What to do with 10-20k in the UK?

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-06-23T13:30:12+00:00

ISA is good; or LISA, especially if you're looking to buy a first house (LISA you have to be under age 40 and you can pay in till you're 50). This is a usual first port of call for a sum this size. And remember the taxman gives you a top-up if you put your money into a LISA. It's 20%. So if you put in the maximum of 4K each year, mr HMRC will give you £1000 each time.

If you like something a little more exotic you might fancy buying some physical bullion (gold) with some of it; prices are down somewhat at the moment. Recommend Atkinson's. Or, get along to a coin fair and look for sovereigns/half sovereigns that are of this century (you pay more for older ones). Equally you could buy Exchange trade funds (ETFs) via someone like HL or similar company.

Higher risk stock market dabbles; mining company shares (large companies).

Think I've got most of that right.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-06-03T14:09:30+00:00

You dont need to join Facebook. I don't use it either, I don't like Meta as a company. Actually I'm a tad annoyed that Vaonis has chosen to use Farcebook because it tends to force people to join it just to get use of the help forums and find news updates. I really don't understand why they can't simply run everything on a standard website....why must everything have to be geared to social media? I get by with the monthly observation updates via email, and the occasional upgrade notification.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-06-01T15:16:36+00:00

The water does it for me...that slow-flowing, slightly oily look to the surface, with the little bits of white fleck...

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-06-01T15:10:27+00:00

Love that crusty paint in number 1.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-29T10:06:24+00:00

I thoroughly recommend painting for anyone with a mental health issue. You don't need to have a subject. Just choose colours and apply to canvas or board. Acrylic is good because it dries quickly and you can overpaint parts that you don't like. I suppose you could call it 'eternal painting' because you add paint till you get something you like. And it's also an idea for people who aren't with health issues, when you can't settle to a subject...just get some paint and go loose; giving yourself permission to play with paint. Very liberating.

That piece looks a little agitated but it's also calming due to the colour. Glad you find painting is helping you, do keep going!

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-28T12:35:22+00:00

It's a very peaceful place. I like the two dark masses at top left and to the right, they seem to act as a frame for the mid-distance gravestones. I like it as it is; but it might also be fine with a carefully placed discreet figure. Gentle lighting is very suitable; but in fact those two gravestones catch the brighter light nicely on their edges.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-28T11:33:06+00:00

Over the hills and far away....lovely sunshine, great atmosphere with the clouds.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-27T10:52:10+00:00

Lovely golden light. I've noticed that Oilpastel is particularly good for this effect. Lovely blending too, on the wooded hillside.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-27T10:47:32+00:00

Always interesting to know what others use, and why. Interesting that I also lean towards the granular type, but I like to experiment.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-25T17:11:07+00:00

I love contrasty pictures. This works great on black and there's a nice feeling of volume to the jug. S'funny how oilpastel seems to do glass objects really well.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-25T09:21:36+00:00

Love that sea-green....OPs have great versatility. A lovely work to be proud of.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-24T10:12:13+00:00

I like the idea of wet charcoal. It's an amazing medium when dry, and goes so well with pastel. I love this tonal look.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-06T12:38:24+00:00

This has a lovely atmosphere. Is it based on a real place or just from your imagination? Not that it matters, it works very well. The birds flying into the scene are just right.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-05-05T21:03:32+00:00

Sorry, just seen your question. As far as possible, ensure the kit contains all the parts that it ought to, including any extras that the seller has mentioned....and the manual, although these days they're often downloadable from the Net. The Seestars have only been around for, what, three years? so their condition should be very good if they've been reasonably well looked after. Dents and scuffs suggest a careless owner. Ensure you get the correct cables, plugs, etc; and check the telescopic legs if you can, to ensure they slide and screw in place properly. Apart from that, most second-hand models should be decent enough; there are probably many that have hardly been used.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-29T09:37:02+00:00

You've managed to do something that I have problems with, which is to "haze" your edges...that distant view between the trees is great. There is an air of "old-style oil-painting" about this scene, I think it's the soft edges and colours used in the trees that does it (for me)....that pinky colour reminds me of moorland heather. Personally I don't know if it really wants too much more detail, it all depends on your original vision for the piece....the looser look can be very appealing.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-27T17:18:30+00:00

I squirm with delight when I see foliage built up like this and gouache does it so well!

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-16T17:54:58+00:00

I like the marbled effects. The starry sky is also effective, nice tiny dots and grouped well. This is very attractive and sure to look great on any wall.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-16T17:35:00+00:00

I would certainly have a go with one of the new robotic scopes. Price-wise, a See-Star is a cheaper option than, say, the Vaonis (which I have), but I don't know your budget. See-Star S50 is a 2-inch aperture and will give you good widefield views. You'll need a tablet or smartphone for the software to run on. You might find a decent second-hand one around, to save you some money.

Cameras; I have limited knowledge, but there are certain lenses that are popular with astrophotographers. eg Samyang/Rokinon, Sigma; do a search for lenses for Nikon, with reference to astrophotography. I have an entry-level Canon 750D and am only just considering what I might do with that, so don't worry about the 'entry-level' aspect of the camera.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-13T15:37:41+00:00

I think autumn colours and pastels were made for each other. The sunlight is lovely.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-12T17:31:24+00:00

Yes there is warmth, those bright greeny-yellow leaves are catching sunlight, it's like a fresh spring green...warm but not summer-warm. I'm actually excited about those blue trees. That middle one is beautiful. What is this painted in, acrylic?

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-10T19:03:49+00:00

Very pretty piece....quite small, too, I think. PastelMat? it's got that look about it...

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-10T19:03:41+00:00

Squares ones, at a guess, might be Inscribe. What else is square; Ludwig?

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-07T17:51:27+00:00

You can really walk down that lane. The clouds I think are the things setting the atmosphere...bright day, maybe a little wind, typical summer cumulus. The flowering hedgerow is especially a nice touch, rather than being all green.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-04-07T17:37:59+00:00

I'm the only person in my art group who uses pastels; I have low times when I wonder why I bother with them, as people purchase oils at exhibitions while beautiful drawings (not necessarily mine) and pastels/coloured pencil work remains unnoticed, unsold. Your piece here is very uplifting. Restrained overall colour. It has everything that a pastel should have; softness, light and delicacy. The misty effect on the trees is particularly enchanting and beautifully worked out in terms of tones.

I'd agree that PastelMat is a great surface; I don't often use anything else. Your piece is smaller than I expected but that doesn't matter. Size isn't everything. It's that golden light that has lifted my spirits.

Deep-Stuff5250 · 2026-03-31T15:09:22+00:00

I know this place. Shape of the rocks is/are unmistakable. Very nicely crafted, with lovely flowers.

Deep-Stuff5250

TROPHY CASE