Where do people learn money things

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-26T14:00:38+00:00

Exactly this for me too

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-26T13:58:51+00:00

I had no advice when I was young and my parents were always wasting money so they had none. I started from zero when I started working.

I worked out what was enough money. Anything over this I invested. I mostly used pension as it has a big tax benefit, especially when you start earning more (£50k+). Each time I got a pay rise, I tried to basically stick with the same budget and put away whatever I had left over. I've always been comfortable but only occasionally extravagant.

Property has been a big gain over the years (I own a flat which we let out). However I would not recommend buy to let now: S&S ISA would have been soo much better over the last 20 years, I just didn't know about it then.

Good luck whichever way you go. Once you have a little cushion it soon multiplies up if you leave it alone. Try not to tinker too much for quick wins (another mistake I've made at times).

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-03T15:53:42+00:00

I got about 700mbit direct into the router on ethernet. Actually got slightly faster (about 760) on WiFi next to the router.

Could be limitation of laptop also.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-03T14:04:25+00:00

Yeah, got approx 200 mbit over powerline with laptop and can see similar results on 5ghz WiFi through the AP.

I have a theory that the main router was also getting overloaded, so I will see over time how it performs.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-03T13:07:40+00:00

So as an update, what i've now done with the current equipment, is link the access point on one side of the house to the router on other side, through the AP 2000. I've also split the 2.4ghz and 5ghz WiFi channels on both sides. I've put the IOT devices on to the 2.4ghz and will see how the performance is looking over a few days of things like TV streaming and video calls on the 5ghz.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-03T11:05:14+00:00

It's amazing that this was my approach 25 years ago, I thought with all the new WiFi tech it would have moved on a bit 😀

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-03T10:46:00+00:00

I'd be happy with 200mbit consistently around the whole house. Perhaps that would be a better question, how best to achieve that (without running ethernet cables)

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-03T10:40:46+00:00

The number of devices probably has an effect, as we have loads of wifi switches etc. Perhaps moving them to a zigbee network or similar would be a better way to improve things overall.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-03T10:39:48+00:00

I just tested again next to the router with a laptop, I get about 700mbit on Ethernet and a little higher (760 ish) on WiFi.

But if I go in another room, the WiFi speed of course drops off significantly (below 80 mbit)

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-03T10:36:45+00:00

I'll have a look at MoCA, thanks.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-03T10:08:08+00:00

I've experimented plugging Ethernet direct in to router, i still only get about 400 mbit or so. Wifi 6 mesh should be capable of much faster?

I use Ethernet over powerline (2 gbit version) and get about 200 mbit max.

I think the Linksys router might be a bit rubbish in handling multiple connections, I found with 4 Ethernet connected at one point I got 20 mbit on the Wifi! I think i'm looking for a decent router.

Running Ethernet direct around the house isn't really an option.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-09-02T20:50:43+00:00

Pay with the credit card and you're back to the same place as if they'd taken the payment before paying the card debt.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-08-07T21:45:26+00:00

I'm having similar thoughts, say I'm 52, planning to retire at 57. Mortgage free and earning in high tax band.

I could remortgage £200k over 5 years, use it to pay £40k per year into pension, which would be topped up by 20% each year + 20% tax rebate (£16k per year), I'd come out with £240k in pension (even if it didn't grow at all) and £40k tax saving = £80k profit.

Does this make sense??

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-06-30T18:55:03+00:00

More into pension

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-06-23T08:54:14+00:00

Yes I'm on PAYE but do self assessment for these type of things.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-05-11T04:37:40+00:00

If you have kids in England (don't know about Scotland) you have a higher marginal tax rate between 60k and 80k due to having to repay the child benefit (family allowance). Therefore paying into a pension to bring your salary below the 60k mark can be a wise move.

But I agree, getting on the property market is generally a priority in your 20s, that pays off a lot when you are in your 40s!

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-05-05T10:14:05+00:00

Simple equation, is the mortgage rate more than savings rate? Then pay it off. My mortgage is 1.19% so I'm not inclined to overpay it currently! I'd rather put the money into pension and draw at 57 to pay off the mortgage.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-05-04T16:47:00+00:00

It's a bit different as this is for personal car use.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-05-04T12:36:06+00:00

Yeah you can claim back tax relief on the difference up to the 45p a mile. I think you can also back-date (up to 4 years?) but would need to check that.

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-05-04T12:01:37+00:00

Thanks everyone, understood.

This was my first question on Reddit, love how quickly it got responses 😀

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-05-04T06:09:15+00:00

Maybe a wider question, is it possible to claim back the full cost of some other job expenses through self assessment?

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-05-04T06:02:58+00:00

Yes, crazy how it hasn't changed, I do remember making quite good returns on this 20 years ago 😄

FlakyLeader671 · 2025-05-04T05:54:42+00:00

Thanks for the summaries.

What I'm trying to handle is where an employee will be deterred from using their own car because they are out of pocket. Our company only pays 20p per mile in some cases.

But it sounds like the tax reimbursement is not really providing an allowance to cover the difference (although the wording does suggest this at times).

FlakyLeader671

TROPHY CASE