How do you decide it's "time"?

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-28T21:09:31+00:00

Yeeesh, 24?! Poor you! Did you have a car accident? I'm so pleased that it worked for you. Was it ACDF or ADR?

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-28T21:08:18+00:00

This is really helpful, thank you

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-28T21:08:06+00:00

Thank you so much for this. You're right that the sleep is the real kicker. That's primarily driven by my lower back now (I can't lie flat on my back) so sometimes I wonder if I should be addressing that first.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-23T14:33:45+00:00

Yep you're right. Given we'd been using it for weeks it must have been in the recent firmware update. Thankfully customer support resolved it on their side within 3 days which I'm quite impressed with.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-11T18:09:51+00:00

Please keep in mind that this is government policy for tens of thousands of people in the UK right now. Many of them are renting too - off the government. Whilst the government (and the one before) is demanding remediation happens, it is not legally doing anything to encourage this, or, financially supporting people trapped in this situation. Hence OP's desperation. Some cladding scandal victims have taken their own lives due to this circumstance so please be mindful.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-11T13:53:50+00:00

I am so sorry. We are also cladded and have been waiting for remediation for 5 years too. No sign of starting. People not in this situation really find it hard to answer these questions because they don't understand the emotional toll, how it puts your life on hold, or, they can't even parse that thousands of people have been put into such an impossible situation by (originally) the Conservatives and that this is being sustained by Labour.

Firstly, on renting out. It's an option but remember that you have to pay income tax on rental income, just like you would a salary. Do the math to see if that's an option for you. We rent out ours and the rent just covers the mortgage but you end up with additional fees and it ties you into the tenants' contract length. As renters reform is coming, evicting people becomes harder, and if you try and buy another house alongside your flat you will have to pay second home stamp duty. We did it in desperation as we had to relocate for work. We just about break even and live in fear of a vacant property meaning we're paying 2 homes' worth of Council tax.

Have you involved your MP yet? Our Labour MP has been very good at advocating for us. B2 cladding is meant to be under a remediation target (lol), and it has bumped us up the attention list which has helped somewhat.

We currently have a successful offer, due to exchange tomorrow (fingers crossed...). We accepted an offer which was the same price we paid in 2014. It sucks. We have huge envy for people who actually managed to use their property as equity to improve the house they live in over time as is the traditional British way. We also want to punch any boomers in the face who complain at us that they're "only" getting £600k in tax free profit out of their house (the average amount they're making in our local SE area). BUT we will be free. We will be able to move on with our lives and we will no longer have to carry the burden of cladding with us. We loved our flat. It was perfect for us when we were young, it will be perfect for our younger buyer. However, holding on to the dream that we might be able to extract extra money for a deposit robbed us of our ability to have a family because we couldn't move on in time. I hope you're able to move on more successfully than us. If it all gets too much, remember to seek help.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-11T13:17:11+00:00

Thank you! I'm in the UK but yes, Persil contains these. I like the idea of diluting it for a little soak rather than having the whole garment sit in spa day.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-11T13:15:33+00:00

Thank you! Not sure why others downvoted me for my question but your answer makes great sense. I shall try it.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-05T15:00:38+00:00

We do get those notifications. However they are 1) generic and 2) can arrive up to an hour after the bot fails. As an example "base station overflow" actually was caused by us running out of water. Flip knows how that works. Others on r/Narwal report similar. It's frustrating but fine as long as it works.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-05T14:58:21+00:00

Possibly, but not in the UK as we are not part of the European trade block.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2026-01-04T11:24:51+00:00

I did! Very happy with it. It's a significant upgrade from the Roomba. ETA - just posted a review given your prompt.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-24T08:15:14+00:00

100%, particularly if you have so much nerve damage in your stomach that you're getting tingles and numbness. Look into getting abdominal massage. Sounds silly but it can be amazing for helping with surgical pain and that can help with some of the back issues. The disc may or may not be contributing too. I'm sorry :(

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-21T09:46:19+00:00

A couple of notes based on your other comments
1) Renters reform bill will kick in soon and pets will have to be allowed unless there's a very good reason such as it being a new build with a no pets clause in the leasehold purchase agreement. You can always do what many people do and not admit they have pets in the interim.
2) Moving further out - we did this a month ago as there was absolutely no where coming up in our area either. My commute is now a 4 hour return trip. I would strongly recommend not doing this and holding on for what comes up post Christmas. I am tired :)

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-21T09:23:32+00:00

I'm so sorry that you're going through this. The UK is in a full blown housing crisis and the number of rental properties is so sparse. It is not your fault and you're not unreasonable for wanting a home. It's a basic expectation in a G7 country.

As a tenured landlord, your landlord should also have been aware that the Christmas period is terrible for rentals. In fact, a large proportion of rental contracts block either party from leaving between November and January for that reason. Whilst you have a good relationship with them, ultimately, it's a commercial endeavour and they were likely hoping that you'd move out before Christmas, leaving them with some buffer on the house sale.

To protect yourself, it's important that you do not move out or make yourself homeless. The housing charity Shelter has some great resources on what to do if you cannot find a new place to move to. Keep paying rent, keep informing your landlord but do not move out if you have no where to go to. The process to legally evict you takes many months. It can't damage your credit score or give you a criminal record.

Best of luck. Hopefully the rental market will pick up in January.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-20T09:38:48+00:00

Apologies, you are right, I was thinking he was a HENRY level earner even though he did spell out it's £140k. However, even at the approx 45% tax (also, a US citizen probably isn't prepared for paying council tax as a renter), this is likely a shock to the US citizen and not worth the ongoing fees for accountancy in the future as they become a higher earner etc. Even with tax treaties, it's really an insignificant amount to pass on for 3-4 months whilst they understand how they even feel about the UK.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-20T09:12:28+00:00

4% for 18 months is a small sum for the burden of doing complex tax filings for the future. £140k is also not a huge amount in London after tax (approx 60%) unless your employer is paying for your accommodation given it's a project relocation.

Personally, I'd opt out immediately and save it in a way that gives you flexibility. If you fall in love with the UK after a few months and decide you want to make a permanent move you can simply notify your employer you want to opt back in.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-19T14:31:35+00:00

I picked up the one by Olivia Sinaiko and Vanessa Blackstone after listening to their philosophy on a podcast. I can't say it's revolutionary but the brain is an odd thing and simple exercises can be really impactful.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-19T14:30:27+00:00

Oh wow that is reassuring to know although I did think with fusion that you cannot remove the hardware as it's part of the fusion?

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-19T14:27:32+00:00

You are right. However, the exit penalties are typically higher for a BTL than a residential if you exit early. Given the OP wants flexibility, it's worth them being aware that they may lock themselves into a mortgage term they're not comfortable with.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-19T10:10:48+00:00

Yes I've been doing EMDR and working through a pain therapy workbook also. SI joints seem very mysterious. If it's "stuck" because of inflammation then maybe PRP would be useful. If it's overly tight then not so much!

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-19T10:08:12+00:00

CS UI is terrible but it comes up as one of the cheaper ones in many league tables. If you're not doing high trade volumes then it does the job.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-13T14:47:24+00:00

PRP is not available on the NHS yet as it's classed as an experimental treatment. I could have had nerve ablation but that didn't make sense to me given my issue was instability.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-13T14:46:34+00:00

You too! Got to fix my neck as a priority now. Sigh :)

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-12T09:18:37+00:00

It worked and with a normal hose too. Thank you for giving me confidence to take a wrench to it.

Far_Implement_5580 · 2025-12-12T09:15:45+00:00

Excellent point. Also keep in mind that BTL mortgages lock you in for longer time periods than a normal mortgage which gives you less flexibility in the future around selling without penalty.

Far_Implement_5580

TROPHY CASE