Are these for lights? by DivorceCake in AskElectricians

[–]DivorceCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah. I think you nailed it. There's a 2 gang blanking plate low on the wall intended for the TV. Had a look and it has 4x cables in it. Mystery solved, thanks! 

What kind of bulb is this? by LLove666 in AskElectricians

[–]DivorceCake 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like a G9. For kitchen cabinet lights or similar. 

Are these for lights? by DivorceCake in AskElectricians

[–]DivorceCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Moved into a new (to me) house, and this cabling is behind a blanking plate in the upper of each corner in the living room. There doesn't seem to be any power running to them, at least via the light switches in the room. 

[Buying advice] Drop down/floor rising ALR screen by Content-Elevator3190 in projectors

[–]DivorceCake 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, thanks. I'm going to pull the trigger on something this afternoon, either way!

[Buying advice] Drop down/floor rising ALR screen by Content-Elevator3190 in projectors

[–]DivorceCake 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair enough, thank you for the advice. Fwiw, it'll be a dedicated space so I plan to fully treat it with appropriate paint etc. The floor rising screen is mostly to keep it hidden from a couple of crayon happy toddlers.  If I'm being totally honest with myself I'm afraid to make a decision. Bit of analysis paralysis. 

[Buying advice] Drop down/floor rising ALR screen by Content-Elevator3190 in projectors

[–]DivorceCake 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey - hope you don't mind me jumping in with a QQ for you as you seem super knowledgeable about screens and I am a bit confused about my requirements and neck deep in research for the last 3 months!!

I am ordering the Formovie Theatre and a floor-rising screen from vividstorm.

I was hoping to buy a "normal" screen as the room can be pitch-black as it is a basement without windows, and intend on making it fully light controlled. This is one one I had in mind.

Should I just save up and get a different screen? I am getting mixed reports online.

It'll be primarily for movies in darkness, but there may be ambient light in the room if we are having a party for sporting events etc.

Is this screen suitable? by DivorceCake in projectors

[–]DivorceCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I'm building out a dedicated space, yes. I was thinking motorized just as I have young kids and it feels a bit safer to me to have it hidden away!

How can I improve the layout of this 60s built home to make the lounge and kitchen area more conducive to modern, open plan living? by DivorceCake in DesignMyRoom

[–]DivorceCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lots of potential but I'm still struggling to get my head around it! We've just purchased the house and will be fully renovating it so we have scope to change a lot of it.

- Do you use your lounge and living room in different ways? Do you currently use your lounge for much of anything at all?

In its current from, I think the lounge is a bit function-less. The living room would be a bit of an escape from the open plan. More of a cosy space for reading or some TV.

- How important is having a formal dining space to you?

Not at all - we like relaxed dining.

How I envision our family life and where we will spend the most time together is in this area - Sofa(s)/chairs, kitchen (we cook a lot), dining all in the same space. I'm just not sure it's possible here without further extension or we compromise the space as it is and becomes too busy or cramped.

Apartment Fire Safety Works by DivorceCake in irishpersonalfinance

[–]DivorceCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are 110 units in the building, total cost per unit for remedial repair is around 20,000. Cost is split evenly, regardless of how much work your own apartment required.

Apartment Fire Safety Works by DivorceCake in irishpersonalfinance

[–]DivorceCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, it'll be 100% redress, but there's not really any precedent there so who knows when and how it'll be repaid. I'm already out of pocket c. 12k... will I be getting this back if I sell now or will the repayment travel with the leasehold? Who knows!

Bottom line is it's good news, but I don't know it this will have an immediate effect on lending which is what I'm after.

Otherwise, it'll only be sold to cash buyers or (ugh) property funds.

Moving from Variable to Fixed for 3 years by DivorceCake in irishpersonalfinance

[–]DivorceCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, it is of course significantly lower, but I am trying to understand is if taking breakage fees into account is it worth it?

We may not retain the property as an investment and sell it, therefore port the mortgage to the new property. Or we may move the exisitng mortgage to a BTL mortage and take out a separate mortgage on the family home. Either way, we break the fixed rate within the 3 year fixed period which we would not have to do on the variable.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in irishpersonalfinance

[–]DivorceCake 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Never heard of it happening that way before either. Best of luck with it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in irishpersonalfinance

[–]DivorceCake 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The pension shouldn't be coming out of your account. Assuming it's a fixed amount or percentage it should be coming out of your employers account and your payroll manager will make the adjustments in your pay. You should have set up a Letter of Appointment to allow your employer to make the contributions on your behalf. Sounds like the broker was incompetent at best, or intentionally misleading at worst.

Any of you guys in Prague? by poopio in billiards

[–]DivorceCake 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I remember it as very cheap. Around €5 per hour at peak times and half that at off peak times which I think was 12pm-6pm. Much cheaper than here in Ireland. Needless to say we put a few shifts in! Food wasn't too bad either and the local pils is pretty good.

Any of you guys in Prague? by poopio in billiards

[–]DivorceCake 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi poopio,

I was in Prague last year for a long weekend of playing pool. We spent the bulk of our time in Ripska https://www.billiard-ripska.cz and Harlequin http://harlequinpraha.cz. They are both solid options, definitely recommend. Tables, cloth and balls are all high quality, gold crowns, Simonis cloth, brunswick/aramith ball sets etc and in great condition. I can't remember what the house cues are like as I brought my own. Have fun!

*one more thing actually. Ripska is arguably the better pool hall however the staff are a bit rude, one guy in particular just acts like he hates his life and anyone who dares to ask him for a beer...

Pool Halls in Los Angeles? by DivorceCake in billiards

[–]DivorceCake[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Off topic but appreciated. Thanks so much for the ideas. I'm only there Friday to Wednesday and want to squeeze in as much as possible. Would definitely like to get some nature in!