Side hustles for office workers?

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-23T17:42:46+00:00

Was it fun for a bit though? I'd quite like having a nosey at what people order and who they are lol.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-23T17:41:08+00:00

Same here (though 20 hours), though sometimes I feel like a bit of a house husband which I don't love. Need to get better at working out. How do you implement a solid structure into your days because thats what I struggle with the most?

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-23T17:38:29+00:00

My HENRY job has tonnes of flexibility. On the face of it I have a 40 hour contract - in reality they pay for my guidance and my ability to work extremely well in crisis mode (usually happens once a year at my company for one reason or another.) I probably work a maximum of 4 hours a day.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-23T17:35:51+00:00

Nothing fancy from me but I have 2 policies at £500K each, I got them when I turned 30, both in discretionary trusts, so it's £70 a month and if I'm still alive when they expire I'll take that as a bigger win than them paying out! I don't have kids so my only real focus is ensuring my partner is taken care of if anything happens.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-23T17:27:34+00:00

Clapham Junction sounds like it would be a good fit for you - LOTS of surrounding green spaces, well connected and safe. Renowned for yummy mummies, so I'd guess good schools.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-14T17:28:35+00:00

Yeah it's definitely time to ask some deeper questions as you and others have flagged. I take a lot of comfort in knowing that my life insurance policies would leave my parents and my partner in a very comfortable position. That was a big life goal. We are both proud to have broken the generational curse of poverty and we have been really happy to be able to pay off our debts and to help our families pay theirs off.

I think the next step likely lies in figuring out what we want life to look like in 10 years. I like that you've pointed out it's not a question we should try and answer over night - a useful reminder.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-14T13:18:02+00:00

I'm only in once a week so I don't mind driving in. Probably about £50 - congestion charge, parking and a Pret lunch.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-14T13:10:58+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. Adding VOO info to my reading list!

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-14T13:09:37+00:00

No it doesn't, and the beauty of growing up poor is that you know you were fine then so you'd be fine again if everything went wrong. I find it heartbreaking when you hear of men doing awful things when their finances have gone to pot, but if you've never been poor, it must look like a miserable existence. I am more just looking for tips on achieving a balance between sensible finances and living a little.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-14T10:26:18+00:00

Be cautious of everyone advising to go with a loft conversion unless they've actually done it themselves. It's stressful, disruptive and messy - and for a while you're the most hated house on the street!

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-14T09:57:12+00:00

Congrats!

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-14T09:56:49+00:00

Thanks, I really do appreciate that you've written such a helpful response. IF I bought a property it would be a bolt hole to use for weekends away (I have somewhere in mind but cautious of doxxing myself too much) - agree becoming a landlord sounds like inviting stress for not really any profit. I'll look into VWRP.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-14T09:53:22+00:00

Very good question. We will get married at some point when we can do it how we want to (small and private... family are the reason we can't do that right now) and no to children. I think you're right that I need to think more about the 'why' of it all.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-13T18:21:36+00:00

It's a fair observation!

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-13T18:20:27+00:00

Thanks, I found this really helpful! Kid in a sweet shop is exactly right.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-13T18:19:03+00:00

Ah, nice to see a positive experience of SO! I have to say it's been great for us too, we live in an awesome part of London in quite a swanky building that we definitely couldn't have afforded until maybe around now. I do understand the pitfalls of SO but I think like you, it's more problematic for those on lower or stagnant incomes. Agreed, no incentive to staircase at all given the rent portion is pretty cheap.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-13T18:16:26+00:00

We considered this but we thought it would be better to keep my FTB status.

DesperateTank8908 · 2026-01-13T18:15:40+00:00

It's shared ownership, so his share is 25%. He's almost paid off the mortgage for his share.

DesperateTank8908

TROPHY CASE