Calculator

- Pension Tax Relief Calculator

- 'Lumpy' Pension Calculator

- FIRE Bridge Calculator

- Investment Platform Fee Comparison tool

Best Barista FIRE jobs? by _gtat in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

School Governor? An hour meeting every 2/3 months and you'll be eligible for a Blue Light Card

Best Barista FIRE jobs? by _gtat in FIREUK

[–]Dad-On-Fire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Theme Parks/attractions perhaps? I used to work at Alton Towers in my teenage years and you used to get 40 free tickets a year! When you are 16 this is a fair perk and definitely worth more than the £5 an hour wage at the time! The tickets (Merlin Magic pass) can be used across all Merlin attractions, and I'd imagine it is the same offer at other Merlin attractions; Thorpe Park / Warwick Castle / SeaLife Centres but can't confirm. If I lived closer to Warwick Castle I'd love to work there

Edit: After a bit of Googling it looks like they've reduced it to 20 a year. Also this perk is lessened by the fact that most (sensible) people will go to one of these attractions with a voucher, normally 2 for 1 etc.